A popular right-wing commentator voiced opposition to all childhood vaccines, calling for a class action lawsuit against pediatricians who don’t accept unvaccinated children at their practices. The commentator also promoted the false claim that doctors receive “bribes” for encouraging their patients to get vaccinated.
In recent years, trust in vaccines and childhood vaccination rates have declined as anti-vaccine rhetoric has become more mainstream. Messaging may emphasize that, unlike most drugs and medical treatments, routine vaccines are mass administered to a primarily young and healthy population. Because of this, vaccines are held to higher testing and safety standards than almost any other medical intervention. All vaccines, new and old, must undergo rigorous safety trials and are closely monitored by health authorities for as long as they are in use. Debunking messaging may also explain that insurance incentive programs require doctors to meet a variety of performance goals related to the quality of patient care and health outcomes, including timely vaccinations, regular appointments, and appropriate use of medications.
