The ‘bot holiday’ and why clinicians can’t tackle disinformation alone
While there is global consensus from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Surgeon General, and others that disinformation is a problem, how to best solve it is up in the air.
Claims of vaccine hesitancy in African countries are at odds with the reality on the ground
At best, claims of widespread vaccine hesitancy across African nations are uninformed speculation. At worst, they are attempts to distract people from the injustice of unequal access to Covid-19 vaccines by blaming Africans.
Vaccine mandates should cover the incarcerated, too, not just prison guards and workers
The rights of the incarcerated to self-determination are limited. But expanding them shouldn't start with the choice to shun a shot that authorities say will help them survive.
DTx startup takes on a childhood eye disease & Jonathan Bush on the Cures Act
In this edition of STAT Health Tech: A startup develops a digital therapeutic to treat an eye disease in kids, Jonathan Bush weighs in on health data sharing, and more.
I was once a hardcore anti-vaxxer. Now I try to nudge people to get the Covid-19 vaccine
As I read a message from a friend who opposes getting vaccinated against Covid-19, I take a breath and try to remember that perspective, that feeling of being so sure I was right and that almost all of modern science was wrong.
To vaccinate more Americans, lean into outbreaks
Linking Covid-19 testing and contact tracing to vaccination might seem obvious, but it isn't happening nationally. Instead, the three continue to be siloed.
For the first time in decades, vaccines are having a moment. Will it last?
It seems vaccination — long viewed as a chore or an I’d-rather-not or, for many adults, a completely forgotten part of preventive health care — is having a moment.
Joe Biden’s campaign-trail challenge: Casting doubt on a Trump vaccine without fueling broader vaccine skepticism
Democrats are attacking Trump’s vaccine development process as rushed and politically motivated. And they’re taking pains to make sure their rhetoric doesn’t fuel further vaccine skepticism.
Believers need to be as prepared for a Covid-19 vaccine as anti-vaxxers are against it
Public trust of scientists is hard-earned, and constantly faces erosion. Those who believe in science must stand vigilant against science denial, recognize it, and address the concerns that underlie it.
The story of a scientist’s mea culpa on Covid-19 vaccines — and a rough week on Twitter
Steven Salzberg, who proposed widespread Covid-19 vaccinations while Phase 3 trials are ongoing — and then issued a mea culpa — talks with @statnews about the experience.
Prominent hospital president resigns from Moderna board after conflict of interest questions raised
Dr. Elizabeth Nabel, president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, is resigning from Moderna’s board of directors amid conflict of interest questions.
Death threats, shoves, and throwing blood: Anti-vaxxers’ bullying of public health officials endangers our country
Public health advocates across the country trying to halt outbreaks of measles, whooping cough, and now Covid-19 face racist and violent memes, threats, physical attacks, and more from anti-vaccine extremists.
Pharmalittle: Distrust in big pharma fuels anti-vaxxers; 4 ways to attack rising drug prices
A former FDA commissioner and a former acting CMS administrator suggest four approaches to address rising drug prices in a provocative editorial.
New York City orders mandatory vaccines for some amid measles outbreak
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the unusual order amid what he said was a measles "crisis" in Brooklyn's Williamsburg section.
Gottlieb’s threat of federal vaccine mandates: questionable legality, poor policy
@SGottliebFDA's threat of federal mandates for #vaccines is questionably legal and poor policy.
Russian bots were used to sow divisions on vaccines, researchers say
Russian bots and trolls took to Twitter to sow divisions on the effectiveness of vaccines, researchers say.
The 39 best health and science books to read this summer
Need a new book to dive into? Check out the great health, medicine, and science reads on STAT's annual summer book list.
Meet the Uber driver on a mission to troll the ‘Vaxxed’ anti-vaccine road trip
Craig Egan spent his summer chasing the Vaxxed bus across the U.S. to protest its anti-vaccine message. He's not sure he's changed minds. But he's had fun.
Pharmalot, Pharmalittle: India is now classifying dozens of drug makers as high-risk
India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization has classified more than 200 drug makers as high-risk.
Donna Shalala discusses anti-vaxxers, opioids, and how the Clinton Foundation stays out of the election
Former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala discusses the opioid crisis, kids and obesity, and how the Clinton Foundation stays out of the election.