David Higgins
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Pediatrician | Public Health Specialist | Immunization Delivery Researcher | Dad | Views are my own. CommunityImmunity@Substack
CDC’s acting director recently claimed that “informed consent is back” for vaccines—implying it ever disappeared. It didn’t. The real concern isn’t a lack of informed consent, but the growing effort to twist it into fear, confusion, and "misinformed refusal".
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
Informed Consent Is Alive and Well—Despite What You’ve Been Told
Setting the record straight on how vaccine communication actually works and why some groups want you to think it’s broken
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:53 PM
CDC’s acting director recently claimed that “informed consent is back” for vaccines—implying it ever disappeared. It didn’t. The real concern isn’t a lack of informed consent, but the growing effort to twist it into fear, confusion, and "misinformed refusal".
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
Some genuinely good news!
A new study found the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab cut ICU admissions and respiratory failure by ~80% in infants during their first RSV season.
This is what progress looks like. These tools are working!
#RSV #PublicHealth #Pediatrics
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
A new study found the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab cut ICU admissions and respiratory failure by ~80% in infants during their first RSV season.
This is what progress looks like. These tools are working!
#RSV #PublicHealth #Pediatrics
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Nirsevimab Effectiveness Against Intensive Care Unit ...
This report describes a multicenter case-control investigation that found nirsevimab was 80% effective at preventing RSV-associated ICU admissions among infants.
www.cdc.gov
November 22, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Some genuinely good news!
A new study found the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab cut ICU admissions and respiratory failure by ~80% in infants during their first RSV season.
This is what progress looks like. These tools are working!
#RSV #PublicHealth #Pediatrics
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
A new study found the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab cut ICU admissions and respiratory failure by ~80% in infants during their first RSV season.
This is what progress looks like. These tools are working!
#RSV #PublicHealth #Pediatrics
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
🚨 Today’s CDC update to its Autism and Vaccines page is deeply troubling.
It takes a well-studied question with decades of consistent evidence and reframes it as uncertain—using a dangerous mix of misrepresentation and false equivalence.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
It takes a well-studied question with decades of consistent evidence and reframes it as uncertain—using a dangerous mix of misrepresentation and false equivalence.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Autism and Vaccines
Answers to common questions about vaccine safety and autism.
www.cdc.gov
November 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
🚨 Today’s CDC update to its Autism and Vaccines page is deeply troubling.
It takes a well-studied question with decades of consistent evidence and reframes it as uncertain—using a dangerous mix of misrepresentation and false equivalence.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
It takes a well-studied question with decades of consistent evidence and reframes it as uncertain—using a dangerous mix of misrepresentation and false equivalence.
www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Pew’s latest vaccine survey drew headlines like “GOP support slips”. I’ve never had a parent refuse due to party affiliation. These decisions are driven, among other things, by social norms, media, and values—not party labels.
Framing it politically only risks making it political.
bit.ly/482gijR
Framing it politically only risks making it political.
bit.ly/482gijR
How Do Americans View Childhood Vaccines, Vaccine Research and Policy?
A majority of Americans say childhood vaccines are effective at preventing illness, but slightly fewer are confident that the vaccine schedule is safe.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Pew’s latest vaccine survey drew headlines like “GOP support slips”. I’ve never had a parent refuse due to party affiliation. These decisions are driven, among other things, by social norms, media, and values—not party labels.
Framing it politically only risks making it political.
bit.ly/482gijR
Framing it politically only risks making it political.
bit.ly/482gijR
📰New this week! Why vaccine policy debates aren’t just political theater—they show up in exam rooms, shaping what parents hear and how children are protected.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
The ACIP Meetings Matter More Than You Think
Why vaccine policy debates aren’t just political theater—they show up in exam rooms, shaping what parents hear and how children are protected.
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
📰New this week! Why vaccine policy debates aren’t just political theater—they show up in exam rooms, shaping what parents hear and how children are protected.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
PAHO meets this week to decide if we’ve lost measles elimination status. I warned in this interview that we’re marching toward that threshold—and getting this close signals widening vaccination gaps and eroding public health capacity.
🔗 www.scientificamerican.com/article/meas...
#Vaccines #Measles
🔗 www.scientificamerican.com/article/meas...
#Vaccines #Measles
North America May Soon No Longer Be Officially Measles-Free, Experts Say
A meeting of the Pan American Health Organization this week will address the resurgence of measles in the Americas
www.scientificamerican.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
PAHO meets this week to decide if we’ve lost measles elimination status. I warned in this interview that we’re marching toward that threshold—and getting this close signals widening vaccination gaps and eroding public health capacity.
🔗 www.scientificamerican.com/article/meas...
#Vaccines #Measles
🔗 www.scientificamerican.com/article/meas...
#Vaccines #Measles
Even small drops in vaccination rates can open the door to outbreaks.
In my Q&A with The Conversation, I explain why school vaccine requirements matter, how we monitor vaccine safety, and what’s behind recent dips in coverage.
theconversation.com/even-small-d...
#VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
In my Q&A with The Conversation, I explain why school vaccine requirements matter, how we monitor vaccine safety, and what’s behind recent dips in coverage.
theconversation.com/even-small-d...
#VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks
Most states require childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, tetanus, rubella, chickenpox and whooping cough.
theconversation.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Even small drops in vaccination rates can open the door to outbreaks.
In my Q&A with The Conversation, I explain why school vaccine requirements matter, how we monitor vaccine safety, and what’s behind recent dips in coverage.
theconversation.com/even-small-d...
#VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
In my Q&A with The Conversation, I explain why school vaccine requirements matter, how we monitor vaccine safety, and what’s behind recent dips in coverage.
theconversation.com/even-small-d...
#VaccinesWork #PublicHealth
Reposted by David Higgins
Even small drops in vaccination rates can fuel measles outbreaks, says pediatrician @drhigginsmd.bsky.social.
His message to parents: stay up to date and talk to your doctor to get more information – not social media.
buff.ly/kTcrQWq
#vaccineswork 🩺 🧪
His message to parents: stay up to date and talk to your doctor to get more information – not social media.
buff.ly/kTcrQWq
#vaccineswork 🩺 🧪
Even small drops in vaccination rates for US children can lead to disease outbreaks
Most states require childhood vaccinations for measles, mumps, tetanus, rubella, chickenpox and whooping cough.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Even small drops in vaccination rates can fuel measles outbreaks, says pediatrician @drhigginsmd.bsky.social.
His message to parents: stay up to date and talk to your doctor to get more information – not social media.
buff.ly/kTcrQWq
#vaccineswork 🩺 🧪
His message to parents: stay up to date and talk to your doctor to get more information – not social media.
buff.ly/kTcrQWq
#vaccineswork 🩺 🧪
Today, HHS declared “informed consent is back” for vaccines.
It never left.
Doctors, nurses, and other professionals do this every day.
Real informed consent means clear, reliable info—not hyped risks or downplayed benefits. Anything else is misinformed consent.
www.npr.org/2025/10/06/n...
It never left.
Doctors, nurses, and other professionals do this every day.
Real informed consent means clear, reliable info—not hyped risks or downplayed benefits. Anything else is misinformed consent.
www.npr.org/2025/10/06/n...
The CDC says people must consult a health professional before COVID shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention accepted a controversial recommendation from outside vaccine advisers to tighten guidelines for the COVID vaccine.
www.npr.org
October 6, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Today, HHS declared “informed consent is back” for vaccines.
It never left.
Doctors, nurses, and other professionals do this every day.
Real informed consent means clear, reliable info—not hyped risks or downplayed benefits. Anything else is misinformed consent.
www.npr.org/2025/10/06/n...
It never left.
Doctors, nurses, and other professionals do this every day.
Real informed consent means clear, reliable info—not hyped risks or downplayed benefits. Anything else is misinformed consent.
www.npr.org/2025/10/06/n...
🚨 Delays in HHS leadership approving COVID-19 vaccines for the Vaccines For Children program mean millions of kids can’t get them. VFC covers ~half of U.S. children, including medically complex kids at highest risk.
#ChildHealth #VaccineAccess
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...
#ChildHealth #VaccineAccess
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...
Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay
Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.
www.statnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🚨 Delays in HHS leadership approving COVID-19 vaccines for the Vaccines For Children program mean millions of kids can’t get them. VFC covers ~half of U.S. children, including medically complex kids at highest risk.
#ChildHealth #VaccineAccess
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...
#ChildHealth #VaccineAccess
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...
📰 The hepatitis B vaccine has nearly eliminated childhood infections and prevents liver cancer. So why is it under attack? I break it down in this week’s Community Immunity.
Read 👉 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
#VaccinesWork #HepatitisB #PublicHealth #SciComm
Read 👉 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
#VaccinesWork #HepatitisB #PublicHealth #SciComm
The Fight Over the Hepatitis B Vaccine
A vaccine that prevents liver cancer is suddenly under attack
communityimmunity.substack.com
September 30, 2025 at 10:31 PM
📰 The hepatitis B vaccine has nearly eliminated childhood infections and prevents liver cancer. So why is it under attack? I break it down in this week’s Community Immunity.
Read 👉 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
#VaccinesWork #HepatitisB #PublicHealth #SciComm
Read 👉 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-fight-...
#VaccinesWork #HepatitisB #PublicHealth #SciComm
I joined Why Should I Trust You? to talk about White House headlines linking Tylenol, vaccines & autism. Honest, real conversation with host Brinda Adhikari, co-hosts & a mom of an autistic child expecting another baby.
🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7MZR...
@whyshoulditrustyou.bsky.social
🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7MZR...
@whyshoulditrustyou.bsky.social
The President's Announcement On Tylenol & Autism: Discussing It w A Pregnant Mother & A Pediatrician
open.spotify.com
September 25, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I joined Why Should I Trust You? to talk about White House headlines linking Tylenol, vaccines & autism. Honest, real conversation with host Brinda Adhikari, co-hosts & a mom of an autistic child expecting another baby.
🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7MZR...
@whyshoulditrustyou.bsky.social
🎧 Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/7MZR...
@whyshoulditrustyou.bsky.social
📰 New in Community Immunity!
Last week’s ACIP meeting ran into a stubborn reality: most Americans—Democrats, Republicans, even President Trump—like vaccines. That may have tempered rumored sweeping moves to limit access.
communityimmunity.substack.com/p/running-in...
Last week’s ACIP meeting ran into a stubborn reality: most Americans—Democrats, Republicans, even President Trump—like vaccines. That may have tempered rumored sweeping moves to limit access.
communityimmunity.substack.com/p/running-in...
Running Into a Brick Wall of Public Support
Inside a chaotic CDC vaccine meeting and how Americans’ enduring support stopped sweeping vaccine rollbacks.
communityimmunity.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
📰 New in Community Immunity!
Last week’s ACIP meeting ran into a stubborn reality: most Americans—Democrats, Republicans, even President Trump—like vaccines. That may have tempered rumored sweeping moves to limit access.
communityimmunity.substack.com/p/running-in...
Last week’s ACIP meeting ran into a stubborn reality: most Americans—Democrats, Republicans, even President Trump—like vaccines. That may have tempered rumored sweeping moves to limit access.
communityimmunity.substack.com/p/running-in...
Reposted by David Higgins
11/ The Covid vaccine is only one of the vaccines ACIP will discuss this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
RSVP 4 — The Evidence Collective
evicollective.org
September 18, 2025 at 3:17 PM
11/ The Covid vaccine is only one of the vaccines ACIP will discuss this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Reposted by David Higgins
12/ HBV is only one of the vaccines ACIP is voting on this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
RSVP 4 — The Evidence Collective
evicollective.org
September 17, 2025 at 5:44 PM
12/ HBV is only one of the vaccines ACIP is voting on this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Reposted by David Higgins
Changes at the federal level have caused confusion around annual COVID vaccinations, but Colorado has taken actions to try to maintain access to the shots. @drhigginsmd.bsky.social helps to answer some common questions: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/covid-vaccine-what-to-know-fda-kennedy/
Can you get a COVID vaccine this year in Colorado? Here’s what to know.
Can you get a COVID vaccine in 2025? Here are answers to all your questions about how to get a COVID vaccine in Colorado and who is eligible.
coloradosun.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Changes at the federal level have caused confusion around annual COVID vaccinations, but Colorado has taken actions to try to maintain access to the shots. @drhigginsmd.bsky.social helps to answer some common questions: https://coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/covid-vaccine-what-to-know-fda-kennedy/
Reposted by David Higgins
12/ MMRV is only one of the vaccines ACIP is voting on this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
RSVP 4 — The Evidence Collective
evicollective.org
September 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
12/ MMRV is only one of the vaccines ACIP is voting on this week. This resource breaks it all down👉 evicollective.org/acip-prebunk-brief-2025-09-25
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
Love,
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Annicka Evans, PhD
@sciencewhizliz.bsky.social
@unbiasedscipod.bsky.social
@ylepidemiologist.bsky.social
📣Colorado continues taking action to protect the ability to choose vaccination as essential prevention.
As I told NPR this week, our state has been proactive—passing two bills last spring to safeguard vaccine access even as federal guidance shifts.🧵
NPR coverage: www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As I told NPR this week, our state has been proactive—passing two bills last spring to safeguard vaccine access even as federal guidance shifts.🧵
NPR coverage: www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Wary of RFK Jr., Colorado started revamping its vaccine policies last spring
While Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., dismantles the federal institutions that set vaccine policy, states like Colorado are changing laws and regulations in an effort to preserve access to va...
www.npr.org
September 13, 2025 at 3:06 PM
📣Colorado continues taking action to protect the ability to choose vaccination as essential prevention.
As I told NPR this week, our state has been proactive—passing two bills last spring to safeguard vaccine access even as federal guidance shifts.🧵
NPR coverage: www.npr.org/sections/sho...
As I told NPR this week, our state has been proactive—passing two bills last spring to safeguard vaccine access even as federal guidance shifts.🧵
NPR coverage: www.npr.org/sections/sho...
📰 In my latest Community Immunity newsletter, I break down what VAERS is and how its data are often misinterpreted or misused.
Timely reading as VAERS reports are expected to take center stage at next week’s ACIP meeting.
Read here: open.substack.com/pub/communit...
Timely reading as VAERS reports are expected to take center stage at next week’s ACIP meeting.
Read here: open.substack.com/pub/communit...
The Vaccine Brief: Lions, Tigers, and VAERS, oh my!
VAERS, Vaccines, and Next Week’s ACIP Meeting: What You Need to Know
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:02 PM
📰 In my latest Community Immunity newsletter, I break down what VAERS is and how its data are often misinterpreted or misused.
Timely reading as VAERS reports are expected to take center stage at next week’s ACIP meeting.
Read here: open.substack.com/pub/communit...
Timely reading as VAERS reports are expected to take center stage at next week’s ACIP meeting.
Read here: open.substack.com/pub/communit...
Too many people still have to fight for the chance to choose COVID-19 vaccination.
I told The Washington Post that while I encourage parents and patients to advocate for themselves, no one should have to keep pushing for routine vaccines—or have access depend on their ZIP code.
wapo.st/4poiGto
I told The Washington Post that while I encourage parents and patients to advocate for themselves, no one should have to keep pushing for routine vaccines—or have access depend on their ZIP code.
wapo.st/4poiGto
How to get a coronavirus vaccine and who’s eligible amid limited access
Here’s what to know about navigating pharmacies, doctors, insurance companies and the government when trying to get updated coronavirus vaccines.
wapo.st
September 11, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Too many people still have to fight for the chance to choose COVID-19 vaccination.
I told The Washington Post that while I encourage parents and patients to advocate for themselves, no one should have to keep pushing for routine vaccines—or have access depend on their ZIP code.
wapo.st/4poiGto
I told The Washington Post that while I encourage parents and patients to advocate for themselves, no one should have to keep pushing for routine vaccines—or have access depend on their ZIP code.
wapo.st/4poiGto
Can you get a COVID vaccine in Colorado this year? It’s complicated.
I spoke with the Colorado Sun about what’s happening and why vaccine access is so uncertain. Reporter John Ingold breaks it down for Coloradans.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/c...
@coloradosun.com
#VaccineAccess #ColoradoHealth
I spoke with the Colorado Sun about what’s happening and why vaccine access is so uncertain. Reporter John Ingold breaks it down for Coloradans.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/c...
@coloradosun.com
#VaccineAccess #ColoradoHealth
Can you get a COVID vaccine this year in Colorado? Here’s what to know.
Can you get a COVID vaccine in 2025? Here are answers to all your questions about how to get a COVID vaccine in Colorado and who is eligible.
coloradosun.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Can you get a COVID vaccine in Colorado this year? It’s complicated.
I spoke with the Colorado Sun about what’s happening and why vaccine access is so uncertain. Reporter John Ingold breaks it down for Coloradans.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/c...
@coloradosun.com
#VaccineAccess #ColoradoHealth
I spoke with the Colorado Sun about what’s happening and why vaccine access is so uncertain. Reporter John Ingold breaks it down for Coloradans.
coloradosun.com/2025/09/08/c...
@coloradosun.com
#VaccineAccess #ColoradoHealth
New data from a The Washington Post–KFF parent survey: 81% of U.S. parents support public schools requiring measles and polio vaccines—including 82% of Florida parents and 73% of MAGA Republicans! There is ipartisan support for vaccines!
#VaccinesWork #HealthyKids
thehill.com/policy/healt...
#VaccinesWork #HealthyKids
thehill.com/policy/healt...
September 5, 2025 at 5:36 PM
New data from a The Washington Post–KFF parent survey: 81% of U.S. parents support public schools requiring measles and polio vaccines—including 82% of Florida parents and 73% of MAGA Republicans! There is ipartisan support for vaccines!
#VaccinesWork #HealthyKids
thehill.com/policy/healt...
#VaccinesWork #HealthyKids
thehill.com/policy/healt...
Republican pollsters confirmed what the evidence has shown for years: Strong bipartisan support for routine vaccines!
Conflating COVID-19 skepticism with attitudes toward all vaccines is misleading and dangerous.
#USAnotRFK #VaccinesSaveLives #BipartisanSupport
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Conflating COVID-19 skepticism with attitudes toward all vaccines is misleading and dangerous.
#USAnotRFK #VaccinesSaveLives #BipartisanSupport
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Ahead of Kennedy hearing, GOP saw poll showing Trump voters support vaccines
The poll, conducted by veteran Republican pollsters, found that a majority of Trump voters believe vaccines save lives and support immunizations against measles and hepatitis B.
www.nbcnews.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Republican pollsters confirmed what the evidence has shown for years: Strong bipartisan support for routine vaccines!
Conflating COVID-19 skepticism with attitudes toward all vaccines is misleading and dangerous.
#USAnotRFK #VaccinesSaveLives #BipartisanSupport
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Conflating COVID-19 skepticism with attitudes toward all vaccines is misleading and dangerous.
#USAnotRFK #VaccinesSaveLives #BipartisanSupport
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...