What would happen if an infectious disease doctor could put words in the mouth of Health & Human Services Secretary Tom Price about the need for vaccinations?
That’s just what Paul Sax, M.D., an infectious disease specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, did in a blog post for NEJM Journal Watch.
Like many other doctors and public health officials, Sax was dismayed by Price’s response to questions about required immunizations during a televised town hall last week, particularly when anti-vaccine sentiment is on the rise in the country. When asked questions, including whether all children should receive vaccinations for measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, Price, the country’s top health official, said it should be up to states to regulate requirements for immunizations.
Sax said Price seemed to parse his words carefully, so he offered some alternative responses for what he thinks Price should say about vaccines. Price might have been choosing his words carefully since he belongs to the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, an organization that opposes mandatory immunizations, and that his boss, President Donald Trump, has publicly expressed concerns about vaccine safety, especially about the disproven link to autism, according to Sax.
Some advice to HHS Secy Tom Price about what he should be saying regarding mandatory immunizations. Latest post: https://t.co/jPHDYMIIzy
— Paul Sax (@PaulSaxMD) March 19, 2017
In an interview with The Washington Post, Sax said he wanted to highlight the opportunity Price missed to educate people about the importance of lifesaving vaccines.
In a comment in response to Sax’s post, one reader noted that Price isn’t likely to read such blogs and suggested doctors send him the post. “Every physician that believes in science should forward the above to Secretary Price. I have already e-mailed him my comments after I heard about his cowardly statement,” she wrote.