Over time, U.S. vaccine policy has moved from a science and public health issue to one involving the perceived infringement of civil liberties. Assertions of an individual’s right to self-determination, at times accompanied by scientific misinformation, have been set against effective, efficient strategies for community-wide protection. The controversies surrounding the development and future use of a COVID-19 vaccine illustrate this shift. At this event, health policy fellow Dr. Peter Hotez and vaccine expert Dr. Peter Marks discussed the vaccine approval process, including clinical trials and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration review process. Using the COVID-19 vaccine as an example, panelists also discussed public hesitancy and ways to improve public trust in vaccines.
This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for Health and Biosciences and The Immunization Partnership, with generous support from Community Health Choice, the Kavli Foundation and the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 2042854). Follow @BakerCHB on Twitter and join the conversation with #BakerHealth.
Agenda
12:00 p.m. — Welcome Remarks
12:05 p.m. — Moderated Discussion and Q&A
Welcome Speaker
Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D.
Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute
Featured Speakers
Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D.
Fellow in Disease and Poverty, Baker Institute; Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine
Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D.
Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Moderator
Rekha Lakshmanan
Contributing Expert, Center for Health and Biosciences, Baker Institute; Director of Advocacy and Policy, The Immunization Partnership