Alastair McAlpine, MD
@alastairmca30.bsky.social
Pediatric infectious disease physician, author, runner, metal fan. Dislikes Pseudoscience and bigotry. Views ≠ my employer 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Prescription: Ice Cream available now! https://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Doctors-Journey-Discover-Matters-ebook/dp/B0CY347H4D
Prescription: Ice Cream available now! https://www.amazon.com/Prescription-Doctors-Journey-Discover-Matters-ebook/dp/B0CY347H4D
Pinned
About me:
Pediatric ID physician in Vancouver.
Passionate about vaccines 💉 and antimicrobial stewardship. 💊
Author ✍️
Reader 📚
Runner 🏃
Metal music fan 🤘
Pediatric ID physician in Vancouver.
Passionate about vaccines 💉 and antimicrobial stewardship. 💊
Author ✍️
Reader 📚
Runner 🏃
Metal music fan 🤘
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
This MAGA/MAHA/Trump/RFK Jr/Dr Oz/Dr Bhattacharya press conference right now is quite possibly the worst press conference—from the viewpoints of medicine, public health, & medical ethics—that I’ve ever seen. These men are so shameless & deeply irresponsible. Wherever happened to science & evidence?
September 22, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This MAGA/MAHA/Trump/RFK Jr/Dr Oz/Dr Bhattacharya press conference right now is quite possibly the worst press conference—from the viewpoints of medicine, public health, & medical ethics—that I’ve ever seen. These men are so shameless & deeply irresponsible. Wherever happened to science & evidence?
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Rolling the dice on a vaccine preventable illness is never the better option. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare and fatal complication of measles that can occur several years after the original infection. This is sad, this is avoidable. Vaccinate kids!
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Los Angeles child dies from rare measles complication years after recovery
The county health department said the death is a "painful reminder" of how dangerous measles can be in unvaccinated people.
www.nbcnews.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Rolling the dice on a vaccine preventable illness is never the better option. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a rare and fatal complication of measles that can occur several years after the original infection. This is sad, this is avoidable. Vaccinate kids!
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
A reminder that countries that have implemented mass HPV vaccination are on course to ELIMINATE cervical cancer entirely (with no discernible common adverse effects).
RFK Jr and Lied Suddenly want women (and men) to die a painful death from a preventable disease.
RFK Jr and Lied Suddenly want women (and men) to die a painful death from a preventable disease.
August 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A reminder that countries that have implemented mass HPV vaccination are on course to ELIMINATE cervical cancer entirely (with no discernible common adverse effects).
RFK Jr and Lied Suddenly want women (and men) to die a painful death from a preventable disease.
RFK Jr and Lied Suddenly want women (and men) to die a painful death from a preventable disease.
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Let me get this straight: RFK Jr’s $500m cut to mRNA contracts was based on a non‑peer‑reviewed, self‑published, anti-vax bibliography authored by his cronies who are all tied to a ‘vaccine detox’ supplement company? Got it 👍
www.importantcontext.news/p/experts-ci...
www.importantcontext.news/p/experts-ci...
‘Experts’ Cited By RFK Jr. to Justify mRNA Vaccine Funding Cut Have Ties to Anti-vax Supplement Company
Four authors of the non-peer reviewed, anti-vax bibliography cited by Kennedy’s HHS are involved with The Wellness Company.
www.importantcontext.news
August 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Let me get this straight: RFK Jr’s $500m cut to mRNA contracts was based on a non‑peer‑reviewed, self‑published, anti-vax bibliography authored by his cronies who are all tied to a ‘vaccine detox’ supplement company? Got it 👍
www.importantcontext.news/p/experts-ci...
www.importantcontext.news/p/experts-ci...
This is clownish nonsense.
A) What on earth is Bhattacharya doing on this guy’s show?
B) Why is he spreading ridiculous nonsense on this guy’s show?
To claim *all* mRNA vaccines are no longer viable is just absurd.
He is an embarrassment. Bought and paid for.
A) What on earth is Bhattacharya doing on this guy’s show?
B) Why is he spreading ridiculous nonsense on this guy’s show?
To claim *all* mRNA vaccines are no longer viable is just absurd.
He is an embarrassment. Bought and paid for.
August 13, 2025 at 2:31 AM
This is clownish nonsense.
A) What on earth is Bhattacharya doing on this guy’s show?
B) Why is he spreading ridiculous nonsense on this guy’s show?
To claim *all* mRNA vaccines are no longer viable is just absurd.
He is an embarrassment. Bought and paid for.
A) What on earth is Bhattacharya doing on this guy’s show?
B) Why is he spreading ridiculous nonsense on this guy’s show?
To claim *all* mRNA vaccines are no longer viable is just absurd.
He is an embarrassment. Bought and paid for.
Insanity.
No other technology promises to provide as much protection against an array of diseases.
Now this anti-vaxx weirdo has shut them all down.
Never has America been more vulnerable.
No other technology promises to provide as much protection against an array of diseases.
Now this anti-vaxx weirdo has shut them all down.
Never has America been more vulnerable.
August 6, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Insanity.
No other technology promises to provide as much protection against an array of diseases.
Now this anti-vaxx weirdo has shut them all down.
Never has America been more vulnerable.
No other technology promises to provide as much protection against an array of diseases.
Now this anti-vaxx weirdo has shut them all down.
Never has America been more vulnerable.
EXTREMELY proud to announce that my memoir, “Prescription: Ice Cream”, has been long-listed for the Sunday Times Literary Prize.
If you’re interested in a story about working in the busiest hospital in the world, overcoming addition, or finding the meaning of life-check it out!
If you’re interested in a story about working in the busiest hospital in the world, overcoming addition, or finding the meaning of life-check it out!
August 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
EXTREMELY proud to announce that my memoir, “Prescription: Ice Cream”, has been long-listed for the Sunday Times Literary Prize.
If you’re interested in a story about working in the busiest hospital in the world, overcoming addition, or finding the meaning of life-check it out!
If you’re interested in a story about working in the busiest hospital in the world, overcoming addition, or finding the meaning of life-check it out!
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
It is the first time that Jewish-led organizations in Israel have made such accusations against the country during nearly 22 months of war.
Two Israeli human rights groups say their country is committing genocide in Gaza
It is the first time that Jewish-led organizations in Israel have made such accusations against the country during nearly 22 months of war.
n.pr
July 28, 2025 at 6:54 PM
It is the first time that Jewish-led organizations in Israel have made such accusations against the country during nearly 22 months of war.
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Robert F. Kennedy jr. has taken a slash and burn approach to health agencies. Experts expect people to die from his actions. via @andrewgumbel.bsky.social @observeruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
A war on science: Kennedy’s slash-and-burn approach to pu...
The US and the world look likely to pay a high price for the policies of Trump’s ruthless health secretary
observer.co.uk
July 28, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Robert F. Kennedy jr. has taken a slash and burn approach to health agencies. Experts expect people to die from his actions. via @andrewgumbel.bsky.social @observeruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Charlotte lost her sister to measles. She has a hard time watching today's outbreaks.
July 21, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Charlotte lost her sister to measles. She has a hard time watching today's outbreaks.
Serving sugary drinks with cane sugar in glass bottles won’t significantly change anyone’s health.
This is performative nonsense that summarizes how silly the “MAHA” movement is.
This is performative nonsense that summarizes how silly the “MAHA” movement is.
July 20, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Serving sugary drinks with cane sugar in glass bottles won’t significantly change anyone’s health.
This is performative nonsense that summarizes how silly the “MAHA” movement is.
This is performative nonsense that summarizes how silly the “MAHA” movement is.
HUGE new study of >1.2 million kids looked to see if the aluminium contained was associated with a number of childhood conditions.
Long story short: NO association with ANY of them.
The tiny amount of aluminium in vaccines is safe. #Vaccineswork
Long story short: NO association with ANY of them.
The tiny amount of aluminium in vaccines is safe. #Vaccineswork
July 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
HUGE new study of >1.2 million kids looked to see if the aluminium contained was associated with a number of childhood conditions.
Long story short: NO association with ANY of them.
The tiny amount of aluminium in vaccines is safe. #Vaccineswork
Long story short: NO association with ANY of them.
The tiny amount of aluminium in vaccines is safe. #Vaccineswork
In case you were worried by this despicable lie:
There is ZERO association with receipt of vaccination and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In fact, many studies have found a negative association between vaccines and SIDS (ie they’re associated with REDUCED SIDS)
There is ZERO association with receipt of vaccination and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In fact, many studies have found a negative association between vaccines and SIDS (ie they’re associated with REDUCED SIDS)
July 7, 2025 at 5:27 PM
In case you were worried by this despicable lie:
There is ZERO association with receipt of vaccination and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In fact, many studies have found a negative association between vaccines and SIDS (ie they’re associated with REDUCED SIDS)
There is ZERO association with receipt of vaccination and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
In fact, many studies have found a negative association between vaccines and SIDS (ie they’re associated with REDUCED SIDS)
Disingenuous nonsense.
We know why autism rates have increased.
Expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
The causes are not fully elucidated, but predominantly genetic.
(RFK Jr wants to blame vaccines. We all know it).
We know why autism rates have increased.
Expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
The causes are not fully elucidated, but predominantly genetic.
(RFK Jr wants to blame vaccines. We all know it).
July 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Disingenuous nonsense.
We know why autism rates have increased.
Expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
The causes are not fully elucidated, but predominantly genetic.
(RFK Jr wants to blame vaccines. We all know it).
We know why autism rates have increased.
Expanded diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
The causes are not fully elucidated, but predominantly genetic.
(RFK Jr wants to blame vaccines. We all know it).
I thought I would spend my days on social media making funny memes and nerding out with fellow medics.
Instead, I’m debunking AI-generated anti-vaxx slop from the head of frikkin Health & Human Sciences. While pointing out that Pubmed searches aren’t evidence.
Astonishing.
Instead, I’m debunking AI-generated anti-vaxx slop from the head of frikkin Health & Human Sciences. While pointing out that Pubmed searches aren’t evidence.
Astonishing.
June 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
I thought I would spend my days on social media making funny memes and nerding out with fellow medics.
Instead, I’m debunking AI-generated anti-vaxx slop from the head of frikkin Health & Human Sciences. While pointing out that Pubmed searches aren’t evidence.
Astonishing.
Instead, I’m debunking AI-generated anti-vaxx slop from the head of frikkin Health & Human Sciences. While pointing out that Pubmed searches aren’t evidence.
Astonishing.
Kennedy provides a bunch of references for his claim that thimerosal in vaccines (barely used anymore) is harmful.
If a high-school student submitted this as their reference list, they would fail.
I will do what Kennedy didn’t - actually look at them. 🧵
If a high-school student submitted this as their reference list, they would fail.
I will do what Kennedy didn’t - actually look at them. 🧵
June 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Kennedy provides a bunch of references for his claim that thimerosal in vaccines (barely used anymore) is harmful.
If a high-school student submitted this as their reference list, they would fail.
I will do what Kennedy didn’t - actually look at them. 🧵
If a high-school student submitted this as their reference list, they would fail.
I will do what Kennedy didn’t - actually look at them. 🧵
The result of the antivaxx movement is death for kids.
Whooping cough can be fatal for young infants - it causes them to stop breathing.
Kids can only be vaccinated at 6-8w of life. Before then, protection is provided by vaccinating mum during pregnancy.
Whooping cough can be fatal for young infants - it causes them to stop breathing.
Kids can only be vaccinated at 6-8w of life. Before then, protection is provided by vaccinating mum during pregnancy.
June 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
The result of the antivaxx movement is death for kids.
Whooping cough can be fatal for young infants - it causes them to stop breathing.
Kids can only be vaccinated at 6-8w of life. Before then, protection is provided by vaccinating mum during pregnancy.
Whooping cough can be fatal for young infants - it causes them to stop breathing.
Kids can only be vaccinated at 6-8w of life. Before then, protection is provided by vaccinating mum during pregnancy.
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Two babies have died from whooping cough in Kentucky. Neither they nor their parents had been vaccinated.
The current whooping cough outbreak in the U.S. hasn’t grabbed the media spotlight as much as measles has, but it’s important to update your vaccination if you’re going to be around babies.
The current whooping cough outbreak in the U.S. hasn’t grabbed the media spotlight as much as measles has, but it’s important to update your vaccination if you’re going to be around babies.
June 7, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Two babies have died from whooping cough in Kentucky. Neither they nor their parents had been vaccinated.
The current whooping cough outbreak in the U.S. hasn’t grabbed the media spotlight as much as measles has, but it’s important to update your vaccination if you’re going to be around babies.
The current whooping cough outbreak in the U.S. hasn’t grabbed the media spotlight as much as measles has, but it’s important to update your vaccination if you’re going to be around babies.
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
These parents clamored to enroll their children in the Covid vaccine trials. But they say it'll be tough — and unethical — to enroll children in placebo trials again. And they feel betrayed that their sacrifices are now going ignored. My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
A ‘war on children’: as US changes Covid vaccine rules, parents of trial volunteers push back
Frustration and anger mount as Trump administration contemplates new trials and restrictions for Covid vaccines
www.theguardian.com
June 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
These parents clamored to enroll their children in the Covid vaccine trials. But they say it'll be tough — and unethical — to enroll children in placebo trials again. And they feel betrayed that their sacrifices are now going ignored. My latest: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The intellectual dishonesty to publish a paper showing that pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID…
… and then to stand with an antivaxxer and NOT recommend the vaccine for that high-risk group
… is astonishing.
… and then to stand with an antivaxxer and NOT recommend the vaccine for that high-risk group
… is astonishing.
Margaret Brennan totally exposes FDA Commissioner Makary for making it up as he goes and making conflicting recommendations in order to cast doubt on covid vaccines. He's so terrible during this interview that Brennan is left shaking her head as she wraps it up.
June 2, 2025 at 7:35 AM
The intellectual dishonesty to publish a paper showing that pregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID…
… and then to stand with an antivaxxer and NOT recommend the vaccine for that high-risk group
… is astonishing.
… and then to stand with an antivaxxer and NOT recommend the vaccine for that high-risk group
… is astonishing.
RFK Jr and MAHA promised a return to “gold standard science.”
Their report (likely AI generated) cites studies that don’t exist, and misrepresents existing ones.
“Gold standard”? I’d fail an undergrad kid for this.
Their report (likely AI generated) cites studies that don’t exist, and misrepresents existing ones.
“Gold standard”? I’d fail an undergrad kid for this.
May 29, 2025 at 2:43 PM
RFK Jr and MAHA promised a return to “gold standard science.”
Their report (likely AI generated) cites studies that don’t exist, and misrepresents existing ones.
“Gold standard”? I’d fail an undergrad kid for this.
Their report (likely AI generated) cites studies that don’t exist, and misrepresents existing ones.
“Gold standard”? I’d fail an undergrad kid for this.
Reposted by Alastair McAlpine, MD
Harm reduction reduces harms. Period. That’s why it’s called that. We have decades of data. There are mountains of evidence showing that it does not increase drug harms (a pure fallacy) & does not increase drug use. Most of the data actually shows harm reduction interventions LOWER rates of drug use
May 13, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Harm reduction reduces harms. Period. That’s why it’s called that. We have decades of data. There are mountains of evidence showing that it does not increase drug harms (a pure fallacy) & does not increase drug use. Most of the data actually shows harm reduction interventions LOWER rates of drug use
Jay Bhattacharya is a profoundly weak and unserious man who is WAYYYY outta his depth.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘It’s been a tough period’: NIH’s new director speaks with Science
Jay Bhattacharya discusses staff morale, grant cuts, and “rumors”
www.science.org
May 6, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Jay Bhattacharya is a profoundly weak and unserious man who is WAYYYY outta his depth.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes babies to stop breathing…
I’ve seen older children cough so hard their eyes bleed…
It’s an awful illness and it’s prevented by an incredibly safe vaccine.
Mums should get it when they’re pregnant and babies when they’re old enough.
I’ve seen older children cough so hard their eyes bleed…
It’s an awful illness and it’s prevented by an incredibly safe vaccine.
Mums should get it when they’re pregnant and babies when they’re old enough.
May 6, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Pertussis (whooping cough) causes babies to stop breathing…
I’ve seen older children cough so hard their eyes bleed…
It’s an awful illness and it’s prevented by an incredibly safe vaccine.
Mums should get it when they’re pregnant and babies when they’re old enough.
I’ve seen older children cough so hard their eyes bleed…
It’s an awful illness and it’s prevented by an incredibly safe vaccine.
Mums should get it when they’re pregnant and babies when they’re old enough.
Couldn’t disagree more.
Medicine and the real world are inextricably intertwined. To advocate for our patients is to engage beyond simple academia.
Essentially, this article argues we should remain detached in our ivory towers. THAT is what causes decreased trust.
Medicine and the real world are inextricably intertwined. To advocate for our patients is to engage beyond simple academia.
Essentially, this article argues we should remain detached in our ivory towers. THAT is what causes decreased trust.
May 5, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Couldn’t disagree more.
Medicine and the real world are inextricably intertwined. To advocate for our patients is to engage beyond simple academia.
Essentially, this article argues we should remain detached in our ivory towers. THAT is what causes decreased trust.
Medicine and the real world are inextricably intertwined. To advocate for our patients is to engage beyond simple academia.
Essentially, this article argues we should remain detached in our ivory towers. THAT is what causes decreased trust.