David Higgins, MD, MPH
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social
Pediatrician | Public health specialist | Immunization delivery researcher | Dad | Views my own | Writing Community Immunity on Substack
Our article is out today in @statnews.com. Do pediatricians get rich from vaccines? We followed the money. Short answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT. This dangerously misleading claim just won’t die.
www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/p...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/p...
Do pediatricians make large profits from vaccines?
Vaccine critics like to say that pediatricians profit from vaccines. This report found something very different.
www.statnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Our article is out today in @statnews.com. Do pediatricians get rich from vaccines? We followed the money. Short answer: ABSOLUTELY NOT. This dangerously misleading claim just won’t die.
www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/p...
www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/p...
I discussed this on the @sciencevs.bsky.social podcast here: open.spotify.com/episode/1hjh...
Vaccines: Does Europe Do Them Better?
open.spotify.com
January 17, 2026 at 3:43 PM
I discussed this on the @sciencevs.bsky.social podcast here: open.spotify.com/episode/1hjh...
Preventing more diseases is a success, not a failure.
This shouldn’t be controversial.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
#Vaccines ##PreventDisease
This shouldn’t be controversial.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
#Vaccines ##PreventDisease
January 17, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Preventing more diseases is a success, not a failure.
This shouldn’t be controversial.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
#Vaccines ##PreventDisease
This shouldn’t be controversial.
open.substack.com/pub/communit...
#Vaccines ##PreventDisease
New 📰 The U.S. is being called a vaccine “outlier.” But why is that assumed to be bad?
Also: changes to a key federal advisory commission, flu policy during a severe season, and ethics concerns in a halted hepatitis B study in Africa.
Read here:
🔗 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-proble...
Also: changes to a key federal advisory commission, flu policy during a severe season, and ethics concerns in a halted hepatitis B study in Africa.
Read here:
🔗 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-proble...
The Problem With Calling the U.S. an Outlier on Vaccines
And why a little-known commission, a severe flu season, and a hepatitis B vaccine study in Africa deserve attention
communityimmunity.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 6:43 PM
New 📰 The U.S. is being called a vaccine “outlier.” But why is that assumed to be bad?
Also: changes to a key federal advisory commission, flu policy during a severe season, and ethics concerns in a halted hepatitis B study in Africa.
Read here:
🔗 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-proble...
Also: changes to a key federal advisory commission, flu policy during a severe season, and ethics concerns in a halted hepatitis B study in Africa.
Read here:
🔗 communityimmunity.substack.com/p/the-proble...
HHS dismisses member of vaccine injury advisory panel www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/h... via @statnews.com
HHS dismisses member of vaccine injury advisory panel
RFK Jr. is considering changes to the federal vaccine injury compensation program.
www.statnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 7:07 AM
HHS dismisses member of vaccine injury advisory panel www.statnews.com/2026/01/13/h... via @statnews.com
Reposted by David Higgins, MD, MPH
States, health organizations reject new CDC vaccine guidance
A growing number of states are pushing back against sweeping changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
A growing number of states are pushing back against sweeping changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
January 12, 2026 at 5:36 PM
States, health organizations reject new CDC vaccine guidance
A growing number of states are pushing back against sweeping changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
A growing number of states are pushing back against sweeping changes to the US childhood vaccine schedule.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
Read my @medpagetoday.com op-ed on recent U.S. vaccine policy changes framed as “restoring trust.” The gap between that idea and reality is striking. Trust comes from clarity, evidence, and consistency.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
#Vaccines #PublicHealth
@gfriedma.bsky.social
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
#Vaccines #PublicHealth
@gfriedma.bsky.social
Opinion | Parents Are Confused. I'm Worried for My Pediatric Patients.
The consequences of rewriting the pediatric vaccine schedule
www.medpagetoday.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Read my @medpagetoday.com op-ed on recent U.S. vaccine policy changes framed as “restoring trust.” The gap between that idea and reality is striking. Trust comes from clarity, evidence, and consistency.
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
#Vaccines #PublicHealth
@gfriedma.bsky.social
www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/seco...
#Vaccines #PublicHealth
@gfriedma.bsky.social
Reposted by David Higgins, MD, MPH
TOMORROW! Join us for an informational webinar about the D&I Science Graduate Certificate Program. Register at ucdenverdata.formstack.com/forms/dicert...
#ImpSci #CUAnschutz
#ImpSci #CUAnschutz
calendar.cuanschutz.edu
January 6, 2026 at 8:41 PM
TOMORROW! Join us for an informational webinar about the D&I Science Graduate Certificate Program. Register at ucdenverdata.formstack.com/forms/dicert...
#ImpSci #CUAnschutz
#ImpSci #CUAnschutz
The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to publish an evidence-based immunization schedule designed to protect children’s health and reflect what is best for children. Ironically, that evidence-based AAP schedule is now the “alternative” to the CDC’s.
#Vaccines #ChildHealth #VaccinePolicy
#Vaccines #ChildHealth #VaccinePolicy
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
The American Academy of Pediatrics continues to publish an evidence-based immunization schedule designed to protect children’s health and reflect what is best for children. Ironically, that evidence-based AAP schedule is now the “alternative” to the CDC’s.
#Vaccines #ChildHealth #VaccinePolicy
#Vaccines #ChildHealth #VaccinePolicy
@Parents: trust your pediatrician.
We will continue to provide clear, honest, evidence-based guidance focused on your child’s best interests, as we have for over a century. We’re committed to helping families make truly informed vaccination decisions, despite efforts to undermine that trust.
We will continue to provide clear, honest, evidence-based guidance focused on your child’s best interests, as we have for over a century. We’re committed to helping families make truly informed vaccination decisions, despite efforts to undermine that trust.
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
@Parents: trust your pediatrician.
We will continue to provide clear, honest, evidence-based guidance focused on your child’s best interests, as we have for over a century. We’re committed to helping families make truly informed vaccination decisions, despite efforts to undermine that trust.
We will continue to provide clear, honest, evidence-based guidance focused on your child’s best interests, as we have for over a century. We’re committed to helping families make truly informed vaccination decisions, despite efforts to undermine that trust.
In my view, this reckless move risks harming children and fits a decades-long effort to undermine confidence in vaccines and dismantle the U.S. vaccination system.
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
In my view, this reckless move risks harming children and fits a decades-long effort to undermine confidence in vaccines and dismantle the U.S. vaccination system.
There was also no meaningful opportunity for public or independent expert input before rewriting a schedule that protects nearly every child in the U.S.
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
There was also no meaningful opportunity for public or independent expert input before rewriting a schedule that protects nearly every child in the U.S.
This shift is based on an internal review, not the usual open, rigorous process with public and independent expert input.
There was no analysis of real-world impact on children and families:
• hospitalizations
• cancers
• disabilities
• preventable deaths
There was no analysis of real-world impact on children and families:
• hospitalizations
• cancers
• disabilities
• preventable deaths
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
This shift is based on an internal review, not the usual open, rigorous process with public and independent expert input.
There was no analysis of real-world impact on children and families:
• hospitalizations
• cancers
• disabilities
• preventable deaths
There was no analysis of real-world impact on children and families:
• hospitalizations
• cancers
• disabilities
• preventable deaths
🚨 The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is being rewritten.
The New York Times reports that RFK Jr./HHS/CDC are shifting routine vaccines into “individual decision-making,” cutting routine protection from 17 diseases to 11.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
The New York Times reports that RFK Jr./HHS/CDC are shifting routine vaccines into “individual decision-making,” cutting routine protection from 17 diseases to 11.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
🚨 The U.S. childhood vaccine schedule is being rewritten.
The New York Times reports that RFK Jr./HHS/CDC are shifting routine vaccines into “individual decision-making,” cutting routine protection from 17 diseases to 11.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
The New York Times reports that RFK Jr./HHS/CDC are shifting routine vaccines into “individual decision-making,” cutting routine protection from 17 diseases to 11.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/h...
Writing publicly and being in the spotlight isn’t my default setting.
📰 This week’s Community Immunity is a reflection on why I write publicly about vaccines, evidence, and trust, and what it takes to sustain this work.
📰 This week’s Community Immunity is a reflection on why I write publicly about vaccines, evidence, and trust, and what it takes to sustain this work.
December 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Writing publicly and being in the spotlight isn’t my default setting.
📰 This week’s Community Immunity is a reflection on why I write publicly about vaccines, evidence, and trust, and what it takes to sustain this work.
📰 This week’s Community Immunity is a reflection on why I write publicly about vaccines, evidence, and trust, and what it takes to sustain this work.
Reposted by David Higgins, MD, MPH
The nearly 80-year-old law that could hamper RFK Jr.’s drive to remake vaccine schedule
Legal experts say Kennedy needs to follow established legal procedures to prevent any policy changes from being dismissed by a judge.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc
Legal experts say Kennedy needs to follow established legal procedures to prevent any policy changes from being dismissed by a judge.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc
December 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
The nearly 80-year-old law that could hamper RFK Jr.’s drive to remake vaccine schedule
Legal experts say Kennedy needs to follow established legal procedures to prevent any policy changes from being dismissed by a judge.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc
Legal experts say Kennedy needs to follow established legal procedures to prevent any policy changes from being dismissed by a judge.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc
Reposted by David Higgins, MD, MPH
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social: "many clinics and pediatricians will simply say they don’t recommend the Denmark schedule, which will worsen parental confusion. School vaccination requirements are set by state laws, and most require some of the vaccines that aren’t on the Denmark schedule" 🎁
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
wapo.st
December 19, 2025 at 10:34 PM
@drhigginsmd.bsky.social: "many clinics and pediatricians will simply say they don’t recommend the Denmark schedule, which will worsen parental confusion. School vaccination requirements are set by state laws, and most require some of the vaccines that aren’t on the Denmark schedule" 🎁
Removing universal protections would increase disease, disrupt vaccine supply and access (especially combination vaccines), threaten Medicaid and VFC coverage, raise clinician liability risk, and create chaos for families, clinics, and schools.
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Removing universal protections would increase disease, disrupt vaccine supply and access (especially combination vaccines), threaten Medicaid and VFC coverage, raise clinician liability risk, and create chaos for families, clinics, and schools.
The U.S. isn’t an outlier among peers—many high-income countries (Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain) use similar routine schedules.
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The U.S. isn’t an outlier among peers—many high-income countries (Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain) use similar routine schedules.
“Fewer vaccines” isn’t a public-health goal. What matters is fewer illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, disabilities, missed work and school, and financial burdens.
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
“Fewer vaccines” isn’t a public-health goal. What matters is fewer illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, disabilities, missed work and school, and financial burdens.
The predictable result is fewer children getting vaccinated on time and a rise in preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, disabilities, suffering, and deaths, along with missed school and work, and high costs to families and communities. This would not make America healthier.
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
The predictable result is fewer children getting vaccinated on time and a rise in preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, disabilities, suffering, and deaths, along with missed school and work, and high costs to families and communities. This would not make America healthier.
Denmark’s narrower schedule works because it is embedded in a very different system: universal health care, paid parental leave, centralized vaccine financing and supply, national coverage monitoring, and a smaller, more homogeneous population. The U.S. does not have those conditions at scale.
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Denmark’s narrower schedule works because it is embedded in a very different system: universal health care, paid parental leave, centralized vaccine financing and supply, national coverage monitoring, and a smaller, more homogeneous population. The U.S. does not have those conditions at scale.
National vaccine schedules cannot be copy-pasted.
This is dangerous vaccine policy. The confusion and disruption would be immediate.
As I told WaPo, "I have never been more concerned about the future of vaccines and children’s health than I am now.”
1/6🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/h...
This is dangerous vaccine policy. The confusion and disruption would be immediate.
As I told WaPo, "I have never been more concerned about the future of vaccines and children’s health than I am now.”
1/6🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/h...
R.F.K. Jr. Likely to Swap U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule for Denmark’s
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:56 PM
National vaccine schedules cannot be copy-pasted.
This is dangerous vaccine policy. The confusion and disruption would be immediate.
As I told WaPo, "I have never been more concerned about the future of vaccines and children’s health than I am now.”
1/6🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/h...
This is dangerous vaccine policy. The confusion and disruption would be immediate.
As I told WaPo, "I have never been more concerned about the future of vaccines and children’s health than I am now.”
1/6🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/h...