Re: “Disbelief, worry from UW doctor after vaccine panel ouster” (June 16, A1):
Dr. Steve Pergam, medical director of an infection prevention at Fred Hutchinson Most cancers Heart, is so proper when he stated that “we’re the envy of most international locations in how we deal with these insurance policies …” He referred to the work that the consultants on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices did to present us a COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals had a option to take the vaccine or not normally, however at the very least we had the selection on this nation. We’ve got pricey buddies in Canada who weren’t so fortunate as a result of Canada didn’t have the experience or infrastructure to make vaccines. Our buddies in Canada instructed us they have been fearful as they waited for an additional nation to supply vaccines to Canada. And our buddies stated they needed the vaccines that have been made in and vetted in America by our consultants.
Because the Republican Occasion put Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in place as U.S. Well being Secretary, the consultants on the ACIP are being dismissed. Will there be objectivity or experience left in our as soon as most-valued and trusted public well being businesses? I assume it’s now our flip to fret.
Leslee Shanahan, Shoreline
