Expert Insights and Commentary


What I Learned When the Anti-Vaccine Community Came After Me Online

By Dr. Nicole Baldwin It was a typical Tuesday. I was enjoying my morning off work and checking some of my social media notifications when I noticed that a...


The Vaccine Mom Discusses COVID-19 Vaccines with Researcher Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi

In this video for Shot of Prevention, Taryn (aka “The Vaccine Mom“) spoke with COVID-19 vaccine researcher Maria Elena Bottazzi, PhD from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) about what...


The Vaccine Mom Explains: Is the Aluminum Used in Some Vaccines Safe?

Taryn (aka “The Vaccine Mom”) explains why aluminum is in certain vaccines and what research shows about its safety.  The small amount of aluminum salts in some vaccines helps...


Collective Responsibility: The Importance of Protecting Others through Vaccination

Guest post by Rachel M. Cunningham, MPH and Julie A. Boom, MD This month is National Immunization Awareness Month — a month dedicated to highlighting the importance of vaccines...


To Address Disparities We Must Close Loopholes to Nonmedical Exemptions for Vaccination Requirements

This guest post was written by Toni N. Harp, the former mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, and a former state senator. As a child, I survived diseases that others...


Hey Dads, Here’s How to Support Your Kids When They Need Vaccines

This guest post was written by Dr. Nathan Boonstra, a pediatrician at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, and the chair of Iowa Immunizes coalition.  This Father’s Day...


Staying Up to Date with Vaccinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Critical

This guest post was written in May 2020 by VYF Board Member Mary Koslap-Petraco DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, FAANP, an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook University School of...


Vaccine Myths Still Undermine Infants’ Access to Care

This guest post was written by Mitchell Goldstein, MD. Dr. Goldstein is a professor of pediatrics at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in Loma Linda, CA, and medical director...


VYF Board Member Offers Road Map for Lifting Stay-At-Home Orders

As state and federal government officials in the U.S. debate lifting stay-at-home orders, we must be thoughtful about when and how to safely reopen during the COVID-19 crisis. Opening...


Share Our Annual State of the ImmUnion Report

In 2019, not a single state remained free from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet yesterday, the President released his budget, which included a 10% cut to essential funds for the Centers...