On this episode of Unlocked, Shorenstein Center Director Nancy Gibbs talks with Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, about how vaccines get from the research lab to the doctor’s office and the federal policies and practices that guide immunization in the United States. Dr. Offit explains the rigorous process behind vaccine approval, the role of advisory committees, and how safety is monitored over time.
Naseem Miller, senior health editor at The Journalist’s Resource, penned an explainer on how vaccine side effects are tracked in the U.S., and what the latest research shows on the safety of childhood vaccines. The guide also includes 5 tips journalists reporting on vaccines. Read the full explainer: Childhood vaccines: What research shows about their safety and potential side effects.
