We're standing at a crossroads in public health.
On one hand, we're witnessing an extraordinary era of vaccine innovation, new platforms, new protection and new possibilities for disease prevention. On the other hand, we're grappling with an unprecedented erosion of public trust and outbreaks to preventable diseases, such as measles. Vaccine misinformation is no longer a fringe issue. It's a mainstream force reshaping clinical workflows, public health strategies and national policy.
In 2025, the science for vaccines has never been stronger, but science is no longer enough.
Meet our expert panelists
Georges Benjamin, M.D., FACP
Executive Director, American Public Health Association
Jen Brull, M.D., FAAFP
President, American Academy of Family Physicians
William Schaffner, M.D.
Professor of Preventive Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Tina Q. Tan, M.D., FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS
Professor of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; President, Infectious Diseases Society of America
Charles Vega, M.D., FAAFP
Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Associate Dean for Culture and Community Education, University of California, Irvine
Our moderator:
Heather Stoltzfus, M.P.H., R.N., CIC
Research Nurse Program Manager, Johns Hopkins University Division of Infectious Diseases; Consultant, Broad Street Prevention; Editorial Adviser, Infection Control Today
Medical Economics and Infection Control Today brought together a powerhouse panel of experts, frontline physicians, national policy leaders and infectious disease specialists to help us make sense of this evolving landscape. We'll examine the implications of recent policy shifts, unpack the real-world impact of vaccine hesitancy, and, most importantly, discuss how we can lead with evidence, empathy and action.
This isn't just about staying informed; it's about staying engaged. And as physicians, infection preventionists, leaders and advocates, we each have a role to play in rebuilding public confidence and reinforcing the foundational promise of public health.
The following panel discussion was recorded on April 29, 2025. The full discussion is available here. This segment highlights discussion around what the panelists opinion on the state of vaccine uptake, skepticism and policy is in 2025. The transcript has been edited for length, style and clarity.
Vaccines in 2025: Eroding trust
Heather Stoltzfus, M.P.H., R.N., CIC: To kick us off, I want to go around the panel and get your assessments on the state of vaccination in 2025. What are your thoughts on where we are as a nation when it comes to vaccine policy, patient acceptance and more?
Georges Benjamin, M.D., FACP: The real challenge we have here is we're in an era of eroding trust, increasing misinformation and, tragically, poor national leadership that we're seeing each and every day. This allows for the undermining of our capacity to maintain an era of vaccine equity and accomplishment. We've done a really good job, particularly with childhood vaccines … and now, in many ways, we're going to have to rebuild our children's vaccine programs as well as our adult programs going forward.
Jen Brull, M.D., FAAFP: We're at a pivotal moment. Vaccines continue to be one of the most powerful tools we have to protect public health. A 2024 study published in The Lancet estimated that vaccines have saved 154 million lives globally since 1974, most of them young children under 5. At the same time, we are facing a rising tide of misinformation that is eroding public confidence. The recent measles outbreaks are a stark reminder of what's at stake when our vaccination rates fall. [However,] there is good news: Trust in local leaders, especially physicians, remains strong. According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, 83% of people say they trust doctors to tell them the truth about protecting public health. As family physicians, we’re deeply connected to our patients and our communities, and we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to rebuild vaccine confidence one conversation at a time.
William Schaffner, M.D.: It's difficult to be more eloquent than my colleagues already have been. They've made the point very, very clearly. I think we are in a tenuous current position with vaccines, and that saddens my heart profoundly. This issue of trust, mentioned by Dr. Benjamin, is critical. We have to restore that trust, not just in vaccines, but in public health and medicine in general. I come back to that old equation: Disease, bad; vaccines, good.
Tina Q. Tan, M.D.,FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP: I definitely echo everything that my esteemed colleagues have said. With the erosion of trust and with the significant increase in vaccine hesitancy, anti-science, misinformation, and vaccine refusal — this is a major issue for pediatric patients because they can't advocate for themselves to protect themselves. We need to be strong advocates and try to counteract what is being put out on social media because that's where a lot of parents are getting their misinformation, and it spreads very quickly.
Charles Vega, M.D., FAAFP: Five years ago, I did not experience vaccine hesitancy or refusal in my community health center. It was something I heard about, and I was concerned with, but never personally dealt with. That's changed for all of us since the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, we have this real duty and a call to action. I would just say to those on the front lines: Don't give up. You're a health care professional, and as Dr. Brull said, you are the trusted person here. It's not the crazy aunt or uncle. It's not the influencer [on social media]. It's you as a health care professional.
Don't stop trying. How many times have you had that patient you talked about the vaccine with three times, four times. This vaccine X — doesn't matter which one — and suddenly just something clicks, and the patient says, “Fine, doc, I'll get it. You got me. That's a good idea.” Those little wins go a long way. And when you establish that trust, it's not just the vaccines that get done. It's the breast cancer screening, it's the regular use of antidiabetes medications, it's lifestyle changes that promote healthier living and so on. Vaccines can really be a catalyst for a better health exchange with your patients.
