Maggie Bale
@drmaggiemd.bsky.social
General pediatrician with a love of public health. Preschooler mom. Dabbles in sports, books, outdoors. RPCV Botswana 2012-2014.
She/her
She/her
Reposted by Maggie Bale
Questions about vaccines and autism have been around for a while, despite multiple scientific studies that do not show a connection.
Read how a retracted study from the 1990s undermined trust in vaccines and why vaccines don't cause autism.
Read how a retracted study from the 1990s undermined trust in vaccines and why vaccines don't cause autism.
Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
How a retracted study from the 1990s led to a persistent myth about vaccines.
publichealth.jhu.edu
November 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Questions about vaccines and autism have been around for a while, despite multiple scientific studies that do not show a connection.
Read how a retracted study from the 1990s undermined trust in vaccines and why vaccines don't cause autism.
Read how a retracted study from the 1990s undermined trust in vaccines and why vaccines don't cause autism.
Reposted by Maggie Bale
A new poll by the Washington Post and KFF reveals that most parents trust their pediatrician when it comes to information about vaccines. Read Dr. Nola Ernest's experiences in the Washington Post's latest piece: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Vaccine poll asks parents what they think about RFK Jr. and their pediatricians
A Washington Post-KFF poll finds that pediatricians are the most trusted source for vaccine information and that confidence in them is a strong predictor of vaccination.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 10, 2025 at 7:01 PM
A new poll by the Washington Post and KFF reveals that most parents trust their pediatrician when it comes to information about vaccines. Read Dr. Nola Ernest's experiences in the Washington Post's latest piece: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Exhausting to be a pediatrician these days.
Pediatricians Can’t Bear These Costs
The Trump administration’s crackdown is turning a difficult profession into an impossible one for some doctors.
www.theatlantic.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Exhausting to be a pediatrician these days.
Reposted by Maggie Bale
ACIP now discussing Hep B infant vaccination 💉👶 — but I’m puzzled 🤔. This is one of the US’s biggest public health wins 🎉: rates fell from ~10/100,000 in 1980 📉 to just 0.7 in 2023. Infant vaccination works 💪.
#PedsIDsky #Rxsky
#PedsIDsky #Rxsky
September 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
ACIP now discussing Hep B infant vaccination 💉👶 — but I’m puzzled 🤔. This is one of the US’s biggest public health wins 🎉: rates fell from ~10/100,000 in 1980 📉 to just 0.7 in 2023. Infant vaccination works 💪.
#PedsIDsky #Rxsky
#PedsIDsky #Rxsky
Reposted by Maggie Bale
RFK Jr.'s hand-picked panel of vaccine advisors is expected to vote to delay the hepatitis B shot for newborns. Doctors warn that could fuel a return of a disease virtually eradicated in U.S. kids.
Kennedy's vaccine panel expected to recommend delaying hepatitis B shot in children
RFK Jr.'s hand-picked panel of vaccine advisors is expected to vote to delay the hepatitis B shot for newborns. Doctors warn that could fuel a return of a disease virtually eradicated in U.S. kids.
n.pr
September 16, 2025 at 12:12 PM
RFK Jr.'s hand-picked panel of vaccine advisors is expected to vote to delay the hepatitis B shot for newborns. Doctors warn that could fuel a return of a disease virtually eradicated in U.S. kids.
ACIP meeting this week which is likely to undermine vaccines even more. Here's some tips to keep in mind:
www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
Viewpoint: Four tips for understanding this week’s ACIP meeting
www.cidrap.umn.edu
September 16, 2025 at 11:52 PM
ACIP meeting this week which is likely to undermine vaccines even more. Here's some tips to keep in mind:
www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...
Botswana has essentially eliminated mother to child transmission of HIV thanks to strong political and social commitment. I hope the changing landscape around foreign aid won't impact this too much.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
How Botswana eliminated paediatric HIV
Political will, free maternity care and digital health tools helped Botswana achieve high standards for ending mother-to-child transmission.
www.nature.com
August 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Botswana has essentially eliminated mother to child transmission of HIV thanks to strong political and social commitment. I hope the changing landscape around foreign aid won't impact this too much.
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
www.nature.com/articles/d44...
Reposted by Maggie Bale
Never forget, a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
Separated Bike Lanes Means Safer Streets, Study Says — Streetsblog USA
Cities that build protected lanes for cyclists end up with safer roads for people on bikes and people in cars and on foot, a new study of 12 large metropolises revealed Wednesday.
usa.streetsblog.org
July 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Never forget, a 13-year study found that protected bike-lanes led to a drastic decline in fatalities for all road users.
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
ALL ROAD USERS.
And painted bike-lanes? No safety improvement at all.
For sharrows, it’s actually safer to NOT have them.
Via @usa.streetsblog.org @nyc.streetsblog.org
Reposted by Maggie Bale
Parents deserve information they can trust. The AAP has published the childhood immunization schedule for decades that has been grounded in science and relied upon by pediatricians and families alike. If you have questions, your pediatrician is your best source for answers and guidance.
June 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Parents deserve information they can trust. The AAP has published the childhood immunization schedule for decades that has been grounded in science and relied upon by pediatricians and families alike. If you have questions, your pediatrician is your best source for answers and guidance.
Measles has arrived in Utah.
Utah public health officials announced the first case of measles to originate in the state in at least two years.
Utah's first measles case in years reported in Utah County
Public health officials announced the first case of measles to originate in the state in at least two years.
www.ksl.com
June 22, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Measles has arrived in Utah.
Reposted by Maggie Bale
Firearm Laws and Pediatric Mortality in the US.
Our national @JAMAPediatrics study is live.
Findings (2011-2023):
•7,400 more deaths in most permissive and permissive firearm law states.
•No increase in the stricter law states.
•Decreases in 4 strict law states.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Our national @JAMAPediatrics study is live.
Findings (2011-2023):
•7,400 more deaths in most permissive and permissive firearm law states.
•No increase in the stricter law states.
•Decreases in 4 strict law states.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Firearm Laws and Pediatric Mortality in the US
This study attempts to measure excess mortality due to firearms among US children aged 0 to 17 years after the McDonald v Chicago US Supreme Court decision (2010).
jamanetwork.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Firearm Laws and Pediatric Mortality in the US.
Our national @JAMAPediatrics study is live.
Findings (2011-2023):
•7,400 more deaths in most permissive and permissive firearm law states.
•No increase in the stricter law states.
•Decreases in 4 strict law states.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Our national @JAMAPediatrics study is live.
Findings (2011-2023):
•7,400 more deaths in most permissive and permissive firearm law states.
•No increase in the stricter law states.
•Decreases in 4 strict law states.
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Some good info here around fluoride and dental health!
ilikemyteeth.org
ilikemyteeth.org
I Like My Teeth
ilikemyteeth.org
June 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Some good info here around fluoride and dental health!
ilikemyteeth.org
ilikemyteeth.org
Reposted by Maggie Bale
The effects of Covid in pregnancy are devastating and preventable by vaccination; now we have strong data from Penn Medicine that vaccines protect children and adolescents from long Covid
Breaking news: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is ending his agency's recommendation that healthy pregnant women and healthy children receive the coronavirus vaccine.
RFK Jr. ends covid shot recommendation for healthy children, pregnant women
Currently the vaccine is recommended for all people over 6 months of age.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The effects of Covid in pregnancy are devastating and preventable by vaccination; now we have strong data from Penn Medicine that vaccines protect children and adolescents from long Covid
Reposted by Maggie Bale
The MAHA Report on the Growth of the Childhood Vaccine Schedule is pure anti-vaccine propaganda. stopantivaxpropaganda.substack.com/p/maha-propa... #StopAntiVaccinePropaganda
MAHA Propaganda on the Growth of the Childhood Vaccine Schedule
Did you notice how the new MAHA report talked about the Growth of the Childhood Vaccine Schedule?
stopantivaxpropaganda.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The MAHA Report on the Growth of the Childhood Vaccine Schedule is pure anti-vaccine propaganda. stopantivaxpropaganda.substack.com/p/maha-propa... #StopAntiVaccinePropaganda
This! The administration that says pollution is leading to chronic conditions in kids is the same administration that is pulling back environmental regulations to allow more pollution.
Mom's Clean Air Force joins in following the truth wherever it leads to make Americas children healthier. Cutting protections from pollution does not help children's developing lungs and brains and hearts and hormone systems. And that is the truth. join us in fighting to keep cleaning up our air.
May 23, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This! The administration that says pollution is leading to chronic conditions in kids is the same administration that is pulling back environmental regulations to allow more pollution.
The difference between these two takes on the recently released MAHA report is shocking.
They even quote one of the same experts, but in very different ways. The NYT article definitely avoids much needed criticism of this report.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/w...
They even quote one of the same experts, but in very different ways. The NYT article definitely avoids much needed criticism of this report.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/w...
MAHA Commission report paints a dark picture of U.S. children's health
The Health Secretary's report blames environmental toxins, ultraprocessed foods and more for the poor state of kids' health in the U.S.
www.npr.org
May 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The difference between these two takes on the recently released MAHA report is shocking.
They even quote one of the same experts, but in very different ways. The NYT article definitely avoids much needed criticism of this report.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/w...
They even quote one of the same experts, but in very different ways. The NYT article definitely avoids much needed criticism of this report.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/w...
The details in this paper make my eyes glaze over, but the concept is so cool! Antiparasitic agent in bednets impairs malaria development - a new target given lots of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In vivo screen of Plasmodium targets for mosquito-based malaria control - Nature
An in vivo screen of small-molecule compounds to inhibit the mosquito-stage development of Plasmodium identified hits that can be incorporated into bed nets and led to effective parasite killing in th...
www.nature.com
May 23, 2025 at 12:49 AM
The details in this paper make my eyes glaze over, but the concept is so cool! Antiparasitic agent in bednets impairs malaria development - a new target given lots of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
We talk about safe sleep with all parents in our newborn nursery. It saves lives. Yet another depressing headline.
NIH cuts baby 'Safe to Sleep' team. Here's what parents should know
For three decades the NIH has led 'Safe to Sleep,' helping parents reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related injuries. The NIH cuts come as cases have been rising.
www.npr.org
May 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We talk about safe sleep with all parents in our newborn nursery. It saves lives. Yet another depressing headline.
Glad to see a strong condemnation of the HHS Report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives.
Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives.
AAP Statement on HHS Report Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is deeply alarmed by the report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today on medical care for transgender and gender-diverse ind...
www.aap.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Glad to see a strong condemnation of the HHS Report by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives.
Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives.
We have this conversation every week that I work in our well baby nursery. Anecdotally seeing a lot more vaccine refusal/hesitancy over the last few months than the previous few years.
#medsky #pedsky #immunosky #idsky #episky 🧪
It's come up again because of our FDA commissioner so let's talk about the neonatal dose of hepatitis B vaccine 🧵
First though, a bit about hepatitis B (HBV):
It's come up again because of our FDA commissioner so let's talk about the neonatal dose of hepatitis B vaccine 🧵
First though, a bit about hepatitis B (HBV):
April 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
We have this conversation every week that I work in our well baby nursery. Anecdotally seeing a lot more vaccine refusal/hesitancy over the last few months than the previous few years.
Reposted by Maggie Bale
My article in @plosglobalpublichealth.org on some immediate things we can do
journals.plos.org/globalpublic...
journals.plos.org/globalpublic...
It won’t end with COVID: Countering the next phase of American antivaccine activism 2025–29
journals.plos.org
April 19, 2025 at 11:59 AM
My article in @plosglobalpublichealth.org on some immediate things we can do
journals.plos.org/globalpublic...
journals.plos.org/globalpublic...
The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to fight misinformation with this helpful resource: www.aap.org/en/news-room...
Fact Checked
Pediatricians weigh in to address the latest misinformation by providing clear, science-backed messaging to support children and families.
www.aap.org
April 10, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The American Academy of Pediatrics is working to fight misinformation with this helpful resource: www.aap.org/en/news-room...
Reposted by Maggie Bale
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. is a danger to the public’s health and should resign or be fired, says APHA. In just a few short weeks, his actions on vacccines, fluoride and other public health science have shown how wrong he is for the job. Read & share our statement: apha.org/news-and-med...
April 9, 2025 at 3:26 PM
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. is a danger to the public’s health and should resign or be fired, says APHA. In just a few short weeks, his actions on vacccines, fluoride and other public health science have shown how wrong he is for the job. Read & share our statement: apha.org/news-and-med...
Reposted by Maggie Bale
This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.
April 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This is Utah in case anyone’s wondering how pissed off people are. I have never seen anything like this.
I knew it was only a matter of time. Spent 2 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana. Wouldn't be the person/pediatrician/mom/human I am today without those grueling, eye-opening, humbling and joyful two years.
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
April 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
I knew it was only a matter of time. Spent 2 years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana. Wouldn't be the person/pediatrician/mom/human I am today without those grueling, eye-opening, humbling and joyful two years.
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...