Tom Sandora, MD MPH
@tomsandora.bsky.social
Hospital Epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital, pediatric infectious diseases physician. Duke U & Harvard Med alum. Musician, traveler. Views mine. #MedEd
Thank you, MDPH. "Vaccines do not cause autism, and there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. This has been proven repeatedly through decades of rigorous, high-quality research involving millions of children worldwide. The evidence is clear, consistent, and overwhelming."
www.mass.gov
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Thank you, MDPH. "Vaccines do not cause autism, and there is no link between childhood vaccines and autism. This has been proven repeatedly through decades of rigorous, high-quality research involving millions of children worldwide. The evidence is clear, consistent, and overwhelming."
Pertussis (whooping cough) is surging across the country because of falling vaccination rates. It’s especially dangerous for infants under a year old, who can stop breathing during coughing fits. Many need to be hospitalized, and about 1% will die. And we know that vaccines do NOT cause autism.
Waning Immunity and Falling Vaccination Rates Fuel Pertussis Outbreaks - KFF Health News
New details from health officials suggest the whooping-cough surge may be part of a national pattern driven by slipping vaccine coverage and waning immunity, with infants bearing the brunt of the cons...
kffhealthnews.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Pertussis (whooping cough) is surging across the country because of falling vaccination rates. It’s especially dangerous for infants under a year old, who can stop breathing during coughing fits. Many need to be hospitalized, and about 1% will die. And we know that vaccines do NOT cause autism.
“If we wanted to eliminate cervical cancer globally, we could,” said Kahn, who considers the WHO cervical cancer goals ambitious but “achievable with the right political will.”
US funding cuts imperil global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer | CNN
Maina Modu, an immunization officer in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno state, lost his wife, Hauwa, to cervical cancer in 2011. She was one of the 349,000 women globally who die from the preventable canc...
www.cnn.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
“If we wanted to eliminate cervical cancer globally, we could,” said Kahn, who considers the WHO cervical cancer goals ambitious but “achievable with the right political will.”
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
“Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he does not want to take vaccines away from Americans. But at a closed-door meeting of Food and Drug Administration vaccine scientists in September, a top official suggested doing just that.”
Dr Tracy Hoeg of course 😨
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
Dr Tracy Hoeg of course 😨
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
How two top FDA officials are quietly upending vaccine regulations
Vinay Prasad and Tracy Beth Høeg mix skepticism with new ways to define risk in pursuing sweeping changes to vaccine policy at the FDA.
www.statnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
“Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he does not want to take vaccines away from Americans. But at a closed-door meeting of Food and Drug Administration vaccine scientists in September, a top official suggested doing just that.”
Dr Tracy Hoeg of course 😨
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
Dr Tracy Hoeg of course 😨
www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/f...
13 cases of infant botulism, all used ByHeart powdered infant formula. If you have any of this product, do not use it - throw it away or return it to where you bought it.
ByHeart baby formula recalled amid 10-state outbreak of infant botulism
Thirteen babies have been hospitalized amid the outbreak of the disease, which can be fatal, federal heath officials said. No deaths have been reported.
share.google
November 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
13 cases of infant botulism, all used ByHeart powdered infant formula. If you have any of this product, do not use it - throw it away or return it to where you bought it.
158 cases so far in the ongoing Utah-Arizona measles outbreak, with multiple people hospitalized. The national total for the year so far is 1,681 cases. Measles is preventable by receiving the MMR vaccine, which has been proven over many decades to be safe and effective.
More measles cases reported in Utah, Arizona
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
158 cases so far in the ongoing Utah-Arizona measles outbreak, with multiple people hospitalized. The national total for the year so far is 1,681 cases. Measles is preventable by receiving the MMR vaccine, which has been proven over many decades to be safe and effective.
Had a great time connecting with friends and colleagues at #IDWeek2025. I agree with the wise Anthony Harris who shared these words (during his @sheaepi.bsky.social Lectureship) about our message as ID docs who do healthcare epi & infection prevention. Thanks to all who support our field.
October 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Had a great time connecting with friends and colleagues at #IDWeek2025. I agree with the wise Anthony Harris who shared these words (during his @sheaepi.bsky.social Lectureship) about our message as ID docs who do healthcare epi & infection prevention. Thanks to all who support our field.
Keipp Talbot reminds us that there is an elevated risk of heart attack in the first 7 days after getting the flu. Another great reason to get your flu vaccine! #IDWeek2025
a man singing into a microphone with the words " it is time " above him
ALT: a man singing into a microphone with the words " it is time " above him
media.tenor.com
October 20, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Keipp Talbot reminds us that there is an elevated risk of heart attack in the first 7 days after getting the flu. Another great reason to get your flu vaccine! #IDWeek2025
First debate: can ceftriaxone be used to treat invasive MSSA infection? I say no, but will this debate change my mind? Where do you stand on this question? #IDWeek2025
October 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
First debate: can ceftriaxone be used to treat invasive MSSA infection? I say no, but will this debate change my mind? Where do you stand on this question? #IDWeek2025
Happy to be at #IDWeek2025! Ready to keep up the good fight against infectious diseases with colleagues from around the world.
October 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Happy to be at #IDWeek2025! Ready to keep up the good fight against infectious diseases with colleagues from around the world.
Ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina - 16 people affected so far, resulting in 140 elementary school students having to quarantine at home because they are unvaccinated and therefore are at risk of acquiring and spreading the infection further. Measles is preventable by vaccination.
South Carolina measles outbreak rises as schools with low vaccination see new cases
One charter school in South Carolina's Upstate region had an immunization rate at just 17%, according to state health data.
www.usatoday.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina - 16 people affected so far, resulting in 140 elementary school students having to quarantine at home because they are unvaccinated and therefore are at risk of acquiring and spreading the infection further. Measles is preventable by vaccination.
The RFK Jr-induced chaos is making things harder for parents to do what they want to protect their children from infection. It doesn't have to be this way.
Seeking Covid Shots for Their Children, Some Parents Hit a Wall
www.nytimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The RFK Jr-induced chaos is making things harder for parents to do what they want to protect their children from infection. It doesn't have to be this way.
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
9-month-old Mohamat died of malaria in Cameroon. Before U.S. aid cuts, he likely would have survived. Malaria deaths are rising after years of progress. Abrupt and irresponsible budget cuts can have deadly consequences.
Babies' deaths in Cameroon show how US aid cuts curtail malaria fight
Nine-month-old baby Mohamat burned with fever for three days before his family took him to the closest health centre in northern Cameroon, but it was too late. He died of malaria that day.
www.reuters.com
October 4, 2025 at 6:37 PM
9-month-old Mohamat died of malaria in Cameroon. Before U.S. aid cuts, he likely would have survived. Malaria deaths are rising after years of progress. Abrupt and irresponsible budget cuts can have deadly consequences.
Double vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 today! Feeling great and very thankful to the scientists, investigators, physicians, and clinical trial participants who made it possible. Give a shout if you’re vaccinated too.
a man wearing a beanie and a sweater says we will be stronger than ever
ALT: a man wearing a beanie and a sweater says we will be stronger than ever
media.tenor.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Double vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 today! Feeling great and very thankful to the scientists, investigators, physicians, and clinical trial participants who made it possible. Give a shout if you’re vaccinated too.
This is a truly remarkable finding: 17 years after introduction of the HPV vaccine, there was a decreased prevalence of HPV infection (and therefore decreased cancer risk) in both vaccinated AND unvaccinated individuals. Cancer prevention through herd immunity!!!
Population-Level Effectiveness and Herd Protection 17 Years After HPV Vaccine
This cross-sectional study investigates population-level effectiveness and herd protection in the first 17 years after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among adolescent girls and young women at ...
jamanetwork.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
This is a truly remarkable finding: 17 years after introduction of the HPV vaccine, there was a decreased prevalence of HPV infection (and therefore decreased cancer risk) in both vaccinated AND unvaccinated individuals. Cancer prevention through herd immunity!!!
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
More kids died from flu last season than in any non-pandemic season since monitored began 20 years ago. Almost 90% were unvaccinated. Parents: talk to your doctor about getting your kids vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
September 26, 2025 at 11:39 PM
More kids died from flu last season than in any non-pandemic season since monitored began 20 years ago. Almost 90% were unvaccinated. Parents: talk to your doctor about getting your kids vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Even healthy children can get extremely sick from the flu, and vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness and death. We recommend that all kids 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine every year (because the circulating viruses change little bit each season).
More kids are severely ill or dying from the flu, CDC reports
As fewer children get their flu shots, cases of a rare, severe complication are rising. Last season, the U.S. experienced the highest number of pediatric flu deaths in 15 years.
www.nbcnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Even healthy children can get extremely sick from the flu, and vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness and death. We recommend that all kids 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine every year (because the circulating viruses change little bit each season).
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Despite absolutely no new data, and already-existing recommendations that were working very well, RFK Jr's new group just voted to reduce parental choice about (and access to) the MMRV vaccine for their children. Sadly, this is likely the first step of many to widely block access to vaccines. Awful.
Kennedy's advisory panel recommends new restrictions on MMRV vaccines
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine advisory committee is recommending new restrictions on the MMRV vaccine.
apnews.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Despite absolutely no new data, and already-existing recommendations that were working very well, RFK Jr's new group just voted to reduce parental choice about (and access to) the MMRV vaccine for their children. Sadly, this is likely the first step of many to widely block access to vaccines. Awful.
This.
Newborn lives are on the line. The hepatitis B birth dose is safe, effective, and lifesaving yet it’s under attack at ACIP this week. Weakening this policy would be a grave mistake.
Read why we must defend it.
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
Read why we must defend it.
open.substack.com/pub/bktitanj...
The Hepatitis B Vaccine: Why the Birth Dose Matters and Why We Must Defend It
Defending science, saving newborn lives, and keeping the world on track to end Hepatitis B
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
This.
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
We have 2 vaccines that prevent cancer, the HBV vaccine that prevents hepatitis B related liver cancer and the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and other HPV associated cancers.
On Thursday, RFK.JR's ACIP will attack one of these vaccines (HBV) and restrict access to it.
Let that sink in!
On Thursday, RFK.JR's ACIP will attack one of these vaccines (HBV) and restrict access to it.
Let that sink in!
September 16, 2025 at 10:53 PM
We have 2 vaccines that prevent cancer, the HBV vaccine that prevents hepatitis B related liver cancer and the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and other HPV associated cancers.
On Thursday, RFK.JR's ACIP will attack one of these vaccines (HBV) and restrict access to it.
Let that sink in!
On Thursday, RFK.JR's ACIP will attack one of these vaccines (HBV) and restrict access to it.
Let that sink in!
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
A deep dive into the destruction of US cancer research by @jonathanmahler.bsky.social “It’s an absolutely unmitigated disaster,” a former top official at NIH told him. “It will take decades to recover from this, if we ever do.” Gift link: nyti.ms/48iH3Cr
nyti.ms
September 14, 2025 at 2:44 PM
A deep dive into the destruction of US cancer research by @jonathanmahler.bsky.social “It’s an absolutely unmitigated disaster,” a former top official at NIH told him. “It will take decades to recover from this, if we ever do.” Gift link: nyti.ms/48iH3Cr
The active surveillance program to look for multiple causes of foodborne illness is being actively dismantled by the current administration, increasing the risk for all Americans.
Cuts to the Food Safety System Threaten Americans’ Health
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The active surveillance program to look for multiple causes of foodborne illness is being actively dismantled by the current administration, increasing the risk for all Americans.
In Florida, a 15% decline in measles vaccinations over 25 yrs --> 1 million cases and ~1,000 preventable deaths. If US childhood vaccinations drop by half --> estimated 51,200 cases of brain damage from measles, 5,400 cases of post-polio paralysis, 10.3 million hospitalizations, and 159,200 deaths.
Florida’s surgeon general said he didn’t calculate the costs of ending vaccine mandates in the state. But scientists have. | CNN
Florida’s surgeon general said Sunday that he had not weighed the cost – in terms of infections, hospitalizations or deaths – of ending vaccine mandates in the state. But scientists who have done thos...
www.cnn.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:25 PM
In Florida, a 15% decline in measles vaccinations over 25 yrs --> 1 million cases and ~1,000 preventable deaths. If US childhood vaccinations drop by half --> estimated 51,200 cases of brain damage from measles, 5,400 cases of post-polio paralysis, 10.3 million hospitalizations, and 159,200 deaths.
Reposted by Tom Sandora, MD MPH
USA: Massachusetts Grandfather Denied COVID Vaccine.
George Jenkins, a 70-year-old from Worcester, takes his health seriously with a balanced diet and daily tai chi. After battling COVID once, he sought protection but was denied the COVID vaccine.
George Jenkins, a 70-year-old from Worcester, takes his health seriously with a balanced diet and daily tai chi. After battling COVID once, he sought protection but was denied the COVID vaccine.
Massachusetts grandfather denied COVID vaccine coverage despite Gov. Healey's order
A 70-year-old grandfather said he was denied coverage for a COVID shot by his insurance company.
www.cbsnews.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:18 AM
USA: Massachusetts Grandfather Denied COVID Vaccine.
George Jenkins, a 70-year-old from Worcester, takes his health seriously with a balanced diet and daily tai chi. After battling COVID once, he sought protection but was denied the COVID vaccine.
George Jenkins, a 70-year-old from Worcester, takes his health seriously with a balanced diet and daily tai chi. After battling COVID once, he sought protection but was denied the COVID vaccine.