Q&A
Concerns about potential changes to vaccination schedules under new HHS Secretary
0:29:18
ยท
117 sec
Dr. Michelle Morse addresses concerns about potential changes to vaccination schedules under the new HHS Secretary, Robert Kennedy Jr. She emphasizes the importance of relying on scientific expertise and evidence-based decision-making.
- DOHMH is closely monitoring changes in federal policies and directions
- Dr. Morse questions the process and expertise involved in any potential reexamination of vaccination schedules
- DOHMH will continue to make decisions based on science, data, and expert opinions in the field of childhood immunization
- The department cannot predict future changes but promises to prioritize evidence-based public health interventions
Lynn Schulman
0:29:18
Yeah, I mean given, so given what, and I know it's early, but given what Robert Kennedy Jr.
0:29:24
Said yesterday about changing the vaccination schedule, are your two things.
0:29:29
One, what are your concerns about that and also how would we prepare to make sure that New Yorkers get the vaccines that they need?
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:29:41
Thank you for that question.
0:29:43
We are monitoring all of the changes from the federal government and the policies and direction being issued very closely to examine how it could impact the health of New Yorkers.
0:29:55
I'll start by saying that if the new secretary of HHS is planning to reexamine the childhood vaccination schedule, my question would be with whom?
0:30:08
Is he doing that with experts?
0:30:10
Is he doing that with pediatricians?
0:30:12
Is he doing that with the American Association of Pediatrics?
0:30:16
Is he doing that with, public health experts who've been upholding, excellent standards of science and data driven public health for generations.
0:30:27
I know also, I cannot predict what the results of his reexamination would be, but I would hope that he would be relying on the experts within HHS and the CDC who've been driving and leading the gold standards for evidence based effective public health interventions for decades.
0:30:50
How will we prepare in the New York City Health Department?
0:30:53
Our challenge always, of course, is we can't predict the future.
0:30:56
It's hard to know exactly what might come of that reexamination, but what I can promise city council and New Yorkers is that we will be continuing to make decisions based on science and data and experts in the field of childhood immunization as we always have.