Vaccination is one of the most effective public health tools to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, saving millions of lives each year. Despite its proven success, vaccine hesitancy remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by misinformation and concerns about vaccine safety. To combat this issue and facilitate the widespread uptake of vaccines, healthcare professionals and scientists must focus on robust public health education campaigns that empower individuals with accurate, clear, and trustworthy information. Using influenza (flu) and measles vaccination as case studies, we can examine the role of individual healthcare providers, scientists, and educators in fostering vaccine confidence and counteracting the growing influence of vaccine misinformation.

Let me introduce you to Nate’s Debate. Imagine you are in a room with 3 other people: a collaborator, a neutral, and an opposing party. You need to vote on a law, but the law only passes with a majority of 3 out of 4 people. You can only speak with 1 of the 3 people in hopes of increasing the chances they vote in favor for your law. Who do you choose to debate?

It is a devastating time for science when the heads of government are aiming to dismantle the federal decision-making power that agency scientists have. If the power of scientists in federal institutions continues to diminish, it is essential that scientists outside of the federal government raise their voices. More wide-reaching and persuasive science communication is needed to counter the anti-science stances held by the ruling party. Ultimately, we must convince lawmakers, agency officials, and the public of the importance of science-conscious decisions.