Last week, Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis convened a panel of 'experts' to try and prove mRNA vaccines are unsafe.

We wanted to point out some key myths which illustrate how they continue to mislead people. 🧵 Many of their claims center around distorting the real side-effect of myocarditis. The first is this narrative that history has shown that this side effect is riskier for kids than the virus.

We *know* this is false. AAP data show most kids 12-17 were fully vaccinated by August.

Today is #WorldHepatitisDay2022! To honor it let's talk about Hepatitis B.

The Hep B vaccine is now given at birth, but starting *this year* all adults <60 are recommended to get it.

I talked to the CDC's former viral hepatitis lead Dr. John Ward to understand why 🧵 First, what is viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis comprises a few different infections caused by viruses Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. While A and E mostly cause acute disease, the others including B often lead to chronic infection.

HepB in particular is a lifelong infection.

Since the EUA for COVID vaccines for kids under 5, there have been some high-profile misconceptions about the recommendation.

It's an issue because this virus isn't going away and newborns have a chance at immunity before infection. So here's why we recommend the vaccine (🧵) First, authorization.

The concern here has been that the vax trials were too small to detect many severe outcomes. And so some people say we "don't know" whether vaccine works.

That's misleading. The stated basis for the EUA was what's known as immunobridging. (2)

Over the #COVID19 pandemic, many people feared 'long-term' effects of vaccines.

Those are very unlikely. But ironically, warnings about long-term effects from disease were often downplayed.

We know *for certain* that infectious diseases can cause long-term effects... A 🧵 (1) I'll start by saying this: I'm not writing this to inflate the risk of infections, or so you'll avoid every disease ever.

I'm writing this because some people have taken a realistic concern about diseases and misapplied it our means to prevent them. (2)

https://twitter.com/Michigan_Noah/status/1472717056437112837?s=20&t=HFfB_-7KzG3nsyU1XHrv0w

Recently, a paper in Scientific Reports began circling that suggests mRNA vaccines may have yet undetected heart risks. The authors used EMS data in Israel looking at calls for cardiovascular events.

They also draw some conclusions that go beyond their data. A 🧵 (1) First, it should be noted that some people are saying this was published in Nature.

It wasn't. Scientific reports is a mega journal, publishing the largest # of articles in the world and specifically selects papers for their methods rather than their immediate importance. (2)

One common objection to vaccination goes like: "I'm healthy. I'll overcome disease naturally."

People believe that because we evolved to deal with viruses, we don't need to immunize.

Turns out this isn't true. Today you face viruses a caveman would never dream of. 🧵 (1) This thread is about a term we hear often, natural immunity 🍃

There's a certain ring to it as if getting sick is what your ancestors would have wanted.

And while it is true that we have an *amazing* immune system, the world is much, much different than it used to be. (2)

I reached out to Dr. Paul Offit for comment on this study. Here's what he said. (🧵/4)

1⃣ The drop in observed protection against infection is not surprising. When the 💉 was approved, 45% of kids in this age group had antibodies. Many more do now. So 💉 has a robust competitor. 2⃣ The 💉 still functions as intended. A 💉 against mucosal infection won't stop infection forever.

"I don't think it's weaker" Paul said. It should still provide long-lasting protection against severe disease (thru memory B and T cells) and beget hybrid immunity post-infection.

How does COVID compare to other diseases in kids?

Does infection cause long COVID? How about diabetes?

Why can't we do off-label vaccination for kids under 5?

These questions and many more answered by Dr. Paul Offit! Check out our full length interview: Paul Offit: Healthy kids should get vaccinated for COVID.

In the 2010s, adult flu vaccine uptake never broke 50%. It's so predictable that we don't even make shots for 1/3 of the population.

A lot of that is because people don't take flu seriously. But folks, you should and I'll tell you why.

Here's the FULL case for flu vaccination🧵 For the past 23 months, we downplayed influenza 👎

The COVID motto has been "it's not just the flu." Now people are hoping it becomes like the flu (less bad).

And while COVID is more of a threat, the irony is that we didn't take the flu seriously enough before.

One piece of misinformation floating about is that #COVID19 vaccines are unnecessary for kids because COVID doesn't affect kids.

*ahem* we disagree. This thread will give you the numbers. 👇🏻🧵 Kids CAN get #COVID, which is just not great for them. Who wants their kid to be sick when a safe #vaccine is free and available to prevent that?

Again, a cable news host has used an anti-vaccine trope that discourages vaccination. This time "If you are #vaccinated, why do you care if others aren't." This thread explains herd immunity & why high #vaccine uptake matters. #tuckercarlsonmustgo 1/7 The MOST important thing your #vaccine will do is protect you. In this same way, the MOST important thing your car's brakes do is stop your car. 2/7 #ThisIsOurShot #WeCanDoThis #CarGuysImmunize #VaccinesWork

What #TuckerCarlson got wrong about #VAERS. A thread.

tl;dr #VaccinesWork #VaccinesAreSafe #TuckerCarlsonMustGo #wecandothis #ThisIsOurShot But look at all these terrible deaths on #VAERS, #TuckerCarlson says? Not so fast! Look at the disclaimer, first. Just because it was reported does not mean #vaccines were the cause!

One myth about vaccines is that the schedule is ever-expanding, but in truth, a nine-year old today would not have received fewer vaccines than a baby born now. In fact, my sixteen year old got all these vaccines. See replies for more info. Vaccine schedule in 2011