Latest news with #CIDRAP
Medscape
06-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
CIDRAP Unveils Vaccine Integrity Project
A new resource for seekers of independent vaccine science is in the works. The Vaccine Integrity Project, an initiative launched by the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), seeks to fill gaps left by recent federal changes that are altering the dissemination of scientific information, according to a press release by the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The project is funded by an unrestricted gift from a foundation known as Alumbra, established by philanthropist Christy Walton. The project aligns with the CIDRAP mission to 'prevent illness and death from targeted infectious disease threats through research and the translation of scientific evidence into real-world, practical applications, policies, and solutions,' according to the press release. At its outset, the Vaccine Integrity Project has established an eight-member steering committee to help guide clinicians in optimizing protection of the public against vaccine-preventable diseases. The committee plans to hold facilitated, information-gathering sessions in coming months to gauge with actions are needed 'to ensure the integrity of the US vaccine system, including vaccine evaluations and clinical guidelines,' according to the project website. The Steering Committee is co-chaired by Margaret Hamburg, MD, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner and co-president of the InterAcademy Partnership, and Harvey Fineberg, MD, current president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and past president of the US National Academy of Medicine, according to the CIDRAP press release. Help for Clinical Practice and Public Health 'Access to nonbiased, objective, and accurate information would be very helpful, especially in a time where public health initiatives are at risk,' said Shirin Mazumder, MD, infectious diseases specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, in an interview. Removal of evidence-based medical information from public sources has the potential to further propagate misinformation and prevent the general public from making decisions regarding their health without all of the necessary facts, Mazumder said. 'This has a great potential of harm, especially as it pertains to vaccine-preventable illnesses,' she added. 'As a physician who cares for a large population of patients living with HIV and at risk for HIV, I have concerns regarding how proposed budget cuts to essential programs, such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program and Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Initiative, will affect patient care,' Mazumder told Medscape Medical News . 'Young people, gay and bisexual men, and minority populations are disproportionately affected by HIV, and the proposed funding cuts will further marginalize this group and prevent the most vulnerable from accessing HIV education, prevention, testing, care, and treatment,' she said. 'The presence of an independent resource with no political affiliations that can serve as an objective guide to gather information from healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and policymakers is critical to ensure that recommendations are comprehensive,' Mazumder told Medscape Medical News regarding the potential effect of the Vaccine Integrity Project. Ideally, the feedback gathered by these different groups will assist in creating guidelines rooted in evidence-based practice and provide accurate information to help people make the best decisions pertaining to preventative healthcare, she said.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UMN vaccine initiative announces steering committee members
The University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy has named the remaining members of the steering committee for its Vaccine Integrity Project. The project is an initiative to examine how non-governmental entities can help protect vaccine policy, information and utilization in the U.S. The initiative was announced by CIDRAP Thursday. The committee is gathering feedback from professionals across the country through several sessions this month and continuing into early August. In addition to co-chairs Dr. Margaret Hamburg and Dr. Harvey Fineberg, the eight-person committee includes Jeff Duchin, Asa Hutchinson, Mark Feinberg, Fred Upton and Anne Zink. Dr. Michael Osterholm, regents professor and director of CIDRAP, also is a member. The initiative is supported by a $240,000 gift from iAlumbra, a foundation established by philanthropist Christy Walton. More information on the Vaccine Integrity Project and the steering committee members can be found at International students in U.S., MN see legal records restored with fed reversal Concern over vaccine misinformation prompts UMN initiative to preserve data A new Minnesota cover crop could help make air travel greener, UMN St. Paul researchers say Scores of supporters attend court hearing for U student facing deportation Eric Schwartz: Yes, balance academic freedom and responsible discourse. But not like this, U of M
Axios
29-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Scientists mobilize to counter vaccine misinformation
A group of public health experts and scientists is mobilizing to counter vaccine misinformation from federal agencies, in an effort backed by Walmart heiress Christy Walton that could eventually produce independent product evaluations and clinical guidelines. Why it matters: It's the latest bid to push back against vaccine skepticism the group's founders contend is threatening to compromise federal public health agencies and the information they disseminate. The initiative is led by former FDA commissioner Margaret Hamburg and former National Academy of Medicine president Harvey Fineberg and will operate as part of the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP). Driving the news: The newly formed Vaccine Integrity Project aims to start meeting with medical associations, state health officials, insurers, pharmacies and others next month on steps such as establishing a network of subject matter experts to conduct science-based reviews of vaccines. The effort is supported by an unrestricted gift from Alumbra, a foundation established by Walton, the widow of Walmart heir John Walton. "This project acknowledges the unfortunate reality that the system that we've relied on to make vaccine recommendations and to review safety and effectiveness data faces threats," said epidemiologist Michael Osterholm, the director of CIDRAP. "It is prudent to evaluate whether independent activities may be needed to stand in its place and how nongovernmental groups might operate to continue to provide science-based information to the American public." Osterholm told Science the group will seek out guidance about potentially "reviewing government decisions and messaging to provide clear and evidence-based information" and about "the potential need for a new independent body to evaluate vaccine safety and effectiveness." Between the lines: The effort comes as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine skepticism is putting him at odds with most scientists and some of the industries he's regulating. Some researchers fear he could appoint like-minded individuals to panels that advise the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policy. Most American adults report having heard or read some false claims about measles or the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. Meanwhile, Idaho recently passed a first-in-the-nation ban on vaccine mandates in businesses and schools, and several other states considered legislation this year that would have banned mRNA vaccines. The other side: A spokesperson for HHS called the Vaccine Integrity Project "a self-appointed echo chamber masquerading as oversight."
