Measles, once on the brink of eradication in the U.S., is making a dangerous comeback. Serese Marotta, Director of Advocacy and Education at Vaccinate Your Family, joined Jess to share her personal journey, the loss of her son to a vaccine-preventable illness, which shaped her life's commitment to vaccine education. They discuss the challenges of vaccine hesitancy, the concept of herd immunity, and the work being done by community health workers to educate and engage communities. The conversation highlights the need for empathy, tailored approaches, and storytelling to address vaccine hesitancy and protect against vaccine-preventable diseases. The two explore the importance of effective science communication and the emotional and human elements involved in decision-making about vaccines. They both share personal stories and discuss the impact of misinformation and the need for accurate information. They also address common concerns about vaccine schedules and the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. The conversation concludes with a discussion on building trust in vaccines and the importance of thinking about vaccines as a way to stay healthy. You don't want to miss this!

All our sources from this episode are available at: https://www.unbiasedscipod.com/episodes/to-immunity-and-beyond-dont-toy-around-with-vaccines

(00:20) The Dangerous Comeback of Measles

(08:56) Vaccine Hesitancy and Measles Outbreaks

(11:22) Vaccination as a Team Sport

(22:13) Challenges and Threats to Vaccine Preventable Diseases

(24:37) Empathy and Storytelling in Vaccine Education

(26:39) The Impact of Misinformation on Vaccine Decision-Making

(31:34) Understanding Vaccine Schedules and Safety

(35:44) Thinking of Vaccines as a Way to Stay Healthy

(40:17) Final Thoughts: Building Trust in Vaccines

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