1: Childhood Immunizations at Risk: What Families and Policymakers Need to Know

Vaccines are among the most effective tools for protecting children from preventable diseases, yet misinformation and policy gaps are shaping the conversation across the United States. Heidi Russell, director of the Center for Health Policy at Rice University’s Baker Institute, speaks with Peter Hotez, codirector of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, and Rekha Lakshmanan, executive director of public policy at The Immunization Partnership, to examine the science behind childhood vaccines, the impact of misinformation on families, and policy approaches to improving immunization rates. This conversation was recorded on Jan. 16, 2025. Listen and subscribe on your preferred podcast platform. Featured guests: Peter Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. Rekha Lakshmanan, M.P.H. Learn about the “Child Health Advocacy + Policy” podcast by subscribing to our “Health Beat” newsletter at https://www.bakerinstitute.org/newsletter.   You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.