Bonnie Maldonado on Smallpox Eradication, Vaccine Hesitancy, and the Return of Measles

In this episode of The Future of Medicine, we welcome Yvonne "Bonnie" Maldonado, pediatrician and infectious disease expert at Stanford, for a powerful conversation on vaccines, public health, and the fragile progress of modern medicine.Dr. Maldonado reflects on the lessons behind her Grand Rounds talk, “Lessons from a House on Fire,” drawing from the global eradication of smallpox, one of humanity’s greatest public health achievements. She explains how targeted vaccination strategies helped stop a disease that once killed millions, and why that history still matters today.The conversation explores the growing resurgence of measles in the United States, driven in part by declining vaccination rates. Dr. Maldonado breaks down how measles spreads, why it remains one of the most infectious diseases known, and what current trends could mean for the future of public health.She also examines the roots of vaccine hesitancy, highlighting how risk perception, misinformation, and trust in institutions shape individual decision-making. From social media echo chambers to shifting federal policies, Dr. Maldonado discusses the complex forces influencing how people engage with science today.Looking ahead, she shares her perspective on rebuilding trust in medicine, the role of communication in public health, and why even small changes in vaccination rates can have large-scale consequences.Thank you for listening!Call to action: If you enjoy The Future of Medicine, subscribe for more conversations with leading scientists shaping the next era of healthcare. Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these important discussions. Share with friends and colleagues who are curious about how science becomes medicine.