The Doctor Who Fooled the World: Science, Deception, and the War on Vaccines with Brian Deer

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we’re joined by acclaimed investigative journalist Brian Deer, one of the most influential figures in modern medical reporting. A two-time British Press Awards winner and Honorary Doctor of Letters recipient from York St John University, Brian is best known for his rigorous investigations into public health, drug safety, and medical ethics.His work for The Sunday Times exposed major failures in pharmaceutical oversight and unethical medical practices, including the investigation that dismantled the fraudulent research behind the claim that the MMR vaccine causes autism.That reporting culminated in his award-winning book, The Doctor Who Fooled the World, a detailed examination of how a single false study triggered a global health crisis and lasting damage to public trust. Today’s conversation explores that story and its continuing impact. 01: 55 - Brian’s Journey into investigative Journalism 03:00 - The Vaccine Story 06:50 – What Made Brian Look into The MMR Vaccination and Andrew Wakefield?10:00 – Turning Points in the Investigation 17:25 – How Did the Paper/ Study Get Published20:00 – Push Back, Lawsuits and Personal Attacks34:26 – Has the Public Completely Lost Trust in Vaccinations After Covid-1938:55 – Was it Coincidence Book Released During Covid-19?  Website: https://briandeer.comTwitter/X: @deerbrian