The results of this study are reassuring from the view that they indicate that the levels of thimerosal which had previously been used in vaccines do not play a role in the development of autism.
The story was about thimerosal being reduced or eliminated from vaccines, so cost is not an issue in this context.
The benefit of the pediatric vaccines was not the central issue of the story but rather the risks associated with their use.
The study was intended to determine if a causal relationship could be attributed to the use of thimerosal in pediatric vaccines. As such the theoretical harms of the vaccine are described correctly. However, an important element missing in the story is the downside of not immunizing children. The story would have been enhanced with a brief comment about the negative impact of avoiding immunization (including the use of influenza vaccine).
The story correctly describes the study design and the relative uniqueness of the methods used. The conclusions of the study are appropriately noted in the report.
The story did not engage in overt disease mongering.
Two individuals with expertise in vaccines and with no connection to this study were interviewed as part of this story.
The story provided little or no information about decisions beyond simple ‘yes’ and ‘no’ concerning vaccination.
This story reported on a study of two vaccines against the same disease with different levels of thimerosal. So, for example, are there ever choices to be made about levels of other preservatives in vaccines? The story did not provide information about the benefits or harms associated with vaccination in general.
The story was about a study that compared outcomes in youngsters who had received vaccines with different levels of thimerosal. The story correctly points out that since 2001, thimerosal has not been used as a preservative in pediatric vaccines in the US other than flu vccine.
The story was about two vaccines for whooping cough with different levels of the preservative thimerosal. The story also reported that the preservative thimerosal is no longer used in vaccines in the US. Therefore, this story is about a treatment that is not available.
Does not appear to rely on a press release.
Systematic, Criteria-Driven
Monday at #ADA2021, an infectious disease epidemiologist, a journalist, and a researcher shared perspectives on communication of risk in the era of COVID-19: http://ow.ly/ROfR30rMeE7 @AstleyCM @garyschwitzer @berthahidalgo @ADA_DiabetesPro
Shoutouts to @susan_bewley @drkevinknopf @MichaelBaum11 in this call for more than fawning coverage from press releases for these kinds of stories.
Also, linked history inside goes back 5 years just on Grail apparently trying to become Holy Grail. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1408849696416841731
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