Experts Urge Respectful Vaccine Discussions at TIME100 Talks

UPDATE: Leading health experts gathered in New York City on September 27, 2023, for a TIME100 Talks event, emphasizing the urgent need for respectful discussions around vaccines and health interventions. Moderated by TIME senior health correspondent Alice Park, the panel featured Dr. Raj Panjabi, Jillian Michaels, and Dr. Nir Barzilai, tackling critical issues including vaccine efficacy and the impact of new weight-loss drugs.

During the event, Dr. Panjabi, a former White House Senior Director for global health security, addressed growing vaccine skepticism in the U.S., stating it is vital to approach vaccine claims with “curiosity” and encourage public understanding of scientific data. He highlighted that over 18 million hospitalizations and more than 3 million deaths were prevented in the U.S. due to the COVID-19 vaccine in its first two years, according to a 2022 The Commonwealth Fund report.

Michaels, known for her controversial stance on health topics, raised questions about the safety and scheduling of vaccines, specifically criticizing the recommendation for newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. While she asserted her support for vaccines historically, she urged for clarity on vaccine protocols, stating, “Parents want to know these things.” Public health experts have noted that early vaccination can prevent mother-to-child transmission and early childhood exposures.

Dr. Panjabi emphasized that any medical intervention must weigh benefits against risks, urging respectful discourse around these vital health decisions.

The conversation then shifted to the emerging topic of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, with Dr. Barzilai affirming their promise in combating obesity, which he noted accelerates aging. He referred to new research suggesting these drugs may also reduce risks of Alzheimer’s disease. Audience member Andrea Deierlein, a public health nutrition expert from NYU, voiced concerns that these medications could detract from essential lifestyle changes.

Dr. Barzilai acknowledged the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, stating, “Exercise, diet, sleep, and social connectivity are good for everyone.” However, he pointed out that as people age, optimizing these factors becomes more challenging. “What we determined is that there are drugs that could, when you’re old, change the rate of your aging,” he concluded, stressing that ongoing discussions will determine the best approaches to these health interventions.

The TIME100 Talks event, titled “Living Better, Longer—Reimagining Healthcare from Sickcare to Wellcare,” was presented by Shaklee. As vaccine skepticism and new health treatments continue to stir public conversation, the insights shared during this panel are poised to shape ongoing discussions about health interventions and their societal impact.

Stay tuned for more urgent updates as this conversation develops and influences public health strategies.