In response to a recent powerful op-ed describing the consequences of the anti-vaccine movement, we invite the community to stand up for vaccines and the science that promotes lifelong health.
In the article published by the Washington Post, former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb commented on the consequences of the anti-vaccine movement and described how an infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) played a direct role in his own diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma—and why dismissing vaccine-preventable diseases as harmless ignores mounting evidence linking viral infections to cancer, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune diseases.
As Dr. Gottlieb writes, “Though measles is known for its fever and rash, its most insidious damage is deferred. By erasing much of the immune system’s memory, the virus can leave survivors vulnerable for years to infections that they had already learned to defeat. It turns a brief illness into a long-term assault on their health.”
Protecting and strengthening vaccine research isn’t just about preventing infection—it’s about preventing lifelong, life-altering disease. Viral infections are not always “mild” or temporary, and the science is clear about their long-term consequences. For the scleroderma community,this is a critically important issue.
“For people living with scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases, viral infections are not abstract risks—they can have enduring impacts on immune function and overall health,” says SRF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gregory Gordon. “Evidence-based vaccine policy is a critical part of protecting immune health.”
As advocates for immune health and scientific progress, the SRF stands with the scientific and medical community in supporting vaccines, science-based policy, and sustained federal investment in research that safeguards long-term health. Protecting vaccine science means protecting everyone at risk for autoimmune disease.
