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Newsletter

On August 10, 2026, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing a reduction in the number of recommended childhood vaccines and calling for the remaining immunizations to be further separated and spaced apart. The Nebraska Infectious Disease Society (NIDS), Nebraska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (NEAAP), Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians (NEACP), Metro Omaha Medical Society (MOMS) and Metro Omaha Immunization Task Force (ITF) strongly oppose these broad changes to U.S. childhood immunization recommendations. These changes depart from the rigorous, evidence-based processes that have guided vaccine recommendations for decades. Bypassing established scientific review and expert guidance for decisions of such importance unnecessarily endangers the health of Nebraska’s children and communities. The American people deserve a healthcare guidance that is trustworthy, grounded in science, and driven by the purpose of keeping our children safe and healthy. This order meets none of those standards. Its directives are unsupported by data, devoid of scientific merit, and contradicted by decades of research and clinical experience affirming the safety and effectiveness of the current immunization schedule. Equally concerning is the process behind it. The order was issued without transparent, publicly accountable review of the evidence and without the input of the scientific and advisory bodies that ordinarily inform immunization policy. Decisions of this consequence cannot be made behind closed doors and still command public trust. We must also acknowledge current developments. Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000. Now, we are again facing outbreaks of this highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease, which can cause serious complications. This situation warns how quickly we can lose the progress achieved over years by healthcare professionals, parents, and communities. Hepatitis B provides another example. While it can be transmitted from mother to infant at birth, this is not the only route of infection for infants and children. About 90% of infants infected with hepatitis B develop chronic infection, placing them at lifelong risk for serious liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Universal infant hepatitis B vaccination offers crucial protection against these preventable outcomes. These diseases are not theoretical. We have witnessed their impact and know how to prevent them. An order that contradicts the recommendations of every major medical society will do nothing but sow confusion and fear where none need exist. It threatens to deepen the burden of ongoing outbreaks at precisely the moment we can least afford it. When making medical decisions on behalf of their children, parents should talk with the child's pediatrician or another reliable healthcare professional if they have questions or concerns. These discussions are important, especially when a child has medical circumstances that must be considered. However, the discussions should begin with recommendations based on the best current scientific evidence. Parents should be able to trust their pediatrician for clear, evidence-based guidance on protecting their child. Similarly, physicians should rely on national immunization recommendations that have undergone thorough scientific review. Individual medical judgment and strong, evidence-based vaccine recommendations are not mutually exclusive. This should not be a political issue. Infectious diseases do not consider political affiliation or beliefs. The science remains constant regardless of leadership. Decisions about children's health must be based on the best available evidence and careful review by qualified medical and public health experts. Our organizations support a vaccine recommendation process that is transparent, scientifically rigorous, and grounded in the best available evidence. We strongly urge federal leaders to preserve the essential role of independent medical and scientific experts and to ensure that childhood immunization recommendations continue to undergo the established processes of scientific review, evidence evaluation, and expert deliberation that have long guided U.S. vaccine policy. Jointly issued by: Nebraska Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) Nebraska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (NEAAP) Metro Omaha Medical Society (MOMS) Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians (NEACP) Metro Omaha Immunization Task Force (ITF)

Statement Regarding Changes to U.S. Immunization Recommendations

On August 10, 2026, the Trump administration issued an executive order directing a reduction in the number of recommended childhood vaccines and calling for the remaining immunizations to be further separated and spaced apart. The Nebraska Infectious Disease Society (NIDS), Nebraska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (NEAAP), Nebraska Chapter of the American College of Physicians (NEACP), Metro Omaha Medical Society (MOMS) and Metro Omaha Immunization Task Force (ITF) strongly oppose...

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The Nebraska Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) strongly affirms that extensive, rigorous, and established scientific evidence shows that vaccines do not cause autism. This conclusion is shared across other professional medical and scientific societies, including the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (pids.org), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (idsociety.org), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP.org), and the American Medical Association (ama-assn.org), all of which have released similar statements. On November 19, 2025, content on the CDC web page entitled “Autism and Vaccines” was altered to include misleading and scientifically unfounded claims about vaccines and autism. Although the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (who oversees the CDC) promised during his confirmation hearing not to alter the statement “Vaccines do not cause autism” on the CDC website, the revised content now implies the opposite despite “technically” not altering this original phrase. Furthermore, these changes were made without the input of CDC scientific and professional staff. This messaging is dangerous and undermines scientific integrity, erodes public trust, and places parents in an unfair and confusing position. Ultimately, such information will lead more people to question life-saving vaccines, resulting in more cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, more outbreaks, more severe illnesses, and more preventable deaths. NIDS stands firmly with the broader medical and scientific community in reassuring parents and caregivers that routine immunizations remain among the safest and most effective tools to keep children healthy. Vaccination is also one of the most powerful ways we, as a community, protect one another—especially those who are too young or medically unable to be vaccinated. By staying up-to-date on recommended vaccines, families help safeguard not only their own children but the health and well-being of our entire community. Vaccines do not cause autism. Families deserve honesty, clarity, and support – not confusion fueled by misinformation.

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism

The Nebraska Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) strongly affirms that extensive, rigorous, and established scientific evidence shows that vaccines do not cause autism. This conclusion is shared across other professional medical and scientific societies, including the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society ( pids.org ), the Infectious Diseases Society of America ( idsociety.org ), the American Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP.org ), and the American Medical Association ( ama-assn.org ), all of...

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Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases University of Nebraska Medical Center What brought you to Nebraska? I came to Nebraska for the opportunity to lead an excellent ID Division at UNMC/Nebraska Medicine. There are many strengths of the program, including faculty who are recognized leaders in HIV care, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, immunocompromised ID, and biopreparedness, just to name a few. The Division has developed innovative programs around remote care of ID patients and supporting infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship in rural areas of the state, which have served as models nationally. Given the challenges faced by the field of infectious diseases, how do you plan on leading your division to address these changes? There are many challenges that face infectious diseases specialists today – a loss of trust in public health by the public, misinformation about infectious diseases on social media, and an unstable funding environment for biomedical research and programs which support the care of vulnerable individuals. This is in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance and the re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles. It is easy to become discouraged. My plan for the Division is to continue to “lead by example” by providing excellent care to the patients that we serve, particularly patients who from groups that are marginalized in society. I will support the research and educational missions that are core to the Division. Infectious Diseases specialists have always been advocates, but in the current environment, it is needed more than ever. I want to encourage the faculty to educate their patients, the public, and policymakers on evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies for infectious diseases. If we are silent, there are many individuals who will fill the void with misinformation. What would you like to see NIDS do to help support infectious diseases work in the state of Nebraska? I would like to see NIDS take an active role in education and outreach to the public and policymakers in Nebraska. Having a dialogue with these groups, addressing their concerns and informing them about the risks of infectious diseases and what is needed to treat and prevent them, is critical to rebuilding the trust that has been lost in the time since the COVID-19 pandemic. What is a fun fact about yourself? I love hiking. I am a day hiker but would love to try longer hikes. Some of my favorite hikes have been the “Oh-Be-Joyful” trail in the Gunnison National Forest in Colorado, and Johnston Canyon Trail in Banff National Park. Since I arrived in Nebraska in January, I have hiked several trails around Omaha with my wife and our black and tan coonhound, Reggie. I am looking forward to exploring the Sandhills.

Member Spotlight: David K Warren, MD, MPH

Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases University of Nebraska Medical Center What brought you to Nebraska? I came to Nebraska for the...

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SUPERVISOR, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Chad serves as the supervisor of infectious diseases epidemiology for the Douglas County Health Department in Omaha, NE. In this role, he is responsible for disease surveillance, investigation, and outbreak management for reportable diseases in Douglas County. He also helps oversee health data for the department. He received a bachelor of science in biology and psychology from Creighton University in 2007 and went on to earn a master of public health in epidemiology from University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health in 2013. Chad has more than 10 years of experience in local public health. As an epidemiologist, he has participated in the response to numerous outbreaks and other public health emergences in his community, including COVID-19, Zika, Ebola, MPXV, and others. He currently leads a team of nearly a dozen disease investigators, epidemiologists, nurses, and data analysts. Chad's interests include vaccine-preventable and emerging infectious diseases, health data science and visualization, and health communication. He lives with his wife in Gretna, NE, and his hobbies include fostering rescue dogs, home improvement, and investing.

Member Highlight: Chad T Wetzel, MPH

SUPERVISOR, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGY DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Chad serves as the supervisor of infectious diseases...

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