Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why we need to fight misinformation about vaccines | from TED Health

How to Be a Better Human

TED

Self-improvement, Personal Growth, Better Human, Chris Duffy, Interviews, Emotional Awareness, Self-help, Education

4.2 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 12 June 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Ethan Lindenberger never got vaccinated as a kid. So one day, he went on Reddit and asked a simple question: "Where do I go to get vaccinated?" The post went viral, landing Lindenberger in the middle of a heated debate about vaccination and, ultimately, in front of a US Senate committee. Less than a year later, the high school senior reports back on his unexpected time in the spotlight and a new movement he's leading to fight misinformation and advocate for scientific truth.

After the talk, Shoshana interviews Dr. Jennifer Reich, a sociologist, and asks the question, “Where has vaccine mistrust come from?” -- and how transparency in clinical trials and federal advisory boards are key in gaining community trust.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, I'm Dr. Shoshana Ungerlider, the host of TED Health, another podcast from TED.
0:06.1	In today's media landscape, it can be challenging to distinguish fact from fiction,
0:11.4	especially when it comes to health care. On TED Health, we're doing a three-part series,
0:16.1	debunking the stickiest, most popular medical myths. So in place of your typical How to Be a Better Human
0:22.5	episode, today you'll hear our first episode of this series, where all look at how vaccines
0:28.0	protect us from diseases and how our body responds differently to each ailment. If you enjoy the
0:33.9	episode, check out the rest of the series on TED Health, published every
0:38.2	Tuesday, wherever you get your podcasts.
0:41.3	Now, on to the episode.
0:45.4	This is TED Health, a podcast from TED, and I'm your host, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleiter.
0:51.3	Speaking up for what's true, especially when it's personal, isn't easy.
0:57.0	But in a world where misinformation about health spreads fast and loud, choosing to use your voice can be a powerful act of courage.
1:05.0	Today we're kicking off a special mini-series on vaccines. And in a time when misinformation spreads quicker than facts,
1:11.9	understanding vaccines has never been more critical to our personal and public health.
1:18.2	This mini-series explores how trust in science is built and how it's broken through real
1:23.7	stories, expert insights, and what we can all do to stay informed.
1:28.7	As our public health systems face mounting challenges, this series offers the clarity and
1:33.7	context everyone needs to make confident evidence-based choices.
1:38.2	In today's episode, you'll hear from someone who did just that.
1:42.2	Ethan Lindenberger didn't set out to start a movement. He just asked
1:46.2	a question. And in doing so, he stepped into one of the most polarizing public health conversations
1:52.0	of our time. His story is a reminder that you don't have to be an expert to make an impact.
	...

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