Social media users celebrate New York doctor who provided vaccine exemptions

A New York-based doctor has lost her medical license after providing vaccine exemptions to children without properly examining them. Some social media users are calling the doctor a hero.

Risk level: Low

Recommendation: These types of posts promote the false narrative that vaccines are unnecessary and unsafe, and they may discourage patients in the Northeast from getting routine vaccinations. The Massachusetts Medical board found that the doctor mentioned in these posts had engaged in “gross negligence...when she issued immunization exemptions to eight children without completing appropriate examinations.” Messaging may emphasize that vaccines are rigorously tested and prevent severe illness and death.