The Role of Clinicians in Combatting Misinformation on Vaccines, with Arthur Reingold, MD

At the 2025 American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, Arthur L. Reingold, MD, professor of epidemiology at UC Berkeley Public Health and expert in the prevention and control of infectious diseases, spoke with HCPLive on addressing public concerns over immunizations and combatting misinformation on the topic.

This interview segment was a part of a larger presentation-focued interview. His talk at ATS was titled ‘The Global Immunization Divide: Overcoming Barriers to Universal Vaccine Coverage,’ and in this interview, he addressed questions regarding public health concerns related to vaccines for lung health.

“First of all, I think clinicians generally don't need those of us in public health and epidemiology to tell them what to do,” Reingold explained. “They know the kind of patients they're dealing with and the needs of those patients. I'm sure that often in the midst of a busy, chaotic clinical schedule, academically or otherwise, that it's a rush to see patients and deal with their acute needs. But I think we need to reinforce the opportunities for prevention and to make sure that vaccines are being not only offered to but maximally-utilized, particularly in high risk populations.”

Reingold was asked about his views on the role pulmonologists and respiratory societies like ATS play in bridging the immunization gap, especially in vulnerable populations. He was also asked about actionable steps to take among health care providers.

“You know, most individuals, if they have a relationship with a healthcare provider, put more trust in that provider than they do in some expert on TV,” Reingold said. “So often there is a long standing doctor patient relationship or provider patient relationship, so there is more trust there than someone from CDC at this point, or NIH, or academia making a recommendation.”

Reingold highlighted his own view that that the doctor-patient relationship is significantly important to build on.

“At the same time, I think we know that misinformation is ubiquitous and it's indestructible,” Reingold said. “It's hard to distinguish from accurate information on the Web. So it's a tall order to battle misinformation and to succeed. While we certainly have many people who claim they do their own research, or they may be listening to our new Secretary of Health and Human Services who has not been a strong supporter of vaccination, I think that's fair to say. To the extent that providers can can get the ear of their patients and convince them of the wisdom of prevention and vaccination. I think that's a critically important role.”

For more about Reingold’s views and presentation information, view his full interview segment above. To learn more about data presented at ATS, view our latest conference coverage.

The quotes used in this interview summary were edited for clarity.

Reingold’s disclosures include having served as a consultant for AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline.