After the Cleveland Clinic Vaccine kerfuffle I was interviewed by a reporter at the Cleveland Plains Dealer. She wanted to know why there was such a backlash against the comments of The Clinic doctor.

It wasn’t an issue of new science, I suggested, but new voices. The doctors finally showed up. Pediatricians, for example, now number in the thousands on Twitter.

These new voices for vaccines will face a new challenge in the coming years. The current administration is convening the greatest anti-vaccine minds of this generation intent on reversing two generations of public health effort. Orac on Respectful Insolence has a nice summary of the relationship between the White House and this emerging band of zealots. The Wall Street Journal’s call to Ignore Anti-Vaccine Hysteria, Mr Trump is worth a peek.

Countering anti-vaccine policy and sentiment will require an unprecedented level of social organization among today’s public physicians. This will serve as a test of the rational public voice.

It won’t be easy. Showing up is one thing. Acting together is quite another.

Pictured is Andrew Wakefield (reported to be) on the way to the Trump Inauguration Ball last evening. His dangerous impact on parents, pediatricians and the welfare of a generation of children defies calculation.