Vaccine safety AOA statement regarding testimony on Ohio HB 248 Testimony included material misinformation and personal perspectives without the support of evidence or scientific foundation. June 16, 2021Wednesday AOA Staff Contact AOA Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email On Monday, the AOA released the following statement on the recent testimony of Sherri Tenpenny, DO, during a hearing on Ohio HB 248: On June 9, the American Osteopathic Association became aware of the June 8 testimony provided by Sherri Tenpenny, DO, at the Ohio House of Representatives hearing on House Bill 248, the Enact Vaccine Choice and Anti-Discrimination Act. Following careful review of the reported testimony, we find the statements included material misinformation, personal perspectives without support of evidence or scientific foundation, and are not consistent with the principles and practice of osteopathic medicine. We support collegial debate based on professional differences of opinion on the appraisal of scientific literature. However, creating fear from non-scientific opinion without evidence is irresponsible, unconscionable, and undermines the public trust in the receipt of safe and efficacious medical care. The AOA urges all Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is a scientific achievement that has saved countless lives. We strongly support the evidence affirming the safety of vaccine technology and reject unsubstantiated claims to the contrary. This matter is under further review and will be carefully and thoroughly considered by the American Osteopathic Association. More in Profession The best and worst states for doctors in 2024 Montana leads WalletHub’s new list, while Hawaii comes in last. See where your state landed. AOA now accepting applications for volunteer leadership positions Serve on an important governing body that helps shape AOA programs and policies. Previous articleIn Memoriam: June 16, 2021 Next articleResearchers predict a lower future US physician shortage than in 2020
The best and worst states for doctors in 2024 Montana leads WalletHub’s new list, while Hawaii comes in last. See where your state landed.
AOA now accepting applications for volunteer leadership positions Serve on an important governing body that helps shape AOA programs and policies.
Vaccine choice, and anti medical discrimination is scientific and ethical. The AOA going woke isn’t Jun. 17, 2021, at 7:51 am Reply
Glad to see this AOA statement as a start. As you can see in above comment, Osteopathic Medicine appears to have a bit of a problem. Perhaps more attention to the importance of professionalism, boundaries and evidenced based medicine in core training. Jun. 17, 2021, at 9:59 pm Reply
To “strongly support the evidence affirming the safety of vaccine technology” and apply that to a brand new and experimental vaccine technology (mRNA in PEGlyated lipid nanoparticles) that has been in clinical trials barley over 1 year is short sighted and irresponsible. I agree with the Disgusted D.O., and the decision to receive any medical treatment should be between a patient and their physician, the state should have no involvement in the issue. Jun. 18, 2021, at 10:10 am Reply
She argued that the Covid Vaccine made people magnetic. I think that qualifies as “material misinformation.” Jun. 18, 2021, at 11:16 am Reply
The simple fact that the AOA recommends all individuals get the vaccine highlights that the recommendation is not evidence based. Look at the emerging evidence of immunity in those who have had the infection, natural immunity. What is the indication for vaccination in this large group of people? Jun. 18, 2021, at 11:24 am Reply
That’s very important factor that seems to getting “zero” regard or respect. Jul. 5, 2021, at 11:40 am Reply
The AOA leadership has apparently forgotten the roots of osteopathic medicine, which involved Andrew Taylor Still railing against ineffective and dangerous treatments of the 1850s, such as calomel (a mercury compound), arsenic, antimony, tartar emetic, lobelia, strychnine and belladonna. Jun. 18, 2021, at 6:13 pm Reply
As an osteopathic pediatrician in Ohio, I think that the COVID vaccine and HB 248 highlights that medical schools, nursing schools and physician residencies do an insufficient job of educating all physicians on vaccine science. If we have nurses and non-pediatricians advocating against vaccine requirements for children and college-aged students, then we have a lot of misinformation in our midst. HB 248 is not a COVID vaccine bill. HB 248 is proposed as medical freedom by the same legislature that demands control over pregnant women’s medical choices and LGBTQ+ medical freedom. With the current culture of managed care, there is, in fact, very limited medical freedom to begin with. How many prior authorizations do you do a day? In addition, it should be recognized that evidence shows that the public has a very poor degree of health literacy. We should not contribute to health misinformation, as a profession. It is recognized that the osteopathic community, very unfortunately, has a history of using non-scientifically proven treatments and I applaud the AOA for taking a stand against vaccine misinformation. I am disappointed in medical providers who think misinformation is a choice and a freedom. Jun. 20, 2021, at 9:24 am Reply