Dr. Lee Vogel, a family physician and geriatrician with over 40 years of experience, is pushing back against the narrative that vaccines are ineffective and pose more risks than benefits. Recently, US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that his agency will cancel nearly $500 million in funding for mRNA development, citing concerns about vaccine safety.
However, Dr. Vogel disagrees with this stance. She says that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, like those developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, are effective in reducing the likelihood of hospitalization or death from the disease. In fact, she believes they are “probably the safest vaccine we have seen,” given their proven track record in saving lives during the pandemic.
Dr. Vogel also emphasizes that vaccines do not eliminate the risk of getting sick, but rather decrease it. She encourages people with high-risk profiles to discuss vaccination with their physician and reminds everyone of their responsibility to contribute to public health through vaccination.
The trend in Wisconsin is concerning, with low vaccination rates for kindergartners and a recent outbreak of measles in Oconto County. Dr. Vogel warns that the state is at risk of an epidemic if vaccination rates do not increase.
As someone who has dedicated her career to public service, Dr. Vogel is voicing her concerns as a “voice of science” in her community. She believes that everyone has a role to play in protecting public health and promoting the greater good through vaccination.
Source: https://eu.postcrescent.com/story/news/health/2025/08/20/appleton-doctor-says-vaccines-are-safe-contrary-to-federal-narrative/85710184007