The Day I Sat Alone on a Vaccine Panel — And What Happened Next Surprised Me

Photo credit: Dr. Joel Gator’s Substack page.

By Dr. Joel Gator

This week, I had the honor of speaking at the Eudemonia Health Summit — a major conference centered on human flourishing, well-being, and the future of health. It was not a “vaccine” conference. In fact, it had nothing to do with vaccines.

But for the first time, the organizers wanted to host an honest, balanced discussion on the topic — something that, until now, had rarely been allowed in mainstream health spaces.

I said yes immediately.

A few days before the event, I learned that both other MD panelists had backed out. Suddenly, the “panel” became me and the host — and a room full of health professionals who weren’t sure what to expect.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hesitate for a moment. This is not an easy topic to step into. But I knew that if we want progress, someone has to keep showing up.

So I did.

And here’s the part that surprised me most: there was no hate. Not one nasty comment. Not one confrontational exchange.

Instead, people lined up — for over an hour after the talk — asking thoughtful, genuine questions. Many simply said thank you for being willing to discuss something so divisive with honesty and nuance.

It reminded me that even in our most polarized moments, most people are not looking for a fight — they’re looking for truth, and for someone willing to listen.

It also made me sad. Sad that so many of my colleagues, who are good, compassionate doctors, feel they can’t speak openly about this. The culture of fear in medicine is real — and it’s holding us back. When doctors self-censor, patients lose.

Science loses. Progress loses.

We don’t need more shouting. We need more listening.

We don’t need perfect agreement. We need permission to question, to explore, to seek understanding together.

That’s what I witnessed in that room — something I haven’t felt in a long time: hope.

I’m proud and humbled to have been invited, and I’m grateful to the organizers for having the courage to make space for this conversation. But I also left thinking about the two MDs who canceled. Not with anger or judgment — just understanding. I get it.

The risk of being misunderstood, misquoted, or vilified is high.

But here’s my message to my colleagues:

We need you.

Your voice matters.

If we want to rebuild trust in medicine, we can’t hide from the hard topics — we have to lead those discussions.

There is a path forward. It begins with more doctors willing to sit at the table instead of running from it.

I’ll keep showing up. I hope more will join me.

— Dr. Gator

Originally published by Dr. Joel Gator on his Between a Shot and Hard Place Substack page.

Dr. Joel Gator is a board-certified pediatrician, dad and wellness activist. His Substack is a deep dive into children’s health, vaccines, chronic illness, toxins, and wellness — with a holistic, evidence-informed lens.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Children’s Health Defense.

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