Y. Tony Yang – The Conversation

The vast majority of people who get measles are not vaccinated against the measles virus. Andrzej Rostek/istock via Getty Images Plus

February 6, 2026

US experiencing largest measles outbreak since 2000 – 5 essential reads on the risks, what to do and what’s coming next

Alla Katsnelson, The Conversation

Public health scholars worry that the resurgence of measles may signal a coming wave of other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Pediatricians often spend at least 10 minutes of an already-short visit discussing vaccines. Heather Hazzan, SELF Magazine

January 9, 2026

‘Shared decision‑making’ for childhood vaccines sounds empowering – but it may mean less access for families already stretched thin

Y. Tony Yang, George Washington University

Doctor’s visits are already rushed. Adding extra steps means some children, especially those from low-income families, simply won’t get the vaccines they should.

Families are increasingly seeking nonmedical exemptions to routine childhood vaccines, making communities more vulnerable to preventable diseases. FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images

November 3, 2025

Strict school vaccine mandates work, and parents don’t game the system − new research

Y. Tony Yang, George Washington University; Anthony Bald, California State University, Fullerton , and Samantha Gold, Cornell University

When states prohibit parents from opting their kids out of vaccines for religious, philosophical or other nonmedical reasons, communities stay better protected against infectious diseases.

Vaccination is an example of how people make decisions in an interconnected system. MichelleLWilson via iStock/Getty Images Plus

June 5, 2025

Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks

Y. Tony Yang, George Washington University and Avi Dor, George Washington University

Vaccine hesitancy isn’t a moral failure – it’s a property of a system in which people must balance personal and collective interests.

Do more non-medical vaccine exemptions mean a higher incidence of disease? luminaimages/Shutterstock

February 5, 2015

Why Mississippi hasn’t had measles in over two decades

Y. Tony Yang, George Mason University

As of January 30, 102 people in 14 states were reported to have measles, and most of these cases are tied to the outbreak that began at Disneyland in December. Public health officials are citing an increase…

Contact Y. for