Nonetheless, David Weigel
noted in the
Washington Post that Dr. Stein's statements echo language used by vaccination opponents, and that her call for vaccines "to be tested and regulated by parties that do not have a financial interest in them" may be misplaced:
Stein's warning about corporate influence in the vaccine approval process is often voiced by "anti-vaxxers." In reality, most members of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee work at academic or medical institutions, not drug companies. But for Stein, the fact that people saw corporate and lobbying influence running rampant meant that some skepticism was warranted.
Dr. Stein's stated position is that she "supports vaccinations" and acknowledges that "we have a real compelling need for vaccinations," so it's not true to say that she is on record as holding an anti-vaccination political position. However, her somewhat equivocal statements surrounding that issue allow for a fair bit of leeway and interpretation — many others who proclaim to "support vaccinations" in concept effectively undercut their positions by raising objections to the "vaccination process" or the "vaccination industry."
Is Green Party Candidate Jill Stein 'Anti-Vaccine'?