Media Darling Doctor Assumes NJ Department of Health Leadership Role

Dr. Meg Fisher, pediatric infectious disease doctor and vaccine evangelist, steps in to role after yet another NJDOH leader steps down

Although Dr. David Adinaro wasn’t a frequent attendee at Governor Phil Murphy’s now infamous NJ Coronavirus Briefings, his position as Deputy Commissioner for Public Health put him squarely in the middle of day-to-day State of New Jersey pandemic decision making and public health planning.

"Dr. Adinaro joined the Department in this capacity in June 2020 as an emergency physician with expertise as a Chief Medical Officer. Prior to serving as Deputy Commissioner, he helped stand up the Field Medical Station in Secaucus in spring 2020 for recovering COVID-19 patients. During his tenure at NJDOH, he was heavily involved in all of New Jersey’s COVID-19 and monkeypox (hMPXV) responses."

As public attention shifts from the ever-emergent pandemic, his September 6, 2022 departure made way for a pediatrician who specializes in infectious diseases to be named acting Deputy Commissioner for Public Health. You may have seen Dr. Meg Fisher’s Covid advice at some point over the past two years in her capacity as a special advisor to the NJDOH. You can see some examples here and here.

Not surprisingly, this pediatric infectious disease specialist has been singing the public health praises of vaccines for a long time. You can view a short 2014 interview with her about that topic here. Be sure to watch till the end for a glimpse of her global vaccination program connections.

While WANJ doesn’t claim to have a crystal ball and has no interest in spreading fear porn or disinformation about the use of vaccines in children or adults, it is not unreasonable to think that Dr. Meg Fisher will place a special priority upon the childhood vaccination schedule while she serves as NJ’s acting Deputy Commissioner for Public Health.

Does it seem like a stretch that she would advocate for the addition of Covid shots to those currently required for school attendance if permanent approval for use in children is granted by federal officials? As always, you decide.