A Portland Press Herald reporter will participate in a panel discussion on vaccines at an event sponsored by the National Press Club Journalism Institute on Thursday in Washington, D.C.

The panel will discuss a new “Nova” documentary that examines the return of infectious diseases – including whooping cough and measles – because some parents are not vaccinating their children.

Press Herald reporter Joe Lawlor will join vaccine experts and documentary filmmakers to discuss “Vaccines – Calling the Shots,” which is scheduled to air Sept. 10 on PBS stations.

The Press Club invited Lawlor to participate following his Aug. 10 Maine Sunday Telegram article that examined the vaccination controversy in Maine and what’s being done to persuade parents to vaccinate their children.

In Maine, a whooping cough outbreak occurred in 2012 and pertussis rates remain high compared to historical standards.

Some parents choose not to have their children vaccinated based on fears of autism or other risks, although medical studies have shown vaccines to be overwhelmingly safe and effective.

Panelists include Dr. Paul Offit, a leading Philadelphia pediatrician and author of several books about vaccines; Sonya Pemberton, writer, director and executive producer of the “Nova” documentary; Michael Rosenfeld, executive producer of the documentary; and Dr. Brian Zikmund-Fisher, associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

The documentary will air at 9 p.m. Sept. 10 on most PBS stations.

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