Dr. Harriet “The SkepDoc” Hall, an author of a science medicine blog slamming anti-vaxxers and critic of alternative medicine, died suddenly in her sleep last week.
Dr. Hall is a retired Air Force physician and flight surgeon who writes about pseudoscience and questionable medical practices.
“This is Kirk Hall, Harriet’s husband. I know Harriet’s work was followed and admired by many of you. It is with great sadness that I must tell you my beloved wife passed away quietly and unexpectedly in her sleep last night,” Harriet’s husband wrote on Facebook.
“At this moment, she would probably simply ask you to have a kind thought for her, be kind to each other and continue to support her belief in the truth,” the post added.
Ron Jette, managing editor of Science-Based Medicine sent an email announcing Dr. Hall’s passing:
It is with profound sadness that I report to you that my good friend, Dr. Harriet “SkepDoc” Hall, passed away in her sleep quietly and unexpectedly last night in Seattle.
Kirk Hall, Harriet’s husband, has kindly allowed me to notify you of Harriet’s passing.
We were currently working on the January edition of the newsletter and that final edition will be delivered within the next few days.
If, like her, you believe in truth and science-based medicine—and I know you do—please have a kind thought for her. I will miss her dearly and I know you will, too.
Dr. Harriet Hall was a supporter of the vaccine mandates and against all-natural remedies.
Below are some of her blog posts:
After her passing, naturally many speculated that the COVID vaccine played a role in her sudden death.
Back in 2021, Dr. Hall announced that she received her third dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine.
“My husband and I (both well over 65) just got our third dose of COVID vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is free at Safeway for everyone. Very convenient and only a short wait. No appointment needed.”
Dr. Hall’s colleagues and husband were outraged about the speculations that she died from the COVID vaccine.
Science Based Med’s Dr. David Gorski expressed his anger in a tweet:
“After I got over the initial shock and sadness that hit me after I learned of the unexpected death of our friend and colleague Dr. Harriet Hall last week, I must confess that, as was the case with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest that was most likely from commotio cordis, my next thought was how long it would be before antivaxxers started blaming her unexpected passing on COVID-19 vaccines,” Gorski wrote.
Dr. Hall’s husband, Kirk Hall, had the following to say:
The antivaxxers are a loathsome, despicable group who seem to be able to plumb the deepest levels of depravity to push their agenda. Harriet had been in delicate health for many years before the Covid-19 pandemic. Several years ago I took over all household chores after she experienced blackouts and fell in San Francisco and at SeaTac within a week. Recently Harriet’s doctor at Madigan Army Medical Center was having her worked up for possible congestive heart failure. A very recent echocardiogram (we have not received the full results) showed she had leakage in two of her heart valves. She also had a transient heart arrythmia which was of many years’ duration. Neither one of us have had Covid-19 and Harriet’s exposure to life outside the home had for the last several years, been limited to visits to her doctor and dentist.
