Scott Hamilton Kennedy

Shot in the Arm is a documentary project examining vaccine hesitancy, public health, and the effects of disinformation. Filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy began investigating the global measles epidemic before the COVID-19 pandemic, interviewing public health officials and anti-vaccine activists. When the pandemic began, he expanded the film’s focus to explore how vaccine debates changed and how political divisions and mistrust influence health decisions. The film aims to encourage curiosity, empathy, and informed discussion.

Viewers can watch Shot in the Arm for free on PBS.org, arrange community screenings, and access related events and resources through the project’s website. The film has also been approved for continuing education credits for physicians, nurses, and pharmacy professionals through Indiana University School of Medicine. The site provides information for hosting screenings, vaccine resources through Vaccinate Indiana, filmmaker and cast biographies, press contacts, and a newsletter. Directed, produced, and written by Kennedy, the documentary features public health voices and people with differing perspectives on vaccination, presenting the issue as a complex subject for community conversation.