Goldacre is great, but don't disparage Gates as not having a relevant background. He's a really smart guy, has been involved in vaccination efforts for a long time, is known for trying to spend money effectively, and has pledged to spend $10 Billion dollars on childrens' vaccinations in the next decade. He's being quoted here as an expert and not a celebrity.
I encourage everyone to read his book - it's fascinating, enlightening, entertaining and rage-inducing all at the same time.
The media-at-large needs more people like him.