Episode 196: Flu Shifts: Why Vaccines Still Matter
<p>In "Flu Shifts: Why Vaccines Still Matter," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall review the latest trends and flu and how this year's vaccine compares to the circulating strains. Dr. Osterholm also discusses H5N1 impact on mammals in Antarctica and answers an ID Query about infant botulism.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p>
--------
--------
Episode 195: We Can Make a Difference
<p>NOTE: In order to align our schedule with the holidays, we will not be releasing an episode on 11/13. We'll be back with our next episode on 11/20 and will resume our biweekly release schedule.</p>
<p>In "We Can Make a Difference," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the recent publication from CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project, an upcoming collaboration between CIDRAP and NEJM Evidence, and the latest measles and respiratory virus data. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID Query about how the government shutdown is impacting public health surveillance and shares another "This Week in Public Health History" segment.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa2514268">Updated Evidence for Covid-19, RSV, and Influenza Vaccines for 2025–2026</a> (Scott et al., New England Journal of Medicine)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh5hP6zcVrs"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project - Response to HHS claims about vaccines (Oct 2025)</strong></a></p>
<p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p>
--------
--------
Episode 194: Bending Not Breaking
<p>In "Bending Not Breaking," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent layoffs and layoff reversals at the CDC, comments from the administration on the MMR vaccine, and the latest respiratory virus data. Dr. Osterholm also shares an update on pertussis cases and answers an ID Query about herd immunity.</p>
<p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p>
--------
--------
Special Update: Dysfunction at ACIP
<p>In this special update, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall recap the events of last week's ACIP meeting and what it means for COVID, MMRV, and hepatitis B vaccine availability.</p>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p>
--------
--------
Episode 192: Ice Cream and Shark Attacks
<p>In "Ice Cream and Shark Attacks," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the FDA’s recent decision to authorize updated COVID-19 vaccines for limited groups, the confusion around access for those under 65, and the uncertain outcomes of this week’s ACIP meeting. They also cover ongoing upheaval at the CDC, provide updates on COVID-19 and measles, answer an ID Query on Chagas disease, and share the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project/viewpoint-four-tips-understanding-week-s-acip-meeting">Vaccine Integrity Project Viewpoint: Four tips for understanding this week’s ACIP meeting</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project/immunization-info">Vaccine Integrity Project - Fall Immunization Information</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><strong>Voices for Vaccines</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/"><strong>Families Fighting Flu</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved/"><strong>Vaccinate Your Family</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://shotatlife.org/take-action/"><strong>Shot@Life</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/MRC/Pages/index.aspx"><strong>Medical Reserve Corps</strong></a></p>
<p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-update-covid-19"><strong>MORE EPISODES</strong></a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/support-cidrap"><strong>SUPPORT THIS PODCAST</strong></a></p>
A weekly report on the COVID-19 pandemic from infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and has spent a career investigating outbreaks. Since 2005, he has emphasized supply chain and other vulnerabilities and a critical need for pandemic preparedness. In this podcast, Dr. Osterholm dissects the latest COVID-19 news, data, and guidance.
CIDRAP’s Chris Dall, MA, is the cohost of the Osterholm Update and a reporter for CIDRAP News. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu
Ireland