Vax Talk

In this episode, hosts Karen Ernst and Dr. Nathan Boonstra break down the biggest vaccine headlines, from the alarming measles outbreak in Texas to the severity of this year’s flu season and the emerging threat of H5N1 bird flu. Special guest Dr. Joe Bresee from the Task Force for Global Health shares expert insights on pandemic preparedness, vaccine innovation, and global immunization efforts. He explains why bird flu is spreading among mammals, the risks of human-to-human transmission, and how surveillance is critical to preventing a future pandemic. The episode also unpacks how avian flu could impact flu vaccine production, given that most vaccines still rely on chicken eggs, and why mRNA technology may be the future of flu prevention. Finally, the hosts dive into the fight against vaccine misinformation and hesitancy, exploring how behavioral science plays a key role in boosting vaccine confidence. If you're interested in public health, disease prevention, and the future of vaccines, this is the episode you don’t want to miss! Links from the episode: - Ed Nirenberg’s in-depth analysis of vitamin A and measles: https://deplatformdisease.substack.com/p/vitamin-a-and-measles-it-doesnt-replace - Task Force for Global Health’s PIVI Program: www.pivipartners.org - Washington Post article: "Amid West Texas Measles Outbreak, Vaccine Resistance Hardens": https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/03/02/measles-outbreak-texas-vaccine-hesitancy-death/ - New York Times opinion piece: "The COVID Alarmists Were Closer to the Truth Than Anyone Else" by David Wallace-Wells : https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/26/opinion/covid-fifth-anniversary.html?unlocked_article_code=1.z04.IB3N.NLwgltyEef-S

Join us as we sit down with renowned vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit to explore the critical role of school vaccine requirements in protecting public health. Dr. Offit shares insights from his decades of experience, discussing how these requirements helped eliminate diseases like measles and rubella from the United States and why their erosion could have serious consequences. The conversation delves into pivotal moments in vaccine policy history, from the early days of state mandates to modern challenges facing public health measures. Dr. Offit recalls his firsthand experience with Philadelphia's devastating 1991 measles outbreak and discusses how the 2014 Disneyland outbreak led to significant policy changes in California. The discussion tackles complex issues around religious and philosophical exemptions, the impact on vulnerable populations, and growing concerns about vaccine hesitancy in the post-COVID era. Whether you're a healthcare provider, parent, educator, or concerned citizen, this episode offers valuable insights into why school vaccine requirements matter and what's at stake as these crucial public health protections face increasing challenges. Join us for an informative and thought-provoking discussion about protecting our communities through proven public health measures. Links from the episode: Alexandra Petri on ceding ground to polio: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/01/03/democrats-trump-suozzi-nyt/ Jimmy Carter's work in Global Health: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/30/health/jimmy-carter-global-health.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

In this episode of VaxTalk, we dive into the latest on mpox, previously known as monkeypox. Dr. Kritika Kuppali from the University of Texas Southwestern joins us to explain what mpox is, how it's related to smallpox, and why it's become a global public health concern. While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, mpox has been on the rise, particularly in Central and West Africa. Dr. Kuppali discusses the reasons for this increase, including decreased immunity from the end of smallpox vaccinations and environmental changes that may affect its spread. We also explore the complex challenges of controlling mpox, from improving testing in regions with fragile healthcare systems to reducing stigma and ensuring supportive care. Dr. Kuppali talks about vaccines, such as JYNNEOS, used to protect high-risk populations and ongoing efforts to make these tools more accessible. Tune in to learn how global health experts and local communities work together to manage this outbreak and what role we all play in supporting these efforts.

Please support this episode by being a donor: https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/donate/ For the first time in 25 years, a child in Gaza has come down with a case of paralytic polio. This situation was serious enough to produce a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to deliver vaccines to hundreds of thousands of children. But why is one case of polio so serious? And how do you deliver vaccines to a region in a warzone? We talked to Dr. Fabien Diamonde, Director of the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Team at the Task Force for Global Health. Dr. Diamonde has been in similar situations in his career, and walks us through the intricacies and necessities of stopping polio in its tracks no matter where it is. Links from this episode. Florida's Surgeon General is wrong again: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-new-covid-booster-guidance-misinformation-ladapo/ Flu's Clues online game: https://www.familiesfightingflu.org/flus-clues-game/ RFK Jr.s whale head episode: https://apnews.com/article/rfk-jr-kennedy-whale-investigation-09c494d8164c6f9bde9ece39637ea4d3

Karen recently attended a conference where one of her favorite vaccine champions, Dr. Michele Fiscus, medical director at the Association of Immunization Managers, asked her when she could come on the podcast to talk about minor consent laws. Karen did not wait long before inviting her to a conversation about that and so much more, including the politicization of vaccines and ways to heal our divide. Links from the podcast: The Kai takes on Dr. Mercola: https://rumble.com/v4z6pn0-why-nvic-is-no-longer-associated-with-dr.-joseph-mercola-by-barbara-loe-fis.html Dr. Tenpenny and the IRS: https://apnews.com/article/ohio-doctor-covid-vaccinations-sherri-tenpenny-f56376c4eecde7e7a81686e48b5a306c

As of April 11, the U.S. has seen 121 cases of measles this year. Patsy Stinchfield, President of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, takes us back in time to previous outbreaks and our efforts to eliminate measles--all to help us understand why even one case of measles in a community is cause for concern. Links from the episode: New study shows that COVID vaccination does not lead to cardiac death-- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2024/04/12/covid-vaccine-cardiac-arrest-link-not-supported-cdc-says/73305266007/?emci=177adc2e-26fb-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&emdi=97844546-2cfb-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&ceid=4108393 CDC Measles surveillance page--https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

What caused SARS-CoV-2? Are vaccine mandates necessary? Is COVID here to stay? How can we protect ourselves in this new world? These are just some of the questions Dr. Paul Offit tackles in his new book Tell Me When It's Over: An Insider's Guide to Deciphering Covid Myths and Navigating Our Post-Pandemic World (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739432/tell-me-when-its-over-by-paul-a-offit-md/). Join us for this lively conversation about his book and the latest vaccine news. Links from the podcast Alexadra Petri, Please Stop Vaccinating Your Children: https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/01/22/please-stop-vaccinating-your-children-i-want-to-go-to-disneyland/ Man Receives 217 COVID vaccines: https://www.forbes.com/sites/victoriaforster/2024/03/05/man-receives-hundreds-of-covid-19-vaccines/?sh=48a4e6e9e819&emci=bffa6c44-a3db-ee11-85fb-002248223794&emdi=311938fe-c5db-ee11-85fb-002248223794&ceid=4108393 Bonus--Alexandra Petri interviews measles: https://wapo.st/49IR75G

Last fall, NBC News journalist Brandy Zadrozny took a hike with Robert F Kennedy Jr and published her interview with him. She has written extensively about him and the anti-vaccine movement, so we felt like she was an important person to give us insights into this person whose star seems to be rising. Please note: We disagree with him. Do not listen to this episode expecting a glowing analysis of him. Links from the episode: Aaron Rodgers lost what from COVID: https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-tells-joe-rogan-041746931.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly90LmNvLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAHmVPgsCvhHBMwBUnNIX9IXuodF4TtpTG4c8ul-g2X5fZpQfrFmR1xLaLzX7u8jnlynRttbloWAPHaWmxSBLD5RIVS2DFLNFkN0oIGCnhCIHKywsitqK4BRffC48z8K3pZgZ49Czct7YIXV7iHJ8YdQDykcvq1YkaIiqf_hnqHSf COVID Diaries by HCWs: https://twitter.com/CovidintheChart/status/1756688472461766715 Scotland HPV study: https://www.statnews.com/2024/01/25/hpv-vaccine-prevent-cervical-cancer-cervarix-gardasil-study/#:~:text=A%20historic%20new%20study%20out,ages%20of%2012%20and%2013. ACIP vacancies: https://www.statnews.com/2024/02/08/acip-vacancies-hhs-vaccines/?emci=17fb6148-36c7-ee11-85f9-002248223794&emdi=aa988ab3-57c7-ee11-85f9-002248223794&ceid=4108393 Brandy takes a hike: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rfk-jr-anti-vaccine-push-white-house-rcna89470

Each month, our Vax Ambassadors meet to learn something new about vaccines. This December, we came together to test the vaccine and vaccine-related knowledge of three good friends: Dr. Paul Offit, Dr. Dan Wilson from Debunk the Funk, and Heather Simpson from Back to the Vax. We also called on three of our Ambassadors to answer some questions, and the stakes could not have been lower! Listen in and find out who won! Links from the episode: Dr. Paul Offit: https://www.paul-offit.com/ Debunk the Funk: https://www.youtube.com/c/debunkthefunkwithdrwilson Back to the Vax: https://backtothevax.com/ Become a Vax Ambassador! https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/

The pandemic caused a lot of pain, from the loss of lives to COVID itself to the burnout and moral injury of people working on the front lines. Our world is more polarized and works on the presumption of fewer common facts. How do we heal? Scott Hamilton Kennedy, an award-nominated documentary filmmaker, went searching for these answers in 2019. His film, Shot in the Arm, became so much more than he expected. Links from the episode: WHO and cervical cancer: https://www.who.int/news/item/17-11-2023-global-partners-cheer-progress-towards-eliminating-cervical-cancer-and-underline-challenges Shot in the Arm film: https://shotinthearmmovie.com/

In this episode, we break down vaccine communication, from the days of "Let the Science Speak for Itself" to the political partisanship of the pandemic. To assist us, we invited Glen Nowack, former CDC comms chief and Mass Communication Expert! Get your updated COVID vaccine! https://www.vaccines.gov/ Download and share the latest VFV video! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MQMmlLrg5lhEpNwc1KeOSWhyIpfyCGOL/view?usp=drive_link

Lately, Twitter has become a cesspool of the worst humans spreading the worst misinformation. Except for one bright spot: The Real Truther. We invited The Real Truther to our podcast to discuss his noble pursuit of The Real Truth and to talk with RFK Jr. (or a proxy for RFK Jr.) Links from the episode: Dr. Alfredo Victoria: https://www.elimparcial.com/mexico/Muere-el-Dr.-Alfredo-Victoria-reconocido-epidemiologo-y-excandidato-a-la-alcaldia-de-Puebla-a-sus-42-anos-de-edad-20230626-0050.html RFK's Conspiracy Panel: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/rfk-kennedy-anti-vaccine-panel-conspiracies-hiv-spanish-flu-1234779689/ Dr. Hotez stands up to RFK Jr. and Joe Rogan: https://twitter.com/PeterHotez/status/1671839286348378113?lang=ar

At the pandemic's beginning, small bands of scientists and doctors devised a plan: what if we got young people sick on purpose? What could possibly go wrong? Dr. Jonathan Howard's new book, _We Want Them Infected_, traces this ill-begotten quest and the inevitable pseudoscience that followed. Listen in to our conversation with him! Links from the pod-- We Want Them Infected: https://redhawkpublications.com/We-Want-Them-Infected-p547021769 Lancet HPV study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)02178-4/fulltext Steve Kirsch wants to give you $5M: https://twitter.com/stkirsch/status/1663293283211317248 This June, Voices for Vaccines wants to raise $10,000 so we can bring you our extra programming, such as this podcast! Donate now! https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/donate/

It feels like anti-vaxxers are bringing public health to court in droves. Does this spell the doom of people who don't like getting measles and polio? To explain why we shouldn't panic and how this litigiousness works, we invite our friend Dorit Reiss, legal scholar and all-around good person. Please note: this episode was recorded before the Missouri religious exemption decision was handed down. Read about that here: https://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/author/dorit-rubinstein-reiss/ Other links from this episode: Tiffany Dover -- https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/tiffany-dover-conspiracy-theorists-silence-rcna69401 Elon Musk-- https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-65249139 Politico-- https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/04/09/anti-vax-covid-litigation-00090939

If you thought 2021 was the Year of the Vaccine, 2022 may have taken you by surprise. In this episode, we review the news stories that show the prominence vaccines still play in our everyday lives. For a list of links to the news stories we cover, visit our website: https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/ep-68-vaccines-year-in-review/

Because vaccines work better when we are all vaccinated, vaccine equity isn't about justice alone. It is also crucial to public health. Enter Julissa Soto, MPH. Fresh off her work with other forms of health equity, she has come onto the scene in Colorado to make sure Latino communities can get vaccinated and feel confident doing so through her Vaccine Sundays program. This episode is about so much more than that, though. Julissa is an inspiring woman whose life has been an amazing journey. You do not want to miss this episode! Links from the episode: The Real Truther--https://twitter.com/thereal_truther Vaccine Sundays article--https://publichealthrs.org/a038/ How to host a vaccine clinic---https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xYolt5mR-zuOFGXBnBuLKZ9AcN5TeYCw/view

In many ways, mRNA vaccines are a gamechanger, but not an unexpected one. For this episode, we talked to one of the scientists who has been pursuing mRNA vaccines for years: Melissa Moore, PhD. We discuss how mRNA vaccines have changed so much for us and what the future might hold. Find Dr. Moore's TED talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_j_moore_how_mrna_medicine_will_change_the_world?language=en What vaccines are required for school entry in your state, and how it isn't influenza or probably HPV: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/imz-managers/coverage/schoolvaxview/requirements/index.html Download the Voices for Vaccines app on your phone today! And go get a flu shot. And if she's still around, call your mom.

A new study seems to connect childhood vaccines to asthma. Or does it? We invited our friend and hero, Dr. Paul Offit, to the show to discuss this study and the other studies from the past investigating vaccines and aluminum adjuvants. Don't miss his take! Link to the study: https://www.statnews.com/2022/09/27/possible-link-aluminum-childhood-vaccines-asthma-risk-caveats/

Remember the old refrain: polio is only a plane ride away? Well, it's hit New York, in the same community that saw a massive measles outbreak in 2019. We invited the excellent Blima Marcus, a nurse practitioner who worked on building vaccine confidence in this community in 2019, to talk to us about this polio outbreak.

Providers working in clinics and hospitals have noticed something: non-COVID respiratory viruses are acting differently. Flu is lingering into June, RSV is messing with kids off-season, and summer is no barrier between us and a cold. To find out what is happening (and okay, it might have to do with COVID) and how vaccines can help, we talked to Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Dr. Bill Schaffner (one of Karen's favorite docs). Link from the episode: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/06/13/covid-flu-rsv-viruses/