Osterholm Update

Episode 193: Fevers, Furloughs, and Falsehoods

October 2, 2025

In "Fevers, Furloughs, and Falsehoods," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall break down the CDC’s recent ACIP meeting and the ongoing uncertainty around updated vaccine recommendations. Dr. Osterhom discusses state-level differences in vaccine access, possible changes to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and reviews the latest data on COVID-19, Ebola, and STIs. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID Query on the studies associating acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, and share the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History on the 2001 anthrax attacks.

Tracking State Actions on Vaccine Policy and Access (KFF)

Vaccine Integrity Project Viewpoint: Four tips for understanding this week’s ACIP meeting

Vaccine Integrity Project - Fall Immunization Information

Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:

Voices for Vaccines

Families Fighting Flu

Vaccinate Your Family

Shot@Life

Medical Reserve Corps

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183

Episode 183: Time to Organize

May 15, 2025

In "Time to Organize," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss HHS Secretary Kennedy's proposed changes to vaccine policy, the latest measles news, and the Trump administration's newly announced next-generation universal influenza vaccine platform.

Learn more about the Vaccine Integrity Project

Viewpoint: Proposed system for vaccine approval, safety monitoring begs crucial questions (Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers)

An inactivated multivalent influenza A virus vaccine is broadly protective in mice and ferrets (Park et al., Science)

Universal Influenza Vaccine Technology Landscape

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182

Episode 182: The Vaccine Confidence Crisis

May 1, 2025

In "The Vaccine Confidence Crisis," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss measles cases in the United States, the latest COVID vaccine news, and the launch of CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project.

Learn more about the Vaccine Integrity Project

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181

Episode 181: Public Health Policy Is Political

April 17, 2025

In "Public Health Policy is Political," Chris Dall and Dr. Osterholm discuss the ongoing measles outbreak, the latest round of job cuts in the public health workforce, and new studies on long-COVID. Dr. Osterholm also reviews the latest vaccine news for Novavax, seasonal influenza, and H5N1.

Studies: 1 in 7 US working-age adults report long COVID, with heaviest burden on the poor (CIDRAP)

A Clearer Picture of Covid’s Lasting Effects on the Body (NYT, paywall)

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180

Episode 180: The April Fool's Tragedy

April 3, 2025

In "The April Fool's Tragedy," Dr. Osterholm and guest host Dr. Cory Anderson discuss the devastating layoffs and funding cuts in public health that have unfolded over the past two weeks. Dr. Osterholm also shares the the latest news on the growing measles outbreak in Texas and answers an ID query about COVID lockdowns.

CDC clone site, rife with false vaccine claims, hosted by group previously led by HHS Secretary (InfoEpi Lab)

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179

Episode 179: Remembering Darkness, Sharing Light: Five Years Later

March 20, 2025

In "Remembering Darkness, Sharing Light: Five Years Later" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic's 5-year anniversary, examine the latest federal actions affecting public health, and provide an update on the measles outbreak in Texas. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID query on the current recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and reviews national trends in respiratory illnesses.

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178

Episode 178: Mixed Messages: Navigating the Unfolding Confusion

March 6, 2025

In "Mixed Messages: Navigating the Unfolding Confusion" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the expected impact of recent cuts to USAID programs, the measles outbreak in Texas, and the latest respiratory virus trends. Dr. Osterholm answers an ID query on measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine boosters, and shares the latest "This Week in Public Health History" segment.

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177

Episode 177: We Cannot Give Up or Give In

February 20, 2025

In "We Cannot Give Up or Give In" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the confirmation of RFK Jr. as HHS Secretary, recent layoffs at the CDC and NIH, and a new vaccine policy being adopted in Louisiana. They also discuss seasonal and H5N1 influenza activity and a measles outbreak in Texas.

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176

Episode 176: Responding to Shock, Awe, and Censorship

February 6, 2025

In "Responding to Shock, Awe, and Censorship" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall provide updates on the latest news in the federal government and how it is impacting public health locally and globally. Dr. Osterholm also discusses the latest developments in H5N1 avian flu and answers an ID query about the tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas.

Anatomy of a Failure: Why This Latest Vaccine-Autism Paper is Dead Wrong (Jess Steier and Bertha Hidalgo, Unbiased Science, Substack)

Making PEPFAR: A Triumph of Medical Diplomacy (Harold Varmus, AAAS)

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175

Episode 175: Drinking From a Fire Hose: Are We Drowning?

January 23, 2025

In "Drinking From a Fire Hose: Are We Drowning?" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent actions taken by the Trump administration, most notably the decision to leave the World Health Organization. Dr. Osterholm also shares his thoughts on the developing H5N1 crisis and provides an update on respiratory virus transmission in the U.S. and around the world.

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174

Episode 174: The H5N1 Pandemic Cliff: Are We at the Edge?

January 9, 2025

In "The H5N1 Pandemic Cliff: Are We at the Edge?," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the ongoing challenge of H5N1 influenza, cover increasing trends in respiratory illness, and announce a new CIDRAP report on Chronic Wasting Disease. Dr. Osterholm also answers a listener question on H5N1 in wild birds and cats and provides a tribute to the late President Jimmy Carter.

Chronic Wasting Disease Spillover Preparedness and Response: Charting an Uncertain Future (CIDRAP)

Influenza Vaccines Roadmap Initiative (CIDRAP)

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