This Week in Virology

TWiV explain the tracing of 2500 years of human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B diversity through ancient human DNA, the effect of shingles vaccination at different stages of the dementia disease course.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are bewildered and dismayed by RFK Jr's announced changes in the routine childhood immunization schedule, though not unpredicted, and highlight the science and evidence which eviscerate these changes, then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic- in particular in South Carolina, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, estimated societal burden of COVID-19 illness, deaths and hospitalizations, benefit of maternal COVID-19 vaccination, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, long COVID treatment center, where to go for...

TWiV reviews compelling virology themes for 2024, as heard in our 98 episodes, including 22 guests.

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Recording after the ball drops, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello wish everyone a Happy New Year, discuss an evidence-based approach to teaching and practice medicine and reminisce on the history of vaccine development and use before their discussion about the whooping cough outbreak of 2025 in the US and falling levels of tetanus vaccination, then Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, how NY state reported the greatest number of influenza confirmed infections ever in one week during the week ending Dec 20...

TWiV explains studies which reveal that Inhibition of CXCL10 and IFN-γ mitgates myocarditis associated with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, and identification of a bacteriophage T7 protein that antagonizes the DNA restriction system of the host by mimicking B form DNA.

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Calling out "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good-night, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss high path influenza in dairy herds in Wisconsin and Marburg virus in Ethiopia before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, the slightly higher association of COVID-19 infection with death than following influenza infection, benefit of passive infant immunization with niresevimab, association of COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity protection against severe disease in vulnerable populations, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid...

Vincent travels to Tegernsee, Germany for the Sixth Ringberg Symposium on Giant Viruses, where he talks with John Archibald, Susana Coelho, and Tom Delmont about their work on – you guessed it – giant viruses.

Guests: John Archibald, Susana Coelho, and Tom Delmont

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello protest Vinjay Prasad, head of CBER FDA Nov memo stating administration of the COVID-19 vaccine resulted in 10 children's deaths, but are cautiously delighted by the December memo from those in CBER who dispute this data-less claim, how in 31 states pertussis vaccination rates have declined before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, of clinical outcomes of oseltamivir versus baloxavir for treating influenza infection, number deaths associated with COVID-19 hospitalizations and disease...

TWiV reviews considerations and perspectives on phage therapy, and the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of hepatitis b virus.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss the rise in norovirus infections, contamination of infant formula and botulism outbreak, confusion and response to the CDC's ACIP decision to reverse the recommendation for a birth dose of the hepatis B virus vaccine and how states in the Northwest and Northeast are responding as well as some insurance companies, then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, South Carolina's imposed quarantine of individuals due to their accelerated measles outbreak, neurotropism of H1...

Infectious diseases physician Jake Scott returns to TWiV to discuss the dangerous anti-vaccine policies being established in the US and what RFK Jr. and his associates get wrong.

Guest: Jake Scott

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Weekl...

Duration: 01:38:33

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss the positive side effect of the shingles vaccine on dementia outcomes and how one dose of the HPV vaccine is non-inferior to two doses, but are dismayed about the FDA's secrecy around the inflammatory statement that the COVID-19 vaccine is linked to the death of 10 children. Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, effectiveness of maternal administration of the RVS vaccine or the COVID vaccine for neonates, where to find...

TWiV explains the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of pre-mRNA splicing, and engineering bacteriophage to deliver proteins to the human intestine.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and then decry appointment of the Louisiana State surgeon general as deputy chief of the CDC, the 3 children's deaths during this fall's pertussis outbreak, the Marburg virus outbreak in Ethiopia, results of the phase 1 safety trial for the novel poliovirus vaccines nOPV1 and nOPV3, and the first human death from H5N5 influenza virus infection in the US this fall, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles...

TWiV explains the 1953 paper by Watson & Crick proposing a structure for DNA, and the role of Epstein-Barr virus in triggering the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are dismayed by the changes on CDC vaccine website positively stating the link between autism and vaccination, the finding of wild type poliovirus 1 in Germany, Marburg virus in Ethiopia, decimation of the elephant breeding colony by H5N1 and the first human case of H5N5 influenza virus infection before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, antibody escape by seasonal flu viruses, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay...

Vincent visits Virginia Tech for the CeZAP Symposium and speaks with XJ Meng and Kylene Kehn-Hall about their research on hepatitis E virus and Rift Valley fever virus.

Host: Vincent Racaniello

Guests: XJ Meng and Kylene Kehn-Hall

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Se...

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello record from the ASTMH meeting in Toronto and discuss continuing avian flu outbreaks, the continued global measles outbreak, the effectiveness of high and low doses of the influenza vaccine before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, children hospitalizations following COVID-19 and influenza vaccination, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, and contacting your...

TWiV reviews the passing of James D. Watson, the research that showed human papillomaviruses to be present in genital and laryngeal papillomas and in some cervical cancers, and influenza virus infection, shedding and symptoms in a human challenge study.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discusses the link between in utero SARS-CoV-2 infection and poor neurodevelopment outcomes, the use of an mRNA vaccine as an anti-cancer therapy, why one should receive the HPV vaccine, asymptomatic H5N1 isolations in humans, and H5N1 on turkey farms, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, how two vaccinated physicians became infected with measles, effective of COVID-19 vaccine for children, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay...

TWiV discusses the impact of vaccinating with Gardasil-9 adult women who are human papillomavirus positive or with confirmed squamous intraepithelial lesions, and human monoclonal antibodies that target the monkeypox virus A35 protein which protect against lethal disease.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello ponder the nomination of Casey Means for Surgeon General by President Trump, how mRNA vaccines may enhance effectiveness of check point inhibitor cancer therapies, if viral infection associates with cardiac disease, H5N1 isolation from backyard birds and turkey farms, and the effectiveness of the COVID-19, RSV and influenza vaccines before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, if revaccination with the mRNA RSV vaccine is effective, how effective today's COVID-19 vaccine...

TWiV explains studies showing that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines improve life span of cancer patients on checkpoint immunotherapy, and broad immunity conferred by a vaccine central in A(H5) influenza antigenic space.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are distressed by the continuing government shutdown, first locally acquired chikungunya virus infection, President Trump’s suggestion for removing aluminum from vaccines, H5N1 isolation from backyard birds and turkey farms, and the suggestion of establishing an alternative to the CDC’s MMWR and asymptomatic measles infections before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, the quarantining in the US due to measles, access to anti-influenza antiviral, where to find PEMGARDA, how to a...

TWiV reviews continuing US measles outbreak, host and genetic variations that regulate antibody responses to hepatitis C virus, and varicella-zoster reactivation and the risk of dementia.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are dismayed by the government shutdown, the firings at the CDC including EIS agents, H5N1 isolation from backyard birds and its stability in raw milk and cheese, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, the quarantining of college students in the US due to measles, Japan’s declaration of a national influenza outbreak, effectiveness of the influenza and COVID vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Pa...

TWiV covers a MacArthur Award for Jason McLellan, 2025 Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, first treatment for Huntington’s Disease, structure of an archael dsDNA virus from head to tail, and discovery of a Legionella phage that explains a determinant of human disease.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about Jane Goodall’s death and the Nobel prize in Physiology/Medicine for understanding immune system control before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, if 2 doses of the influenza vaccine are better for protection of first season children, if COVID-19 negatively impacts pregnancy and the unborn child, efficacy of long-acting monoclonal antibody against symptomatic COVID-19, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, can you be retreated wi...

TWiV reviews experiments to understand infection, pathogenesis, and transmission of avian H5N1 influenza virus in goats, and identification of a cellular receptor for tick-borne encephalitis virus.

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Weekly Picks

Brianne – Ast...

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DRC, increases in screwworm diagnoses, a pertussis death in Mississippi before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, monoclonal antibody therapy against RSV, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, olfactory dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 infection and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research.

From ESCV 2025, Vincent speaks with Elke Wollants about a project to identify SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in toilet waste from airplanes.

Guest: Elke Wollants

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

Conte...

TWiV explains experiments to create genetically modified chickens that are resistant to avian influenza infection, and discovery of combination antiviral therapy for HTLV-1 infection.

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Weekly Picks

Rich – Chagas Disease, an Endemic Disease in the United States<...

Vincent travels to Thessaloniki, Greece to attend the 27th meeting of the European Society for Clinical Virology, where he speaks with Pamela Vallely, ESCV President, and Piotr Kramarz, Chief Scientist, European CDC, about the activities of ESCV and ECDC.

Guests: Piotr Kramarz and Pamela Vallely

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello lament the anti-vaccine, anti-science composition of the ACIP, US cases of Chagas disease, the Ebola vaccination campaign in the DRC, the death of an infant in LA due to measles complications (SSPE), before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, use of monoclonal antibodies against influenza, the lack of adverse effects of the COVID-19 mRNA in both non-pregnant and pregnant women, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go...

Vincent travels to Waterville Valley, NH to attend the Harvard virology retreat, where he speaks with Aaron Schmidt, Ben Gewurz, and Tatum Sass about their careers and their research on influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and CAR-T cells.

Guests: Aaron Schmidt, Ben Gewurz, and Tatum Sass

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discuss the continued Legionnaire’s outbreak in Harlem, invasive Asia longhorned tick and associated disease, potential Ebola outbreak in the Congo, Florida ending childhood vaccine mandates, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, SARS-CoV-2 spillover into household/domestic dogs, real data demonstrating the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines, states that increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, effective and availability to PAXLOVID, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for an...

TWiV re-issues our 100th episode which featured a discussion of viruses with David Baltimore, an exemplary scientist and Vincent’s exemplary mentor, who passed on 6 September 2025.

Guest: David Baltimore

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Intro music is...

TWiV reviews a study showing that the 2009 influenza pandemic virus disrupted biennial respiratory syncytial virus epidemics in northern Stockholm, and development of broad-spectrum synthetic carbohydrate receptors that inhibit viral entry of coronaviruses, filoviruses, and paramyxoviruses.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello is shocked by COVID vaccine restrictions and uncertainties such as pharmacy stock, the ACIP meeting roster and whether it guidance is legal, 3 new ACIP members all anti-vaccine, ending of childhood vaccine mandates in Florida, the continued Legionnaire’s outbreak in Harlem, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, cardia benefits of the influenza vaccine, presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in breast milk following vaccination, the use of antiviral nasal sprays to treat CO...

TWiV reviews the major shakeup in CDC leadership, herpes simplex virus infection doubles the risk of dementia, and the prototypic crAssphage is a linear phage-plasmid.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are dismayed about the recent attack on public health the firing of the director of the CDC as well as resignation of 3 others members of the agency’s leadership, the continued Legionnaire’s outbreak in Harlem, suspension of Ixchiq the Chikungunya virus attenuated infectious vaccine, the first US case of New World screwworm before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, association Guillian-Barré syndrome with RSV vaccination, guidelines for using RSV vaccines, wheth...

Stanley Plotkin joins TWiV to recount his career as a vaccinologist, having participated in the development of vaccines for polio, rabies, and rubella, and his thoughts on the current anti-science, anti-public health, and anti-vaccine climate.

Guest: Stanley A. Plotkin

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discusses outbreaks of Vibrio vulnificus and Legionnaire’s disease in Harlem, the role of the American Association of Pediatrics defining immunization practices, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, effective of the high and low does influenza vaccines, association Gullian-Barre syndrome with RSV vaccination, guidelines for using RSV vaccines, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID ques...

TWiV reviews fradulent science becoming an industry, FDA may not authorize Pfizer COVID vaccine for young kids, Kennedy won’t push strict pesticide regulations conserved betacoronavirus sequences recognized by human T cells, and Bispecific antibodies protect against herpes recurrent disease.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discusses Vijay Prasad’s return to the FDA, revoking of COVID vaccine authorization for young children, the Legionnaires’ outbreak in Harlem, the new labeling requirements for Ixchiq, the infectious attenuated Chikungunya vaccine and the importation of H5 influenza virus in Antarctica, before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, guidelines for treating COVID-19, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your...

TWiV discusses the latest worrisome Executive Order on oversight of federal grantmaking, RFK Jr winds down mRNA viral vaccine development, Lenacapavir, a drug for AIDS prevention and treatment, and how respiratory virus infections awaken dormant metastatic breast cancer cells in lungs.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello re-address the dangers of drinking raw milk, the Legionnaire’s outbreak in Harlem and results of a vaccine knowledge survey done by emergency departments before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, reports of influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy or neuropsychiatric events in children, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, the effectiveness of Pfizer and MODERNA vaccines against the JN.1 variant, risk of children developing severe disease from SARS-CoV-2 infection, where to find PEMGARDA, lo...

TWiV reports the administration putting a choke hold on billions of NIH health research funding, US Senators tell scientists they want to protect the NIH budget, then review a classic experiment showing the mechanism of DNA replication, and explain how jumbo phage DNA is transcribed in a membrane-bound compartment before transfer into proteinaceous “nucleus” compartment.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about the recent Salmonella typhimurim outbreak, the ousting of another CBER director, confirmation of a new CDC director and results of a recent pool about vaccine safety and trust before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, a new anti-influenza antibody that can be combined with neuraminidase inhibitors, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, the effectiveness of Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine, where to find PEMGARDA, safety of the JN.1 updated vaccine, long CO...

TWiV explains a cohort study of over one million Danish children which shows no evidence supporting an increased risk for autoimmune, atopic or allergic, or neurodevelopmental disorders associated with early childhood exposure to vaccines with aluminum-base adjuvants, and a study of antibodies induced by mRNA-1273 and NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccines which show that polyclonal antibodies against a single site on the
spike N-terminal domain show immunodominance, high diversity, and limited cross-reactivity, indicating the need to direct antibody responses away from this site.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about how flies and milk-snatching might contribute to influenza virus H5N1 among dairy cattle, the recent pertussis oubreak and measles epidemic before Dr. Griffin discusses monoclonal antibody therapy can enrich for RSV variants before deep diving into recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, the effectiveness of Sinopharm’s COVID-19 vaccine, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go f...

From the 2025 annual meeting of the American Society for Virology, Charlie Rice, 2020 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine, talks with Vincent and Kathy about his career and the scientific difficulties he and his laboratory encountered in their attempts to achieve replication of hepatitis C virus in cells in culture.

Guest: Charlie Rice

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello have a morning chat about the measles epidemic and H5N1 in cows before Dr. Griffin discusses how vaccination associates with reduced dementia risk before deep diving into recent statistics on measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, a potential new influenza antiviral drug, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 variant should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to yo...

David Barton, Brian Kemp, and Olve Peersen join TWiV to discuss RNA recombination among enteroviruses and its role in foiling poliovirus eradication.

Guests: David Barton, Brian Kempf, and Olve Peersen

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello note that history is being rewritten for justification of changes in COVID vaccine guidelines including myocarditis incidence and the Great Barrington Declaration ignoring presentations at the April 2025 ACIP, the response by the medical community to these changed guidelines, before Dr. Griffin discusses how vaccination associates with reduced dementia risk before deep diving into recent statistics on measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, a potential new influenza antiviral durg, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19...

TWiV covers FDA Director overriding scientists on COVID shots, NIH funded science must now be free to read instantly, Trump cuts subscriptions to Springer Nature journals, UK and Gates make up for US money withdrawn from GAVI, US defunding USAID could lead to 14 million deaths by 2030, then reviews research on how host IL1 genetics regulates Epstein-Barr virus reactivation and long COVID, and enhanced antiviral capacity of bat innate immunity.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are shocked at how vaccine safety is undercut by misrepresenting thimerosal safety, its removal from vaccines, and how CBER director Vinay Prasad overruled his advisors for the administration of COVID vaccines to pregnant people knowingly compromising their health, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment ce...

TWiV discusses Sen. Cassidy calling for ACIP meeting delay, RFK Jr. abandons GAVI, millions of children at risk as global vaccination rates fall, RFK Jr. grilled by Congress, autism rates have increased 60-fold due to changed definitions, deep mutational scanning of rabies virus glyoprotein, and and proton gradient and incomplete TCA cycle in a giant virus.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello are alarmed at how RFK is breaking his promise of not altering vaccine policies, and nonexistent data and studies are used by members of the ACIP to make changes to immunization practices in the absence of a CDC director, justification for not honoring the US commitment to GAVI and global public policies including support of routine childhood immunizations, placing millions of children at risk for the return of vaccine preventable diseases including polio outbreaks in Pappa New Guinea and increased circulation of wildtype type 1 poliovirus, before Dr. Griffin reviews...

Rich travels to Dubrovnik for the European Congress of Virology 2025 and Vincent joins via Zoom to speak with Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl about their work on plant viruses, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus.

Guests: Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss in shock how RFK is breaking his promise of not altering vaccine policies by appointing new members of the ACIP, next ACIP meeting on guidelines for the COVID and RSV vaccines, circulation of “human insect viruses” including West Nile virus, and an outbreak of mpox on a cruise ship, and the ongoing measles outbreak before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, how to reduce the use of antibiotics for RSV and influenza infections in children, approval of the moderna RSV...

David Tuller returns to TWiV to discuss RFK Jr. and the trashing of American public health, rituximab and ME/CFS, The Sick Times, the Cochrane Mess, a Norwegian Long Covid trial, effort preference and more.

Host: Vincent Racaniello

Guest: David Tuller

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TWiV reviews the administrations dismantling of the committee that studies pandemic potential, firing of CDC vaccine advisory committee and replacing them with unqualified anti-vaxxers, zoonotic and sustained Mpox spread in Nigeria and Cameroon, and breadth of influenza A antibody cross-reactivity.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello in horror examine dismantling of public infrastructure for establishing vaccine guidelines, the creation of a autism taskforce by someone disciplined for practicing medicine without a license, the ongoing pertussis, bird flu and measles outbreaks, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, the effective of oseltamivir vs supportive care when one is hospitalized with influenza infection, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, approval of another anti-RSV monoclonal antibody for treatment in infants, immunization recommendations for...

TWiV reviews the administration’s call for fools gold-standard science, NIH may publish in-house, avian influenza viruses in birds in China, and Omicron pathogenicity and immune responses.

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Weekly Picks

Kat...

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello in dismay examine the MAHA-Make America Health Again-report and its inclusion of fictious studies or “Creative literature degree Medical Science writing”, RFK Jr contradicted by the CDC for COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children, reduction in MMR vaccine coverage, the ongoing bird flu and measles outbreaks, how the General Accounting Office instructed HHS to fix deficiencies in infectious disease testing before the next pandemic, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall...

TWiV reviews RFK Jr.”s MAGA report with non-existent literature citations, a new fungus that could further devastate North American bats, surveillance of avian influenza viruses through bird guano in remote regions, and the receptor for HKU5 coronaviruses is ACE2 from Pipistrellus abramus bats.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello discusses vaccination trends, the changes COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, easing of vaccination exemptions in Texas, the ongoing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines and concern as confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 rise here and in China, different mechanisms by which to reduce transmission of respiratory pathogens, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, prolonged steroid and antibiotic therapies...

TWiV reviews cuts in National Science Foundation budgets, cuts to Harvard University grants, judge blocks ban on Harvard enrolling international students, DOGE ordered cuts of NIH grants, endemic coronavirus infection induces Fc receptor binding antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, and inherited IFNAR1 deficiency causing adverse reactions to measles and yellow fever infectious vaccines.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello debate the changes in FDA vaccine approval policy especially how it is applied to COVID-19 vaccines and restricts vaccine availability/usage and Novavax’s vaccine, mpox on surfaces and in the air, “bird flu”, the ongoing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, benefits of vaccination for infants, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, the high number of childhood deaths during this “flu” season, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, prolonged steroid and antibiotic therapies, provides information for Columbia University...

TWiV reviews pause in the use of Chikungunya vaccine, HHS to stop recommending COVID shots for pregnant women and children, molecular basis for shifted receptor recognition by an encephalitic alphavirus, and evolution of koala retrovirus transcriptional silencing in wild koalas.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello wail about the attack on science within the US, cancellation of CDC’s committee on infectious diseases, mpox in Sierra Leone, “bird flu” in cats, the ongoing measles outbreak globally, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, benefits of vaccination for infants, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the WasterwaterScan dashboard, the high number of childhood deaths during this “flu” season, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, benefit of remedesivir, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers...

TWiV reviews new CBER chief at FDA, ending of Gates Foundation in 2045, gain of function executive order, origins of bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and single dose Sudan virus replicon vaccine protects guinea pigs from disease.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello bemoan the attack on science within the US, salt water controls for vaccines, return to 1938 technology for flu vaccines, mRNA vaccines as “bioweapons”, rise in pertussis, benefits of the shingles vaccine and reduced dementia occurrence, and growing measles outbreak globally before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, the May 22 VRBPAC COVID-19 vaccine,  meeting, where to find PEMGARDA, return to antibiotic treatment for respiratory viral diseases, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for ans...

From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago IL, Rich Condit speaks with Thomas Tu about his experiences as a both a HepB scientist and patient.

Guest: Thomas Tu

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

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Content in this podcast should not be construed...

TWiV reviews universal vaccine initiative at NIAID, shut down of the Integrated Research Facility at Ft. Detrick, modeling the reemergence of infectious diseases as vaccination rates drop, and bacterial outer membrane vesicles bound to bacteriophages modulate neutrophil responses to bacterial infection.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello bewail the attack on science within the US and withdrawal from the global health communities, association between the shingles vaccine and reduced dementia occurrence, ending of Uganda’s ebola outbreak, undermining effective responses to human bird flu infections, growing measles outbreak in the US and dire predictions of the return of vaccine preventable diseases including polio if vaccination rates continue to decline, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the WasterwaterScan dashboard, how HHS is undermining the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, if Paxlovid reduces stroke, wh...

From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago IL, Rich Condit speaks with Chari Cohen about her work as President of the Hepatitis B Foundation.

Guest: Chari Cohen

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

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Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical adv

TWiV reviews new committee of experts to counter vaccine misinformation, resignation of NSF Director, dependence of immune response to rabies virus on the gut microbiome, and a nucleosome switch primes hepatitis B virus infection.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello deplore the US’s withdrawal from the global health community for pandemic preparedness i.e. the universal avian flu vaccine, and undermining the use of routine childhood vaccinations for pertussis and measles, RFK’s autism registry, yellow fever outbreak in Colombia and world immunization week after discussing the squirrel as the reservoir host for mpox, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the WasterwaterScan dashboard, how immunity elicited by the RSV vaccine wanes in 3 years, if Paxlovid reduces stroke, where to find PEMGARDA, provides info...

From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago IL, Rich Condit speaks with Stephan Urban about his career working on HBV and HDV, and his philanthropy.

Guest: Stephan Urban

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

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Con...

TWiV discusses the rising autism rate among children, RFK Jr.’s claim that autism ‘destroys lives’, receptor binding specificity of a bovine H5N1 influenza virus, and improved dengue subunit vaccine modified to form E protein dimers.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello rue about the continuation of the gutting of the American public health infrastructure, the continuing measles outbreak, an unreported outbreak of deadly E.coli human infections, meningococcal disease before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, ACIP recommended changes in guidelines for the RSV and COVID-19 vaccines, reactogenicity differences between Novavax and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, long...

TWiV reviews RFK Jr’s odd comments on ‘single antigen’ vaccines and his September deadline for understanding why autism has increased, dire wolf does not come back from the dead, oral norovirus vaccine tablet that induces mucosal immunity in older adults, and identification of broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies against norovirus.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello mourn the demise of vaccination against childhood diseases when discussing the continuing measles outbreak and the rise of pertussis, the first human case of H5N1 in Mexico, and human metapneumovirus before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination schedules, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, long COVID interventions, if antiviral therapy prevents long COVID and how long COVID ma...

TWiV notes the passing of Klaus Conzelmann, then reviews reverse-zoonoses of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza A viruses and evolution in United States swine, and reduction in dementia incidence in recipients of Zostavax.

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello lament about the continuing measles outbreak, whether or not the measles outbreak was predicted, the FACTS about vaccination, high pathogenic influenza, H5N1 contaminated raw pet food, children’s deaths, before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination schedules and the efficacy of Moderna’s seasonal mRNA vaccine, societal burden of COVID-19 and influenza, the FDA missed deadline for approving Novovax COVID vaccine, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where...

TWiV reviews liver damage caused by over use of vitamin A in Texas, vitamin A does not change clinical course of measles in high income country, NIH cuts COVID-19 research, US ends vaccine funds for poor countries, anti-vaxxer hired to study vaccines and autism, new DURC policy, Jamaican fruit bat competence for filoviruses, and human outbreaks of Oropouche virus reassortant in Brazil.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello rue about the continuing measles outbreak, the FACTS about vaccination, irresponsibility of promoting vitamin A therapy “lifelong liver damage or vaccinaton!”, high pathogenic influenza and egg importation before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections and vaccination schedules and if vaccination affects long COVID, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, long COVID interventions, how to track long symptoms using a wearable device...

TWiV explains why RFK Jr.’s proposal to let H5N1 infections in birds ‘rip’ is a bad idea, phase 1/2 trial of combined influenza/COVID mRNA vaccines, and how your first influenza virus exposure shapes the B cell response to influenza vaccination 50 years later.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello rue about the unknowns of Sudan disease and new cases of paralytic polio, discuss the growing measles outbreak, exposure of newborns to measles, the FACTS about vaccination, high pathogenic influenza in dairy cows and cats, RFK’s statement “just let the virus rip through the hens” before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, what happens when antiviral therapy is delayed, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers...

Infectious diseases physician and author of ‘Booster Shots’ Adam Ratner joins TWiV to discuss measles, measles vaccination, how to approach anti-vaccine sentiment, and the uncertain future of children’s’ health.

Guest: Adam Ratner

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Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees

Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@m...

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello bemoan the continued outbreak of Sudan virus and growing number of paralytic polio cases before discussing growing measles outbreak in the US and Europe, the vaccine, an interview with a parent whose child died of measles infection, adverse effects of vaccination and how parents do not think they have accurate information about “bird flu” before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, where to find PEMGARDA, what happens when antiviral therapy is delayed, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long C...

TWiV covers a second death over 150 cases of measles in Texas, utter failure of removal of type 2 poliovirus from OPV, more OPV doses administered in Gaza, second Ebola outbreak in Sudan, vaccine being tested, Trump administration cancels $400 million in grants to Columbia University, bat-infecting merbecovirus that binds human ACE2 and infects human cells, and innate immune sensing of rotavirus by intestinal epithelial cells leads to diarrhea.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello deliberate the effect of the absence of US foreign aid on the Ebola outbreak in Uganda and death of two children, continued use of nOPV2 in Gaza and the utter failure of type 2 poliovirus removal from the oral poliovirus vaccine, growing measles outbreak in the US including the death of a second child, measles infection parties, the use of fat soluble vitamin A and fish liver oil as anti-viral therapies as well as the history and proven safety of the measles vaccine before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on...

TWiV reviews passing of Ann Palmenberg, deadly illness in western Congo, US disruption of mpox and ebolavirus programs, first measles death in Texas outbreak, flu vaccine selection meeting postponed, US withdraws from polio, malaria, HIV programs and more, clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses have a long HA stalk, and systems vaccinology to identify predictors of durable antibody response to multiple vaccines in humans.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Brianne Barker

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In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello lament about the downfall of public health from “postponement” of the advisory committee on immunization practices and the FDA VRBPAC influenza strain selection meetings to how the communication pause prevents public notice of NIH study section meetings, and withdrawal of CDC promotions for the ‘flu vaccine’ before discussing the end of Ebola outbreak in Uganda, funding from Saudi Arabia for polio eradication, the continuing and growing measles outbreak in the US including misinformation from the Secretary of HHS, highly pathogenic avian flu and its economic effect, ie the cost of eggs...

The entire TWiV team comes together to pay tribute to Dickson Despommier, then reviews antibodies to H5N1 virus in veterinarians working with dairy cattle, Elisabeth Bik donates prize money for data integrity analyses, measles outbreak in Texas, and use of an alternative genetic code by human microbiome phages.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, Kathy Spindler, Brianne Barker, Daniel Griffin, Angela Mingarelli, and Jolene Ramsey

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