This Week in Virology TWiV 1233: Long COVID and big bats
Jul 6, 2025
The hosts dive into the controversy of FDA directives on COVID vaccine safety, sparking concerns about public health. They discuss the push for open access to NIH-funded research, with implications for academic publishing. The interplay between Epstein-Barr virus and long COVID is explored, revealing genetic and immune response insights. Bats' unique antiviral responses are examined, shedding light on their immunity against zoonotic viruses. The discussion rounds off with historical vaccine ads and the evolving role of AI in scientific literature.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
NIH Immediate Open Access Policy
- NIH-funded research papers must be freely accessible immediately starting July 1st, 2025.
- This policy challenges traditional paywall models and disrupts scientific publishing revenue streams.
Global Vaccine Funding Shifts
- The UK and Gates Foundation compensated for US withdrawal of $1.3 billion to GAVI vaccine alliance.
- Though still short of the goal, global donors helped maintain crucial vaccine funding.
Impact of USAID Defunding
- U.S. defunding of USAID could cause 14 million infectious disease deaths by 2030 worldwide.
- Poor health outcomes destabilize societies, fueling broader geopolitical and economic crises.
