The Brian Lehrer Show Public Health, Long COVID & Measles
Jul 15, 2025
Daniel Griffin, MD, PhD, is the Chief of Infectious Disease for Island Infectious Diseases and a clinical instructor at Columbia University. He dives into the pressing public health issues of long COVID and the alarming rise in measles cases. Griffin emphasizes the necessity of vaccinations in combating these diseases and addresses the misconceptions surrounding them. Personal experiences highlight the lingering effects of long COVID, revealing the complex challenges faced by survivors, while discussions around vaccine hesitancy illuminate its role in the resurgence of measles.
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Understanding Long COVID Diversity
- Long COVID symptoms vary widely, not limited to fatigue but including new diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
- About 1% of COVID patients develop long COVID, highlighting it as an ongoing health issue beyond initial infection.
Vaccines Help Prevent and Treat Long COVID
- Get vaccinated to reduce the risk of long COVID by about 90% before infection.
- Vaccination can also improve or resolve symptoms in about 60% of people who already have long COVID.
COVID Risk Extends to Children
- COVID remains a significant threat, especially to children, with 153 child deaths in the past year in the US alone.
- The false notion that only certain populations are at risk is dangerous and inaccurate.