TWiV 898: Immunity is skin deep

TWiV explains why the concept of herd immunity might not apply to COVID-19, and the observation that smallpox vaccination causes an increase in skin bacteria that promote pathology and influence the immune response.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker

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Links for this episode

• Herd immunity may not apply to COVID-19 (J Inf Dis)
• Smallpox vaccination increases skin bacteria (PLoS Path)
• The invinceable TWiV (TWiV 145)
• By the pricking of my thumbs… (TWiV 284)
• Letters read on TWiV 898
• Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks!

Weekly Picks

Brianne – Bacteria and Me Coloring Book Kathy – Smarter 3D printing Rich – Big Ben Restoring the Worlds Most Famous Clock 2021 Vincent – Scientific review articles as antivaccine disinformation

Listener Pick

Suellen – Your Fantastic Mind Season 3 Ep 2: Long COVID and Making of a Brain Surgeon (Full Episode)

Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv