Angela Rasmussen

Michael Osterholm is a seasoned professor and director at the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, while Angela Rasmussen is a virologist and journal co-editor specializing in vaccines. They discuss the recent CDC decision to reassess newborn hepatitis B vaccinations, exploring the risks of delayed immunization. The guests highlight how changing policies could jeopardize public health, particularly for underserved communities, and emphasize the importance of sustaining vaccine confidence amidst shifting recommendations.

Dr. Jesse Papenburg, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, shares alarming insights about rising pediatric flu hospitalizations and the critical need for vaccinations. He highlights the harsh impact of the H3N2 strain and the lack of prior immunity in children. Virologist Angela Rasmussen warns of significant gaps in surveillance data and the increasing severity of the current flu season, influenced by low vaccination rates and misinformation. Both experts emphasize the urgent need for parents to vaccinate their children this season.

Julie Rovner, Chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News, Angela Rasmussen, a virologist from the University of Saskatchewan, and Dan Diamond, a White House reporter for The Washington Post, delve into the recent drastic layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss how these job cuts could threaten public health services, drug approvals, and critical biomedical research. Tensions rise over vaccine regulations amidst ongoing health crises, creating concerns about the integrity of health policy under political influences.