Osterholm Update

A weekly report on the COVID-19 pandemic from infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH. Dr. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota and has spent a career investigating outbreaks. Since 2005, he has emphasized supply chain and other vulnerabilities and a critical need for pandemic preparedness. In this podcast, Dr. Osterholm dissects the latest COVID-19 news, data, and guidance. CIDRAP’s Chris Dall, MA, is the cohost of the Osterholm Update and a reporter for CIDRAP News. http://www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Episodes 225

Back to School: What You Need to Know
3d ago
 As summer comes to a close, another chapter begins: back to school. But with that comes a lot of different public health challenges and some muddled guidance for parents. Like how do we deal with measles in schools? When's the best time for my kids to get their flu shot? And do I need to be worried about the blueberries in my child's lunchbox? Hosts Chris Dall and Dr. Micheal Osterholm will try to answer some of these questions in this week’s episode. They’ll also discuss the latest on COVID-19, different foodborne illnesses, the two recent measles deaths, as well as updates on t
Answering Your Questions: The Executive Order & More!
17d ago
It’s been a whirlwind week of public health news from Washington, but hosts Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm are here to make sense of it all. This week they answer your questions about the White House's executive order on childhood vaccines and other topics. Dr. Osterholm also discusses the approval of Moderna’s new mRNA flu vaccine, as well as updates on cyclospora, Ebola and respiratory viruses. Plus, learn about the “Father of Blood Banks” in this week’s Public Health History segment. Links: <a href="https://www.redcross.org/about-us/new
Cyclospora: Then and Now
1mo ago
Cyclospora cases continue to climb in the U.S. but this isn’t the first time we’ve had a multi-state outbreak linked to produce. Back in 1996, there was a major cyclospora outbreak across several states due to imported raspberries. It begs the question, have we learned anything from the past? Or are we repeating history all over again? This week hosts Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm focus on the cyclosporiasis outbreak, from the latest numbers, to how state and federal officials, as well as the media, have handled it all. They’ll break down the latest epidemiologic data and d
Cyclospora, Ticks, and Mosquitoes: Summertime Threats
1mo ago
We all look forward to summer, that time of year when we can spend more time outside and less time worrying about things like colds and flu. However, the warm summer months can bring their own infectious disease threats, whether it's ticks, mosquitoes, or foodborne parasites. This week, hosts Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm discuss some of these summertime infectious disease threats, from the growing cyclospora outbreak in the US, to new research that suggests the tickborne allergy alpha-gal syndrome may be under-recognized. They'll also bring you the latest on the Ebola outb
Episode 212: Major Roadblocks
1mo ago
As the Ebola crisis continues to escalate in the DRC, we must ask: what will it take to end this outbreak? This is one of many questions Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm will discuss in this week’s episode. They’ll also cover the flu outbreak at a Texas Air Force base, consider what some newly released CDC emails reveal about the tenure of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and examine some recent studies on the effectiveness of last season's COVID vaccines. Plus, answering how New World screwworm could affect wildlife and another installment of This Week in Public Health
Episode 211: A System Held With Duct Tape
2mo ago
This week, Chris Dall and Dr. Michael Osterholm bring the latest on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, what the World Cup means from a public health perspective, as well as explain what screwworm is and how it could threaten US livestock. They’ll also have updates on the hantavirus outbreak, discuss how the US could likely lose its measles elimination status, and give you an update on COVID and other respiratory infections. Plus, the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History. Links: <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/di
Episode 210: Ebola: What the Past Tells Us about the Present
2mo ago
This week on the Osterholm Update, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall focus on the developing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discussing the U.S. response, whether transmission can be airborne, and addressing travel concerns to Africa. We’ll also bring you the latest on the hantavirus outbreak, review a long-awaited report from the FDA on pediatric deaths linked to COVID vaccines, and provide updates on measles and other respiratory viruses. Plus, a Public Health History segment highlighting the first EMS service in the U.S. Links:</strong
Episode 209: Awareness vs. Alarm: Making Sense of the Headlines
3mo ago
In Episode 209, Dr. Michael Osterholm and Chris Dall talk through the response to the hantavirus outbreak and the lingering questions about how the virus spreads. They also discuss a recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the latest findings from The Vaccine Integrity Project’s comprehensive review of peer-reviewed evidence on Tdap vaccination during pregnancy. Links: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGMmgMke9p8">Hantavirus Is Not the Next Covid, But Try Telling That to the News Media </a>(The Daily Show) <br
Episode 208: Bad News, Good News
3mo ago
This week on the Osterholm Update, Chris Dall and Dr. Osterholm dissect the latest results of Paxlovid trials and what they tell us about COVID-19. They'll also discuss a CDC study on COVID-19 vaccines that's been blocked by the acting CDC director, examine a survey that reveals the impact of changes to CDC messaging on vaccines and autism, explore the US Defense Secretary's decision to no longer require flu shots for US military members and bring you up to speed on the hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship. Plus, the latest findings of CIDRAP’s analysis of HPV vaccines. <
Episode 207: Asking the Right Questions
4mo ago
This week Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall talk about Erica Schwartz, the Trump's administration's most recent nomination for the CDC Director, as well as changes to the charter of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr. Osterholm also examines a somewhat misleading Politico poll on public support for vaccines, provides a spring respiratory update and answers a listener's question about long COVID in women. Chris Dall explains a concerning rise in Shigella cases, plus a special space-themed Public Health History segment. <a href="https://www.statnews.
Episode 206: What we know about long COVID
4mo ago
This week Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall focus on long COVID, tackling some listener questions and providing context about what long COVID is, its potential risks, as well as some of the latest research and reports about it. Dr. Osterholm also discusses the CDC's pause on testing for rabies and pox viruses, plus a respiratory update and the latest on US measles outbreaks. Dr. Osterholm also honors National Health Week in the public health history segment. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/antidepressant-relieves-fatigue-people-long-covid-study-finds">Antidepres
Episode 205: Disease Waits for No One
5mo ago
In "Disease Waits for No One," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss how a federal judge temporarily blocked Health Secretary RFK Jr's rollback of childhood vaccine recommendations. Has the damage of this administration's assault on US vaccine policy already been done? Or is there a chance it could be undone? They'll also dive into a report calling for sweeping changes to how the government tracks COVID vaccine harms, review a recent meningitis outbreak in the UK, cover the latest on measles and avian flu, and answer a listener's question about the risk of catching COVID in public.
Episode 204: Holding the Tools
5mo ago
In "Holding the Tools" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall dive into the latest COVID, flu and RSV activity, discuss the surge in norovirus cases, and provide an update on measles outbreaks across the Americas. Dr. Osterholm also shares the latest work from CIDRAP’s Vaccine Integrity Project, and honors a couple of different public health heroes for Women’s History Month. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/viewpoint-threats-gavi-mean-placing-ideology-over-saving-lives">Viewpoint: Threats to Gavi mean placing ideology over saving lives</a><stro
Episode 203: Somebody to Lean On
6mo ago
In "Somebody to Lean On," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss vaccine updates including the FDA’s back-and-forth on the Moderna vaccine, leadership shake-ups at institutions like the CDC, and the current state of measles in the US. Dr. Osterholm will also bring you a respiratory virus update, including current vaccine guidance for flu, COVID and RSV. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-vaccines/cidrap-op-ed-fda-refused-review-flu-vaccine-contrary-evidence-now-agency">Op-Ed: The FDA refused to review a flu vaccine, contrary to evidence. Now the agency rev
Episode 202: The Bells Still Ring
6mo ago
In "The Bells Still Ring," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss a recent poll on Americans’ trust in vaccine information from the CDC, the measles outbreaks in immigration detention centers, and explain the controversy over a US-funded hepatitis B vaccine trial in Africa. Dr. Osterholm will also bring you some good news on US funding for global health and answer an ID Query about Nipah virus. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2025/measles-vaccine-schools-outbreaks-public-health/">Interactive vaccine map for US schools</a> </
Episode 201: The Twilight Zone of Immunization
7mo ago
In "The Twilight Zone of Immunization," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent comments from CDC officials about measles, the US withdrawal from the WHO, and the latest mpox news. Dr. Osterholm also shares an update on this winter respiratory virus season and discusses the challenges that families are facing in accessing healthcare amid immigration enforcement surges in Minnesota. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/influenza-general/minnesota-residents-delay-medical-care-fear-encountering-ice">Minnesota residents delay medical care for fear of encountering ICE</a> (CIDRAP)
Episode 200: A Moment Among Moments
7mo ago
In the 200th episode of the Osterholm Update, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule, the latest data on this year's influenza season, and an update on CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project. Osterholm Update producers Dr. Sydney Redepenning and Elise Holmes also join to discuss this milestone episode and reflect on how the podcast has evolved over the years. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/cms-stop-requiring-states-report-childhood-vaccination-levels">CMS to stop requiring states to report childhood vaccination
Episode 199: Flu Takes Charge
8mo ago
In "Flu Takes Charge" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall give us an update on the emerging flu season, Dr. Osterholm covers a new poll that shows fewer Americans are willing to recommend the MMR vaccine, and we'll hear about the Vaccine Integrity Project's latest video. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ZFnEfs9w0">Protecting Vaccine Integrity in 2025: Evidence, Access, and Public Trust</a> Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy: <a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/">Voices for Vaccines</a> <a href
Episode 198: Gaps in the Safety Net
8mo ago
In "Gaps in the Safety Net" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss why we shouldn’t compare other countries’ vaccine schedules to the US schedule. Dr. Osterholm continues to cover the recent infant botulism outbreak, and he answers an ID Query about New World Screwworm. Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy: <a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/">Voices for Vaccines</a> <a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/">Families Fighting Flu</a> <a href="https://vaccinateyourfamily.org/get-involved
Special Episode: ACIP's Hepatitis B Vaccine Decisions
8mo ago
In this special episode of the podcast, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the ACIP's recent decision to end universal hepatitis B birth dose recommendations and the impact it will have on public health. Noted articles: <a href="https://medium.com/@jsteier_29203/and-what-have-we-done-43b40dc32de1">…And What Have We Done?</a> <a href="https://www.thebulwark.com/p/this-is-what-it-looks-like-when-rfk-wins-acip-cdc-advisory-committee-hepatitis-vaccine">This Is What It Looks Like When RFK Jr. Wins</a> Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy: <a h
Episode 197: Fork in the Road
8mo ago
In "Fork in the Road" Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the changes to the CDC's vaccines and autism page and this week's meeting of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Dr. Osterholm also covers the recent infant botulism outbreak and Chris answers an ID Query about possible C. difficile vaccines. <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/after-unprecedented-autism-vaccine-messaging-change-scientists-advocates-say-cdc">After unprecedented autism-vaccine messaging change, scientists, advocates say CDC no longer trustworthy</a></
Episode 196: Flu Shifts: Why Vaccines Still Matter
9mo ago
In "Flu Shifts: Why Vaccines Still Matter," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall review the latest trends and flu and how this year's vaccine compares to the circulating strains. Dr. Osterholm also discusses H5N1 impact on mammals in Antarctica and answers an ID Query about infant botulism. Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy: <a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/">Voices for Vaccines</a> <a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/">Families Fighting Flu</a> <a href="https://vaccinateyou
Episode 195: We Can Make a Difference
10mo ago
NOTE: In order to align our schedule with the holidays, we will not be releasing an episode on 11/13. We'll be back with our next episode on 11/20 and will resume our biweekly release schedule. In "We Can Make a Difference," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the recent publication from CIDRAP's Vaccine Integrity Project, an upcoming collaboration between CIDRAP and NEJM Evidence, and the latest measles and respiratory virus data. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID Query about how the government shutdown is impacting public health surveillance and shares another "This Week in Public
Episode 194: Bending Not Breaking
10mo ago
In "Bending Not Breaking," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent layoffs and layoff reversals at the CDC, comments from the administration on the MMR vaccine, and the latest respiratory virus data. Dr. Osterholm also shares an update on pertussis cases and answers an ID Query about herd immunity. Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy: <a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/">Voices for Vaccines</a> <a href="https://familiesfightingflu.org/take-action/">Families Fighting Flu</a> <a href="https://v
Episode 193: Fevers, Furloughs, and Falsehoods
11mo ago
In "Fevers, Furloughs, and Falsehoods," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall break down the CDC’s recent ACIP meeting and the ongoing uncertainty around updated vaccine recommendations. Dr. Osterhom discusses state-level differences in vaccine access, possible changes to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and reviews the latest data on COVID-19, Ebola, and STIs. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID Query on the studies associating acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) use during pregnancy and autism, and share the latest installment of This Week in Public Health History on the 2001 anthrax attac

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Osterholm Update

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Episode 201: The Twilight Zone of Immunization

Episode 200: A Moment Among Moments

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Episode 198: Gaps in the Safety Net

Special Episode: ACIP's Hepatitis B Vaccine Decisions

Episode 197: Fork in the Road

Episode 196: Flu Shifts: Why Vaccines Still Matter

Episode 195: We Can Make a Difference

Episode 194: Bending Not Breaking

Episode 193: Fevers, Furloughs, and Falsehoods