Osterholm Update

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

Episodes

May 7, 2026
<p dir="ltr">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 shot...
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<p dir="ltr">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 w...
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<p dir="ltr">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 W...
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<p dir="ltr">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&nbsp;recommendations. Has the damage of this administration's assault on US vaccine policy already been done? Or is there a chance&nbsp;it could be undone? They'll also dive into a&nbsp;report calling for sweeping changes to how the governm...
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<p dir="ltr">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.&nbsp;<br><br><a href="https:/...
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<p dir="ltr">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.&nbsp;<br><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.um...
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<p dir="ltr">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.<br><br>&...
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<p>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.</p> <p><a href="https:...
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<p>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.&nbsp;</p&...
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<p>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.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5ZFnEfs9w0"><strong>Protecting Vaccine Integrity in 2025: Evidence, Access, and Public T...
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<p>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.<br><br>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforvaccines.org/get-involved/"><s...
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<p>In this special&nbsp;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.</p> <p>Noted articles:</p> <p><br><a href="https://medium.com/@jsteier_29203/and-what-have-we-done-43b40dc32de1">…And What Have We Done?</a><br><br><a hre...
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<p>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.</p> <p><br><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/after-unprecedent...
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<p>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.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www....
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<p>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.</p> <p>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 measle...
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<p>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.</p> <p>Resources for vaccine and public health advocacy:</p> <p><a href="https://www.voicesforv...
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<p>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 ...
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<p>In this special update, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall recap the events of last week's ACIP meeting and what it means for COVID, MMRV, and hepatitis B vaccine availability.</p> <p>Learn more about the <a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project"><strong>Vaccine Integrity Project</strong></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/osterholm-upda...
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<p>In "Ice Cream and Shark Attacks," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss the FDA’s recent decision to authorize updated COVID-19 vaccines for limited groups, the confusion around access for those under 65, and the uncertain outcomes of this week’s ACIP meeting. They also cover ongoing upheaval at the CDC, provide updates on COVID-19 and measles, answer an ID Query on Chagas disease, and share the latest installment of This W...
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<p>In this week's special episode, Chris Dall interviews Dr. Osterholm and his coauthor Mark Olshaker on their new book <em>The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics</em>. They are also joined by Ann Hennigan Grace and CIDRAP's Dr. Sydney Redepenning who both conducted research and fact-checking for the book.</p> <p>The Big One is available for purchase <a href="https://www.hachet...
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