Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

Director, @cidrap.bsky.social

🎧 Host of the Osterholm Update podcast: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/osterholm-update

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

Public health is a team sport. The CDC doesn't fight outbreaks alone. But, the CDC has historically been the coordinating and technical backbone for that system. When that centralized structure is weakened, everyone feels the downstream effects. Listen to the full discussion on episode 219 ⬇️

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

In holding true to the fear that I had, measles continues to challenge us in this country. We are going to, I think, see an ever increasing number of cases occur over the upcoming months. Listen to the latest episode of the Osterholm Update podcast for the full discussion on measles and more. ⬇️

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

Parents and clinicians need to trust that vaccine recommendations are grounded in a comprehensive and transparent review of the best available science. Our job is to look carefully at the evidence – wherever it leads – and make that evidence accessible. Read the full press release ⬇️

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

 I'm convinced the politics of measles will challenge us in so many more ways than we ever thought of. Keeping facts as facts is so critical, and yet I see it slipping away into the debates about measles. Listen to episode 217 for the full discussion on measles and more ⬇️

@cidrap.bsky.socialReposted by @mtosterholm.bsky.social

VIP completed an evidence review of respiratory virus immunizations against influenza, COVID-19 & RSV.

✅ These immunizations continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization & death
✅ No new safety concerns identified

Learn more: bit.ly/4x0nIhW

@jama.com

@cidrap.bsky.socialReposted by @mtosterholm.bsky.social

Here’s what the evidence found on the flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations. ⬇️

There were no new safety concerns in comparative studies when examining currently recommended immunizations.

Review the full reports, published in @jama.com: bit.ly/4x0nIhW

Graphic titled "VIP released an independent evidence review of respiratory virus immunizations." Includes logos of the Vaccine Integrity Project and CIDRAP. Text states, "Here's what the evidence found on the flu, COVID-19 and RSV immunizations." A rightward arrow is shown against a blue background with virus illustrations. CIDRAP and VIP logos are on the bottom of the graphic. A link to the VIP website is on the bottom right corner of the image. A graphic with an teal and blue ombre background. Microbe icons are in the background of the right hand side of the image. Text reads, "The influenza review found: Among adults over 65, the flu vaccine increased protection against hospitalization by 31%.* Vaccine effectiveness was 80% against laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths among infants and children aged 6 months to 17 years.** *according to an analysis of VISION Network data ** in a case-cohort analysis of national surveillance data over eight seasons (2016-2020, 2021-2025)" CIDRAP and VIP logos are on the bottom of the graphic. A link to the VIP website is on the bottom right corner of the image. A graphic with an teal and blue ombre background. Microbe icons are in the background of the right hand side of the image. Text reads, "The COVID-19 review found: For adults over 65, vaccination cut the risk of COVID-related hospitalization by 53% in the 2025-26 respiratory virus season.  Maternal vaccination lowered the risk of emergency department and urgent care visits for pregnant women by 58% and to infants aged 0-2 months too with a vaccine effectiveness range of 50-54%. Vaccinated young children (9 months-4 years) saw a 76% reduction in COVID-related pediatric emergency department visits." CIDRAP and VIP logos are on the bottom of the graphic. A link to the VIP website is on the bottom right corner of the image. A graphic with an teal and blue ombre background. Microbe icons are in the background of the right hand side of the image. Text reads, "The RSV review found: For adults over 60, studies showed significant protection against hospitalization, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 69%-83% within the same season as vaccination. Vaccination during pregnancy reduced the risk of RSV among vaccinees by 82% and also reduced the risk of RSV-associated hospitalization among infants born subsequently. The infant monoclonal antibody immunization nirsevimab reduced the risk of RSV-related hospitalization by 64%-93% within 6-12 months." CIDRAP and VIP logos are on the bottom of the graphic. A link to the VIP website is on the bottom right corner of the image.
@cidrap.bsky.socialReposted by @mtosterholm.bsky.social

VIP completed an evidence review of respiratory virus immunizations against influenza, COVID-19 & RSV.

✅ These immunizations continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization & death
✅ No new safety concerns identified
https://bit.ly/4x0nIhW

@ama-assn.org

Graphic with the title "What to know: The Vaccine Integrity Project’s independent evidence review of respiratory virus immunizations: Influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)." Features the logos of the Vaccine Integrity Project and CIDRAP, with a blue arrow pointing to the right. The background is a teal gradient with a dotted pattern.The image is a graphic from The Vaccine Integrity Project. Text reads, "The Vaccine Integrity Project reviewed hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published since August 2025, building on its 2025-26 evidence review of vaccine effectiveness, safety and disease epidemiology data. The evidence found that these immunizations continue to provide meaningful protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death." The background is teal with dots, and the website vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu is included at the bottom.The image contains text on a teal background promoting the Vaccine Integrity Project and CIDRAP. Graphic with arrow pointing to text that reads, "Led by the Vaccine Integrity Project, the review also examined new safety data published since summer 2025 and identified no new safety concerns in comparative studies when examining currently recommended immunizations." The Vaccine Integrity Project's website address vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu is in the bottom right corner. The image contains text on a teal background promoting the Vaccine Integrity Project and CIDRAP. It features an arrow pointing to text, "Based on the most recent peer-reviewed data, the review gives Americans the information they need to make vaccination decisions that will help protect themselves and their families from the three leading causes of serious respiratory virus-related illness." Logos for the Vaccine Integrity Project and CIDRAP are at the bottom, next to the website address vaxintegrity.cidrap.umn.edu.
@mtosterholm.bsky.social

At a moment when conversation about vaccines has become political, what has happened this year offers a different model. Scientists, physicians, public health experts and medical organizations recognized a gap and worked together to fill it. More on the work of VIP ⬇️

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

This year’s review confirms that the newest evidence remains consistent with research showing these immunizations reduce the risk of hospitalization and death among the people most likely to experience serious disease.

More on VIP's evidence review: bit.ly/4x0nIhW

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

This back to school season things seem chaotic & confusing, and there can be the temptation to tune out everything. I strongly encourage you to stay the course, remain informed. When it comes to your children's health, talk to your pediatrician, family practitioner &/or nurse practitioner. Listen ⬇️

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

I spoke w/ @cnn.com on the FDA approved mRNA flu vaccine for use in older adults.

Given that mRNA vaccines can be manufactured quickly, this affords us more flexibility in trying to match up the right strain of virus circulating w/ what's in the vaccine.
https://cnn.it/4wqQb0k

cnn.itThe FDA approved the first mRNA flu vaccine for use in older adults. Here’s what to know | CNNFor older adults, the flu vaccine could look a little different this year.
@mtosterholm.bsky.social

I want to emphasize that all the information that was shared Monday at the White House should be totally disregarded. It is dangerous. And hopefully parents will understand that was not a responsible sharing of information. For the full discussion, listen to episode 215⬇️

CIDRAP@cidrap.bsky.social

New Osterholm Update podcast episode: Answering Your Questions: The Executive Order & more! Listen as @mtosterholm.bsky.social & Chris Dall answer your questions on the White House Executive Order & other topics. Full episode: https://bit.ly/45YPL6m

Geometric graphic featuring headshots of CIDRAP Director Dr. Osterholm and co-host Chris Dall. Text on graphic reads, "Osterholm Update" with CIDRAP logo in upper right corner.
@mtosterholm.bsky.social

What has been promoted in this administration as gold standard science is really a dose of fool's gold. What they stated had no factual basis whatsoever. It was ideology. That is very dangerous. Children will die because we will see fewer kids getting vaccinated.

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

In response to today’s White House Executive Order (EO) on vaccines, parents should continue to rely on evidence-based immunization recommendations developed by experts. Today's EO does not change the scientific evidence supporting childhood immunization. That data has been built over decades.

@mtosterholm.bsky.social

Viruses do not care about politics. The next pandemic will arrive whether we are ready or not. History will judge us by whether we learned enough from it to protect the next generation. Read my full commentary below ⬇️

CIDRAP@cidrap.bsky.social

COMMENTARY by @mtosterholm.bsky.social: The pandemic debate the US isn't having When the Senate hearing featuring Dr. Fauci ended, one vital question remained not only unanswered but largely absent from the discussion: How will the US be better prepared for the next pandemic? https://bit.ly/4yTKSsD

People walking outdoors with face coverings on
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