TWiV 1318: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin
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In This Week in Virology episode 1318, Vincent Racaniello and guest Dr. Daniel Griffin deliver a sharp, urgent clinical update amid a backdrop of political attacks on science and public health. The episode opens with a scathing critique of the Trump administration’s termination of the entire National Science Board without explanation, highlighting the broader erosion of scientific integrity and the alarming rise of China as the world’s leading public funder of science. The hosts express outrage over the appointment of vaccine-skeptical figures like Sarah Brenner to key public health roles and condemn the politicization of global health, including Trump’s demand for mineral access in exchange for aid to AIDS-affected nations. The discussion turns to vaccine coverage failures, with data showing rising measles cases and a concerning U-shaped incidence curve for HPV in older adults, underscoring the need for broader vaccination beyond childhood. A deep dive into the latest Paxlovid trials reveals that while the drug offers no statistically significant reduction in hospitalization or death in low-risk, highly vaccinated populations, it significantly accelerates recovery—making it still valuable for symptomatic relief. The episode also debunks the hype around rapamycin for long COVID, citing a clinical trial showing it impairs functional gains and increases infection risk in older adults. The hosts emphasize the importance of evidence-based medicine, the dangers of misinformation, and the urgent need for better hospital ventilation and infection control. The episode closes with listener questions on polio boosters, drug interactions with anticoagulants, and the global variability of respiratory virus peaks.
Paxlovid remains valuable for faster symptom relief even if it doesn’t significantly reduce hospitalization in low-risk, vaccinated individuals.
Rapamycin does not enhance exercise outcomes in older adults and may increase infection risk—clinical trials are essential to test 'miracle' treatments.
The U-shaped HPV infection curve in older adults underscores the need for HPV vaccination beyond childhood, especially for new sexual partners.
Vaccine hesitancy and political interference in science (e.g., firing the National Science Board) threaten public health and global leadership.
Hospital-acquired respiratory infections are preventable with better ventilation, isolation, and staff vaccination—yet these standards remain ignored.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Science Under Siege: The Termination of the National Science Board
“We're dropping the ball. And basically by the time we get our next president, it's over. China will have overtaken the U.S. as the biggest public funder of science.”
The Rise of Vaccine Skepticism and Public Health Backlash
“If you're skeptical about vaccines, you're an asshole. OK? You're a dumbass because there's no skepticisms to be had about vaccines. They work.”
HPV and Hepatitis B: The Hidden Gaps in Vaccine Coverage
“Delaying hepatitis B vaccination among infants and parents with unknown hepatitis B surface antigen status or imperfect adherence to the vaccination schedule amplified all negative outcomes.”
Paxlovid Reassessed: Efficacy, Limitations, and Real-World Value
“If your chance of ending up in hospital or dying is already less than 1%, it's going to take a larger sample size to get that to be statistically significant. But if your risk is more substantial… you feel lousy when you have COVID.”
Rapamycin for Long COVID: A Cautionary Tale from Clinical Trials
The episode dismantles the hype around rapamycin for long COVID, citing a randomized trial showing it impaired functional gains in older adults and increased pneumonia risk. The hosts stress that science must test assumptions, even popular ones.
“Once weekly, rapamycin 6 milligrams did not enhance. And in sensitivity analysis, it may actually attenuate short-term functional improvements from home exercise program in older adults. Also increased the burden of minor adverse events and may have even contributed to one serious infection.”
“If you're skeptical about vaccines, you're an asshole. OK? You're a dumbass because there's no skepticisms to be had about vaccines. They work.”
“If your chance of ending up in hospital or dying is already less than 1%, it's going to take a larger sample size to get that to be statistically significant. But if your risk is more substantial… you feel lousy when you have COVID.”
Host
Guest
Vincent Racaniello
person
Daniel Griffin
person
COVID-19
other
Paxlovid
product
Trump administration
organization
HPV
other
Hepatitis B
other
National Science Board
organization
China
place
Rapamycin
product
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