In this clinical update from "This Week in Virology," Dr. Daniel Griffin joins Vincent Racaniello to discuss the current state of infectious diseases and public health policy as of July 2025. The episode begins with a critical examination of what they describe as the rewriting of COVID-19 history, particularly concerning the FDA's review of myocarditis risks and the flawed assumptions of the 2020 Great Barrington Declaration. Dr. Griffin highlights the stark contrast between recent data on pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths presented to the ACIP and the subsequent policy changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which prompted major medical societies to file a lawsuit. Scientific updates include a promising study linking AS01-adjuvanted vaccines for shingles and RSV to a reduced risk of dementia, and positive trial results for a new long-lasting flu antiviral. The discussion provides sobering statistics on the severe 2025 measles and influenza outbreaks, data on RSV readmission risks in children, and the latest on Long COVID research, including remdesivir's ineffectiveness in preventing long-term sequelae.
TWiV 1234 Clinical Update: Key Discussions and Findings
3:30 Rewriting COVID-19 History: Dr. Griffin discusses the FDA's re-evaluation of myocarditis risk and the historical context of the Great Barrington Declaration. He points out its core assumptions—that COVID was negligible in the young and that natural infection provided lasting immunity—have been proven false, yet this ideology persists in current policy debates.
14:52 Ignoring Pediatric COVID Data: An April 2025 presentation to the CDC's advisory committee (ACIP) by Dr. Fiona Havers revealed that in the preceding 12 months, over 7,000 children were hospitalized with COVID, and 152 died. Critically, half of these children were previously healthy and virtually none were vaccinated. This data was seemingly ignored in subsequent policy changes to limit vaccine access for healthy children.
18:17 Medical Community Sues Over Vaccine Policy: Six major medical groups, including the AAP and ISDA, have sued HHS and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for "arbitrarily and capriciously" changing COVID-19 vaccine policy. The lawsuit contends the administration is blocking vaccine access, flouting procedural rules, and pushing anti-science rhetoric.
21:54 Link Between Vaccination and Reduced Dementia: A new study suggests that AS01-adjuvanted vaccines for shingles (Shingrix) and RSV (Arexvy) are associated with a significantly reduced 18-month risk of dementia. The benefit may be linked to the adjuvant itself, as it provides a greater reduction in dementia risk than even the standard flu vaccine.
28:44 Severe 2025 Measles & Influenza Outbreaks: The U.S. has recorded 1,288 measles cases in 2025, the highest number since elimination was declared. The 2024-2025 flu season resulted in 256 pediatric deaths, a record for a non-pandemic season, with over 90% of the children being unvaccinated.
32:02 A Potential New Flu Antiviral: A Phase 2b trial for CD388, a long-lasting injectable antiviral, shows promising results. A single shot at the start of the season provided up to 76% efficacy in preventing clinically confirmed influenza over 24 weeks.
36:41 High Hospital Readmission Risk for RSV: A study found that children under five who are hospitalized with RSV are 3.6 times more likely to be readmitted for respiratory issues within the next 1.5 years compared to children hospitalized with influenza or human metapneumovirus.
39:02 Current COVID-19 Trends: As of early July 2025, national wastewater data for SARS-CoV-2 remains low and flat. However, the variant NB.1.8.1 (unofficially named "Nimbus") continues to increase in proportion.
44:48 Long COVID and Remdesivir: A study of over 30,000 hospitalized patients found that early treatment with remdesivir did not significantly reduce the risk of developing long-term sequelae (PASC). Dr. Griffin reiterates that vaccination remains the most effective tool, reducing the risk of PASC by 80-90%.
52:39 Judge Halts HHS Restructuring: A federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered a halt to RFK Jr.'s plan to reorganize federal health agencies, ruling that the executive branch does not have the authority to implement such wholesale changes without Congressional approval.