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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

A chickenpox party could arrange exposure, but it could not guarantee a mild illness. I wrote about one family and the vaccine that gave others another option. medium.com/microbial-in...

medium.com

A Chickenpox Party That Went Wrong

How one weekend gathering left a child with lifelong disability, and why science moved past this old-school approach.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

A free virtual panel on October 20 will discuss winter vaccine guidance, vaccine safety, and measles in Pennsylvania. Details: collegeofphysicians.org/events/vacci...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Rabies vaccines have changed enormously since Pasteur’s first treatment. This post follows the scientists who helped make them safer and easier to use, including Dr. Stanley Plotkin. historyofvaccines.org/blog/how-mod...

historyofvaccines.org

How the Modern Rabies Vaccine Came to Be

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

How do you vaccinate a wild raccoon or fox? You leave a vaccine in a bait it will eat. The story of how scientists developed that approach to controlling rabies is full of clever ideas—and a few that didn’t work. historyofvaccines.org/blog/feeding...

historyofvaccines.org

Feeding Vaccines to Wild Animals

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Skipping a pet’s vaccines can affect more than that one animal. Rabies is one reason pet vaccination matters to people, too. Here’s a look at the diseases behind those routine vet visits. historyofvaccines.org/blog/new-dan...

historyofvaccines.org

The New Danger in the Dog Park

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Most dog owners know why the rabies shot matters. But what about the other vaccines your vet recommends? This post looks at influenza, distemper, and leptospirosis—and why your dog’s routine care is worth a closer look. historyofvaccines.org/blog/beyond-...

historyofvaccines.org

Beyond Vaccines: The Dog Vaccines People Skip

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Dr. Nikola Piljic, a physician in Nis, Serbia, leads the country's first tobacco control NGO. Tobacco kills about 20,000 people a year there, yet Serbia still lacks a comprehensive indoor smoking ban. Read the interview: awellmixedroom.com/posts/interv...

awellmixedroom.com

Tobacco control pioneer in the cigarette capital - A Well-Mixed Room

An interview with Dr. Nikola Piljić on running an anti-tobacco organization in Niš—home of Philip Morris's cigarette factory—the clinical reality of tobacco in Serbia, and the fight for smoke-free…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

An analysis of two RSV vaccines estimated 82% effectiveness against RSV-related hospitalization among US adults 65 and older during 2023-24. <https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/2-studies-find-strong-rsv-vaccine-protection-against-severe>

cidrap.umn.edu

2 studies find strong RSV vaccine protection against severe outcomes in older adults

lucigerma / iStock

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

NYT reports CDC had 30% fewer employees by May 2026 than before the 2025 layoffs. Staff say this is affecting outbreak response and support for health departments. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/h...

nytimes.com

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/26/health/cdc-staff-cuts-rfk-jr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.EFE.7FSL.GfHRGKTtr5c0&smid=url-share

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

APHA and other health and environmental groups are suing the EPA over its repeal of power plant carbon pollution rules. They say the rollback threatens public health. www.apha.org/news-and-med...

apha.org

EPA Sued Over Repeal of Power Plant Carbon Reduction Rules

Environmental and public health groups sued to stop the Environmental Protection Agency’s repeal of critical standards for power plant carbon pollution.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Feral hogs can carry parasites without looking sick. Texas A&M explains why undercooked meat and ticks are concerns for people who handle hogs or eat their meat. feralhogs.tamu.edu/parasite-bor...

feralhogs.tamu.edu

Parasite Borne Diseases - Coping with Feral Hogs

Feral hogs play host to a variety of internal and external parasites.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

A study of 109 state and local public health officials found 76% reported threats or harassment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some left jobs or moved over safety concerns. www.cidrap.umn.edu/public-healt...

cidrap.umn.edu

Local, state public health officials overwhelmingly faced serious backlash during pandemic, report reveals

CentralITAlliance / iStock

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The Vaccine Integrity Project will independently review meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines for kids and young adults, after federal guidelines reclassified some meningococcal vaccines to high-risk groups only. www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-inte...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Vaccine decisions in Amish and Mennonite communities are not explained by religion alone. Trust, access, safety concerns, and local relationships matter. Public health must pair clear vaccine guidance with respectful listening. phnightschool.substack.com/p/measles-an...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Pennsylvania has reported 676 measles cases this year. Measles is preventable, and vaccination protects people who can be vaccinated as well as babies who cannot yet receive it. historyofvaccines.org/blog/pennsyl...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Chronic disease prevention and infectious disease control are both essential. This opinion piece calls for stronger outbreak surveillance, food-safety efforts, and clear vaccine communication. www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...

usatoday.com

I'm a former surgeon general. RFK Jr. has the wrong priorities.

Outbreaks are rising. Response capacity is reduced. And HHS Secretary RFK Jr. holds a unique authority – and responsibility – to act.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

For most people, September and October are the best months for a flu shot. Some children who need two doses and people in their third trimester of pregnancy during July or August may benefit from earlier vaccination. historyofvaccines.org/blog/timing-...

historyofvaccines.org

Timing Your Flu Shot: The Science Behind When to Get Vaccinated

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Measles can return when gaps in vaccination grow. Bangladesh, Samoa, and the United States show why vaccine supply, safe delivery, accessible services, and public trust all matter. historyofvaccines.org/blog/when-va...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Community health workers are trained, trusted neighbors who help people connect with care and overcome barriers such as housing, food, transportation, and paperwork. They need stable funding, fair pay, and real career paths. phnightschool.substack.com/p/the-neighb...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce shows a bigger issue: FDA foreign food inspections are down nearly 35 percent since 2019, per AP News. It took inspectors a month to reach the farm linked to the outbreak. Food safety needs sustained investment, not just recalls. apnews.com/article/lett...

apnews.com

Cyclospora outbreak followed years of declining FDA foreign inspections

The ongoing outbreak of cyclospora tied to iceberg lettuce has raised new concerns about the safety of imported produce and underscores a worrisome trend: The U.S. is conducting fewer inspections to…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to lettuce has sickened 11,000+ people in 20 states, killing two. Michigan health workers were overwhelmed weeks before federal confirmation. Experts blame years of food safety underfunding plus recent cuts for slowing detection. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/n...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

At ten, I delivered newspapers by bicycle in El Paso. Paperboy on the NES felt like a game made from my life. It still brings back memories of heavy Sunday papers, family, and neighborhood rides. medium.com/engage/paper...

medium.com

“Paperboy”, El Paso, and My First Real Job on a Bicycle

A nostalgic look back at delivering newspapers as a ten-year-old in 1980s El Paso and why “Paperboy” on the NES felt like a game made from…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Come explore one of the city’s most distinctive museums during CollegeFest 2026. New and returning students can visit the Mütter Museum as part of Campus Philly’s annual welcome to the city. Learn more: collegeofphysicians.org/events/colle...

collegeofphysicians.org

CollegeFest 2026 at the Mütter

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Federal agencies are moving toward eliminating race and ethnicity data, possibly starting with the 2030 Census. This data helps track health disparities like maternal mortality and overdose deaths. Losing it won't end disparities; it will just make them harder to see and fix. fas.org/publication/...

fas.org

The Public Health Cost of Eliminating Race and Ethnicity Data

This is bigger than a singular elimination of race and ethnicity questions. It could accelerate the second wave of widespread reductions to demographic data, leaving public health officials with even…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

A promising lab result is a starting point, not medical advice. What works in cells may not work safely in people. Ask whether the study tested cells, animals, or people. thequantasticjournal.com/from-petri-d...

thequantasticjournal.com

From Petri Dish to Patient: Why Promising Lab Results Aren’t Medical Recommendations

Pharmacology, randomized trials, and real-world safety must come before a product belongs in anyone’s medicine cabinet.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

New UC Berkeley study: Richmond, CA's Office of Neighborhood Safety cut firearm homicides and injury shootings by 61 percent over 14 years, outpacing national declines. publichealth.berkeley.edu/articles/spo...

publichealth.berkeley.edu

Violence prevention program responsible for 61% decline in gun violence deaths and injuries

A UC Berkeley study finds the city of Richmond’s gun violence program led to three times the national decline in violence.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

On September 19, we are hosting Roadmap to Medical School at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. This is a free program for high school and college students as well as their families and teachers. collegeofphysicians.org/events/roadm...

collegeofphysicians.org

Roadmap to Medical School

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

On September 17, Not So Silent Cinema presents Alfred Hitchcock’s early thriller The Lodger, accompanied by a live musical score. The film follows the fear and suspicion surrounding a mysterious new tenant as a serial killer terrorizes London. Details and tickets: buff.ly/7gEhTFH

collegeofphysicians.org

Not So Silent Cinema Presents: The Lodger

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The Mütter Museum will open early on Saturday, September 12, for a sensory-friendly morning designed for neurodivergent visitors of all ages and their families. Admission is pay-what-you-wish, but advance registration is encouraged. Learn more and register: collegeofphysicians.org/events/senso...

collegeofphysicians.org

Sensory Friendly — Museum Admission

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents have died in association with measles. Their families deserve compassion, not judgment. Measles can cause severe illness and death. Vaccination has made these outcomes rare. historyofvaccines.org/blog/two-mea...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Dolly Parton gave the world more than music. She helped fund research supporting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, promoted vaccination, invested in children’s health and literacy, and helped families recover from disaster. This is her public health legacy. historyofvaccines.org/blog/dolly-p...

historyofvaccines.org

Dolly Parton's Other Legacy: Vaccines, Books, and Healthier Communities

Dolly Parton’s legacy extends beyond music: she funded vaccine research, promoted vaccination, supported children’s health, literacy, and disaster relief.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Considering a career in medicine? Roadmap to Medical School is a free event for high school and college students, families, and teachers. Learn about preparing for medical school and careers as a physician. collegeofphysicians.org/events/roadm...

collegeofphysicians.org

Road Map to Medical School

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

No one thing should be blamed for the current job market. But there is a confluence of factors like AI, remote work, and experts in so many fields being fired from federal and state agencies as funding is cut. www.npr.org/2026/08/18/n...

npr.org

Many recent grads say AI is making it harder to get a job. Economists aren't so sure

The unemployment rate for young adults with new degrees is higher than the rate for all workers, according to the New York Fed. Is AI the problem, or is it more complicated?

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The claim that 82 percent of women vaccinated against COVID during pregnancy had a miscarriage is false. It came from a misreading of a study. Evidence does not show increased miscarriage risk. www.stopantivaxpropaganda.org/p/82-of-wome...

stopantivaxpropaganda.org

82% of Women Who Got the Vaccine in Their First or Second Trimester Did Not Have a Miscarriage

It's disgusting and should be criminal that these folks are able to push propaganda about vaccines that scares people away from getting vaccinated and protected.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

After the primaries last night, several candidates are claiming that the difference between the polls and the results is due to some conspiracy to rig the elections. Not true. They need to learn how polling and mathematics work. epiren.medium.com/polls-are-no...

epiren.medium.com

Polls Are Not Predictions: How Margin of Error Explains Election Surprises

Mike Lindell’s Minnesota primary loss was not evidence of a rigged election. It was a lesson in undecided voters, sampling uncertainty, and…

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The latest attempt by the current administration to mess with the vaccine schedule is being labeled as "Gold Standard Science." Well, there’s not much science there, to be honest. epiren.medium.com/the-trump-ad...

epiren.medium.com

The Trump Administration’s “Gold Standard” Vaccine Plan Has a Science Problem

Comparing vaccine schedules across countries isn’t epidemiology. It’s just counting.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

Warmer water temperatures, more rain runoff, and more people going to the beach mean more cases of these types of infections. You really don't want cholera's flesh-eating cousin on you, so take precautions. ground.news/article/fles...

ground.news

Flesh-Eating Bacteria Kills 5 in Louisiana as Cases Surge Past Decade Average

Louisiana reported nine Vibrio vulnificus infections and five deaths in 2026, already exceeding its 10-year average with months of peak season remaining.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

The FDA has approved Moderna’s mFLUSIVA, the first mRNA flu vaccine, for adults 50–64, with accelerated approval for those 65 and older. A large study showed fewer flu cases than a traditional shot, but more side effects and a few serious events. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/h...

nytimes.com

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Delaware County launched a mobile clinic to improve access to measles vaccination. Pennsylvania has 142 cases, but none are in the county. Learn more: www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia...

cbsnews.com

Delaware County, Pennsylvania, launches mobile health clinic to offer measles vaccines

Delaware County health officials hope a mobile clinic will help get more residents vaccinated against measles.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

West Nile made up 92 percent of reported US arboviral cases in 2024. Powassan hit a record 60 cases. No vaccines or antiviral treatments are available, so prevention matters www.cidrap.umn.edu/west-nile/we...

cidrap.umn.edu

West Nile accounted for most US arboviral cases in 2024 as Powassan cases hit record high

24K-Production / iStock

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

"No link between MMR vaccination before age 2 and autism, large US study suggests." In a related note, a dead horse keeps getting beaten, and authorities have no clue why. www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...

cidrap.umn.edu

No link between MMR vaccination before age 2 and autism, large US study suggests

The findings reinforce existing evidence of the safety of MMR vaccination, the authors say.

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Over 400 vaccine bills were filed in US states this past year, yet only nine became law, and no state dropped core childhood immunization requirements. Article:

cidrap.umn.edu

Over 400 state vaccine bills, 9 new laws, 2 fed charters, and 1 step closer to a CDC director: The State of US Vaccine Policy

Getty Images

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

For those of you who have decided you’re going to speak truth to power, even when the power is being irrational. It boils down to being calm, professional, and not answering personal attacks. Dr. Fauci showed all this at his hearings 38 years ago and just this week. buff.ly/P8nfPBw

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Can a tuberculosis vaccine treat type 1 diabetes? Current evidence does not support BCG as an approved treatment or proven prevention strategy. Some adult findings are intriguing but unfinished. Respectful skepticism helps science advance. phnightschool.substack.com/p/a-vaccine-...

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René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, FCPP @epiren.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Content warning: This post discusses suicide and gun violence. The New Yorker profiles Stormy Kay, a Maryland woman who lost two partners to gun suicide and then fought the NRA over her late partner’s retirement savings. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

newyorker.com

A Woman Lost Two Partners to Guns—Then the N.R.A. Came to Collect

The majority of suicides in the U.S. involve guns, and eighty per cent of those are done by white men, a pattern that the gun-rights organization has spent decades denying.

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