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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

It’s Code Red for Vaccines The number of changes to vaccine policy is dizzying & RFK Jr is just getting started! Dissolving the group of experts that drive policy is declaring war on “what was” I write in @nytimes.com about what is and is not working www.nytimes.com/2025/06/11/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | It’s Code Red for Vaccines in America (Gift Article)

How to make sense of all the vaccine policy changes.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Today RFK Jr took the single biggest step towards destroying childhood vaccines When @nytimes asked me in December whether RFK could kill the vaccine program - I said he’d have to remove CDCs ACIP And… that’s exactly what he just did today Not good-just like that we cannot trust CDC on vaccines

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

A remarkable escalation by Trump blocking international students from Harvard For many labs (including the one I led) many of the most advanced research is by international students and trainees International trainees are core to Harvard’s research 1/ t.co/LjbaMQzTXr

t.co

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/22/us/politics/trump-harvard-international-students.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Johns Hopkins University @jhu.edu · 16/04/2025

Did you know? 99% of all new medications resulted from federally-funded university research through #NIH Learn more about #ResearchSavesLives: hub.jhu.edu/research-sav....

An image with a prescription pill bottle. Text on the image reads: 99% of all new medications resulted from federally-funded university research through NIH

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Retiredrph @retiredrph.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

@michaelmina.bsky.social @meganranney.bsky.social @sailorrooscout.bsky.social will look forward to your analysis, and that of other top experts, on this collapse of agencies and fallout.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

Come to Learn about **Measles** in America today "Measles in America: Causes, Risks, and Responses" April 30: 4-5pm EST bit.ly/measles-in-a... Webinar by @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social IVAC Professor Bill Moss moderates with: • me (@michaelmina.bsky.social) • Walt Orenstein • Daniel Salmon

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Jeremy Faust, MD @jeremyfaust.bsky.social · 08/04/2025

Measles and more, with guest @michaelmina.bsky.social Join us today in The Doctor’s Lounge at 3pm ET on Substack Live👇 open.substack.com/live-stream/...

open.substack.com

LIVE SOON: Jeremy Faust, MD on Substack

Starting Apr 8 at 3:00 PM EDT

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Measles is spreading Under vaccinated communities are getting bigger in size and number Like bubbles, as these communities get bigger, they merge - the firewalls breakdown - I’m deeply concerned we are at risk of not hundreds, but epidemics of tens of thousands of cases in US t.co/C3heJrjwic

t.co

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/opinion/measles-epidemic-texas.html?rsrc=ss&unlocked_article_code=1.8k4.o4cy.QYinrRQdW3hU&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

The new nominee for CDC Director, Susan Monarez is the right type of leader for the CDC today We need a CDC with a renewed interest in innovating and engineering population health solutions (public healths roots) and drive positive impacts My new piece in @TIME discusses why t.co/ug9zmhzjg7

t.co

https://time.com/7271890/susan-monarez-right-choice-lead-the-cdc/#

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

23andMe changed the culture of how people interact with their biological & medical information and changed translational research at population scale The company is running into bankruptcy But its impacts beyond its business, on society and science, will last I wrote in @statnews t.co/teNnEzRBsI

t.co

https://www.statnews.com/2025/03/25/23andme-bankruptcy-patient-empowerment-consumer-genetic-testing/

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

Live where measles is spreading? Can your baby get a vaccine early? YES The vaccine is safe/effective even down to 6 months (Note: Its recommended later bc maternal antibodies passed to the fetus vs measles wane around ~9 months and could limit vaccine benefit if not yet gone) t.co/2rIkfk9qvH

t.co

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna198038

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Unfortunately, this rings all too true for many with chronic illnesses that dont have a neat diagnosis Many originate from pathogen exposures and are difficult to identify after acute infection has cleared A silver lining of COVID is it has highlighted this issue and is driving new research

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

It takes just 1… Important wake up call #H5N1 BirdFlu just sequenced by @CDCgov from severe Louisiana patient Most important, the H5 virus mutated inside the single patient to gain an ability to bind human receptors in the upper respiratory tract It takes just one www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/spo...

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Antimicrobial resistance #AMR @antimicrobial.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

Antibiotic use increased 16.3% since 2016, driven largely by economic growth in LMIC. Despite concerns on AMR, effective measures like stewardship programs, public awareness, improved infection prevention have helped some high-income nations limit their consumption. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

pnas.org

Global trends in antibiotic consumption during 2016–2023 and future projections through 2030 | PNAS

Antibiotic resistance is a global public health threat. Many factors contribute to this issue, with human antibiotic consumption being significant ...

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

Do you know all you need to about measles? Maybe… probably not There is SO much to know On “Incubation” Podcast (produced by Gladwell), we cover Measles Immune Memory Immune Amnesia The true toll of the Virus Measles as a cancer treatment A short terrific podcast! www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/inc...

t.co

https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/incubation/measles-the-cancer-killer

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 26/12/2024

At times it’s tough to remember why we do what we do 20 years ago today the Indian Ocean Tsunami killed 250,000 ppl I was a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka when the wave hit the country It was the survivors in the refugee camp I lived afterwards that cemented for me a life path in public health 1/

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

Physicians/public take note: @Labcorp just rolled out access to #H5 #BirdFlu test This is extremely important & shows Criticality of Lab Developed Tests/LDTs (outside of FDA) for the nimbleness required to deal w emergencies and to advance diagnostics www.labcorp.com/tests/140046...

labcorp.com

140046: Influenza A and Influenza B With Reflex to H5 Subtyping, NAA | Labcorp

Labcorp test details for Influenza A and Influenza B With Reflex to H5 Subtyping, NAA

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

It is important for people in countries like the U.S. - where we are so lucky to have measles elimination (for now) - to remember why measles is so important to keep eliminated Most parents today have never seen measles It is not good for many reasons www.nytimes.com/2024/12/18/h...

nytimes.com

Tiny Coffins: Measles Is Killing Thousands of Children in Congo

Problems with getting vaccines to families have left many children unvaccinated and in danger of contracting the virus.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 19/12/2024

YES, rapid Flu/COVID multiplexed tests that are available in stores DO detect H5N1 The tests detect Flu A (as well as Flu B and COVID) H5N1 is a Flu A virus So it will detect H5 with a positive Flu A line but will not differentiate if it’s H5 vs H3 or H1

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

H5 BirdFlu continues to spread CA declared State of Emergency & now a severe D1.1 case in Louisiana Two main lineages in US - in cattle (B3.13) & in birds (D1.1) The US should not wait to prepare So, again, we’ll need fast tests for starters www.latimes.com/environment/...

latimes.com

Gov. Newsom declares emergency in California after CDC confirms severe case of bird flu in Louisiana

As the CDC confirmed severe illness in a Louisiana patient hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency related to the virus.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

In ‘21 I left Harvard when my lab was growing quickly, I was an NIH Director DP5 Recipient, millions in grant funding and papers in top journals But pandemic put grants/publishing into new perspective Here’s a new interview covering *some* of why I left 1/ www.harvardmagazine.com/2025/01/harv...

harvardmagazine.com

Harvard Professors Leaving for Private Sector Research | Harvard Magazine

Three distinguished scientists on leaving academia to advance biomedical research

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Interesting ChatGPT response I posed this challenge to both ChatGPT-40 and newer “reasoning” model ChatGPT-01 -40 was WAY off base - an early assumption/inference led it down a far off rabbit hole -01 got it right, right away. Every assumption and DDx was accurate. No images reviewed.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

Better late than never… But if a new H5N1 virus becomes a pandemic, this is squarely on the US and the abysmal and neglectful response of the current Administration, unfortunately. I’m glad to see USDA now w a national milk testing strategy. Should’ve been in March www.usda.gov/media/press-...

usda.gov

USDA Announces New Federal Order, Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2024 - Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of its National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS), w...

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

after a few years of wondering what is the next twitter - for me anyway, I’m gonna call it for BlueSky. It’s good to see @nejm.org on board!

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

NEJM.org @nejm.org · 06/12/2024

Hello, #MedSky community! We’re excited to begin our Bluesky journey. Here is a sampling of the trusted, influential, and essential information you can expect when you follow us:

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

The WHO just dropped the total number of deaths from the mysterious illness to 30 from a prior reported 143 On one hand, great the case definition narrowed it to something perhaps diagnosable But now my main question and concern is what caused 113 added deaths in this rural region?

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Megan Ranney MD MPH @meganranney.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Also: instead of continuing to expand resources on a wild goose chase (WE WILL NEVER KNOW FOR SURE) let’s instead invest in strengthening systems to detect emerging pandemics earlier, & to improve international cooperation, before the next one hits?

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

We still don’t know whats causing these deaths The lopsided global access to diagnostics, Including disease agnostic metagenomic diagnostics, Is just as terrible /egregious as the skewed access to drugs and vaccines - but gets FAR less attention Diagnostics -> knowledge Knowledge saves lives

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

An outbreak of unknown pathogen in DR Congo now killed 143 ppl There is NO reason that in 2024, 79 people should die from a pathogen & we don’t know which one! Diagnostics, tests, surveillance tools are too often an afterthought for our medical countermeasures www.reuters.com/business/hea...

reuters.com

Unknown disease kills 143 in southwest Congo, local authorities say

An unknown disease killed 143 people in Democratic Republic of the Congo's southwestern province in November, local authorities told Reuters.

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Megan Ranney MD MPH @meganranney.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

A good, short article about the history of fluoride in America - and the constant tension between public goods and private rights: wapo.st/3Z4Tmw4 (gift link)

wapo.st

The fluoride fights are a decades-old cultural war America can’t quit

The fluoride wars go back to the 1940s, when opponents called it a conflict over civil rights, not public health.

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Michal Caspi Tal, PhD @immunofever.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

The absolute best post of the day, possibly of the entire month! This public atlas came online to relate disease to protein levels found in the blood from thousands of people across many diseases, searchable by sex. 1/9 bsky.app/profile/chil...

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

This seems important to better understand Portable humidifiers (the kind you put in your kids room to help them sleep better) can be adding particulate matter to the air when using tap water, harming air quality I’ll be using our reverse osmosis water now on www.ualberta.ca/en/science/n...

ualberta.ca

Using tap water in an ultrasonic humidifier may be polluting your air, study shows

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

tinyfrightening.bsky.social @tinyfrightening.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

There is a new human case in California now, too

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

The more severe H5 BirdFlu virus infection in Canada has mutations that may have arose in a single patient Worryingly these enable more efficient use of human sialic acid receptors by the virus This is the scary scenario we fear There is much we can do! A thread time.com/6976402/bird...

time.com

We’re Not Testing Enough for Bird Flu

The most important tool in our arsenal is widespread testing, write Janika Schmitt and Michael Mina. We're not doing enough of it.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

time.com

We’re Not Testing Enough for Bird Flu

The most important tool in our arsenal is widespread testing, write Janika Schmitt and Michael Mina. We're not doing enough of it.

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

YES, the 3-1 Influenza + COVID rapid tests that are now available in stores and online will all detect H5 as well as H1/3 I get this question a lot They detect Flu A: H5 is a Flu A They will not tell if it is H1/3 vs ( No commercial H5 tests currently (for no good reason…)

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Michael Mina MD,PhD @michaelmina.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

For those w Questions on the H5 infection in Canada - it is literally the infection/consequent mutations we are terrified of An H5 virus, with new mutations supporting birdflu to efficiently infect Human cells by attaching to human sialic acids - the receptor on human cells (Like ACE2 for SARS2)

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Reposted by Michael Mina MD,PhD

Hensley Lab @scottehensley.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

The preliminary sequence from the H5N1 human case in British Columbia has been posted and it is not good news. The virus potentially has a quasispecies at HA residue 226 (H3 numbering). This is bad news because we know that mutations at residue 226 can increase binding to human receptors. 1/

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