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Prof Sheena Cruickshank

@sheencr.bsky.social
25K followers 4K following 4.2K posts

Immunologist & science communicator based at UoM fascinated by our immune response to threats (pathogens, pollution) & microbiome & how this exposome affects health. Also quite likely to share random dog and nature pics 🧪👩‍🔬 #AcademicSky #SciCom

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 19h
She peddles disinformation that can, if followed have fatal results, yet gets a luxury paid for visit to UK. Shameful that people profit from exploiting others in this way
theguardian.com
‘Self-healing’ coach who was banned from working in Australia to speak in UK
Barbara O’Neill has previously claimed that cancer is a fungus that can be treated with bicarbonate soda
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Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank
Trump Action Tracker @trumpactiontracker.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Jr. told a MAHA summit that AI could provide a medical “second opinion” better informed than any doctor and could “free us from medical tyranny.” He encouraged Americans to use AI to challenge public-heal... TAT: [Attacking science | Controlling information]
futurism.com
RFK Jr Announcing That AI Is Now Better Than Human Doctors Shows That He Is a Buffoon Who Is Ruining Trust in American Health Institutions
RFK Jr. said that AI models are now better informed than any doctor, proclaiming the tech will "free us from medical tyranny."
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Tragic that another fatality from measles been announced in Pennsylvania- that brings total to 5. CDC still not acknowledging deaths and has only announced 2. Please please get MMR vaccine!
cidrap.umn.edu
Lancaster County reports Pennsylvania’s 5th measles-related death
To date the CDC has confirmed just 2 measles deaths, as Pennsylvania’s measles cases climb to 943.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Been lovely to catch up with @dandavis101.bsky.social and Emily Gwyer Findlay for a top secret thing in London. So looking forward to sharing in the future! @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social @exposomeimmunology.bsky.social
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This is SO problematic on so many levels. Unfettered access to people’s health information without consent or guardrails and honestly do you trust people who clearly state their conclusions before they start any analysis to be unbiased and truthful with the results.
theguardian.com
RFK Jr outlines expansive vision for collecting US health data at Maha event
Health secretary calls for medical and lifestyle details to be sent to doctors and AI to address ‘chronic disease epidemic’
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Been great meeting our very first cohort of students to @exposomeimmunology.bsky.social yesterday and today. Also been wonderful seeing the interactions with other new and existing students working on exposome research. Our Immunology and Exposome community is growing @lydiabeckeriii.bsky.social
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Thoughtful piece reminding us that the science of hormones is much more nuanced and questioning the lack of evidence and inconsistency behind RFKJr and Hesgeth’s testosterone claims
theguardian.com
Trump and Hegseth want men to take risky testosterone boosters. It’s all based on shoddy science
Hoping to win back male voters, the Trump White House is pushing the regressive idea that one hormone could be a magic elixir of masculinity
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
More raw milk (beloved by MAHA and RFKJr) product related health issues in the States as raw cheese linked to multi-state E. coli outbreak.
cidrap.umn.edu
CDC confirms multistate outbreak of E coli linked to raw milk cheese
Over half the patients are young children, and California and Nevada have the most cases.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Super interesting study investigating a commensal bacteria that looks to contain metabolic products that impact the development of fat. Study highlights a microbiome /immune cell and metabolism network 🧵🧪
cell.com
A commensal-derived sugar protects against obesity by regulating immunometabolism
Tan et al. identify a human commensal bacterium, Clostridium immunis—and its bioactive phosphocholine-modified exopolysaccharide (EPS)—that reduces visceral adiposity and weight gain in mice. By decre...
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Rachel Maddow @maddow.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
"At least six babies in Pennsylvania have been born infected with measles, with two so sick they had to be admitted to intensive care. Congenital measles is a disease that’s rarely, if ever, seen in the U.S..." www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
nbcnews.com
America had wiped out measles. Now babies are infected at birth.
Congenital measles has rarely been seen in the U.S. That’s changing as vaccination declines and more pregnant women become infected.
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Ciara Torres-Spelliscy @profciara.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
💥Ok I see other platforms are blocking this. I met Alex Gibney moons ago at ABCNY (the Association of the Bar for the City of New York). He’s the real deal. Here’s the trailer for Alex Gibney’s documentary about Musk. Let’s Streisand Effect this: www.firstshowing.net/2026/must-se... 👋🎥
firstshowing.net
Must See Full Trailer for Alex Gibney's 'Musk' Doc About a Fraudster | FirstShowing.net
"Do we even know this man at all?" Bleecker Street has launched their main official trailer for the must see new documentary film titled simply Musk, about the uber-wealthy tech giant megalomaniac Elo...
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
How Trump and Vance are using multiple approaches to restrict access to free healthcare removing access for over three quarters of a million people
theguardian.com
In latest blow to Obamacare, Trump is threatening the entire US health system
The Trump administration is removing 760,000 people enrolled in the Affordable Care Act marketplace
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Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I was on BBC Inside Science yesterday as presenter's friend. We talked about leap seconds being on borrowed time, a ‘fire-loving’ amoeba and taking the temperature of T. rex. You can catch up with it here:
bbc.co.uk
BBC Inside Science - Do you have the correct time? - BBC Sounds
How do we measure time accurately and why is the rotation of the Earth causing problems?
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Good news that FINALLY after at least a month of delay that US states can order vaccines for the VFC program so that children from families without insurance, on medicaid or underinsured can actually get the Covid vaccine.
cidrap.umn.edu
CDC greenlights COVID vaccines for vulnerable children after nearly 1-month delay
The CDC has opened up the process for states to order free vaccines for children, nearly 1 month after the FDA approved updated COVID shots.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here's today's column on the astonishing, ongoing mistreatment of people with #ME/CFS. Please spread it far and wide: the only thing which can break the media's wall of indifference is seeing an article about the issue go viral. Thank you. 1/2 www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Abandoned, dismissed and gaslighted: there is no excuse for the way ME sufferers have been betrayed | George Monbiot
Changes in guidance and science seem to have little impact on millions of devastated lives. It’s a social crisis playing out behind closed doors, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Dr Zubaida Haque @zubhaque.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
85% of UK adults think free, independent advice should be an essential local service. 89% agree that getting advice early can stop problems getting worse. That support needs to be matched by investment in the advice services people rely on. Read our new research @adviceuk.bsky.social bit.ly/4d44EIF
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Terrifying that such young children have bladder and kidney damage from ketamine use. This is just the tip of the problem as also more teens and young people getting these issues. There needs to be much greater awareness of the risks and damage of ketamine use
theguardian.com
Children as young as 13 being referred to UK hospital suffering from ‘ketamine bladder’
County’s first such clinic, at Alder Hey in Liverpool, treating children suffering from chronic bladder problems with severe cases needing dialysis
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Guardian US @us.theguardian.com · 22/09/2026
President made more than 440 purchases and 700 sales despite voter anger over elected officials trading stocks
theguardian.com
Trump made over 1,000 July stock trades worth up to $270m, filings reveal
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microbingle.bsky.social @microbingle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Emergence of short-lived meningococci causing focal epidemics can be associated with gene transfer from carriage-associated Neisseria www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6...
biorxiv.org
Emergence of short-lived meningococci causing focal epidemics can be associated with gene transfer from carriage-associated Neisseria
In March 2026, an unusually large outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in Kent, UK, was linked to attendance at one nightclub over a single weekend. The outbreak organism was a Neisseria m...
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Interesting data shows that the March meningitis outbreak was as a result of a recombinant strain of the bacteria that had picked up microbiome genes. May explain its virulence but also why spread less. Flags that this can happen though and quickly! Greater need for vigilance and preventative vax
bbc.co.uk
Scientists discover why Kent meningitis outbreak was so severe
The bacteria responsible picked up some new genetic material, say experts.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Some good news for a change. Climate change is causing coral die off events- coral bleaching- to be more common. Researchers have wondered if using microbes to protect against heat stress could help make coral communities more resilient i.e. can we use probiotics for coral?
doi.org
Redirecting
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J. Offir, PhD @joffirphd.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Tell your conservative friends: the GOP wastes your money. Trump's been playing interior decorator all over DC while you can't afford gas. Not only did Trump's management of the Kennedy Center result in almost $100 million in lost revenue, but he made ridiculous, 🧵 www.nytimes.com/2026/09/20/u...
nytimes.com
How President Trump Broke the Kennedy Center (Gift Article)
Internal emails and documents demonstrate the political capture of the institution, including how officials once pursued a plan to unload much of the art collection.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
An excuse to get more money from tax payers imo
theguardian.com
Trump claims triumphal arch will serve as a ‘top grade military complex’ to store weapons
US president on Truth Social claims his new plan for the 250ft arch comes at the ‘strong request’ of the US military
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This is staggering- the Democrats have a real opportunity here to highlight how contracts go to friends and family and are generating the Trump family a mint.
theguardian.com
As White House shields the AI gold rush, Trump family and other allies strike it rich – with few guardrails
It’s not clear that financial interests are driving White House policy, but they run parallel even as resistance mounts
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Great to see that California taking the threat of measles seriously as they warn people that a sick unvaccinated person travelled through 6 counties in California by train potentially infecting other passengers on the way. Concerning tho that CDC still refuse to acknowledge recent measles deaths.
theguardian.com
California warns of measles exposure in six counties from unvaccinated train passenger
Health authorities work to notify people who were exposed to person who traveled through at least six counties
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This doesn’t even make sense. In any way.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
RFKJr clearly feeling confident about the changes he can continue make and accelerate as he goes full anti-vaccine at the Children’s Health Defense conference
theguardian.com
RFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak
The US health secretary added that he would’ve made sweeping changes ‘on day one’ but he had to follow the law
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
RFKJr clearly feeling confident about the changes he can continue make and accelerate as he goes full anti-vaccine at the Children’s Health Defense conference
theguardian.com
RFK Jr promises anti-vaxxers a ‘friend at the White House’ amid deadly measles outbreak
The US health secretary added that he would’ve made sweeping changes ‘on day one’ but he had to follow the law
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Now a 4th person has tragically died of measles in Pennsylvania this time an 18y old who developed encephalomyelitis, a rare a but severe complication of measles. 🧵🧪
cidrap.umn.edu
Fourth measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Now a 4th person has tragically died of measles in Pennsylvania this time an 18y old who developed encephalomyelitis, a rare a but severe complication of measles. 🧵🧪
cidrap.umn.edu
Fourth measles-associated death reported in Pennsylvania
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
This whole debacle shows how petty Trump is- demanding his name be added to a memorial building for someone else, blocking repairs, mismanaging funds and refusing to uncover the name after a court ruling. Really hope a donor will fund repairs and a court action will block the planned closure
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Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Don’t believe the lies. Trump is *not* selling $2.8 billion of bombs for Israel’s genocide. It’s worse. Trump is *giving away* $2.8 billion of bombs for Israel’s genocide. American taxpayers are paying for those bombs.
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Dog is living his best life and I am loving the rockpools. Today very honoured to observe a giant goby making its way over the sand across a deep rock and sea hares grazing on the rocks amongst the usual suspects
Dog in a large sandy hole
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
More political gameplay over tragic deaths by RFKJr as the CDC abruptly change how death information is counted and continue to avoid fully acknowledging the 3 recent fatalities of people infected with measles as being due to having the infection. Measles is preventable - please do get a vaccine
theguardian.com
Trump administration changes how it counts measles deaths amid Pennsylvania outbreak
CDC announces changes to how it reports measles deaths as Pennsylvania continues to confirm more cases
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Tragic to hear that a third person has died after contracting measles in Pennsylvania. Also why must there be political gameplay over these deaths? Measles can cause a very severe illness and i don’t understand why usa powers are trying to shift blame from the virus to other factors.
theguardian.com
Pennsylvania reports apparent third measles-related death amid outbreak
Jefferson county coroner says 40-year-old woman died on Saturday, while two infants died with disease in August
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Lovely Devon. Had a nice rock pool with shrimps crawling on my wetsuit (possibly attacking but I thought curious maybe), cheeky hermit crabs, common blennies, sea anemones galore and some hungry crabs wanting to hunt!
Beach view
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Immunity @cp-immunity.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
dlvr.it
Chromatin triggers tissue-specific immunity in 3D
Antigenic and environmental stimuli sensed by innate and adaptive immune cells trigger cognate functions that allow the coordination of the appropriate immune response. In this issue of Immunity, Tzerpos et al. and Jay et al. demonstrate that chromatin architecture dynamics integrate sensory inputs with functional outputs to regulate and direct immune cell responses.
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Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
There should be zero deaths from ectopic pregnancies in the U.S. Yet the number has doubled since abortion bans were implemented in some states, and that’s exactly where the most marked increase has been observed.
propublica.org
Ectopic Pregnancy Deaths Have Nearly Doubled. It’s Worse in States With Abortion Bans.
With prompt and appropriate medical care, experts say, people shouldn’t die from an ectopic pregnancy. Women in Texas and Oklahoma have sued over delays in care, which, coupled with our new analysis, ...
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Kit Yates @kityates.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I'm talking at the Royal Institution a week today. There are still some tickets left. Come and find out what you're missing.
rigb.org
You don't know what you're m ss ng: The hidden data shaping our behaviour | Royal Institution
Mathematician and author Kit Yates returns to the Ri to explore how our understanding of reality is shaped b
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Wow- a great honour to be part of the line up for today’s @london-immuno.bsky.social meeting - on signals and senses. Amazing talks with key note from Yasmine Belkaid who as ever wowed with the science and made us think. Also incredible young researcher presentations poster n talks. What a day!!
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There have been a few cancer stories in the press of late so I hope you enjoy my summary of some of the ways that immunology is transforming cancer care 🧪🧵
urldefense.com
How Immunology is Transforming Cancer Care
A summary of recent highlights and emerging directions in immunotherapies and cancer care
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
There have been a few cancer stories in the press of late so I hope you enjoy my summary of some of the ways that immunology is transforming cancer care 🧪🧵
urldefense.com
How Immunology is Transforming Cancer Care
A summary of recent highlights and emerging directions in immunotherapies and cancer care
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
If you are eligible for a free Covid vaccine you can now book in via your usual places (NHS online, local pharmacies etc). Eligibility has considerably narrowed though! adults aged 75 years or older residents in care homes for older adults individuals who are immunosuppressed (from 6m of age) 🧵
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Dr Kelly Birtwell @kellybirtwell.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Pls share widely, free online research involvement toolkit available for all ⬆️ @autisticrealms.bsky.social @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social @charlottealbury.bsky.social @thecharleshay.bsky.social @thehandlab.bsky.social @sheencr.bsky.social @lauramaycrane.bsky.social @k2mey.eurosky.social
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
This is worrying IMO. Whilst research that benefits civilians can be mutually beneficial for the army eg work in malaria vaccines this agreement to siphon NIH funds meant for clinical and applied research to DOD is very concerning.
nature.com
Revealed: inside the US military's plan to tap huge sums from the NIH
An agreement paves the way for hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of projects to be transferred from the NIH’s institute for infectious diseases to the Department of Defense.
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Wim Meijer @wimgmeijer.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The NIH will redirect research projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars to military biodefence programmes. Funding will move out of the NIAID, the premier US infectious-disease research institute, to support defence initiatives. 🧪🦠 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Revealed: inside the US military's plan to tap huge sums from the NIH
An agreement paves the way for hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of projects to be transferred from the NIH’s institute for infectious diseases to the Department of Defense.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 05/09/2026
what is the world is going on with Trump's hair? (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty)
pic of Trump waving at an airport yesterdayzoom in on his hair, which is suddenly black
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
More exciting science as reports of a successful xenotransplantation operation are in the news: a man was given a genetically altered pig kidney designed to be more similar immunologically to his and this meant no dialysis for 9m until a human kidney transplant was given.
theguardian.com
Genetically modified pig kidney keeps man alive for record nine months
Organ kept Tim Andrews off dialysis and acted as a ‘bridge’ while he waited for a human transplant in the US
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Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Stop whatever you’re doing & watch this now! Reform’s magic money tree has been bust wide open. Huge kudos to undercover reporters Verbatim via @channel4news.bsky.social youtu.be/aXut3s90rUI?... huge
youtu.be
Undercover: Exposing Reform's secret donations plot
YouTube video by Channel 4 News
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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
More evidence of just how effective the new(ish) RSV vaccine is. This virus causes serious illness and even can be fatal especially in more clinically vulnerable groups. In UK currently available for pregnant ladies (to protect baby) and much older adults and certain cv categories
cidrap.umn.edu
RSV vaccine effective against hospitalization, death in nursing home residents, study finds
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