Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
@assoumou.bsky.social
Infectious diseases physician-scientist
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
1. Some news about #flu & #measles in the US:
8 more kids have died from flu this winter. That brings the pediatric death toll to 60 & flu season isn't over. Flu B activity seems to be increasing & flu B is tough on kids. #CDC reports about 90% of these children weren't fully vaxed against flu.
8 more kids have died from flu this winter. That brings the pediatric death toll to 60 & flu season isn't over. Flu B activity seems to be increasing & flu B is tough on kids. #CDC reports about 90% of these children weren't fully vaxed against flu.
February 6, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
During Covid, more Mass. residents got flu shots. But fewer are now choosing to get them even as a bad flu batters the state. For today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point, @billhanage.bsky.social and @assoumou.bsky.social helped me think through why that might be www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/21/n...
Fewer people in Massachusetts are getting flu shots. It might be another legacy of COVID — or RFK Jr. - The Boston Globe
Despite a bad flu season, the share of residents choosing to get vaccinated against the virus has fallen. Here are 4 possible reasons why.
www.bostonglobe.com
January 21, 2026 at 4:42 PM
During Covid, more Mass. residents got flu shots. But fewer are now choosing to get them even as a bad flu batters the state. For today’s @bostonglobe.com Starting Point, @billhanage.bsky.social and @assoumou.bsky.social helped me think through why that might be www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/21/n...
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
Still need your flu or COVID-19 vaccine? 💉
There are four more free clinics this month, including several at BCYF community centers. All clinics are walk-in and open to everyone — no insurance or ID required.
Find all December clinics: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
Stay healthy this winter, Boston. 💙
There are four more free clinics this month, including several at BCYF community centers. All clinics are walk-in and open to everyone — no insurance or ID required.
Find all December clinics: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
Stay healthy this winter, Boston. 💙
Free flu and COVID-19 vaccines start today at BCYF! 💉
Boston has free, walk-in clinics all month — including several at our centers.
Today: BCYF Roslindale, 2–6 p.m.
No appointment needed; no insurance or ID required.
All dates: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
Boston has free, walk-in clinics all month — including several at our centers.
Today: BCYF Roslindale, 2–6 p.m.
No appointment needed; no insurance or ID required.
All dates: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
December 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Still need your flu or COVID-19 vaccine? 💉
There are four more free clinics this month, including several at BCYF community centers. All clinics are walk-in and open to everyone — no insurance or ID required.
Find all December clinics: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
Stay healthy this winter, Boston. 💙
There are four more free clinics this month, including several at BCYF community centers. All clinics are walk-in and open to everyone — no insurance or ID required.
Find all December clinics: boston.gov/vaccine-clinics
Stay healthy this winter, Boston. 💙
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
I am going to be that annoying friend. Get your #COVID & #flu shots. There is little downside to getting immunized and it will spare you from being out sick, having to go to the doctor's office, hospitalization and yes, death. Too many people aren't stepping up to get the shots. Do it this weekend.
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
More kids died from flu last season than in any non-pandemic season since monitored began 20 years ago. Almost 90% were unvaccinated. Parents: talk to your doctor about getting your kids vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
September 26, 2025 at 11:39 PM
More kids died from flu last season than in any non-pandemic season since monitored began 20 years ago. Almost 90% were unvaccinated. Parents: talk to your doctor about getting your kids vaccinated. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes...
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
Critics of newborn hepatitis B shots overlook why the CDC adopted the policy, and how cases dropped 99% after universal vaccination began
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/n...
Dropping hepatitis B shots for newborns would ignore history and endanger children, scientists warn
People who study, treat, or have hepatitis B say ending routine vaccination at birth - as some vaccine critics want - could lead to a resurgence of the virus.
www.statnews.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Critics of newborn hepatitis B shots overlook why the CDC adopted the policy, and how cases dropped 99% after universal vaccination began
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/n...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/n...
Looks like we might both be on the case! See you soon!
August 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Looks like we might both be on the case! See you soon!
I feel that we should also invite some renal friends! We always seem to be consulted on the same patients. Lol! I will be on consults next week if you are still on say hi!
August 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
I feel that we should also invite some renal friends! We always seem to be consulted on the same patients. Lol! I will be on consults next week if you are still on say hi!
Thank you for this wonderful piece and I agree that “ID is still the best job in medicine, even when it breaks your heart.”
July 8, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Thank you for this wonderful piece and I agree that “ID is still the best job in medicine, even when it breaks your heart.”
Always a treat seeing you in the wild lol
June 27, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Always a treat seeing you in the wild lol
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
Wow! The pediatric death toll for the 2024-25 flu season keeps climbing. #CDC was informed of +3 deaths last week; they occurred between early Feb & mid April.
The total is now 253 pediatric deaths (& more reports could still come). 90% of these kids weren't vaxed.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
The total is now 253 pediatric deaths (& more reports could still come). 90% of these kids weren't vaxed.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
June 27, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Wow! The pediatric death toll for the 2024-25 flu season keeps climbing. #CDC was informed of +3 deaths last week; they occurred between early Feb & mid April.
The total is now 253 pediatric deaths (& more reports could still come). 90% of these kids weren't vaxed.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
The total is now 253 pediatric deaths (& more reports could still come). 90% of these kids weren't vaxed.
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
County-level data indicate a widespread decline in MMR vaccination rates across the U.S., particularly since the #COVID19 pandemic.
https://ja.ma/3ZdLmtr
https://ja.ma/3ZdLmtr
June 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
County-level data indicate a widespread decline in MMR vaccination rates across the U.S., particularly since the #COVID19 pandemic.
https://ja.ma/3ZdLmtr
https://ja.ma/3ZdLmtr
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
#CDC has been alerted to another 4 pediatric flu deaths in the 2024-25 season, bringing the total now to 231 children. Awful, awful toll.
CDC says 90% of these children weren't fully vaccinated against flu. (Kids need 2 doses the first time they get flu vaccine.)
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
CDC says 90% of these children weren't fully vaccinated against flu. (Kids need 2 doses the first time they get flu vaccine.)
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
May 23, 2025 at 6:13 PM
#CDC has been alerted to another 4 pediatric flu deaths in the 2024-25 season, bringing the total now to 231 children. Awful, awful toll.
CDC says 90% of these children weren't fully vaccinated against flu. (Kids need 2 doses the first time they get flu vaccine.)
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
CDC says 90% of these children weren't fully vaccinated against flu. (Kids need 2 doses the first time they get flu vaccine.)
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
Prevention >>>> treatment. That's the beauty of vaccines.
An animated, reimagined version of WSJ's measles visualization:
An animated, reimagined version of WSJ's measles visualization:
May 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Prevention >>>> treatment. That's the beauty of vaccines.
An animated, reimagined version of WSJ's measles visualization:
An animated, reimagined version of WSJ's measles visualization:
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
In fiscal year 2024, the report found, NIH awarded more than $36.9 billion to researchers, supporting more than 408,000 jobs and generating over $94.5 billion in new economic activity nationwide.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
NIH funding delivers exponential economic returns — Harvard Gazette
Report finds all 50 states reap gains in patient health, job creation, research resources, business development.
news.harvard.edu
March 12, 2025 at 11:49 PM
In fiscal year 2024, the report found, NIH awarded more than $36.9 billion to researchers, supporting more than 408,000 jobs and generating over $94.5 billion in new economic activity nationwide.
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...
Measles continues to spread in the U.S. with more than 250 people infected — many unvaccinated school-age children. See where on our map tracking the virus here: nyti.ms/3Fp1am9
March 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
The measles outbreak in West Texas is linked with cases in New Mexico, officials said, as well as new cases reported in Oklahoma. This brings the total number of cases to 258 across three states.
West Texas measles outbreak expands to three states | CNN
The measles outbreak in West Texas is linked with cases in New Mexico, officials said Tuesday, as well as new cases reported in Oklahoma. This brings the total number of cases to 258 across three stat...
www.cnn.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:52 AM
The measles outbreak in West Texas is linked with cases in New Mexico, officials said, as well as new cases reported in Oklahoma. This brings the total number of cases to 258 across three states.
Quite tragic. We now have a second death from measles, a #vaccine preventable illness.
“… the deaths are a tragic reminder of the seriousness of the disease. With measles cases, 1 in 5 require hospitalization and approximately 3 in every 1,000 cases result in death.”
#medsky #IDsky
“… the deaths are a tragic reminder of the seriousness of the disease. With measles cases, 1 in 5 require hospitalization and approximately 3 in every 1,000 cases result in death.”
#medsky #IDsky
March 7, 2025 at 1:16 AM
A colleague snapped this picture in the community and seeing it made my day!
Happy to continue to do my part to protect the community by partnering with Massachusetts Department of Public Health to get the community vaccinated for #flu and #Covid.
Cc @bostonu.bsky.social @bumedicine.bsky.social
Happy to continue to do my part to protect the community by partnering with Massachusetts Department of Public Health to get the community vaccinated for #flu and #Covid.
Cc @bostonu.bsky.social @bumedicine.bsky.social
February 28, 2025 at 11:20 PM
A colleague snapped this picture in the community and seeing it made my day!
Happy to continue to do my part to protect the community by partnering with Massachusetts Department of Public Health to get the community vaccinated for #flu and #Covid.
Cc @bostonu.bsky.social @bumedicine.bsky.social
Happy to continue to do my part to protect the community by partnering with Massachusetts Department of Public Health to get the community vaccinated for #flu and #Covid.
Cc @bostonu.bsky.social @bumedicine.bsky.social
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
As an ID doc, I must admit that I had to stop what I was doing when I saw this headline. I have trained my whole career to prevent this kind of outcome.
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
A child is the first to die in Texas measles outbreak
More than 120 people across nine counties have been infected during the largest Texas outbreak in 30 years.
19thnews.org
February 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
As an ID doc, I must admit that I had to stop what I was doing when I saw this headline. I have trained my whole career to prevent this kind of outcome.
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
Reposted by Sabrina Assoumou, MD MPH
For those of you interested in following along- Here are the # of cases in West Texas outbreak over time. It's clearly growing quickly, but not as fast as it could be due to 75% of the population being vaccinated, (likely) behavior change, and the amazing work of public health workers on the ground.
February 26, 2025 at 5:22 PM
For those of you interested in following along- Here are the # of cases in West Texas outbreak over time. It's clearly growing quickly, but not as fast as it could be due to 75% of the population being vaccinated, (likely) behavior change, and the amazing work of public health workers on the ground.
As an ID doc, I must admit that I had to stop what I was doing when I saw this headline. I have trained my whole career to prevent this kind of outcome.
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
A child is the first to die in Texas measles outbreak
More than 120 people across nine counties have been infected during the largest Texas outbreak in 30 years.
19thnews.org
February 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
As an ID doc, I must admit that I had to stop what I was doing when I saw this headline. I have trained my whole career to prevent this kind of outcome.
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
There are now over 120 cases from this current outbreak.
#IDsky #medsky
19thnews.org/2025/02/chil...
Happy bday!!
February 19, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Happy bday!!
Reposting bc it is very timely.
#vaccination saves lives
“HPV vaccination has been recommended for routine use in US women since June 2006.”
#medsky #IDsky
#vaccination saves lives
“HPV vaccination has been recommended for routine use in US women since June 2006.”
#medsky #IDsky
Most viewed in the last 7 days from JAMA: This study found a steep decline in cervical cancer mortality among US women younger than 25 years between 2016 and 2021.
https://ja.ma/3OKV2Ge
https://ja.ma/3OKV2Ge
February 18, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Reposting bc it is very timely.
#vaccination saves lives
“HPV vaccination has been recommended for routine use in US women since June 2006.”
#medsky #IDsky
#vaccination saves lives
“HPV vaccination has been recommended for routine use in US women since June 2006.”
#medsky #IDsky