T. Neil Ku, MD, FSHEA, FIDSA
@kutneil.bsky.social
Healthcare epidemiologist, public health, and health equity advocate. Promoting diagnostic stewardship in #IDSky, #AMSSky, and #IPSky. Southerner at heart. Cat and corgi dad. Fly angler. Love posting snarky comments.
This is for those who are wondering what this program does...
#healthcare #healthequity
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/t...
#healthcare #healthequity
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/t...
What to know about TrumpRx, the Trump administration’s prescription drug platform
On Thursday, President Trump launched TrumpRx, the website he and his aides have touted for months as a platform aimed at lowering prescription drug prices.
www.statnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:46 PM
This is for those who are wondering what this program does...
#healthcare #healthequity
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/t...
#healthcare #healthequity
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/t...
C'mon Montana. What are you waiting for? Diseases like hepatitis B, chickenpox, and measles don't care about politics but certainly love unvaccinated kids.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #mtpol
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #mtpol
Our 1st project w/ Unbiased Science !
The State of US Vaccine Policy
A new recurring feature in collaboration with Unbiased Science lays out in an easy-to-skim format the latest vaccine developments. It's what you need to know
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
The State of US Vaccine Policy
A new recurring feature in collaboration with Unbiased Science lays out in an easy-to-skim format the latest vaccine developments. It's what you need to know
www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
February 5, 2026 at 7:30 PM
C'mon Montana. What are you waiting for? Diseases like hepatitis B, chickenpox, and measles don't care about politics but certainly love unvaccinated kids.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #mtpol
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #mtpol
Don't be fooled by wellness influencers' claim that raw milk is healthier. The only difference between raw milk and pasteurized milk is the former has many more harmful bacteria than the latter.
#rawmilk #listeria #listeriosis #pedsky
#rawmilk #listeria #listeriosis #pedsky
New Mexico warns against drinking raw milk after newborn dies from listeria
The New Mexico Department of Health said officials believe the baby contracted listeria after their mother drank raw milk during pregnancy.
www.cbsnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Don't be fooled by wellness influencers' claim that raw milk is healthier. The only difference between raw milk and pasteurized milk is the former has many more harmful bacteria than the latter.
#rawmilk #listeria #listeriosis #pedsky
#rawmilk #listeria #listeriosis #pedsky
Last season's COVID-19 vaccine was effective in preventing death or requiring a ventilator by almost 80%.
#COVID-19 #vaccination #publichealth
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
#COVID-19 #vaccination #publichealth
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Estimated 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Against Severe COVID-19
This case-control study estimates vaccine effectiveness of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines against severe COVID-19 and investigates whether it varied by SARS-CoV-2 lineage or spike protein mutations.
jamanetwork.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Last season's COVID-19 vaccine was effective in preventing death or requiring a ventilator by almost 80%.
#COVID-19 #vaccination #publichealth
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
#COVID-19 #vaccination #publichealth
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
With the news primarily focusing on the South Carolina measles outbreak, there is now a measles outbreak at a university in Florida, as the surgeon general and legislature continue to chip away at vaccination requirements.
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/meas...
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/meas...
At least 12 measles cases confirmed at Ave Maria University
There are now at least 12 confirmed measles cases in Collier County linked to Ave Maria University, health officials say.
www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM
With the news primarily focusing on the South Carolina measles outbreak, there is now a measles outbreak at a university in Florida, as the surgeon general and legislature continue to chip away at vaccination requirements.
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/meas...
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/meas...
This is a great case for trainees to review, highlighting how to approach a complex patient who may not be responding to treatment as expected. The answer is not always "escalate antimicrobial therapy".
#AMSSky
doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
#AMSSky
doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
Changing Course
A 74-year-old man with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis and cardiac sarcoidosis on chronic prednisone 20 mg daily presents to hospital with 2–3 w
doi.org
February 3, 2026 at 9:19 PM
This is a great case for trainees to review, highlighting how to approach a complex patient who may not be responding to treatment as expected. The answer is not always "escalate antimicrobial therapy".
#AMSSky
doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
#AMSSky
doi.org/10.1093/cid/...
90% of this season's pediatric flu deaths occurred in unvaccinated children...
#influenza #flu #vaccination #pedsky
www.today.com/video/unvacc...
#influenza #flu #vaccination #pedsky
www.today.com/video/unvacc...
CDC Reports Significant Rise in Pediatric Flu Deaths in the US
The CDC reports 52 children have died from the flu so far this season. The agency said Friday that 90 percent of those children did not get the flu shot and experts say the numbers put pediatric flu d...
www.today.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:38 PM
90% of this season's pediatric flu deaths occurred in unvaccinated children...
#influenza #flu #vaccination #pedsky
www.today.com/video/unvacc...
#influenza #flu #vaccination #pedsky
www.today.com/video/unvacc...
If only the Montana legislature would consider doing the same...
#mtpol #immunization #publichealth #pedsky
www.cpr.org/2026/01/30/c...
#mtpol #immunization #publichealth #pedsky
www.cpr.org/2026/01/30/c...
Science-based vaccine policy passes first hurdle in the state legislature
The proposal is Colorado Democrats’ response to the Trump administration’s vaccine changes.
www.cpr.org
February 2, 2026 at 2:34 PM
If only the Montana legislature would consider doing the same...
#mtpol #immunization #publichealth #pedsky
www.cpr.org/2026/01/30/c...
#mtpol #immunization #publichealth #pedsky
www.cpr.org/2026/01/30/c...
I wonder what business deals the US are making at the price of our children's health? Are those deals really worth it?
#vaccination #measles #pedsky
#vaccination #measles #pedsky
US measles cases soar to 588 so far this year as South Carolina confirms 58 new infections
www.cidrap.umn.edu
February 1, 2026 at 6:43 PM
I wonder what business deals the US are making at the price of our children's health? Are those deals really worth it?
#vaccination #measles #pedsky
#vaccination #measles #pedsky
Ignorance might be bliss for certain things, but it's harmful when the public's health is at stake.
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Dozens of CDC databases aren't being updated — most related to vaccines, study finds
The agency plays a key role in tracking disease spread and vaccination rates. Last year, it seemed to back away from some of that work, according to new research.
www.nbcnews.com
February 1, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Ignorance might be bliss for certain things, but it's harmful when the public's health is at stake.
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...
Many rural healthcare centers are chronically underfunded and rely primarily on Medicare and Medicaid for funding. I hope the Rural Health Transformation Program will bring rural health centers to where they should have been, especially after the budget cuts in the OBBB.
#ruralhealth
#ruralhealth
Here's what to know about the $50 billion states are getting for rural health
To satisfy Republicans opposed to last summer's cuts to health care, the Trump administration launched an ambitious 5-year initiative known as the Rural Health Transformation Program.
www.npr.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:50 PM
Many rural healthcare centers are chronically underfunded and rely primarily on Medicare and Medicaid for funding. I hope the Rural Health Transformation Program will bring rural health centers to where they should have been, especially after the budget cuts in the OBBB.
#ruralhealth
#ruralhealth
I'm still trying to understand how losing the measles elimination status is part of doing business or make America healthy or great. Everyone I spoke to who was born in the late 1950s can recall the terrible impact measles had on everyday life.
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
South Carolina measles outbreak reaches 789 cases, surpassing Texas
The ongoing outbreak is the largest since measles was eliminated in the country 26 years ago.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:18 AM
I'm still trying to understand how losing the measles elimination status is part of doing business or make America healthy or great. Everyone I spoke to who was born in the late 1950s can recall the terrible impact measles had on everyday life.
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
#measles #vaccination #publichealth
Well, this is one way to devalue the importance of vaccination. This begs the question of which public health efforts by CDC are being funded by taxpayer money?
#publichealth #vaccination
#publichealth #vaccination
Dozens of CDC databases are not being updated — most related to vaccines, study finds
The agency plays a key role in tracking disease spread and vaccination rates. Last year, it seemed to back away from some of that work, according to new research.
www.nbcnews.com
January 27, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Well, this is one way to devalue the importance of vaccination. This begs the question of which public health efforts by CDC are being funded by taxpayer money?
#publichealth #vaccination
#publichealth #vaccination
Between CDC and AAP, I'd trust the recommendations from the group who have actually taken care of children.
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
American Academy of Pediatrics Issues Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for 2026
The American Academy of Pediatrics has published the “Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2026,” that continues to recommend routine immunization for protection ...
www.aap.org
January 27, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Between CDC and AAP, I'd trust the recommendations from the group who have actually taken care of children.
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
#vaccination #publichealth #pedsky
"Incident epilepsy was not associated with up-to-date vaccination status or cumulative vaccine aluminum exposure among children less than 4 years of age."
#vaccines #PedSky #mtpol
www.jpeds.com/article/S002...
#vaccines #PedSky #mtpol
www.jpeds.com/article/S002...
Incident Epilepsy and Vaccination Status or Vaccine Aluminum Exposure in Children Under Age 4
To assess any potential associations between epilepsy and up-to-date vaccination status
or cumulative aluminum exposures from vaccines among children under 4 years of age.
www.jpeds.com
January 25, 2026 at 4:18 PM
"Incident epilepsy was not associated with up-to-date vaccination status or cumulative vaccine aluminum exposure among children less than 4 years of age."
#vaccines #PedSky #mtpol
www.jpeds.com/article/S002...
#vaccines #PedSky #mtpol
www.jpeds.com/article/S002...
Most CAP patients who tested positive for respiratory viruses didn't benefit from antibiotic therapy. This study suggests that physicians may overestimate the risk of bacterial infections in CAP patients who test positive for respiratory viruses.
#AMSSky #IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#AMSSky #IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Associations between antibiotic use and outcomes in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and positive respiratory viral assays
Amongst 2,614 patients with possible community-acquired pneumonia and positive respiratory viral assays treated with 0-2 versus 5-7 days of antibacterials,
academic.oup.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Most CAP patients who tested positive for respiratory viruses didn't benefit from antibiotic therapy. This study suggests that physicians may overestimate the risk of bacterial infections in CAP patients who test positive for respiratory viruses.
#AMSSky #IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
#AMSSky #IDSky
academic.oup.com/cid/advance-...
Coming from a state that just experienced one of the largest measles outbreak in the US that resulted in 2 deaths, I'm unsure how this will make Texans healthier. And the science he claims RFK Jr uses to justify the immunization schedule is anything but gold-standard.
#vaccination #PedSky
#vaccination #PedSky
Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Wide-Sweeping Investigation into Unlawful Financial Incentives Related to Childhood Vaccine Recommendations
Attorney General Ken Paxton opened a landmark investigation into the multi-level, multi-industry scheme that has illegally incentivized medical providers to recommend childhood vaccines that are not p...
www.texasattorneygeneral.gov
January 23, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Coming from a state that just experienced one of the largest measles outbreak in the US that resulted in 2 deaths, I'm unsure how this will make Texans healthier. And the science he claims RFK Jr uses to justify the immunization schedule is anything but gold-standard.
#vaccination #PedSky
#vaccination #PedSky
WSJ poll shows half of U.S. voters say they feel less confident in the federal vaccine guidance, highlights concerns about healthcare costs...
So much for restoring public confidence in CDC.
#immunization #publichealth
So much for restoring public confidence in CDC.
#immunization #publichealth
Voters Skeptical of RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Overhaul
WSJ poll shows half of U.S. voters say they feel less confident in federal vaccine guidance. The survey also highlights concerns about healthcare costs.
www.wsj.com
January 21, 2026 at 2:29 PM
WSJ poll shows half of U.S. voters say they feel less confident in the federal vaccine guidance, highlights concerns about healthcare costs...
So much for restoring public confidence in CDC.
#immunization #publichealth
So much for restoring public confidence in CDC.
#immunization #publichealth
This is the elephant in the room every time the current HHS administration tries to justify the recent changes in the childhood immunization schedule. It's unlikely these children are healthier after getting measles.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #pedssky
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #pedssky
South Carolina measles outbreak expands by 200+, reaches 646 cases
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 21, 2026 at 2:13 PM
This is the elephant in the room every time the current HHS administration tries to justify the recent changes in the childhood immunization schedule. It's unlikely these children are healthier after getting measles.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #pedssky
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth #pedssky
According to this study, most of Montana is at some risk for measles cases (based on vaccination uptake rate). Interestingly, eastern Montana is doing better with getting vaccinated than the rest of the state.
#MMR #measles #vaccination
#MMR #measles #vaccination
Assessing MMR vaccination coverage gaps in US children with digital participatory surveillance - Nature Health
Digital surveillance at the national scale, coupled with a spatial model that extends the data to a more granular scale, reveals gaps in MMR vaccination coverage that align with recent measles outbrea...
www.nature.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:58 PM
According to this study, most of Montana is at some risk for measles cases (based on vaccination uptake rate). Interestingly, eastern Montana is doing better with getting vaccinated than the rest of the state.
#MMR #measles #vaccination
#MMR #measles #vaccination
Although this administration claims the recently changes will help our children revert to a period when they are healthier (I don't know to which period RFK Jr is referencing), it'll be more likely that our children's health will revert to a period when diseases are more prevalent.
#vaccination
#vaccination
What happened after the Trump administration upended childhood vaccine planning
Pediatricians say they’re fielding more questions from confused parents and finding some even more determined to vaccinate their children.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 19, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Although this administration claims the recently changes will help our children revert to a period when they are healthier (I don't know to which period RFK Jr is referencing), it'll be more likely that our children's health will revert to a period when diseases are more prevalent.
#vaccination
#vaccination
"Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant individuals who use paracetamol as directed, supporting existing recommendations on its safety."
#acetaminophen
#acetaminophen
Prenatal paracetamol exposure and child neurodevelopment: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood
of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant
individuals who use paracetam...
www.thelancet.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:30 PM
"Current evidence does not indicate a clinically important increase in the likelihood of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or intellectual disability in children of pregnant individuals who use paracetamol as directed, supporting existing recommendations on its safety."
#acetaminophen
#acetaminophen
The argument that US children receive too many vaccines is not based on any scientific studies but on the misinformation spread by vaccine skeptics and anti-vaxxers. It's interesting to see how politics may play a role in this belief.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth
MAGA and MAHA Parents Are More Likely Than Others To Think the CDC Was Recommending Too Many Childhood Vaccines
Secretary Kennedy's efforts to narrow the childhood vaccine schedule does not reflect the views of most parents, but KFF polling suggests it may have more appeal among President Trump's base.
www.kff.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 PM
The argument that US children receive too many vaccines is not based on any scientific studies but on the misinformation spread by vaccine skeptics and anti-vaxxers. It's interesting to see how politics may play a role in this belief.
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth
#vaccination #immunization #publichealth
Great read and talking points for those with family, friends, and elected officials who subscribe to these myths.
#vaccination #publichealth
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
#vaccination #publichealth
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
CIDRAP Op-Ed: Vaccine myths that won't die and how to counter them—part 1
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 15, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Great read and talking points for those with family, friends, and elected officials who subscribe to these myths.
#vaccination #publichealth
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
#vaccination #publichealth
www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...
Why does Senator Sheehy think all physicians should trust the public health policies of someone who's never managed patients? Where are the compelling gold-standard scientific studies that support RFK Jr's public health policies?
#vaccination #publichealth
#vaccination #publichealth
January 15, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Why does Senator Sheehy think all physicians should trust the public health policies of someone who's never managed patients? Where are the compelling gold-standard scientific studies that support RFK Jr's public health policies?
#vaccination #publichealth
#vaccination #publichealth