Jake Scott, MD
@jakescottmd.bsky.social
Infection diseases doctor | Stanford Clinical Associate Professor
Focused on vaccines, data transparency, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Views my own.
Focused on vaccines, data transparency, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Views my own.
When we pooled all studies of older adults, overall effectiveness was just 42%. Why? Most studies used standard-dose vaccines. We could potentially prevent thousands more hospitalizations just by using the enhanced vaccines that already exist.
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November 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
When we pooled all studies of older adults, overall effectiveness was just 42%. Why? Most studies used standard-dose vaccines. We could potentially prevent thousands more hospitalizations just by using the enhanced vaccines that already exist.
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12/ Influenza VE consistent with 15-year patterns:
Pooled VE against hospitalization: children 67%, adults 18-64: 48%, ≥65: 42% (standard) vs 53% (high-dose). 2023-24 confirmed stability: overall 44% outpatient, 40% hospitalization. Highest against B/Victoria (74%).
Pooled VE against hospitalization: children 67%, adults 18-64: 48%, ≥65: 42% (standard) vs 53% (high-dose). 2023-24 confirmed stability: overall 44% outpatient, 40% hospitalization. Highest against B/Victoria (74%).
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
12/ Influenza VE consistent with 15-year patterns:
Pooled VE against hospitalization: children 67%, adults 18-64: 48%, ≥65: 42% (standard) vs 53% (high-dose). 2023-24 confirmed stability: overall 44% outpatient, 40% hospitalization. Highest against B/Victoria (74%).
Pooled VE against hospitalization: children 67%, adults 18-64: 48%, ≥65: 42% (standard) vs 53% (high-dose). 2023-24 confirmed stability: overall 44% outpatient, 40% hospitalization. Highest against B/Victoria (74%).
8/ RSV prevention first became available in 2023. Three approaches:
Maternal vaccination 68% effective protecting infants from hospitalization.
Nirsevimab (monoclonal antibody) 83% in infants.
Adult vaccines 79% effective ≥60 years.
Maternal vaccination 68% effective protecting infants from hospitalization.
Nirsevimab (monoclonal antibody) 83% in infants.
Adult vaccines 79% effective ≥60 years.
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
8/ RSV prevention first became available in 2023. Three approaches:
Maternal vaccination 68% effective protecting infants from hospitalization.
Nirsevimab (monoclonal antibody) 83% in infants.
Adult vaccines 79% effective ≥60 years.
Maternal vaccination 68% effective protecting infants from hospitalization.
Nirsevimab (monoclonal antibody) 83% in infants.
Adult vaccines 79% effective ≥60 years.
3/ COVID vaccine effectiveness varies by population and variant.
Adults: 46-50% against hospitalization. Immunocompromised: 37%.
When variants shifted from XBB to JN.1, effectiveness fell from 62% to 32%.
But KP.2 vaccine restored it to 68%.
Adults: 46-50% against hospitalization. Immunocompromised: 37%.
When variants shifted from XBB to JN.1, effectiveness fell from 62% to 32%.
But KP.2 vaccine restored it to 68%.
October 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
3/ COVID vaccine effectiveness varies by population and variant.
Adults: 46-50% against hospitalization. Immunocompromised: 37%.
When variants shifted from XBB to JN.1, effectiveness fell from 62% to 32%.
But KP.2 vaccine restored it to 68%.
Adults: 46-50% against hospitalization. Immunocompromised: 37%.
When variants shifted from XBB to JN.1, effectiveness fell from 62% to 32%.
But KP.2 vaccine restored it to 68%.
We have a vaccine schedule built on decades of rigorous research by actual medical experts. Trump’s counter-proposal? Trust his gut. What could possibly go wrong when the president cosplays as a pediatrician?
He’s putting real children at risk from diseases we know how to prevent for no reason.
He’s putting real children at risk from diseases we know how to prevent for no reason.
September 26, 2025 at 4:34 PM
We have a vaccine schedule built on decades of rigorous research by actual medical experts. Trump’s counter-proposal? Trust his gut. What could possibly go wrong when the president cosplays as a pediatrician?
He’s putting real children at risk from diseases we know how to prevent for no reason.
He’s putting real children at risk from diseases we know how to prevent for no reason.
CDC is amplifying an MIT operations research professor - now chair of ACIP’s COVID workgroup - who has argued against mRNA vaccination. He cites outlier Korean autopsy data while U.S. surveillance shows myocarditis is rare, falling, and already labeled.
The call is coming from inside the house.
The call is coming from inside the house.
September 19, 2025 at 10:43 PM
CDC is amplifying an MIT operations research professor - now chair of ACIP’s COVID workgroup - who has argued against mRNA vaccination. He cites outlier Korean autopsy data while U.S. surveillance shows myocarditis is rare, falling, and already labeled.
The call is coming from inside the house.
The call is coming from inside the house.
There it is: admitting they’re changing vaccine policy to address ‘concerns,’ not because of any scientific evidence. ACIP’s mandate is to follow data, not public opinion. When you sacrifice evidence-based medicine to appease political constituencies, children pay the price.
September 19, 2025 at 4:35 AM
There it is: admitting they’re changing vaccine policy to address ‘concerns,’ not because of any scientific evidence. ACIP’s mandate is to follow data, not public opinion. When you sacrifice evidence-based medicine to appease political constituencies, children pay the price.
Blue line shows ages 0-19: near-zero hepatitis B cases. The birth dose created an entire generation nearly free of hepatitis B. Adults who missed this protection still get infected. That's 30 years of proof this works. Tomorrow's vote could end it.
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-su...
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-su...
September 19, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Blue line shows ages 0-19: near-zero hepatitis B cases. The birth dose created an entire generation nearly free of hepatitis B. Adults who missed this protection still get infected. That's 30 years of proof this works. Tomorrow's vote could end it.
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-su...
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-su...
This graph shows a U.S. public health triumph: near-elimination of pediatric hepatitis B through universal birth vaccination. After 30 years of extraordinary progress, ACIP tomorrow considers dismantling it.
Medical justification: none.
Consequences: catastrophic.
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
Medical justification: none.
Consequences: catastrophic.
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
September 18, 2025 at 11:49 PM
This graph shows a U.S. public health triumph: near-elimination of pediatric hepatitis B through universal birth vaccination. After 30 years of extraordinary progress, ACIP tomorrow considers dismantling it.
Medical justification: none.
Consequences: catastrophic.
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
Medical justification: none.
Consequences: catastrophic.
www.cdc.gov/acip/downloa...
September 16, 2025 at 9:49 PM
1/ "Public health is a noble calling," says Jim O'Neill — a former tech investor with no training in medicine or health care now running the CDC.
Let's fact-check his claims.
Let's fact-check his claims.
August 31, 2025 at 4:52 AM
1/ "Public health is a noble calling," says Jim O'Neill — a former tech investor with no training in medicine or health care now running the CDC.
Let's fact-check his claims.
Let's fact-check his claims.
Instead of obsessing over food dyes, push-up contests, and ranting about kids being ‘overburdened by mitochondrial challenges,’ our leaders should be focused on stopping the mass shootings that are actually murdering our children. www.huffpost.com/entry/rfk-jr...
August 28, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Instead of obsessing over food dyes, push-up contests, and ranting about kids being ‘overburdened by mitochondrial challenges,’ our leaders should be focused on stopping the mass shootings that are actually murdering our children. www.huffpost.com/entry/rfk-jr...
Vaccines do not cause autism.
August 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Vaccines do not cause autism.
Thanks @cidrap.bsky.social for all you do to inform folks during these dynamic times!
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs...
August 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Thanks @cidrap.bsky.social for all you do to inform folks during these dynamic times!
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs...
www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/hhs...
JUST IN: HHS shuts down BARDA mRNA vaccine program
Scrapping the fastest platform we have is a reckless move rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of vaccinology. No respiratory vaccine blocks all infections. mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives.
www.hhs.gov/press-room/h...
Scrapping the fastest platform we have is a reckless move rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of vaccinology. No respiratory vaccine blocks all infections. mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives.
www.hhs.gov/press-room/h...
August 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
JUST IN: HHS shuts down BARDA mRNA vaccine program
Scrapping the fastest platform we have is a reckless move rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of vaccinology. No respiratory vaccine blocks all infections. mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives.
www.hhs.gov/press-room/h...
Scrapping the fastest platform we have is a reckless move rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of vaccinology. No respiratory vaccine blocks all infections. mRNA vaccines have saved millions of lives.
www.hhs.gov/press-room/h...
UPDATE:
Our living database now includes 1,267 controlled vaccine trials - 501 with inert (mostly saline) placebos - involving 9.36 million participants.
And MANY more studies to add.
Grateful to the incredible team making it possible. 🙏
Our living database now includes 1,267 controlled vaccine trials - 501 with inert (mostly saline) placebos - involving 9.36 million participants.
And MANY more studies to add.
Grateful to the incredible team making it possible. 🙏
August 5, 2025 at 2:59 AM
UPDATE:
Our living database now includes 1,267 controlled vaccine trials - 501 with inert (mostly saline) placebos - involving 9.36 million participants.
And MANY more studies to add.
Grateful to the incredible team making it possible. 🙏
Our living database now includes 1,267 controlled vaccine trials - 501 with inert (mostly saline) placebos - involving 9.36 million participants.
And MANY more studies to add.
Grateful to the incredible team making it possible. 🙏
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Researchers looked for 29 serious adverse events, including:
– Heart attacks
– Stroke
– Pulmonary embolism
– Neurological conditions
– Myocarditis
They found no statistically significant increase in any of them.
Researchers looked for 29 serious adverse events, including:
– Heart attacks
– Stroke
– Pulmonary embolism
– Neurological conditions
– Myocarditis
They found no statistically significant increase in any of them.
July 30, 2025 at 1:37 AM
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Researchers looked for 29 serious adverse events, including:
– Heart attacks
– Stroke
– Pulmonary embolism
– Neurological conditions
– Myocarditis
They found no statistically significant increase in any of them.
Researchers looked for 29 serious adverse events, including:
– Heart attacks
– Stroke
– Pulmonary embolism
– Neurological conditions
– Myocarditis
They found no statistically significant increase in any of them.
I recently saw a patient with a serious infection. I prescribed the only effective oral antibiotic but her insurance denied it. She’s still sick and is now at risk for sepsis. This is daily life for Americans. Meanwhile, the head of HHS is focused on making Froot Loops slightly less colorful by 2027
July 22, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I recently saw a patient with a serious infection. I prescribed the only effective oral antibiotic but her insurance denied it. She’s still sick and is now at risk for sepsis. This is daily life for Americans. Meanwhile, the head of HHS is focused on making Froot Loops slightly less colorful by 2027
ACIP just recommended phasing out the last thimerosal flu vials.
I wrote about why this matters, even though ~96% of US flu shots are already preservative-free.
Multi-dose vials are cheaper, faster to deploy, and critical for equitable access.
jakescottmd.substack.com/p/the-ghost-...
I wrote about why this matters, even though ~96% of US flu shots are already preservative-free.
Multi-dose vials are cheaper, faster to deploy, and critical for equitable access.
jakescottmd.substack.com/p/the-ghost-...
June 26, 2025 at 6:28 PM
ACIP just recommended phasing out the last thimerosal flu vials.
I wrote about why this matters, even though ~96% of US flu shots are already preservative-free.
Multi-dose vials are cheaper, faster to deploy, and critical for equitable access.
jakescottmd.substack.com/p/the-ghost-...
I wrote about why this matters, even though ~96% of US flu shots are already preservative-free.
Multi-dose vials are cheaper, faster to deploy, and critical for equitable access.
jakescottmd.substack.com/p/the-ghost-...
14/ Bottom line:
Thimerosal was used to keep vaccines safe from contamination.
It was removed as a precaution.
Real-world data show no harm, no link to autism, and no reason to revive this long-settled debate.
CDC: cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Thimerosal was used to keep vaccines safe from contamination.
It was removed as a precaution.
Real-world data show no harm, no link to autism, and no reason to revive this long-settled debate.
CDC: cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
June 25, 2025 at 3:45 AM
14/ Bottom line:
Thimerosal was used to keep vaccines safe from contamination.
It was removed as a precaution.
Real-world data show no harm, no link to autism, and no reason to revive this long-settled debate.
CDC: cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Thimerosal was used to keep vaccines safe from contamination.
It was removed as a precaution.
Real-world data show no harm, no link to autism, and no reason to revive this long-settled debate.
CDC: cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
Routine vaccines cut U.S. cases of once-common diseases by 95%-100% - and deaths to virtually zero.
Let's not go backwards.
Sources:
stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/175...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18000199/
Let's not go backwards.
Sources:
stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/175...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18000199/
June 19, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Routine vaccines cut U.S. cases of once-common diseases by 95%-100% - and deaths to virtually zero.
Let's not go backwards.
Sources:
stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/175...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18000199/
Let's not go backwards.
Sources:
stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/175...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18000199/
4/ Many worry about thimerosal, the mercury preservative RFK Jr's panel will discuss. Multiple studies found no link to autism. When removed from vaccines by 2003, autism rates kept rising. Today only some flu shots contain it.
CDC Dec 19, 2024: www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
CDC Dec 19, 2024: www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
June 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
4/ Many worry about thimerosal, the mercury preservative RFK Jr's panel will discuss. Multiple studies found no link to autism. When removed from vaccines by 2003, autism rates kept rising. Today only some flu shots contain it.
CDC Dec 19, 2024: www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...
CDC Dec 19, 2024: www.cdc.gov/vaccine-safe...