Dr. Jessica Taaffe
@jessicataaffe.bsky.social
RENAISSANCE WOMAN:Biomed PhD|Singer|Global Health Scientist| 1/2 Paraguayan|Dancing 💃🏽👸🏻| @IfThenSheCan Ambassador|Couture lover|🐕🐈⬛👶🏻 mom|Gypset
Here to get the scoop & expert take and to add what useful perspective I have; Representing only my views
Here to get the scoop & expert take and to add what useful perspective I have; Representing only my views
Pinned
An overview of influenza H5 vaccines
Pandemic influenza remains a significant global health threat, as signalled by the
circulation and cross-species transmission of avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses from
the clade 2.3.4.4b, including amon...
www.thelancet.com
Thrilled to share this #birdflu #vaccines overview in @lancetrespirmed.bsky.social: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...!
We review the characteristics of 20+ H5 #influenza vaccines approved across regions in context w other considerations for effective and equitable #pandemicpreparedness & response.
We review the characteristics of 20+ H5 #influenza vaccines approved across regions in context w other considerations for effective and equitable #pandemicpreparedness & response.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
October 11, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I don’t know who needs to hear this but the CDC is being eviscerated right now. America is not going to have any kind of outbreak response capacity after tonight. Americans’ health data is no longer secure. Say goodbye to federal public health in any capacity. It’s a disaster. We won’t recover.
Wow, this is even worse than needle sharing. So so soooo risky for contracting blood borne infections!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...
‘Bluetoothing’: Blood-Sharing Drug Trend Fuels Alarming Global H.I.V. Surge
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Wow, this is even worse than needle sharing. So so soooo risky for contracting blood borne infections!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/w...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
A video journalist was injured on Tuesday during a tumultuous scene involving federal agents at a Manhattan immigration courthouse less than a week after another officer was captured on video shoving a woman in a confrontation. nyti.ms/4nxXAY2
October 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM
A video journalist was injured on Tuesday during a tumultuous scene involving federal agents at a Manhattan immigration courthouse less than a week after another officer was captured on video shoving a woman in a confrontation. nyti.ms/4nxXAY2
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
September 6, 2025 at 5:16 PM
This is what democracy looks like! A people united will never be defeated. We want federal forces out of DC NOW! #WeAreAllDC #FreeDC
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
The average American got 7 out of 11 questions correct on this @pewresearch.org science 🧪 quiz. Let us know how you compare!
Quiz: How much do you know about science?
Test your knowledge of science facts and applications of scientific principles by taking our 11-question quiz, then compare your answers to the average American and across demographic groups.
www.pewresearch.org
September 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
The average American got 7 out of 11 questions correct on this @pewresearch.org science 🧪 quiz. Let us know how you compare!
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
BREAKING: New York Governor Kathy Hochul is set to sign an executive order allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer Covid-19 vaccines to anyone who requests them, regardless of age or underlying conditions.
September 4, 2025 at 10:36 PM
BREAKING: New York Governor Kathy Hochul is set to sign an executive order allowing pharmacists to prescribe and administer Covid-19 vaccines to anyone who requests them, regardless of age or underlying conditions.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
We need a Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Not a Secretary of Conspiracies.
Not a Secretary of Measles and Food Poisoning.
Not a Secretary of Cancelled Research and Chemtrail Nonsense.
RFK Jr. is burning down our public health system from the inside.
Fire him.
Not a Secretary of Conspiracies.
Not a Secretary of Measles and Food Poisoning.
Not a Secretary of Cancelled Research and Chemtrail Nonsense.
RFK Jr. is burning down our public health system from the inside.
Fire him.
September 4, 2025 at 9:32 PM
We need a Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Not a Secretary of Conspiracies.
Not a Secretary of Measles and Food Poisoning.
Not a Secretary of Cancelled Research and Chemtrail Nonsense.
RFK Jr. is burning down our public health system from the inside.
Fire him.
Not a Secretary of Conspiracies.
Not a Secretary of Measles and Food Poisoning.
Not a Secretary of Cancelled Research and Chemtrail Nonsense.
RFK Jr. is burning down our public health system from the inside.
Fire him.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
🧵 I know it's ridiculous, but when he's talking mitochondrial challenges & inflammation, he's again referring to his idea of vaccine-induced autism. Let me explain.
via @acyn.bsky.social
RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection
RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection
August 28, 2025 at 2:35 PM
🧵 I know it's ridiculous, but when he's talking mitochondrial challenges & inflammation, he's again referring to his idea of vaccine-induced autism. Let me explain.
I worry about having to deal with this each day taking my kids to and from school and daycare.
Mount Pleasant – “On their third day of classes.” www.popville.com/2025/08/moun...
Mount Pleasant – “On their third day of classes.” - PoPville
photo courtesy Brad Johnson, photographer anonymous Thanks to Brad for sharing this very powerful photo (from an anonymous photographer, used with permission): "from the highly militarized school-morn...
www.popville.com
August 29, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I worry about having to deal with this each day taking my kids to and from school and daycare.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
Mount Pleasant – “On their third day of classes.” www.popville.com/2025/08/moun...
Mount Pleasant – “On their third day of classes.” - PoPville
photo courtesy Brad Johnson, photographer anonymous Thanks to Brad for sharing this very powerful photo (from an anonymous photographer, used with permission): "from the highly militarized school-morn...
www.popville.com
August 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Mount Pleasant – “On their third day of classes.” www.popville.com/2025/08/moun...
Jesus. This is exactly what I’m worried about having to deal with while walking around my kids.
This morning: MPD and ATF conducted a massive paramilitary operation, with officers in masks and camo, in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of DC within 500 yards of an elementary school while neighborhood children were heading to school.
On their third day of classes.
On their third day of classes.
August 28, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Jesus. This is exactly what I’m worried about having to deal with while walking around my kids.
Wow, this amazing. Respectfully scathing.
It’s the strongest and best public criticism of RFK Jr and this administration with regard to public health I’ve seen from any leadership this far. It’s enlivening!
It’s the strongest and best public criticism of RFK Jr and this administration with regard to public health I’ve seen from any leadership this far. It’s enlivening!
It won’t fit in screen shots but linking here the full letter of resignation posted by one of the departing CDC officials, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, who ran the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases and led efforts to fight COVID, monkeypox, and bird flu
x.com/dr_demetre/s...
x.com/dr_demetre/s...
August 28, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Wow, this amazing. Respectfully scathing.
It’s the strongest and best public criticism of RFK Jr and this administration with regard to public health I’ve seen from any leadership this far. It’s enlivening!
It’s the strongest and best public criticism of RFK Jr and this administration with regard to public health I’ve seen from any leadership this far. It’s enlivening!
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
For all the Elon Musk coverage, it's kinda shocking how little scrutiny there is of the world's *second* richest person.
Larry Ellison is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on for-profit companies that he is calling his new charitable project.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/b...
Larry Ellison is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on for-profit companies that he is calling his new charitable project.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/b...
Larry Ellison Wants to Do Good, Do Research and Make a Profit
www.nytimes.com
August 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
For all the Elon Musk coverage, it's kinda shocking how little scrutiny there is of the world's *second* richest person.
Larry Ellison is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on for-profit companies that he is calling his new charitable project.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/b...
Larry Ellison is spending hundreds of millions of dollars on for-profit companies that he is calling his new charitable project.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/12/b...
🚨New peer-reviewed commentary that I co-authored with Chris Beyrer is now out in the journal Vaccine, gift link below
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
August 13, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
🚨New peer-reviewed commentary that I co-authored with Chris Beyrer is now out in the journal Vaccine, gift link below
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
August 12, 2025 at 7:46 PM
🚨New peer-reviewed commentary that I co-authored with Chris Beyrer is now out in the journal Vaccine, gift link below
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
We show the ways in which the MAHA & MAGA guys—RFK Jr, Makary, Bhattacharya, Prasad—have dismantled the US vaccine regulatory framework
authors.elsevier.com/a/1lbDt,60n7...
1/5
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
RFK Jr is putting a target on the backs of public health workers
His extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activism & conspiracy theories are like throwing gasoline on a fire
I see no end to his vile behavior
I don’t see the men who prop him up—Bhattacharya, Makary, Kulldorff, Prasad—intervening either
His extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activism & conspiracy theories are like throwing gasoline on a fire
I see no end to his vile behavior
I don’t see the men who prop him up—Bhattacharya, Makary, Kulldorff, Prasad—intervening either
he might as well have said “they deserved it”
August 12, 2025 at 5:21 PM
RFK Jr is putting a target on the backs of public health workers
His extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activism & conspiracy theories are like throwing gasoline on a fire
I see no end to his vile behavior
I don’t see the men who prop him up—Bhattacharya, Makary, Kulldorff, Prasad—intervening either
His extreme, dangerous anti-vaxx activism & conspiracy theories are like throwing gasoline on a fire
I see no end to his vile behavior
I don’t see the men who prop him up—Bhattacharya, Makary, Kulldorff, Prasad—intervening either
Sigh. The CDC shooting caused me to spend more time perusing headlines today than normal and again, like every time I do so, I wish I had spent that time gardening or doing house projects vs getting depressed and upset about the state of this country.
August 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Sigh. The CDC shooting caused me to spend more time perusing headlines today than normal and again, like every time I do so, I wish I had spent that time gardening or doing house projects vs getting depressed and upset about the state of this country.
Then all of us in public health and science need to keep shouting about this and keep reminding people! What happened is deplorable and the sentiment behind it persists.
They recovered over 180 bullet shells at the CDC. Debris from shattered glass is still being cleaned up. I am completely stunned at how quickly the news cycle has moved on. This was an act of terrorism targeting public health experts, and the response seems to be a collective shrug.
August 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Then all of us in public health and science need to keep shouting about this and keep reminding people! What happened is deplorable and the sentiment behind it persists.
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
They recovered over 180 bullet shells at the CDC. Debris from shattered glass is still being cleaned up. I am completely stunned at how quickly the news cycle has moved on. This was an act of terrorism targeting public health experts, and the response seems to be a collective shrug.
August 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
They recovered over 180 bullet shells at the CDC. Debris from shattered glass is still being cleaned up. I am completely stunned at how quickly the news cycle has moved on. This was an act of terrorism targeting public health experts, and the response seems to be a collective shrug.
This incident is inexcusable & a result of dangerous gun policy & anti-vaccine & CDC rhetoric, including from RFK Jr.The outrage is justified. I feel for my colleagues at CDC - they are traumatized & fearful to be doing the important & lifesaving work they do.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
After CDC shooting, its employees turn their anger to RFK Jr. and Trump
Investigators allege the shooter targeted the agency because of his coronavirus vaccine beliefs, according to two CDC officials briefed on the case.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
This incident is inexcusable & a result of dangerous gun policy & anti-vaccine & CDC rhetoric, including from RFK Jr.The outrage is justified. I feel for my colleagues at CDC - they are traumatized & fearful to be doing the important & lifesaving work they do.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
Update from GBI press conference on CDC shooting:
Nearly *500 rounds* were fired, with almost 200 rounds striking a total of six CDC buildings.
Authorities are asking anyone w/ video of the incident to contact 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or use the “See Something, Say Something” app -- can be anonymous.
Nearly *500 rounds* were fired, with almost 200 rounds striking a total of six CDC buildings.
Authorities are asking anyone w/ video of the incident to contact 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or use the “See Something, Say Something” app -- can be anonymous.
10am this morning, Aug 12, 2025: Press conference about domestic terrorism attack at CDC main campus.
See media advisory from GBI below for details. (Image shared from post on X.)
See media advisory from GBI below for details. (Image shared from post on X.)
August 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Update from GBI press conference on CDC shooting:
Nearly *500 rounds* were fired, with almost 200 rounds striking a total of six CDC buildings.
Authorities are asking anyone w/ video of the incident to contact 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or use the “See Something, Say Something” app -- can be anonymous.
Nearly *500 rounds* were fired, with almost 200 rounds striking a total of six CDC buildings.
Authorities are asking anyone w/ video of the incident to contact 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), or use the “See Something, Say Something” app -- can be anonymous.
“None of the critiques put forward by the Secretary is substantive.”
www.trialsitenews.com/a/data-vs.-d...
www.trialsitenews.com/a/data-vs.-d...
Data vs. Doubt: Danish Scientist Responds to U.S. HHS Secretary Critique of Aluminum Vaccine Study
Anders Hviid, August 3, 2025, Copenhagen
In his opinion piece published August 1, 2025, on Trialsite News, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services raises a number of methodol...
www.trialsitenews.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
“None of the critiques put forward by the Secretary is substantive.”
www.trialsitenews.com/a/data-vs.-d...
www.trialsitenews.com/a/data-vs.-d...
Glad to see this is finally published!
I’m proud to have been a key part of this effort, working with @who.int colleagues and external experts to update guidance on how to use H5 vaccines.
www.who.int/publications...
I’m proud to have been a key part of this effort, working with @who.int colleagues and external experts to update guidance on how to use H5 vaccines.
www.who.int/publications...
Considerations for use of avian influenza A(H5) vaccines during the interpandemic and emergence periods: report of a WHO virtual scientific consultation, September 2024
WHO conducted a virtual scientific expert consultation on A(H5) vaccines and vaccination. This report provides an overview of the landscape of A(H5) vaccines and summarizes options for Member States' ...
www.who.int
July 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Glad to see this is finally published!
I’m proud to have been a key part of this effort, working with @who.int colleagues and external experts to update guidance on how to use H5 vaccines.
www.who.int/publications...
I’m proud to have been a key part of this effort, working with @who.int colleagues and external experts to update guidance on how to use H5 vaccines.
www.who.int/publications...
Reposted by Dr. Jessica Taaffe
People with starving kids are desperate people, and understandably so. It's difficult to predict what this will mean in practical terms, beyond the fact that a lot more people will starve. The situation could be dire. Probably will be dire.
July 3, 2025 at 7:00 PM
People with starving kids are desperate people, and understandably so. It's difficult to predict what this will mean in practical terms, beyond the fact that a lot more people will starve. The situation could be dire. Probably will be dire.