Jim Wappes
jimwappes.bsky.social
Jim Wappes
@jimwappes.bsky.social
Editorial director at CIDRAP, University of MN, outdoor enthusiast, science geek/journalist specializing in infectious diseases
Reposted by Jim Wappes
CIDRAP Op-Ed: Vaccine effectiveness and safety: What the numbers truly mean in 2025

Our systematic rvw published this week shows that rigorous, transparent evidence synthesis can persist even when traditional advisory processes falter

by Jake Scott, MD

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
October 31, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
New coronavirus subspecies with #SARS-CoV-2–like mutation discovered in Brazilian bat

The bat harbored the BRZ batCoV virus, which the researchers say has likely been silently circulating in Latin America for some time.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
October 31, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Support for measles vaccination drops amid growing confusion about the disease, US poll shows

23% of US adults say RFK Jr recommends kids get the #measles vaccine, 29% say he does not recommend it, and 48% aren't sure

www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...

Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc
October 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
New Osterholm Update podcast episode! @mtosterholm & @cvdall discuss a recent paper from the Vax Integrity Project, a CIDRAP-NEJM Evidence collaboration, latest measles & respi virus data, & how the govt shutdown is affecting public health surveillance

www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
October 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
🚀 CIDRAP has launched a new digital home for the Coronavirus Vaccines R&D Roadmap Initiative — a global, open-access platform to track progress toward broadly protective coronavirus vaccines.
🔗 Explore the site: cvr.cidrap.umn.edu
Coronavirus Vaccines R&D Roadmap Initiative | CIDRAP
CIDRAP provides advice, information and analysis on the prevention, control and treatment of targeted infectious diseases and in public health preparedness.
cvr.cidrap.umn.edu
October 30, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
CIDRAP and CEPI launch resources to track development of coronavirus vaccines

The revamped open-access site tracks scientific progress toward the development of broadly protective coronavirus vaccines

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
October 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Third Wyoming hunt area in past month tests positive for #CWD

A hunter-harvested mule deer buck tested positive for CWD in Mule Deer Hunt Area 153 in the Pinedale region.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...

Photo: Tom Talbott / Flickr cc
October 28, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Analysis: Last year's COVID' vaccines protected well against severe illness

Overall protection against infections peaked at 4 weeks after vaccination.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
October 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Louisiana officials waited months to alert public about deadly pertussis outbreak, investigation finds

Officials waited more than 3 months after 2 whooping cough deaths to issue a statewide health alert

www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
October 28, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
DNA analysis reveals likely pathogens that killed Napoleon’s army. Microbial DNA suggests troops suffered from paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, among other diseases. arstechnica.com/science/2025...
DNA analysis reveals likely pathogens that killed Napoleon’s army
Microbial DNA suggests troops suffered from paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever, among other diseases.
arstechnica.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Quick takes: Measles in Southwest, polio vaccination urged, international tomato Salmonella outbreak

​An outbreak centered largely in twin towns on the Arizona-Utah border has now reached 124 #measles cases
Quick takes: Measles in Southwest, polio vaccination urged, international tomato Salmonella outbreak
​An outbreak centered largely in twin towns on the Arizona-Utah border has now reached 124 measles cases.
www.cidrap.umn.edu
October 24, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Nearly 1 in 5 urinary tract infections tied to E coli in meat

The researchers also discovered that UTIs in patients from high-poverty neighborhoods were 60% more likely to be caused by animal-to-human strains

-from @cvdall

www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
October 24, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
#Shingles vaccine tied to significant reductions in risk of dementia, heart disease, and death

The study authors said that the findings suggest that the shingles vaccine can prevent both infection and its complications.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...

Photo: CDC / K.L. Herrmann
October 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
With 3rd case of locally acquired clade 1 #mpox in California, officials warn of community spread

The 3 recent cases are unrelated, but the fact that all 3 people had not traveled internationally indicates that local person-to-person spread is likely

www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...
October 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Los Angeles County documents 2nd case of locally acquired clade 1 #mpox

The county announced the detection yesterday, and it involves an adult with no recent travel to mpox-endemic areas.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/m...

Photo: Naval Surface Warriors, Kenan O’Connor / Flickr cc
October 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Protection from flu vaccine around 50% for Southern Hemisphere, data reveal

Study shows vaccine effectiveness around 50% for both clinic visits and hospital stays for influenza in the 2025 Southern Hemisphere flu season

www.cidrap.umn.edu/i...

Photo: Direct Relief / Flickr cc
October 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
New poll reflects broad American distrust in health agencies and their advice

More than twice as many people think the administration's policies have made the country less healthy as those who think they have made the nation healthier

www.cidrap.umn.edu/p...
October 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
New Osterholm Update podcast episode! @mtosterholm & @cvdall discuss recent layoffs & layoff reversals at CDC, comments from the administration on the MMR vaccine, the latest respiratory virus data, an update on pertussis cases, & herd immunity

www.cidrap.umn.edu/a...
October 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
New poll: Public confidence in CDC for vaccine advice tumbles

Only 18% of the more than 1,300 adults polled said they have "a great deal" of trust in the CDC.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...

Photo: CDC
October 9, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
CIDRAP Op-Ed: Why the CDC director is wrong about the MMR vaccine

by @jakescottMD

A call to develop separate measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines to replace the combined MMR shot is not backed by evidence. Here are the facts.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
October 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Want to see the data that support immunization for this season’s flu, COVID-19 & RSV immunizations?

✅ Evidence review complete
✅ New searchable tool
✅ Easy-to-use infographic guide

Check them out here:

www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
October 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
17,000 abstracts. 1,400 studies reviewed. 500+ papers extracted.

We’ve turned it all into an interactive tool + infographic so clinicians & families can see the COVID, flu, RSV vaccine evidence for this fall/winter.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
October 3, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
📢 New from the Vaccine Integrity Project:
Our evidence review supports flu, COVID-19 & RSV immunizations as tools that provide meaningful protection against severe illness & hospitalization across populations

New interactive tool + recommendations guide

www.cidrap.umn.edu/v...
October 3, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
"Osterholm Update" special edition! In a special update, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall recap the events of last week's ACIP meeting and what it means for COVID, MMRV, and hepatitis B vaccine availability.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
September 23, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Jim Wappes
Breaking: CDC advisers weaken COVID vaccine recommendations but stop short of requiring prescriptions

ACIP narrowly rejected its working group’s proposal to require a doctor’s prescription for the #COVID19 vaccine

www.cidrap.umn.edu/c...
September 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM