In episode 50 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Yvonne Maldonado joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and the vaccine approval process in the United States. Dr Maldonado is a Professor in the Stanford University School of Medicine where she has achieved national and international recognition for her scholarship in the epidemiology and control of infectious diseases. She has served on several national and international committees including, until recently, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag provide an overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development and provide an update on the availability of RSV vaccine in adults but not in children. They also discuss the risk of severe disease in children and the limited treatments available. Dr Maldonado and Dr Saag also discuss the process for vaccine approvals in the United States. Specifically, they review the role of the ACIP committee in vaccine approvals and provide an update on the recent dismissal of all of the prior members of the committee, which included Dr Maldonado. They discuss the potential impact that this will have on the review of all vaccines and the overall impact on public health.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Overview of RSV including the history of RSV vaccine research and development

5:08 – Status of RSV vaccine availability in adults and children

8:15 – Discussion of the length of RSV vaccine protection and the differences in RSV respiratory disease between children and adults

10:17 – Risk of severe disease from RSV in children

12:22 – Overview of the vaccine approval process in the United States and how the CDC ACIP committee operates

19:27 – Discussion of the recent dismissal of all members of the ACIP including Dr Maldonado and her concern for the process of vaccine approval moving forward

23:54 – The vetting process for new members of the ACIP and assessment of newly appointed members

27:20 – How the recent personnel changes at the ACIP and other federal agencies impact public health

32:08 – Discussion of the public commitment and support for vaccination moving forward

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Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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In episode 49 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Judith Currier joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Next-Gen HIV Prevention and Treatment. Dr Currier is a Professor of Medicine at UCLA and has more than 25 years of experience in the design, implementation, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials to optimize antiretroviral management of HIV and related complications. Dr Currier and Dr Saag provide an overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed and discuss the successful return on investment in biomedical research. They also provide a detailed review of long-acting antiretroviral drugs and discuss the state of current research for new options, including a discussion of lenacapavir. Finally, they share their concerns for what is at stake if attempts to cut the federal research budget are successful and the disruption it will bring to the progress that has been made in HIV care and other viral diseases.

0:00 – Introduction

1:20 – Overview of why new antiretroviral drugs are needed

2:57 – The return on investment in biomedical research

3:52 – Overview of the need for long-acting antiretroviral drugs and options available

8:23 – Review of the current research and prospects for new long-acting therapies

12:59– Discussion of lenacapavir and the potential benefits for prevention and treatment

14:21 – Summary of other drugs on the horizon that may be potential treatments

18:39 – Overview of the different methods for delivery of drugs

21:11 – Impact of potential budget cuts on HIV research, on people with HIV, and on other viral diseases

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
X
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...

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Mary Fisher joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Communicating the Importance of Science and Research to the Public. Ms Fisher is an artist, author, and activist, who has spent a lifetime giving voice to the voiceless. Her historic speech at the 1992 Republican Convention, A Whisper of AIDS, has been named one of “forty famous speeches that have had long-term effect on society.” In this episode, Ms Fisher discusses her history of activism including her work in Africa before and after the arrival of PEPFAR and the concern for the many communities she worked with given the termination of USAID. Ms Fisher also discusses her new book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change where she and Dr Saag stress the importance of speaking out for scientific research given the impact it has on patient care and saving lives.

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – History of Ms Fisher’s activism

4:11 – Impact of Ms Fisher’s work in Africa and discussion of the quality of life before and after PEPFAR

10:05 – The impact of the elimination of USAID on people with HIV, nutrition, and other diseases

14:36 – Discussion of Ms Fisher’s book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change

20:12 – Why scientific research is important and the impact of cuts to the research budget at NIAID

28:55 – The need to speak out for science, the practice of medicine, and care for those in need of care

Related Resources:

• Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change Amazon
• A Whisper of AIDS YouTube
• Project Angel Food
• Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe
• Voices in HIV Research and Global Health, from the Scientists, the Labs, and the Community YouTube

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
X
Facebook
Instagram
...