Smith's Virology Blog

On August 5, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first mRNA-based vaccine for influenza. The path to approval became public in February when the FDA initially declined to review Moderna’s application. Source: https://nchstats.com/fda-approves-first-mrna-flu-vaccine/ In February, the FDA would not consider Moderna’s mRNA flu “vaccine”.

Businessperson and lobbyist Tobi Solidum was indicted by an Oʻahu grand jury alongside Hawaii Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and three other officials in a sweeping July 2026 public corruption case. Solidum is accused of orchestrating bribery and conspiracy schemes involving COVID-19 testing contracts tied to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaiʻi.

After canine parvovirus, another major infectious disease of concern for puppies is canine distemper. Caused by the canine distemper virus (CDV), this highly contagious viral disease can affect multiple organ systems, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, and can be fatal, particularly in young, unvaccinated dogs.

Since welcoming five new puppies into our home, I've been hearing a lot about parvovirus and the importance of keeping puppies away from unfamiliar dogs and public spaces where the virus may be present. Many veterinarians recommend avoiding high-risk environments—such as dog parks, pet store floors, dog daycare facilities, and areas frequented by unknown dogs—until a puppy has completed its initial vaccination series. Do the Benefits of Parvovirus Vaccination Outweigh the Risks of Infection?

During the pandemic and in the wake of recent measles outbreaks, many have pointed to the concept of “herd immunity” as a key reason to get vaccinated. This cartoon highlights how herd immunity is sometimes oversimplified or misapplied in discussions about vaccination. When you think of a herd, you probably think of cows, wildebeest or buffalo. In the animal world, there is safety in numbers – more pairs of eyes to look out for predators, for example.

In young children, most infections are asymptomatic, meaning no noticeable illness occurs. The majority of older children and adults experience a mild to moderate illness which typically lasts a few weeks. Most infections resolve on their own without lasting damage. Hepatitis A rates in the US declined significantly prior to vaccine introduction in 1995. Adults face the highest risk of infection especially those who are experiencing homelessness, using drugs or men who have sex with men.

A group of plaintiffs including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the American Public Health Association (APHA) and others sued HHS under Kennedy in July 2025 to undo updated COVID-19 vaccine guidance that no longer included pregnant women and healthy children in the recommended demographics.

A large portion of the mortality associated with influenza virus (IAV) infection—and respiratory viral infections in general— results from secondary bacterial infections. Mechanisms by which respiratory viral infections increases susceptibility to bacterial infection are complex but likely involve depletion of alveolar macrophages.

The full meeting can be viewed here: This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Please consider supporting my work. The universal birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine was implemented in 1991. The first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine is typically given to newborns shortly after birth, often within 24 hours.

In October 2024 in Australia, the Port Hedland council passed a motion recognizing “unacceptable levels of plasmid DNAcontamination” in mRNA COVID genetic vaccines. Manufacturing nucleoside-modified mRNA (modRNA) for commercial COVID-19 genetic “vaccines” relied on RNA polymerase transcription of a plasmid DNA template. Plasmids are small circular DNAs that replicate separately from host cell DNA. DNA templates are easier to synthesize but need to be removed from the final drug product.