Summary
In this podcast episode, the host and guest discuss the persistence of the anti-vaccine movement despite the debunking of Andrew Wakefield's claims linking vaccines to autism. The movement has shifted its focus to different claims such as thimerosal and spacing vaccines too closely, but each time the scientific community refutes these claims, the movement adapts and creates new versions of their argument. The politicization of the movement and the confusion it creates for parents trying to make informed decisions about vaccinating their children is also discussed. The importance of vaccines in preventing diseases and the process of developing and approving vaccines is emphasized, with the example of the Haemophilus influenza type b vaccine given. The controversy surrounding vaccines exists, particularly with the HPV vaccine, due to concerns about vaccinating young girls before their sexual debut. Access to vaccines is also an issue, particularly in rural areas and among minority groups. The rise of anti-vaccine groups and their targeting of specific ethnic and racial groups, causing a decrease in vaccination coverage and leading to measles outbreaks, is a major concern.
The podcast also delves into the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the challenges faced in identifying it, especially in girls. The clinical expression of autism coincides with the increase in brain volume expansion, and changes in the brain occur during early fetal brain development. There are about 100 genes linked to ASD, many of them involved in neuronal communication. The diagnosis of ASD is made based on limited social interactions and lack of speech. The use of whole exome sequencing in identifying rare mutations that wouldn't be picked up through traditional genetic sequencing is also discussed. The limitations of the DSM criteria for diagnosing childhood conditions and the need for a more nuanced approach, taking into account neurodiversity, is highlighted.
The podcast also touches on the current state of vaccination for COVID-19, including the latest data on vaccine efficacy and the possibility of needing booster shots in the future. The speakers discuss the biochemistry of the B117 variant of the COVID-19 virus, which has a mutation that changes the shape of the spike protein and creates a stronger attraction to the ACE2 receptor, resulting in more severe disease and affecting younger people. The virus neutralizing antibodies to the original spike protein still seem to work against this variant, but other variants from South Africa and Brazil have additional amino acid substitutions that decrease the efficacy of current vaccines. The AstraZeneca vaccine has faced public perception issues due to reported cases of cerebral thrombosis in Europe, but the Oxford team believes it is still effective against severe illness. The mRNA vaccines have limited scalability for low and middle-income countries due to their refrigeration requirements and production issues, highlighting the need for a low-cost and durable vaccine. The podcast ends with a discussion about the lack of vaccine availability for Africa and Latin America, and the need for global policy makers to ensure enough vaccine availability for the COVAX sharing facility.
