Here is Dr. Klotman’s Week 308 video address. My digest notes follow.
COVID
- So far, there have been slight increases in positive tests, ED visits, hospitalizations, and COVID deaths, but nothing like the anticipated respiratory virus spikes of past years
- The number of COVID deaths has decreased dramatically year by year since 2020. This is likely due to herd immunity conferred by vaccination and/or prior infection
- The dominant strain continues to be XFG
- Wastewater COVID data is consistent with what we see in other leading indicators
Influenza
- Influenza appears to have peaked in Week 52 (end of December)
- The dominant flu virus has been Influenza A H3N2 – K clade
- This Flu season has been the worst since the 2010-11 season
- Kids <18yo have had the highest hospitalization rate since 2010-11
- Pediatric influenza deaths hit 60 so far this season. 90% were not fully vaccinated. This season has been classified as Severe among Children
- This season has given us 22M infections, 280K hospitalizations, and 12K deaths
- Fewer than 50% of Americans took this years Flu vaccine
- Vaccination has been shown to significantly reduce serious Flu infection and its complications
Measles
- The US has had 733 cases as of last week (the total for 2025 was 2276)
- We are poised to blow past the 2025 total this year
- Measles hospitalizations are 3% this year as opposed to 11% last year
- Thus far >17 states have had outbreaks; SC and UT lead in case numbers
- The US can no longer claim to be Measles free as it was back in 2000
Vaccine development for Endangered Species
- There are vaccination trials among King Penguins, Koalas, Condors, and other species
- The goal of vaccination is to protect them against the pathogens that target each species
- Avian Influenza H5N1 for Penguins, Condors, and the NZ Kakapos (flightless parrots)
- Chlamydia for Koalas
- A Herpesvirus that infects young elephants in captivity
Tylenol – Autism Link Disproven: Another large, meta-analysis has shown no link between Tylenol and neuro-developmental disorders like autism. Even RFK, Jr has backtracked from his earlier claims of a link.
My Snarky Notes: I think that we should recognize the anti-vax movement for its victory in bringing back Measles to our children. Next, perhaps they can bring back Mumps, Rubella, Polio, Diphtheria, and Pertussis. To paraphrase Nitsche, “What doesn’t kill your children only makes them stronger.”