What are the causes for the steady and at times dramatic decline in vaccine confidence seen since the mid-90’s across certain age-groups and communities? Why has the public discourse changed? And how did the persistent and lingering myth linking vaccines to autism take hold? In this insightful episode, a panel of accomplished experts tackle these pressing questions, offering astute explanations and powerful counter-strategies to combat misinformation and restore trust in vaccines. ...

In this episode, our distinguished experts and coalition partners unwrap and define key intervention strategies for acute respiratory viruses. Building on insights from previous episodes they offer fresh perspectives and bring to light the complexity of prevention, diagnostics and therapy. Our discussion features ESWI Chair Colin Russell, Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology, at the University of Amsterdam alongside contributions from Catherine Weil-Olivier, Honorary Professor of Paediat...

Learn about the fascinating story behind the intriguing Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and how it was first discovered. Why were parents once asked about contact with birds? How can the recent outbreak in China make a difference? Join an insightful conversation with distinguished guests and leading experts Ab Osterhaus, Member of the ESWI board and Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and Guest-Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany, w...

A riveting episode from three unique perspectives on intervention strategies and the ongoing challenges posed by Sars-Cov-2, the virus behind one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history. Featuring a fundamental researcher, a virologist, and a clinician, our speakers engage in a captivating talk on Covid-19. Is it endemic now? What’s new on the diagnostics and therapeutic front? How many annual vaccines can the public reasonably deal with? Join us for this fascinating conversation ...

Tremendously exciting times and possibly underestimating the enormity of its impact. These are some of the comments we hear when experts share their insights on the recently available RSV vaccines. We are told about the disastrous first attempts of a vaccine 60 years ago and some of the road bumps leading to today’s success. In this episode, join us as we delve into the history, challenges, and triumphs of RSV vaccine development. Our renowned speakers give detailed accounts of the new RSV va...

Flu Vaccines: Advancements, Challenges, and Global Impact – Expert Insights on Vaccine Platforms and Immune Responses In this phenomenal episode, three leading experts in the field of vaccinology and immunology dive into the science behind various vaccine platforms and immune responses. Tune in as they explore the evolution of vaccines, from early, early vaccine platforms to cutting-edge technologies, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. In a dynamic, educatio...

Welcome to ESWI Airborne, the podcast of the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza. In this episode, we explore essential skills and career prospects for early career scientists as part of our three-part series on life as a scientist. Joining me are three remarkable guests: Meral Akcay, a global influenza expert and former ESWI board member, who discusses her transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry and the key skills that have propelled her career. Lucy Mossc...

Join in on this enthusiastic and insightful conversation between Nathan Brendish, associated with the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, and Irene Gonzalez and Florian Krammer from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in the United States of America. Explore the joys and sorrows of embarking on a scientific career in this episode as we delve into the nomadic life of scientists as they explore the world in search of new and existing data in the field of respiratory viruses.

Do not miss the opportunity to listen to this enthusiastic and insightful conversation between Debby van Riel, Associate Professor, Department of Viroscience, Erasmus MC, The Netherlands, Carolien van de Sandt, Senior Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Peter Doherty Institute, Australia, and Jenna Guthmiller Assistant Professor at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology from University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, US, examine the joys and spr...

How has the world of travel medicine evolved? What multiple roles do vaccinations have? What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on travel behaviour? Why is it so important to keep up to date on the current epidemiological situation? Delve into the fascinating world of travel medicine, listening to George Kassianos, GP, ESWI Board Member and President of the British Global and Travel Health Association, Dipti Patel, Specialist in occupational medicine and travel medicine physician and...

Flu is the forgotten killer. What new vistas of vaccinology opened up after the COVID-19 pandemic? In what ways can flu treatments change as a consequence of lessons learned? Listen to this excellent panel of experts, Peter Openshaw, Respiratory physician and Mucosal Immunologist, Professor of Experimental Medicine, Imperial College, London and ESWI Board Member, Anthony Gordon, Chair in Anaesthesia and Critical Care, NIHR Research Professor and Senior Investigator, Imperia...

In this comprehensive exploration and conversation among distinguished experts in the field of childhood immunisation we listen to Paula Tähtinen, Clinical Lecturer, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Adjunct Professor, University of Turku and ESWI Board Member, Hanna Nohynek, Chief Medical Officer, Team Leader of Vaccine Programme Development at the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, together with Sir Andrew Pollard, Professor of Paediatric Infection & Immunity at Uni...

Why should older adults be particularly careful of acute respiratory viruses? What are risk factors for adverse outcomes? Why is RSV typically under-diagnosed in adults compared with flu and what are some of the long-term impacts? Are older adults always more at risk in a pandemic? What do we mean by ageism and what needs to be done to counter it. Listen to this powerful panel of experts, literally spanning the globe, featuring Stefania Maggi ESWI Board Member, Geriatrician and Ep...

The shocking numbers of babies and children who die, or who are in need of care, coupled with the rising number of undiagnosed older adults puts a significant burden from RSV on health systems. The risk of severe RSV illness can be mitigated and thus there is an urgency for increasing awareness of the impact of RSV. Listen to Colin Russell, ESWI Board Member and Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology, Elizabeth Kuiper, Head of the Social Europe and Well-being programme at the European Poli...

What do we know about long-Covid? In this captivating episode we listen to the personal and powerful account of how the lingering effects of Sars-CoV-2 has wreaked havoc in an otherwise healthy person “The virus is playing ping-pong with my body”, Norah Casey broadcaster and entrepreneur says when describing all the symptoms in her medically impressive case. Marco Goeijenbier, intensivist and ESWI Board Member together with Merel Hellemons, pulmonologist and researcher with a special interest...

Who would have taken virus isolation for granted 30 years ago? How and why did ESWI transform from a pure virology-based network to one encompassing a public health perspective? Join the journey listening to the former, current and future Chairs of ESWI, professors Claude Hannoun, Ab Osterhaus, and Colin Russell reminisce about the past, muse over how ESWI has evolved, and predict where we are heading. Science has advanced significantly. This is a fascinating account and listening to the di...

What do Ebola, Dengue Fever, Lassa Fever, or other hemorrhagic fevers, that often inspire Hollywood productions, have in common with respiratory viruses, such as influenza or Sars-Cov2? Listen to Dr Marco Goeijenbier, intensivist at Spaarne Hospital in Haarlem and ESWI Board Member, expertly explain the complications due to changes in the coagulation system ranging from blood clotting to bleeding. Furthermore, in this captivating account, Marco describes why complications associated with viru...

How close are we to a universal flu vaccine? Are universal corona vaccines attainable? What are some of the main challenges facing scientists in their quest to develop these vaccines? Listen to Dr Florian Krammer, Mount Sinai Professor in Vaccinology at the Department of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine, and ESWI Board Member, expertly addressing these questions. Dr Krammer also vividly describes New York in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic and explains how and why he...

In this fascinating episode pathomechanism is explained and we learn how recent research has shown that acute virus infections may cause long-term health impairments. Even mild flu during pregnancy can affect susceptibility to disease in offspring. Listen to the personal experience of life as a scientist, embracing the unknown and how to stay motivated by Guelsah Gabriel, Professor Virology, Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg, Germany and ESWI Board Member including how she integrat...

Her passion, love and interest to care for children is evident in this personal account by Paula Tähtinen, Clinical Lecturer, Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Adjunct Professor, University of Turku, Finland and ESWI Board Member. The burden of disease from RSV in children is explained along with recommended approaches for both treatment and prevention. She gives a concrete example of how research findings have changed treatment guidelines in paediatrics, providing evidence of th...