Paul Offit is a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases and an expert in virology and vaccine development. He currently serves on the FDA committee evaluating COVID-19 vaccines. In this episode, Paul’s second appearance on The Drive, he provides an update on all the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines currently deployed, explains why the concerns raised around the mRNA vaccines are not legitimate, and offers his view on the prospects and timeframe of reaching herd immunity. He also takes a deep dive into immunology, explaining the short-term and long-term immune response to both natural infection and vaccination and how these two can function together to provide durable immunity. Additionally, they discuss the theories on the origins of this virus, what impact the new COVID-19 variants might have, and the recent pausing of the J&J vaccine. Finally, they discuss how we can be better prepared for an inevitable future outbreak of a novel virus. This episode was originally recorded on April 14, 2021.
We discuss:
Overview and current status of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine strategies [4:10];
Addressing concerns about mRNA vaccines [9:00];
How the failure to make an effective HIV vaccine aided the development of a COVID-19 vaccine [16:45];
Where SARS-CoV-2 falls on the spectrum of its ability to mutate and what that means for immunity and vaccination [21:30];
How the combination of short-term and long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 work together to provide durable immunity [28:00];
Importance of understanding relative vs. absolute risk reduction [38:15];
Implications of pausing the J&J vaccine due to reports of blood clotting in the brain [42:45];
What constitutes herd immunity and the concerns of rising vaccine hesitancy [47:45];
When we might reach herd immunity, future vaccines for children, and long-term outlook for maintaining population immunity [58:45];
Theories about the origins of SARS-CoV-2 [1:07:00];
Preparing for the possibility of a future pandemic and how we can learn from our mistakes [1:10:40]; and
More.
Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/
Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/pauloffit2
Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/
Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/
Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.
#151 - Alex Hutchinson, Ph.D.: Translating the science of endurance and extreme human performance
#150 - Senator Bill Frist, M.D.: A modern Renaissance man's journey through science, politics, and business
#149 - AMA #20: Simplifying the complexities of insulin resistance: how it's measured, how it manifests in the muscle and liver, and what we can do about it
#148 - Richard Miller, M.D., Ph.D.: The gold standard for testing longevity drugs: the Interventions Testing Program
#147 - Hussein Yassine, M.D.: Deep dive into the “Alzheimer’s gene” (APOE), brain health, and omega-3s
#146 - Guy Winch, Ph.D.: Emotional first aid and how to treat psychological injuries
#145 - AMA #19: Deep dive on Zone 2 training, magnesium supplementation, and how to engage with your doctor
#144 - Phil Maffetone: Optimizing health and performance through maximal aerobic function
#143 - John Ioannidis, M.D., D.Sc.: Why most biomedical research is flawed, and how to improve it
#142 - Robert Abbott: The Bobby Knight story—a cautionary tale of unchecked anger, ego, and winning at all costs
#141 - AMA #18: Deep dive: sugar and sugar substitutes
#140 - Gerald Shulman, M.D., Ph.D.: A masterclass on insulin resistance—molecular mechanisms and clinical implications
#139 - Kristin Neff, Ph.D.: The power of self-compassion
#138 - Lauren Miller Rogen and Richard Isaacson, M.D.: Alzheimer’s disease prevention—patient and doctor perspectives
#137 - Paul Offit, M.D.: An expert perspective on COVID-19 vaccines
#136 - AMA #17: Body composition methods tour de force, insulin resistance, and Topo Chico
#135 - BJ Miller, M.D.: How understanding death leads to a better life
#134 - James O’Keefe, M.D.: Preventing cardiovascular disease and the risk of too much exercise.
#133 - Vinay Prasad, M.D., M.P.H: Hallmarks of successful cancer policy
#132 - AMA #16: Exploring hot and cold therapy
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Huberman Lab
The Relaxback UK Show
Good Nurse Bad Nurse
On Call With Dr. Anselm Anyoha
The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman, M.D.