The future of vaccines
The Future of Everything
Why Maldonado Chose Vaccine Research
Yvonne Maldonado recounts her path into medicine, public health, and focus on vaccines to prevent child deaths.
Epidemiologist Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado is an expert in vaccine research and public health. Look back centuries, and the story is always the same, she says: Death rates from viruses have plummeted, especially in children and the elderly. And yet, millions of children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines need a return of public confidence, and that starts with better messaging and greater support of nongovernmental messengers like herself. The bottom line is that vaccines are safe, she says. Vaccines work and we have saved many lives because of them, Maldonado reminds host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.
Episode Reference Links:
- Stanford Profile: Yvonne Maldonado
Connect With Us:
- Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
- Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
- Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado, a professor of pediatrics, epidemiology and population health at Stanford University.
(00:03:01) Career in Vaccines
Bonnie shares what led to her career in vaccine research.
(00:04:53) How Vaccines Work
How vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens.
(00:06:46) Why Vaccine Responses Vary
The variability in immune responses and breakthrough infections.
(00:09:22) Risk vs. Benefit in Vaccines
How researchers evaluate side effects versus disease severity.
(00:11:53) How Viruses Evolve
The evolutionary dynamics that shape viral behavior.
(00:13:59) Vaccine Boosters
Why some vaccines last for life while others require multiple doses.
(00:17:14) Herd Immunity
How community protection works and why vaccination rates matter.
(00:21:22) Vaccine Controversy
The controversy surrounding vaccines and what led to it.
(00:24:27) Global Vaccine Hesitancy
How declining trust and past outbreaks influence vaccination globally.
(00:27:07) The Future of Vaccines
Why vaccines are essential and how outbreaks shape public response.
(00:29:08) Preparing for Future Pandemics
How healthcare systems prepare for new threats after COVID-19.
(00:30:43) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: hope, public trust, and the future of health.
(00:32:54) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The AI-powered Podcast Player
