Osterholm Update Episode 203: Somebody to Lean On
Feb 26, 2026
A dive into the FDA’s surprise handling of Moderna’s mRNA flu review and why regulators reversed course. A look at leadership upheaval at federal public health agencies and how that may weaken outbreak response. An update on measles hot spots and shifting case patterns. A roundup of current respiratory virus trends and vaccine guidance for COVID, flu, and RSV.
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Episode notes
Tom Clancy's Rule About Fiction And Reality
- Michael Osterholm recounts a dinner with author Tom Clancy who told him fiction must make sense while reality doesn't.
- He uses the anecdote to frame current public health decisions as chaotic and often nonsensical.
Biodefense Is Being Deprioritized At NIAID
- NIAID staff were told to remove "biodefense" and "pandemic preparedness" from webpages, signaling a deprioritization of future threat planning.
- Michael Osterholm warns this shift abandons crucial preparedness funding that previously made up about a third of NIAID's budget.
Recent Funding Cuts Threaten Future Pandemic Readiness
- Cuts included $500 million in mRNA vaccine research and other disruptions like grant clawbacks and staff reductions.
- Osterholm cautions reduced investment now risks leaving the U.S. unprepared for future pandemics including novel AI-enabled biological threats.
