The COVID Vaccines, Booster Shots and How Medical Advances Are Made

The Brian Lehrer Show | Sep 21, 2021

Paul Offit, professor of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases and director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the author of You Bet Your Life: From Blood Transfusions to Mass Vaccination, the Long and Risky History of Medical Innovation (Basic Books, 2021) offers insight into some of the messiness behind major medical achievements and how that explains some of the questions over today's COVID vaccines and whether (and for whom) booster shots are necessary. He also explains why, as a member of the F.D.A.'s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), he supports the recommendation for booster shots for those over 65.

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

WNYC Homepage - Top Stories

Knicks title run could overlap with World Cup, causing potential headaches at Penn Station

The busy train hub beneath Madison Square Garden could turn into a mess if the region hosts a World Cup and NBA Finals game on the same day.

Gothamist |

Gov. Hochul's Climate Law Rollback

Jon Campbell reports that the state may loosen the emissions goals in the landmark 2019 climate law.

The Brian Lehrer Show |

A Documentary Shadows the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team in the Leadup to the World Cup

All Of It with Alison Stewart |

New Jerseyans who take ADHD meds face a return to pre-pandemic prescription rules

Starting Saturday, people who take medications such as Adderall and Ritalin will again need to see a doctor in person for prescriptions.

WNYC News |

How they handle crises in Brownsville, often without police

At least twice a year, nonprofit workers from the neighborhood spend a week calming disputes and responding to most 311 and 911 calls on certain blocks in the neighborhood.