Major changes to the CDC childhood immunization schedule are creating confusion—and risk. Dr. Zachary Rubin (Allergy/Immunology) and Dr. Melanie Matheu, PhD (Immunology) break down what changed, how vaccines are actually approved (FDA → ACIP → CDC), why herd immunity matters, and what this means for parents, pediatricians, and public health. We also discuss real-world vaccine side effects vs. vaccine-preventable disease, and where to find the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) schedule to review with your child’s doctor.

We go live on TikTok for a rapid-fire “health potpourri” Q&A—how to talk to science skeptics, why flu season feels brutal (and what the vaccine still does), sun-sneezing (yes, it’s real), iodine nasal sprays, hormones + new allergies in midlife, mast cells/stress hives, and how to spot fake “food sensitivity” tests. Evidence-forward, funny, and zero individualized medical advice.

Is this flu season actually worse, or does it just feel that way? In this episode, we break down what’s driving the current surge in influenza, why the dominant H3N2 strain is spreading so widely, and what a vaccine “mismatch” really means. We cut through the noise to explain what still protects you, what doesn’t, and why “just the flu” is never just the flu.