Rob Stein
WBUR
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Rob:
This winter's U.S. COVID surge is fading fast, likely thanks to a 'wall' of immunity
The main reason the surge is ebbing now, pandemic experts suspect, is the significant immunity many people in the U.S. have acquired from prior infections and COVID vaccinations many received. → Read More
CRISPR gene-editing may boost cancer immunotherapy, new study finds
Using CRISPR to modify certain immune cells could make cancer-fighting immunotherapy more potent for a broader set of patients. Two people who went through the treatment share their stories. → Read More
Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a 'tripledemic'
As the holiday approaches, infectious disease specialists are bracing for the possibility that big family get-togethers and travel will propel the spread of RSV, flu and COVID-19. → Read More
New omicron subvariants now dominant in the U.S., raising fears of a winter surge
Step aside, BA.5. The new variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, appear to be among the most adept yet at evading immunity from previous infection and vaccination. → Read More
Omicron keeps finding new evolutionary tricks to outsmart our immunity
SARS-CoV-2 is evolving "rapidly," spawning one new variant after another. But omicron continues to dominate, raising new questions about how evolution of the virus is headed. → Read More
Early signs a new U.S. COVID surge could be on its way
Here we go again. The virus is starting to surge in many European countries and there are early signs a wave may be starting in the U.S. too. → Read More
How to time your flu shot for best protection
Some flu experts are urging many people to get their shots earlier than usual this year because of the potential for an early, possibly severe flu season. But what's the best timing for you? → Read More
Flu is expected to flare up in U.S. this winter, raising fears of a 'twindemic'
After virtually disappearing for the last two years, there are troubling clues that the flu could come roaring back this year, to cause trouble alongside COVID. → Read More
How Biden's declaring the pandemic 'over' complicates efforts to fight COVID
Biden's comments — made as officials try to convince Americans to get a new booster shot and the White House seeks $22 billion in new COVID funding — were "unfortunate," several epidemiologists said. → Read More
Scientists debate how lethal COVID is. Some say it's now less risky than flu
They argue the threat posed by COVID has lessened because of preexisting immunity and access to treatment. Plus, some deaths may be incorrectly blamed on COVID. Others caution it's too soon to tell. → Read More
The new COVID booster could be the last you'll need for a year, federal officials say
The COVID-19 vaccine strategy may be shifting toward Americans getting yearly vaccinations, like many do with annual flu shots. → Read More
CDC recommends new booster shots to fight omicron
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has signed off on updated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines that target the original virus and the omicron subvariants. → Read More
FDA authorizes first revamp of COVID vaccines to target omicron
The new shots from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech target both the original strain of the coronavirus and the omicron BA.4/BA.5 subvariants that most people are catching now. → Read More
What's behind the FDA's controversial strategy for evaluating new COVID boosters
Some scientists are alarmed that the agency plans to evaluate the next generation of boosters by reviewing mouse studies alone. Others say there's no time to waste waiting for human trials. → Read More
Reformulated COVID vaccine boosters may be available earlier than expected
The Biden administration may scrap plans to expand eligibility for second boosters to younger adults. Instead, it's trying to speed up the next generation of boosters targeting the omicron variant. → Read More
U.S. debates a summer booster for people under 50
The Biden administration is considering expanding eligibility for a second COVID-19 booster to those under 50 to try to protect more people against the latest omicron surge. → Read More
Fauci says he is not retiring yet and will make an announcement when the time comes
Dr. Anthony Fauci says he will step down before the end of President Biden's first term, but he has not chosen an exact date and is not sure what he will do after he leaves his position. → Read More
Omicron poses about half the risk of long COVID as delta, new research finds
Some scientists estimate that cases of long COVID from omicron will still rise, however, because of high transmissibility and the misconception that people don't have to worry about catching it. → Read More
Moderna says its new COVID vaccine is effective against omicron
Moderna says a new version of the company's COVID-19 vaccine appears to be highly effective against the omicron variant. → Read More
Moderna says its new vaccine booster shows 'superior' response to Omicron
The "bivalent" vaccine — meaning it targets two different antigens — is Moderna's leading candidate for an effective booster this fall. If the data pan out, it could lead to a yearly booster. → Read More