UPDATE: Recently, the President signed an executive order involving childhood vaccines in the United States. This follows a January 2026 announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that changed the childhood vaccine schedule, but that change has been paused by the courts. This executive order is very similar to that January announcement. Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls trust vaccines and know they’ve saved many lives so we are taking a moment to celebrate them in August, since it is National Immunization Awareness Month. At Those Nerdy Girls, we argue that no breakthrough has been more important in keeping us healthy than the development of vaccines! Instead of hoping there Read more…
mFlusiva, or mRNA-1010, is a new type of flu vaccine made by Moderna to protect against flu. It has recently received final approval and will hopefully be available this fall for adults over 50. What is mFlusiva and how is it different from the other flu vaccines? This new type of flu vaccine is based Read more…
Goodbye summer… Back-to-School season is almost here! Colder weather and being indoors mean more chances for kids to swap germs of all kinds. Along with shopping for back-to- school supplies, now is a good time to check that your child is well protected against preventable infectious diseases. Current recommendations according to the American Academy of Read more…
There’s no universally recommended “spring booster” campaign in the U.S. right now, but if you haven’t had a shot since last fall, and you are eligible, this spring is a good time to get one. Bottom line up front (BLUF): Yes, you should still get your COVID vaccine if you are eligible. The guidance has Read more…
For most people, the answer is NO, you do not need to be revaccinated. The measles vaccine is given in a two-shot series. The first one at 12-16 months and the second at 4-6 years. If you got BOTH doses, you are well protected. However, there are a few specific groups of people who might Read more…
I’ve heard there was a meningitis outbreak in the UK recently. Can you tell me more and how I can best protect my family? 🤔 Have you heard about the recent meningitis outbreak in the UK? Here’s what you need to know. TL;DR: A recent outbreak of bacterial meningitis in the UK, linked to a Read more…
With measles cases now in 30 states (as of April 2026), many of our readers have questions about what they can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Nerdy Girl Dr. Cindy Leifer (Immuno Minutes) is here to answer them. Read our most recent post on measles by Nerdy Girls Dr. Cindy Leifer Read more…
Measles is a virus that spreads from person to person in tiny droplets that stay in the air for hours. It is the most contagious infection in people. The good news is that there is a highly effective vaccine, which is greater than 97% effective if you get both doses. Watch this video from Cindy Read more…
If you have been exposed to a measles case, check your vaccination status and watch for symptoms, especially starting around a week later. Measles outbreaks are becoming more common in the U.S. (You can read Those Nerdy Girls’ latest update on measles here.) What should you do if there is a confirmed case near you? Read more…
Measles cases continue to rise – this is worrying. The good news is that there is a super effective vaccine that protects you and your loved ones. Note – we use data from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Brown University Pandemic Center’s weekly tracking report. While the CDC tracks Read more…
Researchers have found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines prime certain cancers to a cancer treatment known as immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) immunotherapy! Within 100 days of starting immunotherapy, people with advanced cancer who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines survived nearly twice as long as those who did not receive the shot (approximately 37 months versus 21 months). Read more…
The U.S. federal government recently announced big changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. It is reducing the number of vaccines “routinely” recommended for all kids and moving several vaccines into an “optional/shared decision” category instead. This means they’re only routinely recommending protection against 11 diseases, instead of 17. Those Nerdy Girls and many other public Read more…
Hepatitis B (HepB) is an infection of the liver that can lead to chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment and an increased risk of cancer and death. The HepB vaccine has minimal risks and many benefits. Skipping the birth dose leaves infants vulnerable to a lifelong risk of chronic liver disease and cancer. This is why Read more…
TL:DR: The flu season can linger through May, so it’s not too late to get your vaccine. If you already had the flu, the shot can still reduce your risk of catching one of the other strains (the “tri-valent” vaccine covers three). This year’s flu vaccine reduces risk of severe disease, even against the new Read more…
Ethics are a set of principles that help us figure out what’s right and wrong. In medical research, they help to keep the people taking part safe, make sure the research does more good than harm, and ensure the results can be trusted. Note: This post was updated by Those Nerdy Girls from the original Read more…
Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months and older (with very few exceptions). To learn more, head to our latest flu shot posts 👇: https://thosenerdygirls.org/flu-shot-25/ https://thosenerdygirls.org/busting-flu-shot-myths-2/ Big picture: Getting the flu shot is an effective way to keep people from getting the flu as well as reduce illness severity, hospitalization, and death. If you Read more…
Community immunity (aka “herd immunity”) is a really important factor in preventing the spread of infectious diseases… and just like an umbrella can protect you and the person standing next to you from the rain, vaccination can do the same. Did you know? The term herd immunity was first used when British scientists back in Read more…
Part 2 of “Answers to Some of Your Nerdy Questions on the Shingles Vaccine.” Shingles is an extremely painful disease caused by the reawakening of the Varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Fortunately, there is a shingles vaccine that significantly reduces your chance of getting shingles. The vaccine is recommended for all adults Read more…
Shingles is an extremely painful disease caused by the reawakening of the Varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Fortunately, there is a shingles vaccine that significantly reduces your chance of getting shingles. The vaccine is recommended for all adults over 50. This includes people who had chickenpox, the chickenpox vaccine, an older Zostavax Read more…
