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PODCAST

Infectious Dose

Infectious Dose

Infectious dose is the shot of science you need to protect yourself from misinformation. Heather McSharry, PhD, an expert in viral pathogenesis, brings her blog to the airwaves to help bridge the dangerous gap between the science of infectious diseases and public misperception. On the podcast website, infectiousdose.com, all episodes have corresponding blog posts with the information contained in the episode along with links or PDFs for all sources used. To prevent unwelcome surprises, episodes with

science life sciences

All Episodes

01:00:13

Episode 16: COVID Critical - Complacency and...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/06/25

More than five years since the start of COVID-19, the virus is still here — evolving, spreading, and leaving lasting impacts. In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather—a virologist-turned-science writer—examines the costs of the erosion of protective messaging, what new data say about reinfection, and the risks of losing vaccine access under a shifting political landscape. From airborne transmission to long COVID, this episode unpacks the real-time consequences of disinformation, underreaction,

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30:05

Episode 15: Protection, Interrupted: How Chasing...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/06/18

What if our biggest mistake in vaccine communication wasn’t misinformation—but misexpectation?In this episode of Infectious Dose, Heather digs into the seductive myth of sterilizing immunity—the idea that a “perfect” vaccine blocks infection completely—and explores how this scientific fable has distorted public expectations, undermined trust, and set back our ability to fight infectious diseases. From the remote Faroe Islands in 1846 to the fractured COVID-19 response, Heather takes listeners on a

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01:09:29

Episode 14: No Name, No Mercy: The Hantavirus That...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/06/11

In this episode, Heather delves into the story of Sin Nombre virus and the disease it causes, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. From its rodent origins and rapid progression to the public health response and scientific breakthroughs that followed, we explore how a rare virus rewrote the rules of infectious disease in North America—and why it remains a threat, even in obscurity.

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01:06:50

Episode 13: Un-Vaccinated - the Global Measles Emergency

Infectious Dose ·

2025/06/04

Heather gives updates on 2025 measles outbreaks in every region of the world and discusses global efforts to curb them. She also debunks the deadly lies about measles from RFK Jr. in her fan favorite segment WTF-RFK! and answers listener questions in her new segment Hot Zone Hotline. Explicit rating is for mild and limited profanity because, I mean, RFK.

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49:53

Episode 12: Vaccine Safety 6 - Expecting Protection:...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/05/28

Pregnant and wondering which vaccines are safe? Heather separates myths from facts & shares exactly what science says about vaccine safety during pregnancy—because you and your baby deserve the best protection!

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54:24

Episode 11: Close Quarters, Silent Threat - Invasive...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/05/21

Invasive meningococcal disease strikes fast—and often without warning—especially in close-contact environments like college dorms and military barracks. While it’s rare, the consequences can be devastating: death within hours, or lifelong complications like limb loss and brain damage. In this episode Heather explains all about how Neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that many carry unknowingly, transforms from harmless passenger to lethal invader. With rising case numbers and low vaccine uptake,

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41:19

Episode 10: Inside the Vial: the Truth About What’s...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/05/14

In the 5th episode in her vaccine safety series, Heather gives straightforward, science-based answers to some of the most common questions about what’s in vaccines including an in-depth look at what's in several specific vaccines and the truth debunking false claims you've seen recently in the media.

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42:22

Episode 9: Sleeper Cells - How Anthrax Hides,...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/05/07

Anthrax is one of the oldest infectious diseases known to science. Its ability to survive harsh environments and reemerge as a deadly pathogen centuries later is a biological marvel—and a global health concern. Heather covers all you want to know about anthrax from its formidable spore structure and use as a bioweapon, to its recent outbreaks and potential to transform cancer therapy.

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34:38

Episode 8: Vaccine Safety 4 - The Vaccine Court and...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/30

Heather digs in to the truth about the vaccine court and how its history of claims supports that vaccines are safe!Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.

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26:48

Episode 7: Fowl on the Play as Bird Flu Heats Up

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/23

Is bird flu’s resurgence a warning sign worth heeding? Heather digs into the science, the stakes, and what this latest avian alarm could mean for global health.Explicit rating for mild, limited profanity.

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17:12

Episode 6: Vaccine Safety 3 - Too Many Too Soon?

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/16

Heather goes in-depth on why the current vaccine schedule is safe and effective for children and newborns. Infectiousdose.comMarked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.

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21:22

Episode 4" Vaccine Safety 2 - The Continuing Crimes...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/09

In the second vaccine safety episode, Heather describes how Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent science cost the world the elimination of measles and hurt children. With evidence to back it up, she goes into detail on what he did and how he still manipulates parents fears to make money. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.

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17:03

Episode 3: Vaccine Safety 1- Vaccines do NOT Cause...

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/09

In the first of several episodes on vaccine safety, Heather explains how we know vaccines are safe and do not cause autism. She provides all her sources and links in the corresponding blog post at Infectiousdose.com. Marked explicit for limited and mild profanity.

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35:32

Episode 5: The Monster That is Measles

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/09

Heather delivers the scoop on the disease caused by measles, including symptoms, transmission, prevention, treatment, what's in the very safe vaccines, and dangerous complications and long-term health problems of natural infection. Marked explicit for possible limited, mild profanity.

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38:11

Episode 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/07

This is the original Pathogen Perspectives episode rebranded for Infectious Dose, originally published in 2020. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, that were in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, Protein-based, Attenuated virus, Inactivated virus, Repurposed vaccines, and virus vector vaccines. Heather discusses what each platform is and their pros and cons.

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25:34

Episode 1: mRNA COVID Vaccines Explained

Infectious Dose ·

2025/04/07

This is the original Pathogen Perspectives Episode published in 2020, rebranded for Infectious Dose. Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers:· What is mRNA · How mRNA vaccines work · How we know they are safe · Why they cannot change your DNA · How long might immunity last · Why those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 should get vaccinated · Comparison between the Pfizer

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38:52

Episode 2: Other COVID-19 Vaccine Platforms

Infectious Dose ·

2021/01/09

In this episode, Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 vaccine platforms other than mRNA, currently in clinical trials around the world. These include self-replicating mRNA, DNA, protein-based, attenuated virus, inactivated virus, repurposed vaccines, and virus vector vaccines. Heather discusses:-What each platform involves -Pros and cons -Those of each type currently authorized for emergency use -Unexpected introduction to 'comedienne' Heather after a rough week. Check out

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25:39

Episode 1 - COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Explained

Infectious Dose ·

2020/12/28

In this episode, Heather provides an in-depth discussion on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines authorized for emergency use in the US. She covers: What is mRNA How mRNA vaccines work How we know they are safe Why they cannot change your DNA How long might immunity last Why those who've recovered from COVID-19 should get vaccinated Comparison between the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines and more.

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08:26

Introduction to Heather Lander, PhD, and the Pathogen...

Infectious Dose ·

2020/12/17

Pathogen Perspectives is a podcast aimed at communicating the science of infectious diseases to the general public. We will cover topics like Ebola, vaccines, SARS2 and COVID-19. This introductory episode answers the questions, who is Heather Lander and why should you listen to this podcast. *Podcast music is from the song I miss My Sky, by Heather Nova, and is used with permission.

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