I specialize in writing about vaccines, infectious disease, maternal and pediatric health, public health, mental health, disparities, misinformation and medical research more broadly. I also cover the broader areas of parenting and marine science, but most of my work focuses on medicine and public health with a particular focus on explanatory and service journalism.
The Staggering Success of Vaccines
RSV vaccines are finally here after decades of false starts
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
Why is it so hard to compensate people for serious vaccine side effects?
+ more VACCINES
VACCINES (cont.)
Scientific American
How to Check If You’re Immune to Measles May 2024
If You’re Pregnant, These Vaccines Could Save Your and Your Baby’s Life Sept 2023
RSV Vaccines Are Finally Here after Decades of False Starts March 2023
RSV Is Spreading: What We Know about This Common and Surprisingly Dangerous Virus Nov 2022
COVID Vaccine Authorized for Kids Aged 5 to 11 Oct 2021
Adolescents Can Finally Get Vaccinated against COVID May 2021
Two-for-One: Chickenpox Vaccine Lowers Shingles Risk in Children June 2019
Delaying Vaccines Increases Risks--with No Added Benefits June 2014
Baboon Study Reveals New Shortcoming of Pertussis Vaccine Feb 2014
Vaccination Opt-Outs Found to Contribute to Whooping Cough Outbreaks in Kids Oct 2013
National Geographic
COVID can trigger tinnitus. Could the vaccines do the same? Feb 2023
Should you get a second COVID booster now, or wait for updated shots? July 2022
The real risk of heart inflammation to kids is from COVID-19—not the vaccine Nov 2021
Who qualifies for a coronavirus booster shot? Why it’s still unclear. Aug 2021
The complex situation for immunocompromised people and COVID-19 vaccines June 2021
Can teens get vaccinated if their parents object? May 2021
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines safe for pregnant people, major study confirms May 2021
What we know so far about the effort to vaccinate children April 2021
Texas Monthly
This UT Scientist Helped Spare Millions From COVID-19. Now He’s Unmasking Other Killer Viruses. Nov 2022
Can This Houston-Born COVID Vaccine Save the Developing World? July 2021
Why a Former Anti-Vax Influencer Got Her COVID-19 Shot April 2021
New York Times
This Is the Moment the Anti-Vaccine Movement Has Been Waiting For August 2021
What Can You Do Once You’re Vaccinated? March 2021
The Vaccines You Need During Pregnancy May 2019
Why You Need the Flu Shot Every Year Dec 2017
Other Publications
Novel Chlamydia Vaccine Shows Promise in Early Trial MedPage Today, April 2024
Why It Took So Long to Eliminate Measles History, May 2023
I’m Vaccinated. When Do I Need to Wear a Mask? Wired, Sept 2021
Vaccine hesitancy is nothing new. Here’s the damage it’s done over centuries Science News, May 2021
Everything You Need to Know About the Coronavirus Vaccine O Magazine, Aug 2020
Here's Why You Really Need A Flu Shot NPR, Dec 2019
Elemental
Every Covid-19 vaccine question you'll ever have, answered Dec 2020
Enough with the hand wringing over Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy Sep 2020
It's okay to have questions about a Covid-19 vaccine. Here's what to ask Sep 2020
Association of Health Care Journalists
Tips for reporting on the ongoing pertussis outbreak Dec 2024
Understanding RFK Jr.’s potential HHS powers and why to avoid ‘sane-washing’ him Dec 2024
What to know about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine advocacy Dec 2024
Why new tools for fighting malaria need more media coverage July 2024
Understanding the bigger public health debate on COVID-19 booster vaccines Sept 2023
Know the nuances of vaccine efficacy when covering COVID-19 vaccine trials October 2020
Forbes
Dr. Bob Sears accused of issuing invalid vaccine medical exemptions, again June 2019
Pediatrician Bob Sears' license temporarily revoked after questionable vaccine exemption July 2018
Want to change someone's mind about vaccines? Here's a start March 2016
How do you change an anti-vaccine parent's mind? Scare the crap out of them Aug 2015
15 myths about anti-vaxxers, Debunked - Part 1 Feb 2015
15 myths about anti-vaxxers, Debunked - Part 2 Feb 2015
15 myths about anti-vaxxers, Debunked - Part 3 Feb 2015
A resurrected vaccine fear puts Kenyan infants at risk Nov 2014
Medium Coronavirus Blog
'Covid arm' rash after the Moderna shot is common but not worrisome March 2021
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Tip sheet: Questions to ask at medical conferences when time is short
AHCJ / COVERING HEALTH
Before Tuskegee: An investigative project just waiting to happen
AHCJ / COVERING HEALTH
+ more AHCJ
To control overeating: Slow down!
SCIENCE NEWS EXPLORES
Alcohol can rewire the teenage brain
SCIENCE NEWS EXPLORES
+ more FOR KIDS
+ more TRADE
+ more CONFERENCE COVERAGE
+ more PEDIATRICS
SCIENCE AND THE SEA
SCIENCE AND THE SEA
Divers: Please keep your hands off the coral
HAKAI MAGAZINE
+ more MARINE SCIENCE
+ more COVID
COVID (cont.)
Elemental
Variant or 'Scariant': When to worry about Covid virus strains March 2021
Gathering for December holidays? Follow this checklist. Dec 2020
Everything you need to know about herd immunity May 2020
Social distancing is a special kind of hell for GenZ Apr 2020
How much longer do we have to live like this? Apr 2020
Forbes
Echoes of the past: What does the polio era offer us in this coronavirus pandemic? Aug 2020
Why it's important to push back on the pandemic and how to do it Aug 2020
Everything you need to know about wearing masks until the CDC tells us more July 2020
How to convince your parents they should take Covid-19 seriously March 2020
Why everything is closing for coronavirus: It's called flattening the curve March 2020
GEN
The new mother who gave birth without knowing if she was exposed March 2020
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+ more MENTAL HEALTH
+ more LGBTQIA+
+ more PUBLIC HEALTH
If you're pregnant, these vaccines could save your and your baby's life
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
+ more WOMEN'S HEALTH
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+ more THIS & THAT