Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
@cherz4.bsky.social
Epidemiologist | Infectious Disease Ecologist | Data Scientist | postdoc CSU | PhD + postdoc @ciddpsu | MPH @umichsph
| she/her | Personal Account
| she/her | Personal Account
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
“The Tdap vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended for adults every 10 years, with vaccination among older adults often prompted by the birth of a grandchild, who cannot be fully vaccinated for months. It was associated with a one-third decline in dementia.”
Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
www.nytimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:02 AM
“The Tdap vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) is recommended for adults every 10 years, with vaccination among older adults often prompted by the birth of a grandchild, who cannot be fully vaccinated for months. It was associated with a one-third decline in dementia.”
Yikes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), run by Oz and his boss, RFK Jr., will no longer require physicians to report vaccination rates.
Instead, they plan to start having doctors report if they’ve discussed “alternative” vaccine schedules.
Instead, they plan to start having doctors report if they’ve discussed “alternative” vaccine schedules.
CMS to stop requiring states to report childhood vaccination levels
www.cidrap.umn.edu
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
Yikes
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Over the holidays, every single national wildlife refuge, plus some fish hatcheries and marine monuments were directed to conduct a system-wide review. Outrageous deadline of Jan 5 functionally eliminates public input & tribal consultation.
news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
Interior to Spend Holidays Studying Refuges for Possible Closure
Congress will have to approve any Interior Department plans to abolish national wildlife refuges as staff members spend the next few weeks completing a review the US Fish and Wildlife Service has orde...
news.bloomberglaw.com
January 3, 2026 at 3:54 PM
Over the holidays, every single national wildlife refuge, plus some fish hatcheries and marine monuments were directed to conduct a system-wide review. Outrageous deadline of Jan 5 functionally eliminates public input & tribal consultation.
news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
1. LLM-generated code tries to run code from online software packages. Which is normal but
2. The packages don’t exist. Which would normally cause an error but
3. Nefarious people have made malware under the package names that LLMs make up most often. So
4. Now the LLM code points to malware.
2. The packages don’t exist. Which would normally cause an error but
3. Nefarious people have made malware under the package names that LLMs make up most often. So
4. Now the LLM code points to malware.
LLMs hallucinating nonexistent software packages with plausible names leads to a new malware vulnerability: "slopsquatting."
LLMs can't stop making up software dependencies and sabotaging everything
: Hallucinated package names fuel 'slopsquatting'
www.theregister.com
April 12, 2025 at 11:43 PM
1. LLM-generated code tries to run code from online software packages. Which is normal but
2. The packages don’t exist. Which would normally cause an error but
3. Nefarious people have made malware under the package names that LLMs make up most often. So
4. Now the LLM code points to malware.
2. The packages don’t exist. Which would normally cause an error but
3. Nefarious people have made malware under the package names that LLMs make up most often. So
4. Now the LLM code points to malware.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
December 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It is utterly catastrophic that RFK Jr. plans to end CDC recommendations for most childhood vaccines.
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
It’s a betrayal of science, ethics, compassion, and the people of the United States.
And it was also a specific goal of Project 2025 (page 254).
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Measles in Michigan: “An Oakland County child has been diagnosed with measles, the county's second measles case this year…
People may have been exposed at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital's emergency department between 7:20 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Dec. 7, according to a health division release.”
People may have been exposed at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital's emergency department between 7:20 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Dec. 7, according to a health division release.”
Oakland County child diagnosed with measles, ER possible exposure site
Oakland County Health Division says DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital's emergency department possible exposure site.
www.freep.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Measles in Michigan: “An Oakland County child has been diagnosed with measles, the county's second measles case this year…
People may have been exposed at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital's emergency department between 7:20 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Dec. 7, according to a health division release.”
People may have been exposed at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital's emergency department between 7:20 p.m. and 11:10 p.m. Dec. 7, according to a health division release.”
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
In voting to eliminate the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, ACIP ignored decades of evidence confirming its strong safety profile and effectiveness. Its decision will result in more hepatitis B infections and more people with chronic liver disease.
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
In voting to eliminate the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine, ACIP ignored decades of evidence confirming its strong safety profile and effectiveness. Its decision will result in more hepatitis B infections and more people with chronic liver disease.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
I think a lot of people still aren't used to the idea of a federal government that lies openly, nakedly and as a matter of course.
December 4, 2025 at 4:53 PM
I think a lot of people still aren't used to the idea of a federal government that lies openly, nakedly and as a matter of course.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
In light of today’s conversation on academic accommodations, I’m going to revive a thread lost to time when I deleted my Twitter profile.
It’s about a bunch of academic accommodations that instructors can offer in lieu of an extension on an assignment. 🧵
It’s about a bunch of academic accommodations that instructors can offer in lieu of an extension on an assignment. 🧵
December 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
In light of today’s conversation on academic accommodations, I’m going to revive a thread lost to time when I deleted my Twitter profile.
It’s about a bunch of academic accommodations that instructors can offer in lieu of an extension on an assignment. 🧵
It’s about a bunch of academic accommodations that instructors can offer in lieu of an extension on an assignment. 🧵
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
This is the most important op-ed you'll read this week. The Trump administration is about to get rid of the birth-dose of hepatitis B vaccine. That is a deadly choice for many families. @helenouyang.bsky.social tells her story. Now call your member of Congress. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
Opinion | My Father Died of Hepatitis B Before the Vaccine. We Must Not Go Back.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:37 AM
This is the most important op-ed you'll read this week. The Trump administration is about to get rid of the birth-dose of hepatitis B vaccine. That is a deadly choice for many families. @helenouyang.bsky.social tells her story. Now call your member of Congress. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/01/o...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
BREAKING NEWS: Baby otter gets tickled!
December 1, 2025 at 2:33 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Baby otter gets tickled!
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
What are you grateful for?
My short list includes:
My health.
The ability to have a job that I love.
My kids, parents, husband being together this holiday.
The fact that I know there are LOTS of people trying to do good in the world.
The fact that the world keeps turning. 🙏
My short list includes:
My health.
The ability to have a job that I love.
My kids, parents, husband being together this holiday.
The fact that I know there are LOTS of people trying to do good in the world.
The fact that the world keeps turning. 🙏
November 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
What are you grateful for?
My short list includes:
My health.
The ability to have a job that I love.
My kids, parents, husband being together this holiday.
The fact that I know there are LOTS of people trying to do good in the world.
The fact that the world keeps turning. 🙏
My short list includes:
My health.
The ability to have a job that I love.
My kids, parents, husband being together this holiday.
The fact that I know there are LOTS of people trying to do good in the world.
The fact that the world keeps turning. 🙏
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Frikkin amazing stuff.
November 26, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Frikkin amazing stuff.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
“It’s the latest decision in a head-spinning saga that federal workers with disabilities and temporary health needs say has hindered their job performance and weakened their faith that the federal government is a place for them.”
CDC moves to end telework for employees, including those with medical needs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ended full-time telework agreements for reasonable accommodations, employees say.
www.statnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:25 PM
“It’s the latest decision in a head-spinning saga that federal workers with disabilities and temporary health needs say has hindered their job performance and weakened their faith that the federal government is a place for them.”
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
November 21, 2025 at 12:54 AM
What’s the most significant advice you received from a teacher?
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
I had a Geology prof who always said “have strong opinions, loosely held”
Be passionate, assess alternatives with conviction, take sides. But don’t fall so in love with your opinions that you can’t change them with better data.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
i must admit, watching RFK Jr. burn down all those years of hard work on CDC's website for nothing has not been great for my mental health
For the first time in my career, I can’t tell people to trust what the CDC website says. And that is an incredibly sad and devastating place for this country to be.
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 4:41 AM
i must admit, watching RFK Jr. burn down all those years of hard work on CDC's website for nothing has not been great for my mental health
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
The deadly fever in Ethiopia has been identified as Marburg disease.
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
Ethiopia confirms first outbreak of Marburg virus disease
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the South Ethiopia Region, the first of its kind in the country, following laboratory testing of samples from a clus...
www.afro.who.int
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
The deadly fever in Ethiopia has been identified as Marburg disease.
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
It’s the first time a Marburg outbreak has been identified in Ethiopia.
#IDsky 🧪
www.afro.who.int/countries/et...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
I have GOT to know someone with a need for this
Are you located in the DC-Baltimore-Philadelphia-New York corridor?
Have you always wanted to have your very own 11 foot long papier-mâché hammerhead shark?
Now available for free!
Perfect for museums, community centers, or your living room!
Save this lovely creature from imminent destruction!
Have you always wanted to have your very own 11 foot long papier-mâché hammerhead shark?
Now available for free!
Perfect for museums, community centers, or your living room!
Save this lovely creature from imminent destruction!
November 14, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I have GOT to know someone with a need for this
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Submit them to Aurorasaurus!!! They're an NSF funded project out of University of New Mexico that takes crowdsourced aurora observations for research purposes:
www.aurorasaurus.org
www.aurorasaurus.org
Aurorasaurus - Reporting Auroras from the Ground Up
Friends, see my real-time #aurora report on the aurorasaurus.org map! Follow us on www.facebook.com/aurorasaurus.org. Reporting #northernlights and #citizenscience from the ground up since 2012!
www.aurorasaurus.org
November 12, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Submit them to Aurorasaurus!!! They're an NSF funded project out of University of New Mexico that takes crowdsourced aurora observations for research purposes:
www.aurorasaurus.org
www.aurorasaurus.org
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Things that are easy to do & be, but require effort & energy to prevent:
🖤 Angry
🖤 Violent
🖤 Overweight
🖤 Mean
🖤 Scared
🖤 Hateful
🖤 Misled
🖤 Angry
🖤 Violent
🖤 Overweight
🖤 Mean
🖤 Scared
🖤 Hateful
🖤 Misled
November 11, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Things that are easy to do & be, but require effort & energy to prevent:
🖤 Angry
🖤 Violent
🖤 Overweight
🖤 Mean
🖤 Scared
🖤 Hateful
🖤 Misled
🖤 Angry
🖤 Violent
🖤 Overweight
🖤 Mean
🖤 Scared
🖤 Hateful
🖤 Misled
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Utterly heartbreaking.
Teen Breaks Down In Tears While Pleading With City Council To Do Something About ICE Raids
www.comicsands.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Utterly heartbreaking.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
Every time you capitulate to a bully, they'll come back at you twice as brutally.
If you didn't learn this life lesson in third grade, GTFO of the US Senate.
If you didn't learn this life lesson in third grade, GTFO of the US Senate.
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Every time you capitulate to a bully, they'll come back at you twice as brutally.
If you didn't learn this life lesson in third grade, GTFO of the US Senate.
If you didn't learn this life lesson in third grade, GTFO of the US Senate.
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
As expected, Canada has lost its measles-free status because of the long-running outbreak there. With it goes the #measles elimination status of the entire zone of the Americas, the only division of the #WHO to ever have achieved measles elimination. www.statnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
Canada loses measles elimination status — as does the entire Americas region
Canada has formally lost its measles elimination status, the country’s public health agency announced, triggering the loss of that status throughout all of the Americas.
www.statnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
As expected, Canada has lost its measles-free status because of the long-running outbreak there. With it goes the #measles elimination status of the entire zone of the Americas, the only division of the #WHO to ever have achieved measles elimination. www.statnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
Reposted by Dr. Catherine Herzog (PhD MPH)
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc