Kristian G. Andersen
@kgandersen.bsky.social
Infectious diseases & genomics. Immunologist in (voluntary) exile. Minimal sarcasm. Fierce HOA (Hater of Acronyms). Personal account - opinions expressed are my own and not those of my employer.
This is the key point - it's not about Moderna's flu vaccine, it's about sending a signal to the rest of the industry that vaccine development isn't viable in the US. It's all part of the larger anti-vaccine agenda.
FDA's decision not to accept Moderna's flu vaccine filing has sent shock waves through pharma. "When there’s uncertainty about the path to approval & the reliability of the process, that really has pretty serious consequences,” one player told @jasonmast.bsky.social. www.statnews.com/2026/02/12/f...
FDA’s rejection of Moderna threatens to stifle broader vaccine industry
Experts say the FDA "moved the goalposts" on Moderna, creating "a destructive precedent that will undermine the future of vaccine development" in the U.S.
www.statnews.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:55 PM
This is the key point - it's not about Moderna's flu vaccine, it's about sending a signal to the rest of the industry that vaccine development isn't viable in the US. It's all part of the larger anti-vaccine agenda.
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Ok, I know promised a thread on the fascinating and important new research explaining what happened with the rare, serious side effects of AstraZeneca's and Johnson&Johnson's Covid-19 vaccines.
So, @science.org story is here and 🧪🧵 is coming:
www.science.org/content/arti...
So, @science.org story is here and 🧪🧵 is coming:
www.science.org/content/arti...
Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained
“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people
www.science.org
February 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Ok, I know promised a thread on the fascinating and important new research explaining what happened with the rare, serious side effects of AstraZeneca's and Johnson&Johnson's Covid-19 vaccines.
So, @science.org story is here and 🧪🧵 is coming:
www.science.org/content/arti...
So, @science.org story is here and 🧪🧵 is coming:
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Here is an announcement for everybody who is sick and tired on the attacks on science and scientists.
It has been months in the making, but now we are ready to fight back.
First episode airs tomorrow 5pm UK.
New episode every friday.
Incredible guests lined up.
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
It has been months in the making, but now we are ready to fight back.
First episode airs tomorrow 5pm UK.
New episode every friday.
Incredible guests lined up.
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Announcing: Science Counterpunch
Fighting back for science & scientists was never more urgent
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Here is an announcement for everybody who is sick and tired on the attacks on science and scientists.
It has been months in the making, but now we are ready to fight back.
First episode airs tomorrow 5pm UK.
New episode every friday.
Incredible guests lined up.
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
It has been months in the making, but now we are ready to fight back.
First episode airs tomorrow 5pm UK.
New episode every friday.
Incredible guests lined up.
open.substack.com/pub/protagon...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
I really enjoyed working on this piece on Riutord-Fe et al, a fantastic piece of work that highlights both the power of comprehensive, longitudinal wildlife surveillance and the challenges of disentangling the roles different hosts play in pathogen maintenance ecology. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Squirrels could be a reservoir for the virus that causes mpox
The species in which monkeypox virus naturally circulates is uncertain, but wildlife surveillance data suggest that the fire-footed rope squirrel is a likely candidate.
www.nature.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:42 AM
I really enjoyed working on this piece on Riutord-Fe et al, a fantastic piece of work that highlights both the power of comprehensive, longitudinal wildlife surveillance and the challenges of disentangling the roles different hosts play in pathogen maintenance ecology. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Fascinating stuff - the conundrum of why, in extremely rare cases, people ended up getting dangerous blood clotting after having received the adenovirus-based J&J (my first COVID-19 vaccine; Ad26-based) or AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-based) vaccines has been solved.
Scientists Figured Out the Problem With Johnson & Johnson’s COVID Vaccine
Rare but dangerous blood clotting associated with that vaccine as well as AstraZeneca’s had a genetic cause, according to a new paper.
www.theatlantic.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:02 PM
Fascinating stuff - the conundrum of why, in extremely rare cases, people ended up getting dangerous blood clotting after having received the adenovirus-based J&J (my first COVID-19 vaccine; Ad26-based) or AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1-based) vaccines has been solved.
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Director-General @drtedros.who.int minced no words today when asked about the proposal to run a trial of a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in Guinea-Bissau. It would be "unethical to proceed with this study," he said. "Maybe it's better to say it bluntly & straight."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/h...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/h...
WHO director-general calls plans for U.S.-funded vaccine trial ‘unethical’
The director-general of the WHO said a U.S.-funded study of the hepatitis B vaccine in Guinea-Bissau would be “unethical” if it proceeds as planned.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Director-General @drtedros.who.int minced no words today when asked about the proposal to run a trial of a hepatitis B vaccine birth dose in Guinea-Bissau. It would be "unethical to proceed with this study," he said. "Maybe it's better to say it bluntly & straight."
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/h...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/h...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
This is outrageous, and (though it was completely obvious he should never have held this spot), Vinay Prasad needs to go. This vaccine candidate deserves review, not ideologically motivated rejection. Lives are at stake. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Prasad overruled FDA staff to reject Moderna's flu vaccine application
The rejection is the latest instance of Vinay Prasad overruling career FDA scientists to place vaccines under harsher scrutiny.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:57 PM
This is outrageous, and (though it was completely obvious he should never have held this spot), Vinay Prasad needs to go. This vaccine candidate deserves review, not ideologically motivated rejection. Lives are at stake. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/m...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Big @bostonglobe.com / MassINC Polling survey out this morning. "They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs." We surveyed NIH funded scientists in Massachusetts about federal funding cuts & policies. Here's what they told us. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs. - The Boston Globe
In a first-of-its-kind survey, the Globe asked hundreds of scientists about the impact of federal funding cuts.
www.bostonglobe.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 AM
Big @bostonglobe.com / MassINC Polling survey out this morning. "They came to Massachusetts to cure disease. Now they’re packing up their labs." We surveyed NIH funded scientists in Massachusetts about federal funding cuts & policies. Here's what they told us. www.bostonglobe.com/2026/02/09/m...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
F.D.A. Refuses to Review Moderna Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:12 PM
NEW: The F.D.A. refused to accept an application from Moderna for its mRNA flu vaccine.
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
Its reason: The agency did not think Moderna compared the new vaccine to one of the best flu shots available. The company spent $750M+ on a 41,000 person study.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/h...
I know I'm late to the game, but I know absolutely nothing about bunnies or funny-shaped balls...
But that was awesome - even if I understood less than 5% of what was said, I 100% got the meaning.
This was everything that made me feel blessed for becoming part of this experiment back in 2009 🐰🏈🙏🌟.
But that was awesome - even if I understood less than 5% of what was said, I 100% got the meaning.
This was everything that made me feel blessed for becoming part of this experiment back in 2009 🐰🏈🙏🌟.
February 10, 2026 at 1:25 AM
I know I'm late to the game, but I know absolutely nothing about bunnies or funny-shaped balls...
But that was awesome - even if I understood less than 5% of what was said, I 100% got the meaning.
This was everything that made me feel blessed for becoming part of this experiment back in 2009 🐰🏈🙏🌟.
But that was awesome - even if I understood less than 5% of what was said, I 100% got the meaning.
This was everything that made me feel blessed for becoming part of this experiment back in 2009 🐰🏈🙏🌟.
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
A long time ago in a galaxy far away, there was a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Our paper, led by @martibartfast.bsky.social
a) correcting errors in 4.5 million genomes & their phylogeny
b) improving representation of the Global South in public data
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(thread 1/n)
a) correcting errors in 4.5 million genomes & their phylogeny
b) improving representation of the Global South in public data
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(thread 1/n)
Addressing pandemic-wide systematic errors in the SARS-CoV-2 phylogeny - Nature Methods
This Resource paper presents a global SARS-CoV-2 phylogenetic tree of 4,471,579 high-quality genomes consistently constructed by Viridian, an efficient amplicon-aware assembler.
www.nature.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:16 PM
A long time ago in a galaxy far away, there was a SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Our paper, led by @martibartfast.bsky.social
a) correcting errors in 4.5 million genomes & their phylogeny
b) improving representation of the Global South in public data
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(thread 1/n)
a) correcting errors in 4.5 million genomes & their phylogeny
b) improving representation of the Global South in public data
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
(thread 1/n)
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Good thread. Another issue with the editorial is overall NIH funding is not a good measure of success. That doesn't bring back global public health cuts, the lives lost, cancer trials disrupted, vaccine research ended, diversity grants eliminated, foreign subcontracts killed, or grants disrupted.
February 8, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Good thread. Another issue with the editorial is overall NIH funding is not a good measure of success. That doesn't bring back global public health cuts, the lives lost, cancer trials disrupted, vaccine research ended, diversity grants eliminated, foreign subcontracts killed, or grants disrupted.
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
In a long-form piece, I address recent claims by the Editor-in-Chief of @science.org that "quiet" insiders rather than "heated" activists should be credited for passage of top-line budget numbers for science and medical research.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
Science Advocacy: The Risks of Playing the Long Game vs. Playing the Game For Too Long
Reflecting on the establishment view of recent ‘wins’ for research and what real winning looks like when public-facing advocacy is credited and included in broader coalitions.
joshuasweitz.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:46 PM
In a long-form piece, I address recent claims by the Editor-in-Chief of @science.org that "quiet" insiders rather than "heated" activists should be credited for passage of top-line budget numbers for science and medical research.
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
joshuasweitz.substack.com/p/science-ad...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
I think we have to be very careful here. The appropriations bills are one thing, but as you all know, this administration has a bag of dirty tricks they have and will continue to use to undermine research and frankly, methodically chip away at it until it is a shell of its former self. 1/
February 8, 2026 at 1:23 PM
I think we have to be very careful here. The appropriations bills are one thing, but as you all know, this administration has a bag of dirty tricks they have and will continue to use to undermine research and frankly, methodically chip away at it until it is a shell of its former self. 1/
It's baffling this isn't discussed more.
February 7, 2026 at 5:52 PM
It's baffling this isn't discussed more.
This is great to see - about time this made it to the US! The movie isn't really about the origin of the pandemic, but it *is* about those wrongfully being blamed for it - it's important to hear their story, and this movie does it well.
Peter mentions April, but I believe it's February!
Peter mentions April, but I believe it's February!
Hot News from @naturehealthglobal.bsky.social Re. the documentary Blame: Nominated for major award, released in theaters in Germany/Switzerland, & US PREMIERE at the Sedona Film Festival in April 2026!!! 🧵
naturehealthglobal.org/update-blame...
naturehealthglobal.org/update-blame...
UPDATE! Blame Movie: Awards, Theatrical Release, US Premiere! - Nature.Health.Global
“Blame” is a documentary movie by the Oscar-nominated, Sundance Festival award winning Swiss Director Christian Frei. The film focuses on three scientists,
naturehealthglobal.org
February 7, 2026 at 5:38 PM
This is great to see - about time this made it to the US! The movie isn't really about the origin of the pandemic, but it *is* about those wrongfully being blamed for it - it's important to hear their story, and this movie does it well.
Peter mentions April, but I believe it's February!
Peter mentions April, but I believe it's February!
Had the authors pressure-tested their own "BDL" system they would realize:
1️⃣ All key pathogen data, including genomic, would fall under BDL-4
2️⃣ Hence, we should no longer share data on key pathogens
Good example of theoretical risks impeding research on real ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1️⃣ All key pathogen data, including genomic, would fall under BDL-4
2️⃣ Hence, we should no longer share data on key pathogens
Good example of theoretical risks impeding research on real ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Biological data governance in an age of AI
Tailored access controls on new viral data would reduce misuse risks
www.science.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Had the authors pressure-tested their own "BDL" system they would realize:
1️⃣ All key pathogen data, including genomic, would fall under BDL-4
2️⃣ Hence, we should no longer share data on key pathogens
Good example of theoretical risks impeding research on real ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1️⃣ All key pathogen data, including genomic, would fall under BDL-4
2️⃣ Hence, we should no longer share data on key pathogens
Good example of theoretical risks impeding research on real ones.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
"in July 2023, 80% of Danes said they saw the US as a friend or ally. Now, fewer than 26% do".
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
February 6, 2026 at 10:07 PM
"in July 2023, 80% of Danes said they saw the US as a friend or ally. Now, fewer than 26% do".
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Science EIC Thorp would like to have it both ways:
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
A tale of many twos
For the American scientific enterprise, the past year has seemed awash in contradiction. On the one hand, it has produced great upheavals and losses for US science. Many universities experienced some ...
www.science.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Science EIC Thorp would like to have it both ways:
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
1) Credited for being reasonable in acknowledging the importance of (i) quiet insiders & (ii) activists in confronting cuts to science.
2) Clear on who he thinks really deserves the credit for the wins: insiders.
🧵
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
KFF: Poll: Trust and Confidence in the CDC Remain at Low Point After Changes to Recommended Childhood Vaccines
bit.ly/4qmcZLB @kff.org
bit.ly/4qmcZLB @kff.org
Poll: Trust and Confidence in the CDC Remain at Low Point After Changes to Recommended Childhood Vaccines; More Say the Changes Will Hurt than Help Children’s Health | KFF
In the weeks after the Trump administration reduced the number of recommended childhood vaccines for routine use, the public’s trust in the CDC remains at its lowest point. Among those who have heard ...
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 1:29 PM
KFF: Poll: Trust and Confidence in the CDC Remain at Low Point After Changes to Recommended Childhood Vaccines
bit.ly/4qmcZLB @kff.org
bit.ly/4qmcZLB @kff.org
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
Not really a surprise, but it's still surprising to me that some chose to believe his lie
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Not really a surprise, but it's still surprising to me that some chose to believe his lie
Very much agree with everything said here - LLMs are fantastic tools, but scaling isn't going to get us to AGI. Cut the hype.
"The best news here is that with LLM mania subsiding, there might actually be a chance for newcomers to try new things."
garymarcus.substack.com/p/sam-altman...
"The best news here is that with LLM mania subsiding, there might actually be a chance for newcomers to try new things."
garymarcus.substack.com/p/sam-altman...
Sam Altman and the day Nvidia’s meteoric rise came to an end
Happy half anniversary, GPT-5
garymarcus.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Very much agree with everything said here - LLMs are fantastic tools, but scaling isn't going to get us to AGI. Cut the hype.
"The best news here is that with LLM mania subsiding, there might actually be a chance for newcomers to try new things."
garymarcus.substack.com/p/sam-altman...
"The best news here is that with LLM mania subsiding, there might actually be a chance for newcomers to try new things."
garymarcus.substack.com/p/sam-altman...
Reposted by Kristian G. Andersen
So the question here is mis-specified. There is no "alternative" research funding in any way that would make American biomedical research whole for researchers to seek out. 1/ www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/p... via @statnews.com
We asked whether principal investigators have plans in place for how research can continue without them
Researchers must be mindful of unexpected events that may leave them incapacitated or unable to lead their research projects or labs.
www.statnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 10:35 AM
So the question here is mis-specified. There is no "alternative" research funding in any way that would make American biomedical research whole for researchers to seek out. 1/ www.statnews.com/2026/02/03/p... via @statnews.com
There are only two correct answers in the universe: “42” and “animal style with peppers”.
🤖🍔
🤖🍔
February 3, 2026 at 2:07 AM
There are only two correct answers in the universe: “42” and “animal style with peppers”.
🤖🍔
🤖🍔