Steve Griffin
@profstevegriffin.bsky.social
Professor of Cancer Virology, University of Leeds.
Co-Chair, Independent SAGE
Co-Chair, Independent SAGE
I've never really understood the logic of "targeted vaccination".
Of course, money is a huge issue and we seek to get the most out of every £ spent.
Of course COVID and flu waves would be far worse without it.
But, what doesn't sit well for me is the following...
Of course, money is a huge issue and we seek to get the most out of every £ spent.
Of course COVID and flu waves would be far worse without it.
But, what doesn't sit well for me is the following...
November 6, 2025 at 12:46 PM
I've never really understood the logic of "targeted vaccination".
Of course, money is a huge issue and we seek to get the most out of every £ spent.
Of course COVID and flu waves would be far worse without it.
But, what doesn't sit well for me is the following...
Of course, money is a huge issue and we seek to get the most out of every £ spent.
Of course COVID and flu waves would be far worse without it.
But, what doesn't sit well for me is the following...
Out for a stroll...
October 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Out for a stroll...
Restricting eligibility as a wave is growing...
One of the reasons used for dropping coverage in younger age groups, especially kids, was a lack of demand...for a medicine they told everyone wasn't necessary...🤦♂️
Not an issue nowadays, it seems...
One of the reasons used for dropping coverage in younger age groups, especially kids, was a lack of demand...for a medicine they told everyone wasn't necessary...🤦♂️
Not an issue nowadays, it seems...
October 7, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Restricting eligibility as a wave is growing...
One of the reasons used for dropping coverage in younger age groups, especially kids, was a lack of demand...for a medicine they told everyone wasn't necessary...🤦♂️
Not an issue nowadays, it seems...
One of the reasons used for dropping coverage in younger age groups, especially kids, was a lack of demand...for a medicine they told everyone wasn't necessary...🤦♂️
Not an issue nowadays, it seems...
I feel like a broken record, and not one many folks want to hear nowadays.
But, ignoring resp viruses and the ongoing added burden of COVID is utter stupidity & short termism.
The virus still has cards to play, including the mysterious 3rd omicron family...H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
But, ignoring resp viruses and the ongoing added burden of COVID is utter stupidity & short termism.
The virus still has cards to play, including the mysterious 3rd omicron family...H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
October 6, 2025 at 8:46 AM
I feel like a broken record, and not one many folks want to hear nowadays.
But, ignoring resp viruses and the ongoing added burden of COVID is utter stupidity & short termism.
The virus still has cards to play, including the mysterious 3rd omicron family...H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
But, ignoring resp viruses and the ongoing added burden of COVID is utter stupidity & short termism.
The virus still has cards to play, including the mysterious 3rd omicron family...H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
However, the other main global variant, NB1.8.1, present in SE Asia, Australia etc is different again as it has a v complex history...
Again, H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
Maddening, isn't it?!
Some believe that it's pointless chasing SARS2 variants bc we can't keep up...
Again, H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
Maddening, isn't it?!
Some believe that it's pointless chasing SARS2 variants bc we can't keep up...
October 6, 2025 at 8:46 AM
However, the other main global variant, NB1.8.1, present in SE Asia, Australia etc is different again as it has a v complex history...
Again, H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
Maddening, isn't it?!
Some believe that it's pointless chasing SARS2 variants bc we can't keep up...
Again, H/T
@solidevidence.bsky.social
Maddening, isn't it?!
Some believe that it's pointless chasing SARS2 variants bc we can't keep up...
So, without going into details, the LP8.1 strain is a lot more recent than KP2, so has more mutations, many of which are shared with XFG.
However, as they have different histories, the matches are by no means perfect.
I stole this nice figure from the
@solidevidence.bsky.social
🧵 above.
However, as they have different histories, the matches are by no means perfect.
I stole this nice figure from the
@solidevidence.bsky.social
🧵 above.
October 6, 2025 at 8:46 AM
So, without going into details, the LP8.1 strain is a lot more recent than KP2, so has more mutations, many of which are shared with XFG.
However, as they have different histories, the matches are by no means perfect.
I stole this nice figure from the
@solidevidence.bsky.social
🧵 above.
However, as they have different histories, the matches are by no means perfect.
I stole this nice figure from the
@solidevidence.bsky.social
🧵 above.
Great to team up with Elen Johnston and @lsy58.bsky.social on this...we're seeing a growing wave now accelerating...
Sadly, I can see from the comments that mis/disinformation is rife and the poor handling of the crisis by the previous Govt has understandably left people bitter.
Sadly, I can see from the comments that mis/disinformation is rife and the poor handling of the crisis by the previous Govt has understandably left people bitter.
October 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Great to team up with Elen Johnston and @lsy58.bsky.social on this...we're seeing a growing wave now accelerating...
Sadly, I can see from the comments that mis/disinformation is rife and the poor handling of the crisis by the previous Govt has understandably left people bitter.
Sadly, I can see from the comments that mis/disinformation is rife and the poor handling of the crisis by the previous Govt has understandably left people bitter.
You don't fight Reform & Telegraph by playing them at their own game. #PigeonChess
Take away the reasons Farage, Tice et al. point their fingers at migration.
Inequality, poverty gap, uneven tax burden, cost of living, education, welfare, NHS...
Then, all they have left is swans and antivax 💩.
Take away the reasons Farage, Tice et al. point their fingers at migration.
Inequality, poverty gap, uneven tax burden, cost of living, education, welfare, NHS...
Then, all they have left is swans and antivax 💩.
September 26, 2025 at 8:40 AM
You don't fight Reform & Telegraph by playing them at their own game. #PigeonChess
Take away the reasons Farage, Tice et al. point their fingers at migration.
Inequality, poverty gap, uneven tax burden, cost of living, education, welfare, NHS...
Then, all they have left is swans and antivax 💩.
Take away the reasons Farage, Tice et al. point their fingers at migration.
Inequality, poverty gap, uneven tax burden, cost of living, education, welfare, NHS...
Then, all they have left is swans and antivax 💩.
Whether paracetamol, the Vee word, or any other tenuous 💩 RFK & eejits decide causes #Autism, they have one thing in common.
They lay the blame firmly at the parent's door. Just unbelievably cruel.
It's a complex, polygenic, largely unpredictable syndrome. Fact.
@peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
They lay the blame firmly at the parent's door. Just unbelievably cruel.
It's a complex, polygenic, largely unpredictable syndrome. Fact.
@peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
September 22, 2025 at 6:17 AM
Whether paracetamol, the Vee word, or any other tenuous 💩 RFK & eejits decide causes #Autism, they have one thing in common.
They lay the blame firmly at the parent's door. Just unbelievably cruel.
It's a complex, polygenic, largely unpredictable syndrome. Fact.
@peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
They lay the blame firmly at the parent's door. Just unbelievably cruel.
It's a complex, polygenic, largely unpredictable syndrome. Fact.
@peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social
Classic antivax:
Overstate adverse events, ignore disease risk.
Now rife in official ACIP recs🤦♂️💔
Febrile seizure risk (no long-term effects, occur after ANY fever) for MMRV ≈ 1/2K-4K.
SSPE risk for unvaxed infants, assuming survived acute measles, ~1/600. UNIVERSALLY FATAL.
Overstate adverse events, ignore disease risk.
Now rife in official ACIP recs🤦♂️💔
Febrile seizure risk (no long-term effects, occur after ANY fever) for MMRV ≈ 1/2K-4K.
SSPE risk for unvaxed infants, assuming survived acute measles, ~1/600. UNIVERSALLY FATAL.
September 19, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Classic antivax:
Overstate adverse events, ignore disease risk.
Now rife in official ACIP recs🤦♂️💔
Febrile seizure risk (no long-term effects, occur after ANY fever) for MMRV ≈ 1/2K-4K.
SSPE risk for unvaxed infants, assuming survived acute measles, ~1/600. UNIVERSALLY FATAL.
Overstate adverse events, ignore disease risk.
Now rife in official ACIP recs🤦♂️💔
Febrile seizure risk (no long-term effects, occur after ANY fever) for MMRV ≈ 1/2K-4K.
SSPE risk for unvaxed infants, assuming survived acute measles, ~1/600. UNIVERSALLY FATAL.
Great to discuss the flagrant disinformation peddled at the Reform conference by Malhotra with @garethiacobucci.bsky.social
As @LawrenceYoung11 et al agree, the 💩 re mRNA vax and "turbo cancer" (anyone taking that name seriously?!🤦♂️) is pure, insidious fiction designed to ⏫️ hesitancy.
As @LawrenceYoung11 et al agree, the 💩 re mRNA vax and "turbo cancer" (anyone taking that name seriously?!🤦♂️) is pure, insidious fiction designed to ⏫️ hesitancy.
September 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Great to discuss the flagrant disinformation peddled at the Reform conference by Malhotra with @garethiacobucci.bsky.social
As @LawrenceYoung11 et al agree, the 💩 re mRNA vax and "turbo cancer" (anyone taking that name seriously?!🤦♂️) is pure, insidious fiction designed to ⏫️ hesitancy.
As @LawrenceYoung11 et al agree, the 💩 re mRNA vax and "turbo cancer" (anyone taking that name seriously?!🤦♂️) is pure, insidious fiction designed to ⏫️ hesitancy.
Anyone even remotely surprised? 🤬
September 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Anyone even remotely surprised? 🤬
Thrilled VZV vax finally here after JCVI rec in 23.
But, I struggle with double standards c.f. SARS2.
Rarer severe outcomes, esp youngest, carer's leave, "topping up" adult immunity=bollocks.
Boosters reqd, but protection vs severe acute and long COVID from 1°.
No brainer.
But, I struggle with double standards c.f. SARS2.
Rarer severe outcomes, esp youngest, carer's leave, "topping up" adult immunity=bollocks.
Boosters reqd, but protection vs severe acute and long COVID from 1°.
No brainer.
August 29, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thrilled VZV vax finally here after JCVI rec in 23.
But, I struggle with double standards c.f. SARS2.
Rarer severe outcomes, esp youngest, carer's leave, "topping up" adult immunity=bollocks.
Boosters reqd, but protection vs severe acute and long COVID from 1°.
No brainer.
But, I struggle with double standards c.f. SARS2.
Rarer severe outcomes, esp youngest, carer's leave, "topping up" adult immunity=bollocks.
Boosters reqd, but protection vs severe acute and long COVID from 1°.
No brainer.
If there's a way to make more of a mockery of such a trusted and influential position in public health and scientific research, then I really don't want to see it.
Pathetic capitulation and total lack of integrity. Battacharya will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
Pathetic capitulation and total lack of integrity. Battacharya will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
August 11, 2025 at 8:52 AM
If there's a way to make more of a mockery of such a trusted and influential position in public health and scientific research, then I really don't want to see it.
Pathetic capitulation and total lack of integrity. Battacharya will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
Pathetic capitulation and total lack of integrity. Battacharya will go down in history for all the wrong reasons.
Just the sheer brass neck and arrogance to overrule expert reviews...again.
This isn't leadership, it's agenda-driven, self aggrandising callousness, and it will cost lives. 💔
This isn't leadership, it's agenda-driven, self aggrandising callousness, and it will cost lives. 💔
July 16, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Just the sheer brass neck and arrogance to overrule expert reviews...again.
This isn't leadership, it's agenda-driven, self aggrandising callousness, and it will cost lives. 💔
This isn't leadership, it's agenda-driven, self aggrandising callousness, and it will cost lives. 💔
Demonstrably bollocks.
July 13, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Demonstrably bollocks.
The last thing I am is religious.
However, whether it's the UK welfare reform or some apparently "beautiful" bill, my brain keeps flashing back to primary school and to this very simple lesson...what are we doing, folks?
The parable of the poor woman's offering...
However, whether it's the UK welfare reform or some apparently "beautiful" bill, my brain keeps flashing back to primary school and to this very simple lesson...what are we doing, folks?
The parable of the poor woman's offering...
July 2, 2025 at 6:39 AM
The last thing I am is religious.
However, whether it's the UK welfare reform or some apparently "beautiful" bill, my brain keeps flashing back to primary school and to this very simple lesson...what are we doing, folks?
The parable of the poor woman's offering...
However, whether it's the UK welfare reform or some apparently "beautiful" bill, my brain keeps flashing back to primary school and to this very simple lesson...what are we doing, folks?
The parable of the poor woman's offering...
Best ever Father's Day socks...my kids know me well! ❤️
June 15, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Best ever Father's Day socks...my kids know me well! ❤️
Perfect response to the "no more severe" commentary...
June 4, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Perfect response to the "no more severe" commentary...
If Kennedy was serious about improving scientific standards, he would appoint advisors with multiple viewpoints and experience, not just politically aligned yes-men from the fringes of actual science.
On this, they're utterly wrong as usual. COVID infection during pregnancy risks mother and child💔
On this, they're utterly wrong as usual. COVID infection during pregnancy risks mother and child💔
May 27, 2025 at 9:46 PM
If Kennedy was serious about improving scientific standards, he would appoint advisors with multiple viewpoints and experience, not just politically aligned yes-men from the fringes of actual science.
On this, they're utterly wrong as usual. COVID infection during pregnancy risks mother and child💔
On this, they're utterly wrong as usual. COVID infection during pregnancy risks mother and child💔
Married for 14 years today, together for 23.
My amazing @lucyprodgers.bsky.social ❤️
My amazing @lucyprodgers.bsky.social ❤️
April 29, 2025 at 6:07 AM
Married for 14 years today, together for 23.
My amazing @lucyprodgers.bsky.social ❤️
My amazing @lucyprodgers.bsky.social ❤️
If anyone needed any more evidence of just how short-sighted, wasteful, and scientifically illiterate HHS and NIH cuts are, look no further...
Battacharya and Kennedy are a recipe for science and public health regression; MAHA, my a*se...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Battacharya and Kennedy are a recipe for science and public health regression; MAHA, my a*se...
www.science.org/content/arti...
April 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
If anyone needed any more evidence of just how short-sighted, wasteful, and scientifically illiterate HHS and NIH cuts are, look no further...
Battacharya and Kennedy are a recipe for science and public health regression; MAHA, my a*se...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Battacharya and Kennedy are a recipe for science and public health regression; MAHA, my a*se...
www.science.org/content/arti...
