Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1h

Past surgeon generals alongside psychiatric bodies all calling for Kennedy to go citing his attacks on vaccines that look set to reduce access to vaccines and therapies to tackle substance abuse

Past surgeons general warn HHS Secretary Kennedy must go

www.cidrap.umn.edu

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1h

Early days for this test- interesting results and could be exciting but on a small group size and without other inflammatory conditions I would be cautious about saying it’s a test for ME yet

Scientists develop first ‘accurate blood test’ to detect chronic fatigue syndrome

Research could offer hope for ME patients – but some experts urge caution and say more studies needed

www.theguardian.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 13h

Oh no!

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Reposted by Prof Sheena Cruickshank

NPR @npr.org · 21h

Two groups are calling for new leadership at HHS after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions on substance abuse treatment and mental health medications, among other issues.

Psychiatrists call for RFK Jr. to be replaced as health secretary

Two groups are calling for new leadership at HHS after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions on substance abuse treatment and mental health medications, among other issues.

n.pr

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 20h

I really don’t know- so sorry to hear this

Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

I hope we won’t see more cases of severe Covid or long COVID as a consequence of changing eligibility. I also hope some deal can be done to help accessibility of the vaccines for those that can’t shell out over £100 to vaccinate their families

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

This mismatch is confusing for people who just one year ago were eligible for both free vaccines. Communicating eligibility needs to be made clearer to avoid disappointment. Vaccines can be purchased from most pharmacies - flu around £18.50 and Covid 75-99 which adds up

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

So if you are 75 and over, in a care home or severely immunocompromised you are eligible but not if eg you have asthma, are pregnant or have diabetes

Who’s eligible for the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’?

This blog post was reviewed and updated in September 2025. When autumn comes, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely ...

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Last winter was a severe one for flu but Covid relatively was low and this likely influenced JCVI decision as they claim it is mild for most (tell that to my kids at uni both suffering now) - irrespective jcvi recommended a restricted offering

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Free Flu vaccine eligibility covers pregnant women, people over age 65, immunocompromised, carers and conditions such as asthma

Your guide to who’s eligible for the autumn 2025 flu vaccine

As we approach autumn, it's nearly time for people with certain long-term health conditions to be booked in for their free flu jab. Individuals with these conditions are at risk of more severe outcome...

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

So much confusion by charging guidelines for Covid and flu vaccines in UK with a massive mismatch in eligibility for who can get them 🧵

Pharmacies facing angry patients over Covid jab confusion

Up to half of patients coming to some pharmacies are being turned away because they are not eligible.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Do you remember ‘suppressor t cells’ out of curiosity

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Good call

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

I would remiss if I didn't have a whoop about Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi winning the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering immune cells — regulatory T cells — that help to prevent the body from attacking its own tissues

Medicine Nobel goes to scientists who revealed secrets of immune system ‘regulation’

Mary Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi discovered cells that protect the body from autoimmune diseases.

www.nature.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

I feel your pain this year as one of my kids just started uni

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Most importantly- have fun- being a student is daunting, terrifying, exciting, exhausting and stimulating so make the most of this exciting time. You can still have fun and take care of your self too. I hope this helps!

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

The student lifestyle is not always the kindest for your immune system with stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and too much drinking all factors that may make your immune system not work quite as it should so do try and oomph your nutrition or have a chill when you can to help you recover

patrick star from spongebob squarepants is meditating on a rock with incense sticks .

ALT: patrick star from spongebob squarepants is meditating on a rock with incense sticks .

media.tenor.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Food borne infections are another risk as you grapple with shared kitchens and cooking your own food

Mouldy plates, burning pans, clouds of vape smoke: how to survive the horrors of the shared kitchen

Whether it’s your first day at uni or your 10th year in a flatshare, there’s no telling what awaits you whenever you enter the communal kitchen. Here’s how to cook and eat with the minimum of squalor ...

www.theguardian.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Don't forget too about sexual transmitted diseases- these are very much on the rise and antibiotic resistant strains that are tough to shift are also on the rise too. PLEASE use protection!

a man in a pink shirt is standing next to a bootleg pepes machine

ALT: a man in a pink shirt is standing next to a bootleg pepes machine

media.tenor.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

We also know a lot of kids didn't get any or their full doses of MMR or whooping cough vaccines so do check your records and consider those vaccines too. You REALLY don't want to get hit by any of those infections

Preventable Diseases, Preventable Tragedies: Why Vaccines Are Essential – Independent SAGE

Independent SAGE: Independent scientific advice on the COVID-19 crisis, for the UK government and public.

independentsage.org

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

A real risk for new students is meningitis and this can be deadly so its important to know the signs. If you haven't been vaccinated already then the- MenACWY vaccine will increase your protection against MenC & help to protect you against 3 other meningococcal types (A, W and Y)

A guide to the MenACWY vaccine

www.gov.uk

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Covid levels are getting higher and there is plenty of rhinovirus around now to make you feel really ropey. bhawkins3.substack.com/p/covid-situ...

Covid Situation Report: Oct 1, 2025

Report providing the latest information on Covid activity in the UK and other countries. This post is best viewed using the browser or Substack app.

bhawkins3.substack.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Also be aware of glandular fever- it is cause by epstein barr virus and shared by close contact such as kissing (sorry)

Glandular fever

Find out about glandular fever including what the symptoms are, how to treat it yourself, how to stop it spreading, and when to get medical help.

www.nhs.uk

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Freshers flu as @zania-stamataki.bsky.social says is "Freshers' flu is just an assortment of common cold viruses that come and hit us all at the same time," and new terms are a real mixing pot for large gatherings of people, enclosed spaces enabling viruses to be shared and spread.

a crowd of people at a concert with confetti being thrown

ALT: a crowd of people at a concert with confetti being thrown

media.tenor.com

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Prof Sheena Cruickshank @sheencr.bsky.social · 1d

Somewhat ironic that when I was interviewed for this article on fresher's flu I was just getting over a nasty cold myself potentially acquired in various teaching activities. Some quick takes on this for all new students (and not just freshers). 🧪🧵
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

What exactly is freshers' flu - and why do so many get it?

It's not the actual flu, and it's rarely serious, but when thousands of students arrive on campus they bring a cocktail of viruses.

www.bbc.co.uk

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