CHC Radio

“Not the Doomsday Variant”: Dr. Eric Topol’s Concerns Around Omicron and America’s Low Fully Vaccinated Rate

This week hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter welcome Dr. Eric Topol, Director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, for his perspective on the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. He says early data shows that it is highly transmissible, but apparently not more deadly. His greater concern is around the current Delta surge leading to more infections, low vaccination rates in developing countries leading to more variants, and the “abysmal” vaccination performance in the U.S. He says mRNA vaccines should be considered a 3-dose protocol, and that rapid testing and virus sequencing should be more broadly deployed to stop the spread of the virus.

Sofia Dupi

Share
Published by
Sofia Dupi

Recent Posts

Happy, Healthy New Year: What the Future Holds

New research. New technology. New possibilities. On this special 2025 Rewind and Look Ahead episode…

1 week ago

2025 Rewind: Our guests recount the promises and hurdles

Health care policy faced major upheavals during the past 12 months and the effects are…

2 weeks ago

“Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America”: Author Conversation

Eighty percent of maternal deaths in the United States are considered preventable. So why do…

3 weeks ago

Congress Races to Find Obamacare Subsidy Solution: Reporters Examine the Efforts

Originally broadcast December 11, 2025 Congress is scrambling to find a solution to the enhanced…

4 weeks ago

Flu Cases Rising: “It’s Not Good,” Says Former CDC Dir. Dr. Tom Frieden

Originally broadcast December 4, 2025 The doctor who once led the Centers for Disease Control…

4 weeks ago

Can You Have a ‘Healthy’ Thanksgiving? How the Food Industry Conspires Against Us

Leading nutritionist Marion Nestle, Ph.D., has a sobering message as we get ready for Thanksgiving:…

1 month ago