Caitlin Rivers
Infectious disease epidemiologist @JohnsHopkinsSPH. Associate professor. Author of CRISIS AVERTED (Viking). Outbreak newsletter at caitlinrivers.substack.com
- Just confiscated a skateboard from the top of the stairs. The pigeons have to go to school.
- FYI: I see a flu rebound in school age kids, and to a lesser extent the same in Covid-19 data. This is often the first sign of a broader pattern, so I’m on the lookout for more🕵️♀️ caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/flu-reboun...
- I joined PBS NewHour today to discuss measles, including whether the ACIP chair is right that polio and measles vaccines should be optional. (My answer: that's a distraction! It's not the role of ACIP, they don't have that power. They ADVISE on best use of vaccines.) www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
- Going to repeat my talking point here because let it be known: ACIP does not and cannot require people to be vaccinated. It is a red herring to insert individual choice. The "AC" stands for advisory committee. They are meant to give advice on how best to use vaccines to prevent illness.
- I’ll be on PBS Newshour tonight discussing measles. We’ll likely lose our elimination status, and I expect more big outbreaks in 2026. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective and, you might be surprised to learn, very popular.
- and if they ask about ACIP, I have THOUGHTS
- Hello, flu bounce. It's baaaaack.
- There is nothing mysterious about this. Modern measles outcomes are knowable and known. Most countries have not achieved elimination.
- Most clinicians hear about outbreaks from the news or even their patients. I'm building FOI Clinical to change that. Plain-language outbreak briefings, designed for busy clinicians. Launching February 2026. www.foiclinical.com/posts/announ...
- Better not to be in a position of having to justify...
- Crisis Averted, my narrative nonfiction book, is on super sale at Amazon for $6.50 hardcover or $5 kindle. It has a lot to say about the role of public health in our lives, what happens when we let our guard down, and it takes a hard look at times when public health has itself taken a wrong turn.
- The report accompanying the new vaccine schedule repeatedly refers to the vaccine schedule as mandated, and coercive. That's patently false, it is a set of recommendations. The authors may be trying to get at school entrance requirements, but those are state policies, not federal.
- We are at or near peak flu season. This season is similar in intensity to last year's ugly season. Covid-19 is also rising, and RSV is moderate. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...
- Flu activity is very high and rising in many parts of the country, with levels similar to last year's big season. Be careful out there. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/widespread...
- My readers had a heads up about this ugly flu season as early as October, with regular reminders thereafter. Join us.
- I do think we're in for a big flu season, thanks to a new subclade (variant) of H3N2. Activity is currently low but that will change quickly. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...
- I joined colleagues Michael Mina and Rachael Bedard for a wide-ranging conversation about the changes unfolding in public health, and what it means for the future. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/o...
- I feel like my book is caught in some sort of GameStop algorithmic weirdness, but anyways Crisis Averted is now $5.80 on Amazon. For a new hardcover, published just last year. If you’re interested in narrative nonfiction, public health, or outbreaks, this one’s for you.
- I do not understand how this can be, but Amazon is selling hardcopies of Crisis Averted for just $6.44. www.amazon.com/Crisis-Avert...
- Reposted by Caitlin RiversTwo victims of previous school shootings — Mia Tretta, who was shot in the stomach in 2019 at Saugus High School, and Zoe Weissman, who survived the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — are now at Brown. Gun violence is out of control in this country.
- Counterpoint: even a normal year of flu is newsworthy because 1) it sickens millions and kills thousands every year in the U.S. alone and 2) it is at least partially preventable/mitigable. I'd rather people hear about flu than calibri vs times new roman...
- We’re in pretty good shape heading into Thanksgiving week. Flu is low but that is changing. Same with RSV. Covid is very low. Enjoy the holiday! caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/thanksgivi...
- In Texas' public health region 6/5S, which includes Houston, the number of emergency department visits for influenza is already almost on par with the *peak* of last year.
- can cloudfare take down outlook next time?
- I do think we're in for a big flu season, thanks to a new subclade (variant) of H3N2. Activity is currently low but that will change quickly. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...
- Yes. State and local jurisdictions collect and submit the data. State and local health departments would be able to see if what CDC is reporting does not match what they submitted.
- CDC flu data is back! I’m so happy I could cry. H3N2 is predominating, especially the new subclade K. This supports the emerging hypothesis that we will have a big flu season. More to come.
- A bad flu season is on the table as a possibility. UK is reporting a new variant (subclade of H3N2), and multiple countries are reporting big seasons. I’m hoping U.S. data will be published tomorrow now that the shutdown is over. But in any case, our current activity is low right now.
- Reposted by Caitlin Rivers[Not loaded yet]
- It's now November, and flu and RSV are beginning to stir, as they do. For the 5th week in a row, we went to all 50 state websites to take a look at what's going around. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/flu-and-rs...
- Crisis Averted is still on sale for $6 on kindle or $15 hardback. Shortlisted for a Phi Beta Kappa book award!
- I had a great time reviewing @cohenjon.bsky.social 's fascinating new book, Planning Miracles. It's a good time to shine a light on why pandemic preparedness is in our own best interest. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
- Thrilled that my book, Crisis Averted, is shortlisted for a Phi Beta Kappa book award, in the category that “recognizes superior books by scientists written to illuminate aspects of science for a broad readership” 🥰 www.pbk.org/awards/booka...
- For the 4th week in a row, we went state-by-state to check on flu, Covid-19 and RSV. All quiet, for now. caitlinrivers.substack.com/p/outbreak-o...
- Starting my FOURTH tour of all 50 states + DC to collect data on Covid-19, flu and RSV activity. And no end to this shutdown in sight. Pretty tired of living in ‘interesting times’ tbh.
- Kindle version is still on sale!
