Vax Matters

There’s more to health equity than meets the eye. In this episode, the Louisiana Primary Care Association’s Director of Health Policy & Government Affairs Raegan Carter joins us to explain what health equity is, the barriers we currently face to achieving it and why it’s so crucial in society today. 

Viruses have the potential to mutate and change, but why? What causes mutation in viruses? Dr. Jeremy Kamil provides us with the answers in this episode, bringing his wealth of knowledge in virus and disease spread as the Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at LSU Health in Shreveport. 

What’s the relation between human papillomavirus (known as HPV) and cervical cancer? Is there one? LDH Regional Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski fills us in on this special Vax Update segment of Vax Matters. 

Many face barriers when it comes to getting a shot. What are they and why? Dr. Lacey Cavanaugh, regional medical director for the Louisiana Department of Health’s Region 5, provides an expert’s perspective in this episode.

We’ve got plenty of vaccines in today’s world, but how does a vaccine become approved for public use? CDC Epidemiologist Dr. Evelyn Twentyman runs us through the details on this heavily discussed and relevant subject.

This episode hits a personal note, as guest Krystle Beauchamp joins us to talk about meningitis, a disease she contracted and survived during college. Now the communications manager at Parish of Caddo, Krystle has become an advocate for meningitis awareness and prevention efforts.

Guest Dr. Sanjay Juneja explores the relation between cancer and vaccines. He currently serves as Baton Rouge General’s chief of oncology service line and is triple board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Episode guests Gretchen Schulz and Alex Michel from Johns Hopkins University talk about why many remain hesitant to receive vaccines, and how fears about the COVID-19 vaccine may have encouraged that feeling. 

A familiar voice returns on this episode—Dr. Frank Welch! Dr. Welch took us through the history of vaccines early on in this series, but now lends his experience and knowledge to us again as we talk about the shingles virus and the vaccine developed to defend against it.

Dr. Gia Tyson, head of hepatology and the Liver Center at Ochsner Health in Baton Rouge, lends her expertise in this episode as we explore both hepatitis A & B, as well as the vaccine developed to defend us against these diseases.

This Vax Matters episode delves into the details of the COVID-19 booster, addressing concerns and questions from across the board. Dr. Jennifer Avegno of LSU Health guest-stars on our show today to cover the subject comprehensively. 

With infants and children, how do the different age groups rank in number of COVID-19 vaccinations? The CDC’s Dr. Evelyn Twentyman appears on our show to dive into these rates and why they stand where they are. 

What does the future hold for vaccines? You may not know now, but you will after listening to this special episode of Vax Matters. Dr. Lisa Morici of the Tulane University School of Medicine joins us to illuminate the progress of vaccine discovery and development for the future. 

We hear about vaccines every day, but what do we really know about them? Our Vax Matters podcast exists to provide you with the truths behind immunization from all angles. Today’s show discusses the top myths we often hear about vaccines. Guest Dr. David Holcombe, one of the regional medical directors for the Office of Public Health, will be leading this conversation with us. 

How do outbreaks happen? What role do vaccines play in ending them? Dr. Catherine O’Neal joins us again to explore the history and the answers. Dr. O’Neal is an associate professor of Clinical Medicine specializing in Infectious Diseases at the LSU Health Internal Medicine Residency in Baton Rouge. 

Influenza, or the flu, is another severe disease that fortunately has a vaccine to prevent it. But why do people have to receive the flu shot once a year? Dr. Brody LeBlanc, family medicine doctor at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, lends his expertise to help us learn why.

Across professional sports, many athletes were reluctant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Because of this trend, some may wonder if vaccines really can affect athletic performance. We’ll find out on this episode of Vax Matters, where we’re joined by Dr. Catherine O’Neal. Dr. O’Neal is an associate professor of Clinical Medicine specializing in Infectious Diseases at the LSU Health Internal Medicine Re...

Chances are you’ve heard about herd immunity, but do you really know what it means? In this episode, we talk to Dr. Eric Griggs, director of Community Medicine at Access Health Louisiana, who will guide us through every aspect of herd immunity.

You don’t have to be a doctor to understand vaccines. Just listen to Vax Matters. This episode continues a discussion on modern vaccines and the way they work with Dr. Paulette Grey Riveria, Capital Region Medical Director and Administrator at the Louisiana Department of Health. 

We receive plenty of vaccines throughout the course of our lives, so we should know how they work. This episode and the next explore the different types and the way they function. Dr. Paulette Grey Riveria, Capital Region Medical Director and Administrator at the Louisiana Department of Health, joins the show to bring her insight to the conversation. 

Do childhood vaccines play a role in causing autism? This episode of Vax Matters answers that question. Dr. Elizabeth Margolis, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, joins the show to help us get to the bottom of it. Today’s episode is brought to you in part by The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans. Listeners can find out more about the work the...

In this special bonus episode, we invite the Louisiana Department of Health State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter back to the show to talk about the appearance of the monkeypox virus and its present and future impact on public health.

Vax Matters exists to provide clarity when it comes to vaccines. Today’s episode brings in Dr. Sandra Guerguis, who will focus on measles, mumps and rubella, and the vaccine developed to defend against those diseases in children. Dr. Guerguis specializes in pediatric infectious diseases at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Infectious Disease center in Baton Rouge.

Today is all about human papillomavirus, or HPV. How did it come about? What were the complications from the virus? How was the vaccine developed? We invited Dr. Joseph Bocchini on Vax Matters to help us answer these questions. Dr. Bocchini currently serves as Director of Willis-Knighton Children’s Health Services and Professor and Vice Chairman of the Tulane University Department of Pediatrics. 

The truths behind immunization are there, we just have to do a little digging. In Vax Matters, we’re exploring all areas of immunization and presenting only the facts. If you’re a parent or grandparent, today’s episode is especially for you, as it highlights the importance of childhood vaccines. Joining us are guests Dr. John Vanchiere and Brittany Tully.   Dr. Vanchiere is the Chief of LSU Health...