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.