COVID-19 vaccine schedule, College voter turnout, Neanderthal genome

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An information sign is displayed as a child arrives with her parent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
An information sign is displayed as a child arrives with her parent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old at London Middle School in Wheeling, Ill., Nov. 17, 2021. While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S. There is much that is unknown about omicron, including whether it is more contagious than previous versions, makes people sicker or more easily thwarts the vaccine or breaks through the immunity that people get from a bout of COVID-19. Nam Y. Huh/AP Photo

We talk to a public health doctor about the possibility of the COVID-19 vaccine being added to the recommended vaccine schedule. Then, we learn more about a group of Wisconsin colleges canceling classes on election day to promote voter turnout. Later, we try to better understand how Neanderthal genomes teach us about modern health.

Featured in this Show

  • What it would mean if COVID-19 vaccine is added to recommended vaccine schedule

    A CDC committee voted to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine be added to the recommended vaccine schedule for children and adults. We learn more how the recommended schedule works and what impact it could have.

  • Coalition of Wisconsin universities canceling class for students on Election Day

    A coalition of private universities in Wisconsin is canceling classes for students on election day as part of an effort to boost voter turnout. We talk about the “Why Bother, Wisconsin?” campaign, and hear why they want other universities to join them.

  • Neanderthal genome can teach us about modern-day health

    New research on the Neanderthal genome may be helpful for research on modern-day health. A paleoanthropologist joins us to talk about how Neanderthal DNA can aid modern science.

Episode Credits

  • Rob Ferrett Host
  • Sarah Hopefl Technical Director
  • Lorin Cox Producer
  • Rachael Vasquez Producer
  • Emilie Burditt Producer
  • Dr. Jonathan Temte Guest
  • Rongal Watson Guest
  • John Hawks Guest