Podcasts

Download CDC podcasts to your desktop and portable music/video player for health information at your convenience and on the go!

See the most recent podcasts on vaccinations below or click a topic to review vaccine-specific podcasts. For podcasts on other health and safety topics, see CDC's main podcast page.

Recently Released Podcasts

Get Your Flu Vaccine
Listen To This Podcast (4:16)
Flu season is here and it’s time for most of us to get vaccinated. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people in the US get influenza and several thousand die from the disease. In this podcast, Dr. Erin Kennedy discusses the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine. (Created: 12/15/2011)

Chickenpox – What You Need to Know
Listen To This Podcast (4:26)
If you had chickenpox as a child, you probably remember having lots of itchy blisters and being pretty uncomfortable. Chickenpox is most common in children, but it’s not just kids who get the disease. Jessica Leung, a researcher at CDC, talks about chickenpox, its symptoms, how it spreads, and how to protect against it. (Created: 9/29/2011)

Take a Shot at Hep B
Listen To This Podcast (4:27)
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious disease that can lead to a lifetime of health problems. While most cases in adults don’t develop into chronic disease, infants with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of having life-long health issues and a 25% risk for premature death. In this podcast, Dr. Susan Wang discusses the importance of getting vaccinated for hepatitis B. (Created: 4/7/2011 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC")

Time for Your Tetanus
Listen To This Podcast (4:49)
Growing older doesn’t mean outgrowing the need for keeping up your vaccinations. One that requires updating throughout life is tetanus. In this podcast Dr. Tejpratap Tiwari discusses the importance of staying current on your tetanus vaccine (Created: 3/31/2011 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC")

Recognizing and Preventing Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Listen To This Podcast (3:28)
Tami Skoff, a mother of two and epidemiologist with CDC, discusses the symptoms of whooping cough (pertussis) and how to prevent it. She discusses the importance of getting everyone vaccinated, especially those who will have close contact with an infant. (Created: 9/15/2010)

Teen Vaccines
Listen To This Podcast (4:03)
Although most vaccinations are given early in childhood, teenagers have immunization needs as well. In this podcast, Dr. Christina Dorell discusses the importance of teenagers receiving the recommended vaccinations. (Created: 8/19/2010 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC")

New and Improved Vaccine
Listen To This Podcast (4:32)
A vaccine was developed in 2000 which substantially decreased the number of invasive pneumococcal disease cases, particular in children under age 5 years. Recently, a new vaccine was approved and is expected to prevent even more cases of this serious disease. In this podcast, Dr. Pekka Nuorti discusses the new vaccine. (Created: 4/1/2010 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC")

Note: See Vaccine-specific Podcasts by Date for descriptions of podcasts listed by their release date.

Vaccine-specific Podcasts by Topic

• Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
• Chickenpox disease
• Flu (influenza) vaccination
• Hepatitis A vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccination
• Immunizations (see Vaccination)
• Measles vaccination
• Meningococcal vaccination

• Pertussis vaccination
• Preteens and Teens
• Pneumonia
• Rabies vaccine
• Rotavirus infection
• Shingles vaccination
• Smallpox vaccine
• Travelers' required immunizations
• Vaccination

Note: Review all vaccine-related podcasts.

Vaccine-specific Podcasts by Date

Note: This list is updated annually. For recently released podcasts, see the list above or CDC's main podcast page.

2011

Chickenpox – What You Need to Know
If you had chickenpox as a child, you probably remember having lots of itchy blisters. Chickenpox is most common in children, but it’s not just kids who get the disease. Jessica Leung, a researcher at CDC, talks about chickenpox and vaccination protection. (Created: 9/29/2011; running time: 4:26)

Take a Shot at Hep B
Hepatitis B is a highly infectious disease that can lead to a lifetime of health problems. While most cases in adults don’t develop into chronic disease, infants with hepatitis B have a 90% chance of having life-long health issues and a 25% risk for premature death. Dr. Susan Wang discusses the importance of getting vaccinated for hepatitis B. (Created: 4/7/2011 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC;" running time: 4:27)

Time for Your Tetanus
Growing older doesn’t mean outgrowing the need for keeping up your vaccinations. One that requires updating throughout life is tetanus. Dr. Tejpratap Tiwari discusses the importance of staying current on your tetanus vaccine. (Created: 3/31/2011 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC;" running time: 4:49)

2010

Recognizing and Preventing Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
CDC epidemiologist Tami Skoff discusses the symptoms of whooping cough (pertussis) and how to prevent it. She discusses the importance of getting everyone vaccinated, especially those who will have close contact with an infant. (Created: 9/15/2010; running time:3:28)

Teen Vaccines
Although most vaccinations are given early in childhood, teenagers have immunization needs as well. In this podcast, Dr. Christina Dorell discusses the importance of teenagers receiving the recommended vaccinations. (Created: 8/19/2010 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC;" running time: 4:03)

New and Improved Vaccine
A new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was approved in 2010 and is expected to prevent more cases of invasive pneumococcal disease. In this podcast, Dr. Pekka Nuorti discusses the new vaccine. (Created: 4/1/2010 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC;" running time: 4:32)

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae Disease in Europe, 1996—2006
This podcast describes monitoring of Haemophilus influenzae disease in Europe from 1996 through 2006. CDC epidemiologist Stacey Martin discusses what researchers learned about the effect of vaccination on disease prevalence. (Created: 3/15/10 by Emerging Infectious Diseases journal; running time: 5:16)

Update on HPV Vaccine Recommendations for Pre-teens
Dr. Melinda Wharton discusses the differences between the two HPV vaccines licensed by the FDA and CDC recommendations for the vaccination of pre-teen girls and boys. (Created: 3/4/2010; running time: 4:57)

2009

Preventing Pneumonia
This podcast discusses the importance of parents keeping adequate immunization records to help protect children from potentially life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia. (Created: 11/5/2009 by MMWR; series name: "A Minute of Health with CDC;" running time: 0:59)

Reeling in Rotavirus
A CDC study found that since introduction of a vaccine in 2006, the incidence of rotavirus has substantially declined in the U.S. In this podcast, Dr. Jennifer Cortes discusses the importance of parents getting their children the rotavirus vaccine. (Created: 10/22/2009 by MMWR; series name: "A Cup of Health with CDC;" reviewed 03/31/10; running time: 3:19)

Teen Vaccination Coverage Increasing
Vaccination coverage among adolescents is on the rise, but there is room for improvement. Dr. Melinda Wharton discusses results from the most recent National Immunization Survey of vaccination rates for teens aged 13 to 17 years. (Created: 9/17/2009; running time: 6:07)

Vaccination Rates Remain High
Dr. Melinda Wharton discusses results from the most recent National Immunization Survey, which indicates that vaccination rates for children aged less than 3 years remain stable at high levels. (Created: 8/27/2009; running time: 7:55)

Have You Heard?
Pre-teens, adolescents, and college freshmen who live in dorms are at an increased risk for meningococcal disease. This podcast discusses routine vaccination recommendations for 11-18 year olds. (Created: 8/12/2009 by NCIRD; date released: 8/12/2009; running time: 4:42)

There's a Vaccine for Shingles?
This podcast answers a listener's question about the vaccine for shingles. (Created: 7/13/2009 by National Center for Health Marketing, date released: 7/13/2009; series name "Ask CDC;" running time: 1:42)

"Hib Booster is Back" for Providers
In this podcast, Dr. Andrew Kroger discusses the reinstatement of the booster dose of the Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib, vaccine, following a shortage in 2007-2008. (Created: 6/26/2009 by MMWR, date released: 7/2/2009; running time: 3:58)

"Hib Booster is Back" for Parents
Some children may have missed the booster dose of the Haemophilus influenzae type B, or Hib, vaccine, following a shortage in 2007-2008. This podcast discusses the importance of children who missed the booster shot receiving the booster at their next doctor's visit, and encourages parents to check with a healthcare provider to ensure their children are up-to-date on all vaccines. (Created: 6/26/2009 by MMWR; date released: 7/2/2009; running time: 0:59)

Influenza 2008-2009: ACIP Recommendations
This podcast presents recommendations on Prevention and Control of Influenza by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. (Created: 3/18/2009 by NCIRD; date released: 3/18/2009; running time: 5:08)

Late Season Flu Reminder
This podcast discusses the importance of getting a flu vaccination, even if it is late into flu season, which can often last until April or May. (Created: 1/22/2009 by NCIRD; date released: 1/22/2009; running time: 1:53)

2008

High Risk Groups Should Prioritize to Immunize
This podcast provides an overview about flu vaccination for people who suffer from diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. (Created: 12/17/2008 by NCIRD, date released: 12/17/2008, running time: 2:10)

Safe and Healthy Travel to China
In this podcast, Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky, CDC Travel Medicine expert, discusses what travelers should do to ensure a safe and healthy trip to China. (Created: 10/9/2008 by NCPDCID, date released: 10/9/2008, running time: 9:01)

Immunizations Part II: Shingles Vaccine
This podcast discusses older adults and shingles, as well as the importance of getting the shingles vaccine. It is primarily targeted to public health and aging services professionals. (Created: 9/24/2008 by NCCDPHP and NCIRD, date released: 9/24/2008, running time: 7:05)

Dangerous Imports (Measles)
All cases of measles in the U.S. are linked to imported cases. Amy Parker discusses vaccination, the safest, most effective method to prevent measles. (Created: 5/9/2008 by MMWR, date released: 8/21/2008, running time: 3:43)

Pertussis or Whooping Cough Vaccine Recommendation for Adolescents This podcast provides information on pertussis and the Tdap vaccine recommendations for adolescents. (Created: 8/6/2008 by NCIRD, date released: 8/7/2008, running time: 4:22)

Meningitis Immunization for Adolescents
In this podcast, adolescent vaccine recommendations for meningococcal disease, also known as meningitis, are discussed. (Created: 8/6/2008 by NCIRD, date released: 8/7/2008, running time: 5:04)

Don't Leave the Hospital Without It (Hepatitis B)
Vaccinating newborns with the hepatitis B vaccine is important. In the United States, approximately ninety percent of hepatitis B infections can be prevented in newborns if the hepatitis B vaccine is administered shortly after birth. (Created: 8/1/2008 by MMWR) date released: 7/31/2008, running time: 3:23)

Stopping the Silent Killer: Hepatitis B Among Asian Americans
This podcast discusses an underappreciated health threat to many Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States: chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus. Dr. John Ward, director of CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis, and Dr. Sam So, founder of the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University, address the importance of testing, vaccination, and care to prevent serious health consequences from this "silent" disease. (Created: 4/18/2008 by NCHHSTP, date released: 5/1/2008, running time: 6:22)

Stop the Belly-Aching (Rotavirus)
Rotavirus, an illness characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, affects nearly every child aged less than five years. Ms. Haley Clayton discusses a vaccine that prevents rotavirus. (Created: 4/18/2008 by MMWR, date released: 4/24/2008, running time: 3:05)

2007

The ABCs of Hepatitis
National surveillance is conducted for acute hepatitis A, B, and C viruses. During 1995-2005, rates of all three types of acute viral hepatitis declined dramatically. These declines partially resulted from implementation of comprehensive prevention strategies for each disease, including the introduction of effective vaccines against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. (Created: 3/2/2007 by MMWR, date released: 8/10/2007, running time: 9:34)

Nobody Wants Chicken Pox!
This report revises, updates, and replaces the 1996 and 1999 recommendation statements from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for prevention of varicella. (Created: 6/22/2007 by MMWR, date released: 6/29/2007, running time: 8:58)

Brazilian Vaccinia Viruses and Their Origins (Smallpox)
Smallpox was eradicated more than 25 years ago, but live viruses used in vaccines may have survived to cause animal and human illness today. Dr. Inger Damon, Acting Branch Chief of the Poxvirus and Rabies Branch at CDC, discusses efforts to determine origins and spread of vaccinia viruses in Brazil. (Created: 7/30/2007 by Emerging Infectious Diseases, date released: 7/30/2007, running time: 4:19)

Note: More vaccine-realated podcasts can be found at CDC's main podcast page.