Professor of Cancer Virology | Viroporins, Antivirals, Viral Oncology, Immunotherapy | Own views | @IndependentSAGE @LongCovidKids @projecthalo #VaccinesPlus
University of Leeds, England
Joined April 2018
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The vax hesitant need knowledge and support, not vilification.
Pushing Anti-vax 💩 is unforgivable
Here's my attempt at an accessible vax FAQ
Thanks so much to @LongCovidKids, @Nat_Elodie_A_N
and @jneill for brilliant and patient help with this! 🙏❤️
longcovidkids.org/post/covid…
Stephen Griffin retweeted
RFK Jr: The polio vaccine “killed many, many more people” than polio ever did.
What absolute garbage
I still can't believe he said this
Stephen Griffin retweeted
New lineage to add to the 'active' list.
The TX lineage reappeared (BA.1-derivative); hadn't seen it in a year.
Classic mutations: K1795Q, K417T, H182D, S37P, s2M-fix, etc.
Cryptic (gain-of-function) lineage update.
There are currently 7 cryptic lineages in the US that I consider ‘active’.
This is a rundown.
Warning, I’m going into the weeds.
Nerds only.
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xitter.cf/SolidEvidence/status/2…
Stephen Griffin retweeted
PJ.3.2 seems to be hitting the accelerator. These are the wastewater samples deposited in just the last week where it was present (based on 439K marker).
Stephen Griffin retweeted
PSA. Flu season is starting very early this year.
WW numbers aren't very high yet, but they are a couple of months ahead of schedule just about everywhere. Almost entirely H1N1.
If you are getting a flu shot, don't put it off.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
There is something really concerning (and disappointing) going on in the US right now.
A dangerous and preventable situation.
Let me explain.
nextstrain.org/avian-flu/h5n…
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Stephen Griffin retweeted
No medicine is perfect, including vax. But, vax outcomes are driven by medicine AND host.
Humans are genetically diverse, so individual responses to the same stimus vary.
Most vax responses are effective with minor side effects, but a VERY small minority are the opposite.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
Had mRNA Covid jab Tues, last night high heart rate and arrhythmia warnings on monitor - told GP shouldn’t have it as heart condition but immunosuppressed and no Bimervax available. Where is the mRNA alternative @UKHSA @YvetteCooperMP @cv_cev @pippaheylings @NHSEngland
Stephen Griffin retweeted
This is the successful "wild to mild" campaign that Kennedy canceled upon ascension.
The money was already paid, BTW.
#Flu can be wild, but a flu #vaccine can help tame severe symptoms, reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
#GetVaccinated to help #FightFlu and learn more at: nfid.org/flu
Stephen Griffin retweeted
I know. It’s unbelievable how they’ve corrupted every learning from the Covid Inquiry.
And don’t miss the follow-up🧵 about how the new guidance completely fails to take a ‘cautious approach to transmission risk’, which was the 1st recommendation from the Inquiry M3 report…
Stephen Griffin retweeted
18/22 sequences from New Brunswick, Canada, uploaded today are PJ.2.1. First time we've seen this level of dominance in any region.
Four of the PJ.2.1 have S:A475V, a major class-1 antibody escape mutation that has emerged several times independently in PJ.2.1.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
With sequencing spotty & often delayed, wastewater is the most up-to-date and accurate measure of variant growth. PJ.2.1 is steadily growing in British Columbia and is on a trajectory that would make it the dominant variant fairly soon.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
Following the Covid Inquiry's damning verdict on @MattHancock, we've launched a petition to remove him from the Privy Council.
His actions led to thousands of avoidable deaths.
This is a first symbolic step towards accountability.
Sign and share: c.org/RJtgMtQF2f
Stephen Griffin retweeted
Cryptic (gain-of-function) lineage update.
There are currently 7 cryptic lineages in the US that I consider ‘active’.
This is a rundown.
Warning, I’m going into the weeds.
Nerds only.
1/
xitter.cf/SolidEvidence/status/2…
Stephen Griffin retweeted
I picked up a carton of milk from the store this week that had H5N1 influenza in it.
>150 million copies/liter!
Thankfully, it was safe to drink because the milk was pasteurized, so I’m not saying what brand.
Takehome: DON’T DRINK RAW MILK.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
BA.2.86 also, like PJ.2.1, had high ACE2 affinity, giving it plenty of space to maneuver. Not saying there's an L455S that will mimic the BA.2.86->JN.1 transformation, but the situation is not dissimilar, & I fully expect PJ.2.1 to grow faster as it acquires Ab-evading muts.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
The Nebraska cryptic lineage appeared again this week. It really puts BA.3.2.2 in perspective.
Stephen Griffin retweeted
Quick BA.3.2 update. Another BA.3.2.2 (S:K356T+S:A575S branch) from South Africa via pneumonia surveillance.
This means that 40% of SARS-CoV-2 sequences from SA collected since April 1 (2/5) and 50% collected after May 1 (1/2) are BA.3.2. Its foothold seems strong there. 1/3
Stephen Griffin retweeted
SARS-CoV-2 saltational variant PJ.2.1, a highly mutated descendant of MC.10.1, has achieved rapid intercontinental spread since its detection in May 2026.
PJ.2.1 exhib⬆️⬆️human ACE2-binding capability, significantly outperforming contemporary variants as NB.1.8.1, XFG, BA.3.2.2
