Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD

White background with an outline of a woman (Nina) speaking into a microphone on it. Blue and beige text says: "No question. The US has regressed. We eliminated measles in 2000. Now it's back with a vengeance. Enough is enough. When we follow the science, we can stop this and most other diseases. So let’s follow the science - again."

Solid green background with an outline of the Capitol building. Yellow and white text says: "Congress has the power. Restore CDC funding AND STAFF. Rebuild the public health infrastructure. Impeach RFK Jr. Preventable diseases should be prevented. And it can’t be managed state by state. It’s the role of the federal government."

We are barely six weeks into the new year, and we already have nearly 1000 cases of measles, including a newly confirmed case in New York City.

Congress needs to stand up for science. Now.

Measles is preventable - the crisis is a choice.

Split image. On top: child's hands covered in red spots. Bottom half is solid blue with yellow text on it: "For the first time in decades, millions of children across the US are now vulnerable to measles. MEASLES IS PREVENTABLE. SO IS THIS CRISIS."

Solid yellow image with a gloved hand holding a vaccine vial. Green text says: "Stopping the spread of measles hinges on maintaining high vaccination rates. Most of America is falling short. Only 815 out of all 3,143 counties in the US reached these levels. That's just 26%."

Solid green background with a yellow map of the US on it; some states are in red. Yellow and white text says: "Six states have zero counties at the vaccination levels needed to stop the spread. Idaho, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. Not a single county in these states has enough vaccinated kindergarteners to protect their communities."

Split image. On top: doctor's hands in a work setting. Bottom half is solid blue with yellow and white texts says: "Disease spreads when politicians don’t care. Our public health infrastructure has been gutted and trust destroyed. And when vaccination drops - outbreaks happen."

As a result of the reckless decisions of this Administration, countless kids in the US and around the world are vulnerable to measles, and vaccination rates continue to collapse, with 30 hospitalizations already this year.

It’s completely unacceptable what’s happening on our campuses. Student safety from ICE is so important. My speech from last week’s NY-12 democratic candidate forum hosted by the Broadway Democrats, Hell’s Kitchen Democrats, and Columbia Democrats.

Image depicts a blurry background photo of a corner building with green text highlighted yellow: “Volunteer for Nina. Democrat for Congress NY12. Clipboards ready! Petitioning Starts Feb 24. Sign up via form in bio.”

Solid yellow background with text: “What does volunteering look like? Mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekdays and weekends. Street corners. Subway stations. Outside Trader Joe’s and Farmer’s Markets. We’ll provide everything you need, plus training and good vibes.”

3 weeks. 1,250 signatures. Please join our merry band of volunteers who will fan out across the district, seeking 1,250 unique signatures of registered, in-district Democrats to secure Nina’s slot on the ballot for the June primary. Petitioning begins Tuesday, Feb. 24.
🔗Link 👇!
vist.ly/4rsak

➡️ Member States continue informal discussions during intersessionals before next IGWG6 planned for 23-28 March.

During closure, Member States expressed disappointment with little progress made.

📢They called for trust, consensus, and pragmatism–to agree to disagree.

🤚Yet division persists: High and lower income countries remain split, with equity and benefit sharing as main pain point.

Other issues included:

🔬Laboratory networks–work in practice & link to existing networks.

🗃️Databases–registration requirements, new system or under WHO.

🔑Unique Persistent Identifier–functioning.

🍎Benefit sharing–optional or mandatory.

💼Manufacturer obligations.

📜Contract elements.

While text evolved based on Member State inputs, very little got yellowed.

Some terms prompted in-depth discussions:

🧬PABS materials and sequence information.

💵Affordable pricing.

💉Effective vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic.

Screenshot of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the WHO Pandemic agreement documents.

📢The fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG5) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty met last week for 6 full days.

🧵

100 percent

Gender-affirming care is healthcare, not a choice. It’s a human right. Let’s stand up, speak out, and fight for access for everyone.

Nine Democrats Take the Stage — and the Fight to Succeed Nadler Begins Packed West Side forum launches crowded race to replace Jerry Nadler, as nine Democrats clash over ICE, Israel, AI and party direction.

Honored to take the stage tonight at the NY-12 Democratic candidate forum to speak about health, justice, and leadership that meets this moment. Thank you to everyone who showed up and joined the conversation.

Our fight for a stronger, healthier future is just beginning. vist.ly/4rgpb

Image shows screenshots from an article by NYT titled “Jerold Nadler Has Picked a Successor. Will that Matter to Voters?” In the first screenshot, you can see that NYT only lists the male candidates. In the second, it includes a quote “In the interview, Mr. Nadler was dismissive of other candidates in the race.” Then the comment from us reads: “Last time we checked, NYT, there were also three women running in the race. Also It would have been nice if Jerold Nadler, before being dismissive, he had accepted our request to meet with him. We are his constituents, after all.”

Last time we checked, @nytimes.com, there were also three women running in the race… @jamifloyd.bsky.social, Laura Dunn, and me.

That's really helpful, thank you.

Thank you so much for flagging. Will make sure it doesn’t happen again. And thank you for your support.

AMA joins effort to launch vaccine science review amid CDC turmoil The American Medical Association and a partner group are taking on a new role in reviewing vaccine safety and effectiveness as the CDC’s review process faces criticism.

We need to fix the federal government not replace it with a workaround. This is a mistake. The primary point of government is to protect its citizens. We cannot let them abdicate this role. vist.ly/4r8yk

From school projects to public office.
Watch this space.

Nina Schwalbe, MPH, PhD (@ninaschwalbe) Wondering what is happening on the Pandemic Treaty? Please read this guest post by @Susanna Lehtimaki.

➡️Week continues with closed sessions for Member States only and Stakeholder briefings on Wednesday and Friday

🔜More updates to follow!

📌Check out also our Substack for more details on where PABS Annex currently stands: substack.com/@ninaschwalb...

🛑States also cautioned against cutting too many corners: deferring key issues outside Annex would defeat its purpose and hinder ratification later on.

🚨For remaining time, they called for focusing on operational aspects of PABS system.

Compared to openings before, greater number of Member States and Stakeholders came prepared with statements

Recurrent themes across interventions included:

✏️More operational details and legal clarity
📜Proper elaboration of contracts
⛏️Obligatory benefit sharing
🌎Local manufacturing

🎙️In his opening remarks, WHO Health Emergencies Executive Director Chikwe Ihekweazu reminded World Health Assembly is just 100 days away and only 2 IGWGs are left before deadline.

He urged building convergence with aim of yellowing full text by end IGWG5 this Saturday.

📢The fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG5) to develop Pathogen Access and Benefits Sharing (PABS) Annex for the #pandemictreaty started today.

📍Week includes 6 full days with formal negotiations, informals, and 2 sessions with Relevant Stakeholders.

🧵

What a legend! I’m in Washington DC and saw this lady walking down the street, so I asked if I could take a photo. Speaking truth to power. Headed over to protest at the Department of Health and Human Services. See, even if you are one person, you can still speak up and do something.

More than 45,000 people died in New York City, my home, because of COVID-19. Wealthy area codes were vaccinated before older people, people of color, low income people, high risk people in other districts. Inequity is alive and well. Thank you @mcgillu for hosting me for PERL's launch.

☣️ Measles is spreading in ICE detention centers for families and children in Texas & Arizona ❌The US Government is caging people and failing on their basic healthcare.

🚨This is unacceptable. Read more here: vist.ly/4qcyt

Polio vaccines save children’s lives. The Trump administration wants to make them optional in America.

PERL Launch Event: Health Crises in an Era of Autocracy, Disinformation, and Shifting Geopolitical Risks WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm WHERE: McGill Faculty Club Ballroom - 3450 rue McTavish, Montreal, QC The Pandemic and Emergency Readiness Lab (PERL) at McGill University is pleased to formally launch on February 3, 2026, at the McGill Faculty Club. PERL is an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented research and leadership lab that brings together science, leadership, and convening to help societies, governments, and organizations better prepare for and respond to health crises. In addition to Director Jennifer Welsh speaking and serving on the advisory board, MPP alumni Al Ahamed, PharmD, MPP and Bianca Mammarella served as research assistants for the newly-formed lab! This free, all-day event with a keynote and panels on preparing for health crises in a fractured world is part of the launch of the new interdisciplinary research and leadership lab. Register now!

I’m honored to speak today at the launch of the Pandemic and Emergency Readiness Lab at @mcgillu, for an event titled “Health Crises in an Era of Autocracy, Disinformation, and Shifting Geopolitical Risks.”

Please tune in online: Live on YouTube from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET. vist.ly/4q69n

NYC right now. People are angry. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Minnesota. Abolish 🧊

visual of Nipah

☠️There is an outbreak of deadly Nipah virus in India prompting many countries in South East Asia to tighten health screenings at airports.

🦇US CDC is notably absent on the topic. No statement. No website updates. Nothing.

📖Thankfully we have a reliable source in WHO.

Another absurd development driven by RFK Jr.

This week, Reuters revealed that the US is blocking life-saving aid to an organisation that provides vaccines to children around the world, based on absurd, unscientific demands.

This is profoundly wrong.