WHO Comments on COVID-19 Vaccine Mixing + World's First Glucose Saliva Test - Xtalks Life Science Podcast Ep. 20

In this episode, Ayesha talks about the misleading headlines that ensued after WHO chief scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan made comments in a press briefing about mixing and matching COVID-19 vaccines and how there is currently no data to support additional doses and boosters at this time. News agencies like Reuters were at the helm of the misleading headlines, which took the comments out of context, stating that mixing and matching vaccines was outright dangerous. The team discussed the responsibility of media outlets to report information objectively and without sensationalist, clickbait headlines, and how the WHO can do a better job with its messaging.

The team also learned about a new, first-of-its-kind saliva test for measuring glucose levels in diabetic patients. The test was developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle in Australia and involves a strip with a glucose biosensor. Users simply lick the strip and insert it into a glucose monitor. The needle-free, non-invasive test is a welcome alternative to being pricked with a lancet everyday for testing, helping make the injection experience pain-free and far less anxiety-inducing.