Cocooned Health

Episode 16: Pregnancy RSV Vaccine Update. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath. Join us for an update on the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine given during pregnancy. Hear what the latest evidence is. This vaccine protects babies against a common cause of bronchiolitis which can be severe in newborns. The UK has made a decision to prevent against RSV with Abrysvo™, the maternal vaccine, manufactured by Pfizer. Previously the UK had been considering the use of Nirsevimab instead. This is an RSV monoclonal antibody for newborns (Beyfortus™, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur). Both the vaccine and the antibody were recommended as safe and effective options in 2023 by the JCVI. After a cost-effectiveness analysis and financial tender by the Department of Health, a decision was made to move to Abrysvo™.
The maternal vaccine success was revealed following a study involving over 7000 pregnant women, published in early 2023, the MATISSE trial. They showed that the Abrysvo™ maternal vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe infection in babies up to 180 days after birth. Vaccination is approved from 28 weeks of pregnancy in the UK. At the same time, the MELODY and HARMONIE trials showed the monoclonal antibody for babies Beyfortus™, currently unavailable in the UK, also effectively prevents RSV for up to 6 months after administration. This vaccine can be given to all babies anytime from birth. 
We now we hear about what the evidence is now that the UK has been giving the vaccine since September 2024.Tune in now. Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Episode 15: Debrief: Cravings and Places: when your pregnancy craving lead you astray 
Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott. In this follow-up to our insightful discussion with Dr. Matthew Gilmour in "Ep 14: Brie-ing Safe in Pregnancy – Christmas Special!", we delve deeper into the nuances of food safety during pregnancy.We summarise the main points in a shorter recap and highlight some of the areas that need further explanation. For instance here we talk about Listeria's rarity, the outbreaks, the food industry's role in protecting pregnant women, and practicalities. This episode offers practical advice on identifying actual risks, understanding potential consequences of consuming high-risk foods, and recognising the most hazardous items to avoid.We also examine the significant 2019 listeriosis outbreak in UK hospitals linked to pre-packaged sandwiches. Our discussion covers the events, the subsequent investigation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the lessons learned to enhance food safety protocols.assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
Resources:UKHSA's report on the 2019 listeriosis outbreak: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fbd0f898fa8f559e9ea363e/2019-05-Listeria-CC8-Outbreak-Report.pdf
Tune in to gain valuable insights and join our debate on this critical topic. Please remember this is not direct medical advice, sharing knowledge and thoughts. Please do contact your own healthcare professional if seeking personal medical adviceDisclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep 14. Brie-ing Safe In Pregnancy. Christmas Special Episode - Food Safety While Pregnant. Expert Guest: Dr Matthew GilmourWanted a bit more dialogue on trying to understand the food list of what to and what not to eat during pregnancy? In this episode of Cocooned Health, hosts Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott unravel the complexity of avoiding infections in pregnancy with a special focus on food safety. This one is particularly important for little bubba. They take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about topics among expectant parents—cheese! But more surprisingly, beyond cheese! 
What You'll Learn:
Is it really dangerous to indulge in soft cheeses like brie, camembert, or stilton during pregnancy?
What is Listeria monocytogenes, and why does it make certain foods risky? 
What are those particularly risky foods? smoked salmon? ice cream?
What are the actual risks, and how can you protect yourself and your baby
Practical advice
Special Guest:
Dr. Matthew Gilmour, a global expert in foodborne pathogens, joins the conversation.Matthew is Co-director of the UK Food Safety Research Network and is a Group Leader in the ‘Microbes in the Food Chain’ programme at the Quadram Institute Bioscience and the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England.The UK Food Safety Research Network is hosted by the Quadram Institute and Dr Gilmour leads the Listeria research at the Quadram Institute. (Find out more here: https://quadram.ac.uk/). His experience as Co-Director of the UK Food Safety Research Network and former Scientific Director General of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory,
Tune in to hear science-backed insights and actionable advice that will help mums, dads, and mums-to-be navigate the dairy dilemma with confidence! Don't miss this episode—it’s about so much more than just cheese!Check out our new episodes monthly. 🎧 Cocooned Health Podcast: Brie-ing Safe During Pregnancy
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Ep 13. The DEBRIEF: Microbiome Baby & Me: This is a debrief episode discussing some of the topics brought up in episode 12 with Expert guest Dr Lindsay Hall. This includes probiotics in pregnancy and for newborns. The impact of breastfeeding. And the impact of C Section versus vaginal delivery on the microbiome of baby. Dr Eliz Kilich and Dr Lydia Yarlott give extra thoughts on the subject and what the evidence might mean for mums & bubs.

Ep12. Is it worth taking probiotics during pregnancy & are probiotics good for baby? Gut health against infection. Expert Guest: Professor Linsday HallToday we will be talking about the gut health of mum and baby and what the implications are for later life. This is quite a new area of research and so we are deeply privileged to have our special guest today expert Professor Lindsay Hall who is Chair of Microbiome Research at the University of Birmingham, who has really been one of the leaders in helping to get answers on this topic.  Her work explored how "friendly bacteria" like Bifidobacterium coincides with laying the foundation for baby's future health and vitality. She is Group Leader at Quadram since 2015. The Quadram Institute brings together researchers, academics and NHS clinicians to address global challenges in human health, food and disease.
Today we will touch on topics such as 
What the microbiome is and why it's interesting in pregnancy and for babies
the evidence for probiotics in pregnancy
Gut health of the baby after C Section versus vaginal delivery
The impact of breastfeeding 
We will also explore with Professor Hall, why from a scientific perspective it is quite challenging to research these questions. 
It’s important to note that the views we’ve expressed here are our own, and don’t represent those of any institution or other affiliated party and do not constitute medical advice. If you are looking for medical advice, please, as always, contact your own healthcare professional.  Please leave feedback via Instagram @Cocooned Health: And don't forget to subscribeDisclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Ep11.  Chickenpox Vaccine - Juggling Vaccine Timings and Life -  Expert Guest: Professor Adam Finn
Chickenpox vaccines for babies: Can you get them on the NHS or state provided services? Or only via private healthcare? Why if so? Dr Lydia Yarlott and cohost Dr Eliz Kilich is joined by special guest Professor Adam Finn, who is a Professor of Paediatrics at the Universtiy of Bristol in the UK. We talk about Chickenpox vaccines for babies, their timings, different schedules across the world and why it is important.
Professors Finn's research interests include immunity to bacterial respiratory illnesses. He is also a senior clinician in the paediatric immunology and infectious diseases service at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the South West region and heads the Bristol Vaccine Centre. In addition, he was Chairman of the WHO European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization from 2011 to 2022. He has spent ten years as ex officio member of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts, Member of the UK Department of Health Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation from 2014-2024). He also spent 4 years during 2015-2019 as President of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases.Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

Episode 10: Ever wondered how we know the Flu vaccine is safe specifically in pregnancy? Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath
This episodes focuses on the safety of the Influenza vaccine in pregnancy and infants. Exploring the evidence for safety and the history behind vaccination safety. We hope to give mums-to-be clear advice and understanding on this topic. 
Paul Heath is a Professor and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and St George’s, University of London, where he is the Director of the Vaccine Institute. His training in paediatrics and infectious diseases was at the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia; the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford; and St George’s Hospital, London. His research interests are in the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, in clinical vaccine trials, particularly in at-risk groups and in perinatal infections. He coordinates the UK Paediatric Vaccine Group (UKPVG), is a member of the JCVI, is the NIHR Speciality Lead for Children’s research for South London and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.
Disclaimer: Remember we are sharing our opinions and medical knowledge, and not associated with our affiliations. Note that knowledge evolves over time. Note that this is not direct medical advice as we are not your personal doctors however feel free to share any ideas expressed with your own healthcare professional as needed. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive.