Episode 7. The Surprise Truths & Myths About Fertility, Menstruation, the Placenta and COVID-19. Expert Guest: Dr Viki Male
In this episode we discuss how the myths around fertility and the vaccine came about. We discuss how COVID19 infection impacts fertility and whether it is long lasting. We give our listeners understanding about the placenta and therefore how immunity is given to a baby in utero. We also explore how the baby's placenta is actually instrumental in protecting it against infections. 
Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. Information is always subject to change. The views here are our own and do not represent that of any institution or affiliated body although we do discuss public health guidance in general. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.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 6. RSV Ready: New Mumma Vaccine and Antibody Breakthroughs. Expert Guest: Professor Paul Heath
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 research interests include the epidemiology of vaccine preventable diseases, and 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 CRN and is co-Chair of the UK Infectious Diseases Vaccine Research Forum.
This episode gives insight into the new and exciting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine offered routinely in pregnancy in the USA . The vaccine is also potentially coming to the UK in 2024 .RSV causes bronchiolitis and is a common cause for babies to get unwell in the first months of life. We explore the BRAND NEW and different and RSV Protection Pathways:The Prenatal Vaccine vs. Newborn Antibody Strategies. We discuss the evidence, the effectiveness and safety of the vaccines and other strategies (monoclonal antibodies)
Exploring the Options:
RSV Vaccine in Pregnancy: A newly licensed vaccine tailored to shield babies from RSV, administered during pregnancy.
Palivizumab: A monoclonal antibody treatment given to infants and children at high risk for severe RSV disease. Unlike a vaccine, it's a passive immunisation, directly providing the antibody.
Nirsevimab: Another monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants, offering extended protection with less frequent injections compared to Palivizumab, available for all infants, regardless of risk.
Featuring Expert Insights from Professor Paul Heath.
Episode References 
The clinical trial which showed the effectiveness and safety of the RSV vaccine in pregnancy. Kampmann, Beate et al. “Bivalent Prefusion F Vaccine in Pregnancy to Prevent RSV Illness in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 388,16 (2023): 1451-1464. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa221648
The new neonatal antibody treatment: Drysdale, Simon B et al. “Nirsevimab for Prevention of Hospitalizations Due to RSV in Infants.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 389,26 (2023): 2425-2435. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2309189
Medscape article talking about the different brands of vaccines against RSV and their trial data. The reason for the timing of the vaccine given in the last trimester to reduce the risk of prematurity https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/risk-preterm-birth-stops-maternal-rsv-vaccine-trial-2024a10004rk?form=fpf🎤 We generate podcast episodes with expert guest speakers to discuss the latest evidence, to help you understand the public health guidance, and what things you can do to make this period as protected/ cocooned as possible.🎤Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.
 
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. 
 

Ep5. Sharing food with toddlers during pregnancy? What’s the risk when pregnant?  The CMV Episode.   Expert Guest: Professor Hermione Lyall
In Episode 5, we dive into a question many expectant parents ask but rarely get a clear answer to: Is it safe to share food, cups, or utensils with a toddler when you’re pregnant?
To help us untangle the science from the stress, we’re joined by Professor Hermione Lyall, Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and one of the UK’s leading experts on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).
CMV is common, usually mild, and often misunderstood. But during pregnancy, it can pose risks to the developing baby, making everyday interactions with young children (who are the most frequent carriers) an important but sensitive topic.
In this episode, we explore:
What CMV actually is and why it matters particularly in pregnancy
Why toddlers are the main source of CMV exposure and how transmission happens
What the real risks are when pregnant people share food, drinks, dummies, or cutlery with young children
Which practical steps genuinely reduce risk—without creating fear, guilt, or unrealistic rules for families
What current evidence and UK guidelines say, and what’s still uncertain
How to balance normal family life with sensible infection-prevention habits
Professor Lyall brings clarity, nuance, and empathy to a topic that often leaves people anxious or confused. Whether you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers grounded, compassionate guidance to help you make informed decisions while living everyday life with little ones.
 
Whilst no information is perfect, it changes, we have done our best to bring together information to the best of our knowledge. Information is always subject to change. The views here are our own and do not represent that of any institution or affiliated body although we do discuss public health guidance in general. It is always important to discuss anything we talk about with your own healthcare provider. This is not direct personal medical advice as you are not our patients however, we want to give the public the information we already have, so you are more informed to make your own choices.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 4: A vaccine given to mum but for bub - Whooping Cough: The Pertussis Prevention Prescription. Expert Guest: Professor Adam FinnDr Lydia Yarlott & co-host Dr Eliz Kilich, is joined by our special guest  Professor Adam Finn,
who is a Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Bristol, in the UK.
His 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.Also check out Professor Adam Finn's TED talk below:Tinyurl.com/afinnwhoop
References: 
Amirthalingam, Gayatri et al. “Effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in England: an observational study.” Lancet (London, England) vol. 384,9953 (2014): 1521-8. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(14)60686-3
D'Heilly C, Switzer C, Macina D. Safety of Maternal Immunization Against Pertussis: A Systematic Review. Infect Dis Ther. 2019 Dec;8(4):543-568. doi: 10.1007/s40121-019-00265-6. Epub 2019 Sep 17. PMID: 31531826; PMCID: PMC6856234.Briga, M., Goult, E., Brett, T.S. et al. Maternal pertussis immunization and the blunting of routine vaccine effectiveness: a meta-analysis and modeling study. Nat Commun 15, 921 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44943-7Abu-Raya B, Forsyth K, Halperin SA, Maertens K, Jones CE, Heininger U, Hozbor D, Wirsing von König CH, Chitkara AJ, Muloiwa R, Tan TQ. Vaccination in Pregnancy against Pertussis: A Consensus Statement on Behalf of the Global Pertussis Initiative. Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Nov 23;10(12):1990. doi: 10.3390/vaccines10121990. PMID: 36560400; PMCID: PMC9786323.
Aim of the Podcast
What is Whooping cough / the bug that causes it - Bordetella pertussis?
Why is the pertussis vaccination and what are the recommendations for it in pregnancy and in childhood?
The safety data for the vaccines
Why the whooping cough/ pertussis vaccine is repeated in infancy after maternal vaccination and the benefits of this approach? 
To talk about newer vaccines that are being developed
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 3:Expectation Check: COVID Vaccine Safety in Pregnancy. Expert Guest: Dr Manish Sadarangani
Have you wanted more details about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines?
https://canvas-network.ca/covid-study/ McClymont E, Albert AY, Alton GD, et al. Association of SARS-CoV-2 Infection During Pregnancy With Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes. JAMA. 2022;327(20):1983–1991. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.5906
Velez MP, Fell DB, Shellenberger JP, Kwong JC, Ray JG. Miscarriage after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: A population-based cohort study. BJOG. 2023 Nov 16. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17721. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37973606. 
Jorgensen SCJ, Drover SSM, Fell DB, Austin PC, D'Souza R, Guttmann A, Buchan SA, Wilson SE, Nasreen S, Schwartz KL, Tadrous M, Wilson K, Kwong JC. Newborn and Early Infant Outcomes Following Maternal COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy. JAMA Pediatr. 2023 Dec 1;177(12):1314-1323. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4499. PMID: 37870875; PMCID: PMC10594175.
Jorgensen SCJ, Hernandez A, Fell DB, Austin PC, D'Souza R, Guttmann A, Brown KA, Buchan SA, Gubbay JB, Nasreen S, Schwartz KL, Tadrous M, Wilson K, Kwong JC; Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) Provincial Collaborative Network (PCN) Investigators. Maternal mRNA covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy and delta or omicron infection or hospital admission in infants: test negative design study. BMJ. 2023 Feb 8;380:e074035. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2022-074035. PMID: 36754426; PMCID: PMC9903336.
Matsuo K, Green JM, Herrman SA, Mandelbaum RS, Ouzounian JG. Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mortality of Pregnant Patients With COVID-19 Infection During the Early Pandemic Period in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(4):e237149. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.7149
Villar, et al. Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality Among pregnant women With and without COVID-19 infection The INTERCOVID multinational cohort study. JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175: 817–826 
 
Disclaimer:We discuss the available evidence and aim to keep our listeners as informed as possible. Please review our disclaimer and note that this is not personal medical advice, as we are not your doctors. However, we aim to inform to the best of our ability but as always still consult your own healthcare professional going forward. We do not accept liability for personal decisions made on behalf of the podcast. This episode is unsponsored and received no financial incentive. 

We discuss the available evidence and aim to keep our listeners as informed as possible. Please review our disclaimer and note that this is not personal medical advice, as we are not your doctors. However, we aim to inform to the best of our ability but as always still consult your own healthcare professional going forward. We do not accept liability for personal decisions made on behalf of the podcast. 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. 

Welcome to Cocooned, part of CocoonedHealth podcasts. This is your podcast on infections and immune protection for the whole family. Whilst starting as a podcast focusing on the pregnancy and newborn period we have expanded to the whole family. We are: Dr Eliz Kilich 👩‍⚕️ Infectious Diseases ST4, UK & Dr Lydia Yarlott 👩‍⚕️ST4, UK 🎤 NB: This is not direct personal medical advice but we hope to elaborate on the most up to date science backing and understanding recommendations in detail.