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Who is Michael Osterholm? Epidemiologist warns of Covid-19 'hurricane' in US, calls for maximum vaccinations

Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota

On Sunday, January 31, 2021, epidemiologist Michael T Osterholm, PhD, MPH asked for change when it comes to the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the United States. He brought importance to the first dose of the vaccine saying, "We still want to get two doses in everyone, but I think right now, we need to get as many one-doses in as many people over 65 as we possibly can." On a much sourer note, Osterholm also said that the country is about to see a "hurricane" surge when it comes to new infections in the upcoming weeks.

This comes after another mutant Covid-19 strain has been spread quickly. Reportedly, 31 million vaccine doses have already been given to recipients, as of January 31. Numbers also further reveal that "less than 8 percent of the US population has gotten one dose" while only 1.7 % has gotten both doses.

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Who is Michael Osterholm?

Osterholm is an epidemiologist and the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota. The American epidemiologist was named a member of President Joe Biden's 13-member Transition Covid-19 Advisory Board in November 2020, according to reports.

According to his page on CIDRAP University of Minnesota, Osterholm is a Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, a professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, all at the University of Minnesota. He also served as a Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the US Department of State from June 2018 to May 2019.

The epidemiologist who is on the Board of Regents at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa is also the author of a 2017 book titled 'Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs' — it is a New York Times bestseller. Osterholm is also part of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the Council of Foreign Relations. He has many other accolades to his name. In June 2005, he was appointed to the National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity by Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Michael Leavitt. He was then appointed to the World Economic Forum Working Group on Pandemics in October 2008.

The page further reveals that Osterholm also served as a Special Advisor to former Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G Thompson. He was also appointed to be part of the Secretary's Advisory Council on Public Health Preparedness and was appointed to be Thompson's "representative on the interim management team to lead" the CDC on April 1, 2002. From the year 1975 to 1999, Osterholm served in "various roles" at the Minnesota Department of Health.

The doctor has also led "numerous investigations of outbreaks of international importance, including foodborne diseases, the association of tampons and toxic shock syndrome, and hepatitis B and HIV in healthcare settings." His other roles included principal investigator and director of the NIH-supported Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance from 2007 to 2014. He also was the chair at the Executive Committee of the Centers of Excellence Influenza Research and Surveillance network.

Osterholm is the recipient of many awards including, an honorary doctorate from Luther College, the Charles C. Shepard Science Award, CDC, the Harvey W. Wiley Medal and the Wade Hampton Frost Leadership Award, American Public Health Association.

What does he say about vaccination

Osterholm had been on NBC's 'Meet the Press' and emphasized that giving as many individuals their first dose of the vaccine should be prioritized. As of now two vaccines are in circulation, Pfizer and Moderna. Both the vaccines require two doses to be given to the recipient over the course of a few weeks. The epidemiologist said that "in the next six to 14 weeks" he expects to see a "surge" of infections because of the new Covid-19 strains.

'Meet the Press' posted the interview on their official Twitter account. "EARLIER on #MTP: Dr. Michael Osterholm says "we do have to call an audible" on vaccine distribution with the spread of new Covid variants. @Mtosterholm: "Right now, in advance of the surge, we need to get as many one doses in as many people over 65 as we possibly can,"" they tweeted.

"We still want to get two doses in everyone, but I think right now, in advance of this surge, we need to get as many one-doses in as many people over 65 as we possibly can, to reduce serious illness and death that is going to occur over the weeks ahead," Osterholm said. He added, "If we see that happen, which my 45 years in the trenches tell us we will, we are going to see something like we have not seen yet in this country. The hurricane is coming. Because of this surge, we have to call an audible." He also explained how administering first doses can still be of great help - "If we get a number of first doses in people, particularly 65-years-of-age and older, we can really do a lot to reduce the number of serious illnesses and deaths in this next big surge, which is coming."

Osterholm posted about him getting his vaccine recently, writing, "Thank you to all the MN Dept of Health and State of MN staff who made it possible for me to get my COVID-19 vaccination yesterday! I will admit I experienced tears of immense appreciation and gratitude as the needle went into the my arm (skillfully done I might add)."