Science in 5

Episode #141 – Air pollution damages young brains

Did you know that the air you breathe can harm your brain, and increase your risk for dementia, anxiety and depression ? Nine out of 10 people around the world breathe air that does not meet WHO’s recommended air quality standards. Air pollution kills 7 million people every year. What are cities like London, Bogotá and Beijing doing to clean their air? Dr Maria Neira explains in Science in 5.

Episode #140 – The gift of blood, why it matters

Did you know that you can save three lives in just ten minutes with the gift of your blood? What do countries need to do to have safe blood donation systems? WHO’s Dr Yuyun Maryuningsih explains all you need to know to donate blood in Science in 5.

Episode #139 – The tobacco trap

The tobacco industry continues to sell death and destruction by using flavors, packaging and advertising. Is there any “safe” product or consumption method? How does tobacco use harm your body? Join us today in conversation with Simone St. Claire on Science in 5.

Episode #138 – The truth about vaccine safety

Are vaccines safe? What’s actually in them? In this 2-part episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Dr Kate O’Brien breaks down how vaccines are tested, approved, and monitored even after they reach the public. She also explains what happens if a safety concern is flagged.

Episode #137 - Vaccines: science vs. scare

Should kids just “get the disease” instead of being vaccinated? Can vaccines really overwhelm a child’s immune system? Who decides what vaccines we get—and why? If you’re a new parent with questions about vaccines, you’re not alone. In this 2-part episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Dr. Kate O’Brien breaks down the science behind childhood vaccinations, the importance of the schedule, and the truth behind common concerns.

Episode #136 – Healthy births, saving mothers

What does a mother need to know to ensure that she has a safe pregnancy and delivery? What are some warning signs to watch for? And what are a woman’s rights while going through a pregnancy and delivery? Join our maternal health expert Dr Femi Oladapo on Science in 5.

Episode #135 – Facing the TB crisis

Severe resource shortages are threatening the global response to end tuberculosis. Is the world on the brink of a global TB crisis? A quarter of the world’s population could be infected with TB and not even know it. Is there a cure? What is the treatment? How do we diagnose TB? Listen in to Dr Tereza Kasaeva on Science in 5 today.

Episode #134 – Disease be gone!

Did you know that diseases are being eliminated by countries all over the world. In the last five years alone, 44 eliminations have been confirmed by WHO. What does it take to eliminate a disease? What needs to happen before WHO can certify an elimination? Once eliminated, can these diseases come back? Dr Jérôme Salomon explains on Science in 5.

Episode #133 - Measles: a growing threat

Did you know that if a child with measles walks into a classroom, every unvaccinated child will most certainly get it? Why are measles cases increasing worldwide? Why should you be concerned about it?? And is the measles vaccine safe and effective? Dr Natasha Crowcroft explains on Science in 5.

Episode #132 - From alerts to action - How WHO protects your health

Did you know that WHO receives over a 100,000 signals every month? What are these health signals or threats? How do scientists and WHO decide which one of these signals could be a potential outbreak or disease? Tune in to Science in 5 with Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu to learn how WHO protects your health every day.

Episode #131 - Flu season is here. Are you ready?

How do we track the Influenza virus every season to decide what strains of the virus to include in a vaccine? Is the vaccine safe and when should you get vaccinated? Shoshanna Goldin explains in Science in 5.

Episode #130 - Syphilis: Protect yourself and others

Why are syphilis cases rising? Who is at risk and how does it spread? Learn about prevention of syphilis from Dr Teodora Elvira Wi in Science in 5.

Episode #129 - Is pollution causing your COPD?

If you are experiencing breathlessness and fatigue and are exposed to polluted air you could have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Dr Sarah Rylance explains the symptoms, treatment and prevention of COPD. Find out if you are more susceptible to COPD in Science in 5.

Episode #128 - Concussion

If you have children who play sports or if you play sports, you need to know about concussion. What is it? How will you know if you have a concussion? What can you do to prevent it? Dr Tarun Dua explains in Science in 5 today.

Episode #127 - Breast cancer: Take charge of your health

Did you know that both men and women can get breast cancer? It is the most common type of cancer amongst women, and most breast cancers are self-detected. Our expert Dr Mary Nyangasi explains in Science in 5 today.

Episode #126 - Rabies: Protect yourself and your pets

What is rabies? How serious is it? How can you prevent rabies? Dr Bernadette Abela explains this and what you can do immediately after a bite in Science in 5 today.

Episode #125 - Snakebites: Life saving facts

Did you know that one person dies every four minutes from snakebite? What should you do if you get bitten? Dr David Williams talks about prevention and treatment in Science in 5.

Episode #124 - Mpox: what you need to know

WHO has declared the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. How is this outbreak different from previous ones and why did it trigger a Public Health Emergency? What does that mean for countries and for you? Who is at risk? And what about vaccines? Our expert today is Dr Abdou Salam Gueye, from WHO Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.

Episode #123 - Asthma and you

Millions of people live with asthma and yet many of them don’t know it. It is one of the most common conditions amongst children. Unfortunately it is also often undiagnosed and under-treated. How would you know if you have asthma? What are the treatments? What are some of the triggers and how can you manage your asthma? Here to help us know more about this chronic condition is Dr Sarah Rylance.

Episode #122 - Dementia

Is Dementia a normal part of ageing? Someone suffers from dementia every three seconds. What are the causes? Can we prevent it? Is there a cure? Dr Katrin Seeher explains in Science in 5.

Episode #121 - Hypertension

Why is hypertension called a silent killer ? What happens in your body when your blood pressure is high? Learn about the 4 “S”s to protect yourself from hypertension. Dr Taskeen Khan explains today in Science in 5.

Episode #120 - Social isolation

Did you know that social isolation or loneliness could increase your risk of early death by up to 32%? How would you know if you are socially isolated and how does it impact your health? Alana Officer explains and gives tips to overcome social isolation in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #119 - UV radiation

Did you know that putting on your sunglasses is one of the ways to protect your eyes from cataract ? Learn about ways to protect yourself from UV radiation from Dr Cornelia Baldermann, Scientific Senior Consultant, at the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Dr Baldermann explains where UV radiation comes from and how it impact our health in Science in 5.

Episode #118 - Avian Influenza

Why is WHO concerned about Avian Influenza or Bird Flu? Who is at risk? How can you protect yourself and which foods are safe to eat during an outbreak ? Dr Wenqing Zhang explains in Science in 5.

Episode #117 - Low back pain

Did you know that chronic low back pain is a major cause of disability across the world impacting people’s physical capabilities, sleep, participation in work, school and relationships? What kind of treatment should you ask for? Which treatments do not work? Learn to manage your low back pain from Dr Yuka Sumi in Science in 5.

Episode #116 - Is green, healthy transport possible?

In this WHO Science in 5-episode Dr Etienne Krug, Director of Social Determinants of Health, shares examples of cities that are taking action on greener more sustainable transport that can also help keep people healthier and safe. For example, Mexico City, Mexico has increased cycling lanes while making roads safer Cali, Colombia has sent out bike doctors to help repair bikes and Lusaka, Zambia created safer routes for children to get to school. Note: This episode was filmed on-site in Cape Town, South Africa during the 2024 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit that brought together more than 50+ cities to help prevent injuries and noncommunicable diseases.

Episode #115 - Dengue Fever

Why is Dengue fever spreading to places it did not exist before? What are the symptoms and treatments? What about vaccines? Dr Raman Velayudhan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #114 - Disease X

How are scientists working to prevent the next pandemic? What do countries need to do to prepare? Ana Maria Henao-Restrepo outlines the R&D needs that the world needs to invest in to prevent and prepare for the next pandemic.

Episode #113 - Obesity

Did you know that where you live, the food systems around you and your lack of opportunities to be active increase your risk of developing obesity? How big is this issue? How can you reduce your risk and protect yourself? WHO’s Dr Francesco Branca explains in Science in 5.

Episode #112 - Long COVID

If you have suffered from COVID and are still feeling the symptoms, could it be Long COVID? What are the symptoms? Are treatments available? WHO’s Dr Jamie Rylance explains in Science in 5.

Episode #111 - Sun and skin cancer

WHO and the International Labor Organization (ILO) recently released estimates on how many workers are exposed to intense sunlight at work and how many of them develop non melanoma skin cancer. How does long exposure to sunlight cause skin cancer? Who is at risk? How can you, your employer and your Government protect you? Dr Frank Pega explains in Science in 5

Episode #110 - Protecting you from substandard and falsified medicines

You may have heard about substandard or falsified syrup harming children and even causing deaths. There have been reports of falsified diabetes and weight loss treatments. How can you protect yourself? How does WHO keep you safe from substandard or falsified medical products ? WHO’s Pernette Bourdillon Esteve explains in Science in 5

Episode #109 - Adult eye care

Did you know that 70% of the people who need eye glasses do not have access to them? What are the leading causes of blindness? Who is at risk and how can you prevent it? Dr Stuart Keel explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #108 - How can you protect your child's vision?

Did you know that more and more children are having trouble seeing things that are at a distance? What are the early signs? How would you know if your child is at risk and what can you do to protect your child’s vision? Dr Stuart Keel explains in Science in 5

Episode #107 - How is climate change affecting your health?

Climate change is affecting your health every day. What are the future scenarios for health? How can you cope and protect your health? Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum explains in Science in 5

Episode #106 - Why should you care about Data?

Why should you care about data? what can data do for you? How does WHO work with data? Dr Samira Asma explains how data works to protect your health in Science in 5.

Episode #105 - Growing up informed: sexuality education

Are you a parent, teacher or just someone who cares about sexuality education? Dr Chandra-Mauli Venkataraman answers the important questions on sexuality education in the latest episode of Science in 5. Tune in to learn why it is crucial for our overall health and when, how and by whom it should be provided.

Episode #104 - Smoke-free indoor spaces

Indoor smoke-free spaces are becoming more commonplace, and for good reason. Did you know that over a million people die every year due to second-hand smoke? One in three countries now have policies in place to create 100% smoke-free spaces, according to a recent WHO report. How do indoor smoke-free spaces help our health and our economies? Dr Kerstin Schotte explains in Science in 5

Episode #103 - Brain health

How can you keep your brain healthy and who is at risk of poor brain health? Dr Tarun Dua explains all you need to know about brain health in Science in 5.

Episode #102 - Protect yourself from extreme heat

As parts of the world experience record breaking temperatures, learn how heat harms us, who is at risk and what you can do to protect yourself. Dr Joy Shumake-Guillemot explains in Science in 5.

Episode #101 - Do sweeteners help with weight loss?

Do non-sugar sweeteners help with weight loss? Do they pose a risk to your health? What about so called “natural” sweetness like Stevia? Jason Montez explains the findings from the new WHO report in Science in 5.

Episode #100 - How can you protect children from violence?

One in 2 children in the world suffers from violence which could be sexual, emotional or physical. This includes online violence. How can you recognize signs of violence and prevent it? WHO’s Sabine Rakotomalala explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #99 - Three things to keep in mind when taking antibiotics

WHO has been urging rational use of antibiotics for decades now. Why is that? What is at risk? And what can governments and individuals do to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations? Dr Hanan Balkhy explains on Science in 5.

Episode #98 - COVID-19 evolving variants and how to stay safe

Why are we seeing rising number of COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world? How is the SARS CoV 2 virus evolving? What do Governments and the public need to do to live with COVID-19 safely? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #97 - Will the world eradicate polio in 2023?

WHO and partners are aiming to interrupt all remaining transmission of poliovirus in 2023. Will the world eradicate this debilitating disease in 2023? How far have we come in our efforts and what will it take to bring the cases down to zero? WHO’s Aidan O’Leary explains in Science in 5.

Episode #96 - mpox update

WHO has declared that the Public Health Emergency of International Concern for Mpox remains in effect. Dr Rosamund Lewis provides a status update, lessons learned from the response so far and elaborates on who is at risk in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #95 - SARs-CoV-2 virus origins

WHO's technical lead on COVID-19 talks to us about the status of the scientific work needed to find the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Dr Maria Van Kerkhove provides an update, explains why it is important to understand the origins of pandemics, what WHO's role is in achieving this and how WHO works to prevent future pandemics.

Episode #94 - Are you consuming too much salt?

WHO’s latest report is urging everyone to reduce salt in our diet. What happens when we consume too much salt? How would we know if we are consuming too much salt and what can we do to reduce it? WHO’s Dr Francesco Branca explains in Science in 5.

Episode #93 - Hearing loss

What are the early signs of hearing loss? Can it be cured? What can you do to prevent hearing loss? Dr Shelly Chadha explains in Science in 5.

Episode #92 - Disability and health inequity

WHO 's latest report highlights that one in six people in the world have significant disability and experience inequity. What are these inequities and how can we address them ? WHO’s Darryl Barrett explains in Science in 5

Episode #91 - Everything you need to know about trans fat

WHO is urging action by Governments and the food industry to remove industrial trans fat from our food chain. Which foods contain trans fat? How do they harm us? WHO’s Dr Francesco Branca explains in Science in 5.

Episode #90 - Influenza

How does the vaccine combat the Influenza virus? How does WHO track influenza across the world to decide the composition of the vaccine? Dr Sylvie Briand also explains why we are seeing a spike in respiratory diseases in Science in 5.

Episode #89 - Respiratory disease in children

Why are we seeing a spike in respiratory diseases in children. What are the symptoms and red flags for parents? How can we protect our children from these infections? WHO’s Dr Wilson Were explains in Science in 5.

Episode #88 - Living with COVID-19

As we enter the 4th year of the Pandemic, what do we know about Omicron so far? Are there settings where you are more at risk? What does it mean to live with COVID-19 ? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #87 - Is Measles making a comeback?

Is Measles making a comeback? Why are we seeing a resurgence of the diseases? What can parents do to protect children from Measles ? Dr Patrick O’Conner explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #86 - Microbes are becoming resistant to antibiotics

Microbes like bacteria, fungus and viruses are becoming resistant to medicines like antibiotics. WHO has declared antimicrobial resistance as a global health and developmental threat. How can we stop antimicrobial resistance? Dr Hanan Balkhy explains in Science in 5

Episode #85 - Oral health

A new WHO report shows that half of world’s population suffers from diseases of teeth, gums or the mouth. Why is oral health important for everyone? What conditions can result from poor oral health? How can we maintain and improve oral health? Dr Benoit Varenne explains in Science in 5.

Episode #84 - Future of health

2023 will mark the 75th year of the World Health Organization. The world has achieved many public health milestones in these 75 years. In Science in 5 today we will take a look into the future - to understand what are the innovations we can expect and what will be some of our biggest challenges. Here to paint us a picture of what Health for All would look like in the future is WHO's Chief Scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

Episode #83 - Minimize infection at health-care facilities

Half the health-care facilities in the world do not have basic hygiene services. What are the points when you are most at risk of infection at a health-care facility? How can you lower your risk of infection? WHO’s Dr Richard Johnston explains in Science in 5.

Episode #82 - Older adults and COVID-19 vaccines

What do we know so far about older adults and COVID-19 vaccines? How long does the effect of the vaccine last and how successful have countries been in vaccinating older adults? WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien explains in Science in 5

Episode #81 - Public Health Emergency of International Concern

How does WHO determine that an outbreak or an event constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern? What actions does it trigger in countries? How does WHO decide that an outbreak no longer constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern? WHO’s Dr Carmen Dolea explains in Science in 5.

Episode #80 - Abortion

What are safe abortions? What are unsafe abortions? And when we restrict access to abortion, either legally or otherwise, does that reduce the number of abortions?

Episode #79 - Is poliovirus making a comeback?

What does it mean when poliovirus is detected in the sewage of a City? Dr Zubair Wadood explains what it will take to eradicate polio from the planet in Science in 5.

Episode #78 - mRNA technologies

mRNA technologies. What is their future and scope, and what are the challenges that countries might face in rolling them out? Hello and welcome to Science in5. I'm Vismita Gupta-Smith. We are talking to Dr. Soumya Swaminathan today. Soumya, talk to us about mRNA technologies. What is the future?

Episode #77 - Hepatitis outbreak in children

WHO’s Dr Philippa Easterbrook gives a situation update on the recent hepatitis outbreak affecting children including possible causes and steps parents, caregivers and countries should take.

Episode #76 - Monkeypox: Who is at risk?

Which communities are most at risk of Monkeypox in the current outbreak and why? WHO’s Andy Seale explains how we can support the communities at risk in Science in 5.

Episode #75 - Omicron sub variant risk

What do we know about sub variants of Omicron so far? Are they more transmissible? Do they cause more severe disease? How is the risk of infection being perceived by the experts and the public? WHO’s Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5

Episode #74 - Mental Health

WHO’s World Mental health Report says that mental health is the leading cause of disability. How did the pandemic impact our mental health? What are the signs and how can we keep ourselves mentally healthy? Dr Mark Van Ommeren explains in Science in 5.

Episode #73 - Monkeypox

What are the symptoms of monkeypox? Who is at risk and how can we protect ourselves? Why is WHO concerned about it? WHO’s Dr Rosamund Lewis explains in Science in 5.

Episode #72 - Genome Sequencing

What is genome sequencing and how does it help us track diseases? Why do countries need to continue genome sequencing in this phase of the pandemic? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5 .

Episode #71 - COVID-19 vaccines and children

What are WHO's recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines and children? And what does the evidence say so far about the safety of these vaccines in children? And if you live in a country where this vaccination is not available for your kids, how can you keep them safe? WHO’s Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #70 - Upcoming new vaccines

What are the new vaccines in the pipeline? What are the challenges to turning vaccines into vaccination ? What timelines can we expect for future vaccines? WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien explains in Science in 5.

Episode #69 - COVID 19 : Tracking variants

How does WHO track variants for SARS CoV 2 , the virus that causes COVID-19? what are the challenges on the ground? What are variants WHO is tracking at this time? WHO’s Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #68 - COVID-19: Update on Long COVID

What have we learned about the symptoms of Long COVID or Post COVID-19 condition so far? How long does it last, when should you worry, and what treatments are recommended? WHO’s Dr Janet Diaz explains in Science in 5.

Episode #67 - Understanding immunity

WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains how our body develops immunity against a new virus. How is immunity developed when we are infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus? How is it different from vaccine derived immunity? Why is it important to continue to wear masks, ventilate closed spaces, avoid crowds, wash hands and observe all other precautions?

Episode #66 - Air pollution, a public health emergency

Why does WHO consider air pollution a public health emergency? If you live in highly polluted areas does COVID-19 affect you differently? WHO’s Dr Maria Neira explains in Science in 5.

Episode #65 - Medical waste

Are you aware of the medical waste generated during the pandemic? How does it impact your health and what can you do to reduce it? WHO’s Dr Margaret Montgomery explains in Science in 5.

Episode #64 - Why are experts concerned about Omicron?

If Omicron is less severe, why are people ending up in the hospital and dying from it? Is it true that everyone will eventually get Omicron? Why is it important to reduce transmission? WHO's Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #63 - Omicron variant

What do we know about Omicron variant so far? WHO's Dr Maria Van Kerkhove updates on the transmissibility, severity, symptoms and ways to protect yourself in Science in 5.

Episode #62 - Polio & COVID-19

How has the pandemic impacted the fight against Polio? How has the polio infrastructure helped the fight against COVID-19? Why is it important that the world doesn’t take its eyes off polio? Sona Bari explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #61 - COVID-19 & Antibiotics

What have we learned about COVID-19 and antibiotics so far? What happens when antibiotics are not taken according to prescription or are used irrationally? When are antibiotics prescribed in the course of COVID-19 treatment? Professor Hanan H. Balkhy explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #60 - Lead poisoning prevention

How big a public health problem is lead poisoning? What are the sources of lead poisoning and who are at risk? What can you do to protect yourself? WHO's Lesley Onyon explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #59 - Flu & COVID-19

How would you know if you have the flu or COVID-19? Should you take both flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine if these are available to you? How does WHO decide on the composition of the flu vaccine? Dr Sylvie Briand explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #58 - TB & COVID-19

If you have Tuberculosis, what is your risk from COVID-19? How can you keep yourself safe during the pandemic? Why is it important that the world does not take its eyes off TB during the Pandemic? Dr Tereza Kasaeva explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #57 - Malaria vaccine

Learn about the first Malaria vaccine. Who should receive this vaccine? What are the challenges of rolling out a Malaria vaccine in the midst of a pandemic? Dr Pedro Alonso explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #56 - Air pollution & COVID-19

What have we learned about air pollution and COVID-19? Learn about six air pollutants that are harming your health. Dr Maria Neira explains findings from WHO’s new air quality guidelines in Science in 5.

Episode #55 - COVID-19: Keeping schools safe

What steps should a school take to keep students and staff safe from COVID-19? What about vaccination? How can families and communities keep themselves safe as schools reopen? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #54 - COVID-19: Mixed and fractional vaccine doses

Many countries are using the approach of mixing vaccine doses from different manufacturers. What do we know about the safety and efficacy of this approach? What does the evidence tell us about using a fraction of the vaccine dose ? Dr Katherine O’Brien explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #53 - COVID-19: Booster Shots

What does evidence say so far about safety and effectiveness of booster shots? Are there groups who may need them? Should the world be considering booster shots at this stage of the pandemic? Dr Katherine O’Brien explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #52 - Tobacco & COVID-19

Are you planning to quit tobacco during the pandemic? What risk does COVID-19 pose to a tobacco user? Learn how the tobacco industry lured people to consume tobacco during the pandemic. Dr Hebe Gouda explains the health benefits of quitting tobacco in Science in 5.

Episode #51 - Breastfeeding & COVID-19

If you have COVID-19, is it safe to breastfeed your baby? Is it safe to get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you are breastfeeding? How can you keep your baby safe while breastfeeding if you have COVID-19? Dr Laurence Grummer- Strawn explains in Science in 5.

Episode #50 - Do I still need the vaccine if I have COVID-19?

If you had COVID -19 do you still need the vaccine? How long should you wait after recovery to get vaccinated? What do we know about natural immunity vs vaccine induced immunity? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #49 - Can I get infected after vaccination?

If you are fully vaccinated can you still get COVID-19? How frequent are breakthrough infections and what does COVID-19 look like if you are fully vaccinated. WHO’s Dr Kate O’Brien explains in Science in 5. No matter whether you are vaccinated against #COVID19 or are still waiting, keep following these precautions to protect yourself and others: - Avoid crowds - Keep physical distance - Open windows

Episode #48 - HIV & COVID-19

If you are living with HIV, what are your risks? Should you be prioritized for vaccination? Are vaccines safe for you? WHO’s Dr Meg Doherty explains in Science in 5.

Episode #47 - Post COVID-19 condition

If you have recovered from COVID-19 but are still experiencing certain symptoms you could have post COVID-19 condition or "long COVID". What are these symptoms? How long do they last and are there any treatment options? Dr Janet Diaz explains in Science in 5.

Episode #46 - Diabetes & COVID-19

If you are living with diabetes, what is the risk that COVID-19 poses to you and how can you stay safe and healthy during the pandemic? WHO’s Dr. Gojka Roglic explains in Science in 5.

Episode #45 - Delta variant

What do we know about the Delta variant so far? How can we assess our risk? What strategies should we apply to protect ourselves whether we are in a low vaccination or high vaccination setting? WHO’s Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #44 - Delta variant and vaccines

Do the current batch of approved vaccines protect us from the Delta variant? What is the level of protection? If you can still get infected even after being fully vaccinated, then why should we vaccinate? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #43 - Pregnancy & COVID-19

What advice does WHO have for women who are pregnant or are planning pregnancy during the pandemic? What should a woman expect for her care during childbirth and pregnancy at this time? What if a woman gets COVID during her pregnancy? Are there any additional risks to her or her baby? WHO’s Dr Özge Tunçalp explains in Science in 5.

Episode #42 - Vaccines and children

Why does WHO recommend at this time, in June 2021, that vaccinating children is not a priority? When would their vaccination be prioritized? How is safety of these vaccines ensured? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #41 - Vaccines, pregnancy, menstruation, lactation and fertility

What is the guidance for vaccination of women with breastfeeding infants, women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and women who are menstruating? What about vaccines and fertility? WHO’s Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #40 - Transmission indoors and outdoors

How does SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 , spread from one person to another? How can you keep yourself safe indoors and outdoors? WHO’s Dr Oliver Morgan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #39 - Update on virus variants

What are the variants circulating at this time? How are variants classified as variants of interest or concern? What does this mean for the public? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #38 - Current Global trends

What is data telling us about the spread of COVID-19 around the world? What does evidence tell us about transmission in populations that are vaccinated? WHO’s Dr Oliver Morgan explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #37 - Treatment and care at home

If you have COVID-19 and are caring for someone or yourself at home, what is the treatment protocol? What is WHO’s guidance on Remdesivir and convalescent plasma therapy? How to monitor oxygen at home and what are the red flags when you should call the doctor? WHO’s Dr Janet Diaz explains in Science in 5.

Episode #36 - Safe care at home

If you are caring for yourself or a loved one at home, how can you keep everyone safe? Who should be cared for at home? How to prevent COVID-19 infection to other family members? What red flags should you look for that tell you it is time to contact the health care provider? WHO’s Dr April Baller explains in Science in 5.

Episode #35 - Which vaccine should I take and what about side effects?

If you have the choice of more than one vaccine and are wondering which one to take and how to assess the risk of side effects, this episode of Science in 5 with WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien is for you.

Episode #34 - Vaccines, variants & mass gatherings

How much protection does the current batch of COVID-19 vaccines provide us? Would you need a booster shot for new variants? What do science and evidence tell us about mass gatherings and the spread of COVID-19? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #33 - Medical oxygen

Medical oxygen is an essential medicine in the treatment of COVID-19. How is it used? Why is there a shortage in some countries and what are WHO, partners and Governments doing about it? WHO’s Dr Janet Diaz explains in Science in 5.

Episode #32 - Equity in vaccines, treatment and tests

In our unequal world, how does inequity impact our fight against COVID-19? How can we address it? WHO’s Dr Mariângela Simao explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #31 - Vaccines, variants & doses

If you have already had COVID-19 do you still need both doses of the vaccine? Do these vaccines protect you against infection? Do they protect us against variants? WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien answers these questions in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #30 - Vaccines-when and why?

If you have been wondering when you would receive your vaccine? Why you should get vaccinated and are concerned about what your are hearing about side effects, this episode of Science with 5 with WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan is for you.

Episode #29 - Developing WHO’s public health advice

In this week’s episode, WHO’s Dr. John Grove explains how WHO brings the best evidence together to develop health guidance for the world.

Episode #28 - Evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

What is the latest information on the SARS-CoV-2 virus variants? How is WHO tracking these virus mutations globally and how do we know which ones are important? Answering these questions in this episode of Science in 5 is WHO's Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove.

Episode #27 - Vaccines, variants & herd immunity

As new variants emerge people are wondering if they should wait until a more efficacious vaccine is available or if they should go ahead and get vaccinated now? Answering your questions on COVID-19 vaccines and variants in this episode of Science in 5 is WHO's Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

Episode #26 - Vaccine dosage

How far apart should the doses of vaccines be? What if I miss my second dose? Can I get two doses from two different manufacturers? How was safety of vaccines ensured? WHO’s Chief Scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #25 - Vaccines explained

If you have had COVID-19, should you still get vaccinated ? Why are we not vaccinating children under 16? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains these and other vaccine related questions in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #24 - Vaccine myths vs science

WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien busts some vaccine myths related to infertility, DNA and composition of vaccines in this week’s Science in 5.Science in 5 is WHO’s conversations in science. Watch WHO experts explain science related to COVID-19. Science in 5 is WHO’s conversations in science. Watch WHO experts explain science related to COVID-19.

Episode #23 - I am vaccinated, what next?

If you already got your COVID-19 vaccine, are you wondering when the immunity kicks in and how long it lasts? Can you still catch COVID-19 and can you infect others? How long do you need to take precautions after vaccination? WHO’s Dr Kate O’ Brien answers one Science in 5.

Episode #22 - Children & COVID-19

Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children? Do the new variants impact children differently? What can parents do to keep children safe from COVID-19. WHO's Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in Science in 5.

Episode #21 - COVID-19 - Origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus

Why is it important for scientists to look for the origins of the virus? How do scientists look at the claim that the virus originated in a laboratory? More about the team which is looking for the origins of the virus that causes COVID-19. Dr Peter Ben Embarek leads this team and explains in Science in 5.

Episode #20 - COVID-19 - Variants & Vaccines

How concerned should we be about the new variants of SARS CoV 2 which cause COVID-19? Is it unusual for viruses to change and mutate? Do vaccines protect against these variants and what can you do to protect yourself? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5

Episode #19 - COVID-19- Prolonged symptoms after COVID -19

Are you experiencing symptoms after recovery from COVID-19? WHO’s Dr Janet Diaz explains what we know so for about prolonged symptoms in Science in 5.

Episode #18 - COVID-19 - Immunity after recovery from COVID-19

How long does your immunity last after you recover from COVID-19? Can you get reinfected? Why do you need to continue with preventative measures? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains on Science in 5.

Episode #17 - COVID-19 - Vaccine approvals

As vaccines get approved by national authorities, learn about National and WHO approval processes for vaccines and how safety is ensured during emergency approval of vaccines. Dr Mariângela Simão explains in Science in 5.

Episode #16 - COVID-19 - How do vaccines work?

How do vaccines work to protect us? What are the vaccine technologies in the pipeline and how do we ensure safe vaccines? Dr Katherine O’ Brien explains in Science in 5 !

Episode #15 - COVID-19 - Vaccine distribution

Now the world is getting closer to a vaccine for COVID-19, how will these vaccines reach you? WHO’s Dr Katherine O’Brien explains COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Science in 5.

Episode #14 - COVID-19 - Tests

What kind of COVID-19 tests are available? What are antigens and antibodies? What about the accuracy of these tests? WHO’s Dr Hanan Balkhy explains COVID-19 tests in Science in 5

Episode #13  - COVID-19 - Vaccine trials

Learn what scientists look for in the different phases of a clinical trial for a vaccine. What does it mean when a vaccine trial is halted due to an adverse event? WHO’s Dr Kate O’Brien explains in Science in 5 this week.

Episode #12 - Safe celebrations during the Pandemic

How can we celebrate the Holidays safely? Who are the high risk members in our families and communities and how can we keep them safe? What about travel during the holidays? WHO’s Chief Scientist explains in Science in 5.

Episode #11 - Antibiotics & COVID-19

Why are experts concerned about COVID-19 and antibiotics? And what can you do about it? Learn about antibiotics and COVID-19 from WHO’s Dr Hanan Balkhy in Science in 5

Episode #10 - Ventilation & COVID-19

How important is ventilation and how does it keep you safe from COVID-19? WHO’s Dr Maria Neira explains in Science in 5.

Episode #9 - Air pollution & COVID-19

How does air pollution affect our body during the pandemic ? Learn about air pollution and COVID-19 from Dr Maria Neira in Science in 5.

Episode #8 - Myth vs Science

Dr Sylvie Brand busts some myths related to COVID-19 and antibiotics, alcohol and garlic in this episode of Science in 5.

Episode #7 - Serological surveys

What are serological surveys? How do they help you assess your risk of COVID-19? WHO’s Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in Science in 5.

Episode #6 - Flu & COVID-19

Flu season is starting in many parts of the world. How can you protect yourself from flu and COVID-19? How would you know if you have flu or COVID-19? What precautions should pregnant women take? WHO’s Dr Sylvie Briand explains in this episode of Science in 5.

Episode #5 - Vaccines

When can we expect a vaccine for COVID-19? How will we ensure that it is safe? Who should be vaccinated first and why? Find out the answers to these and other questions.

Episode #4 - Reopening Schools

How should schools assess their risk before reopening? What do we know about children and COVID-19? Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains in this episode of Science in 5, WHO’s conversations in science.

Episode #3 - COVID-19 Myths Vs Science

Can COVID -19 be transmitted through water? Or Mosquitoes? Is COVID-19 transmission affected by weather? Dr Sylvie Briand busts popular myths about COVID-19 in this edition of Science in 5, WHO’s conversations in science.

Episode #2 - SARS-CoV-2

In this episode, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains how the SARS-CoV-2 virus infects the body and how our body’s immune system reacts.

Episode #1 - Herd immunity

In this episode of Science in 5, WHO’s Chief Scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains herd immunity.