Why Did I Become a Vaccinologist? | Daniel Kapelus

Daniel Kapelus had never heard the word vaccinology before 2019. By 2020, he was rotating through real COVID-19 clinical trials as a master's student at Wits — thrown into one of the most consequential public health moments in living memory.

In this conversation, Daniel breaks down how vaccines actually work, why the COVID vaccines were developed so quickly without cutting corners, what mRNA technology does inside your body, and why you simply cannot copy-paste one country's vaccine schedule onto another. He also reflects on why science communication matters so deeply to him, the gap between evidence and policy, and what he hopes to contribute to public health over his career.

A passionate, humble, and genuinely illuminating listen.

Topics covered:

Growing up in a legal family and choosing science insteadLeaving biomedical engineering and discovering geneticsHow he found his way into vaccinology — and started his master's just as COVID arrivedHow clinical trials work, and how COVID vaccine trials were accelerated without sacrificing rigourmRNA vaccines explained in plain languageVaccine hesitancy, risk perception, and the power of storytelling in scienceThe autism-vaccines claim — what two decades of evidence actually showsThe return on investment of vaccines: 154 million deaths averted over 50 yearsWhy different countries have different vaccine schedulesCareer paths in vaccinology — academia, pharma, NGOs, consultingBrazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and finding a meditative outlet amid a demanding PhD

Co-hosted by Dr Yash Naidoo and Dr Yakshen Lindy | Recorded at Bedfordview Dental Care

This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed by guests do not necessarily represent those of the podcast or hosts and do not constitute professional advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for medical, financial, or career decisions.

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