Explore every episode of the podcast Science in 5

Polio once paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children every year, striking fear into families across the world. Thanks to global vaccination efforts, cases have fallen by 99.9% since 1988. But polio is not gone yet.

In this episode of Science in 5, we speak with Dr. Jamal Ahmad about why polio eradication still matters, how close the world truly is to ending this disease forever, and what's at stake if we don't finish the job.

Polio spreads easily, respects no borders, and remains a threat as long as it exists anywhere. With only a few cases left in two countries, the tools, knowledge, and partnerships are stronger than ever—but sustained political commitment and global cooperation are essential.

Ending polio would mean no child is ever paralyzed by this disease again—and billions saved for health systems worldwide.

• Make sure you and your family are vaccinated
• Call on governments to keep supporting eradication
• Get involved through partners like Rotary

Because eradication is all or nothing—and we are closer than ever.

A worm that can cause epilepsy? Meet Taenia solium — the pig tapeworm that travels from gut to brain, causing seizures and preventable epilepsy in millions. In this episode of Science in 5, Dr Bernadette Abela explains how this parasite spreads when pigs eat human feces and humans consume contaminated food or water — and what we can do to stop it. Learn how cooking meat properly, improving hygiene, and vaccinating pigs can break the cycle.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 

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

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.

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.

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

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 expert Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove. 

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.

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 Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan.

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.

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.

WHO expert Dr Katherine O'Brien busts some vaccine myths related to infertility, DNA and composition of vaccines in this week's Science in 5.

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 all this and more in this week's Science in 5.

 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.   Science in 5 is WHO's conversations in science. 

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.

Science in 5 is WHO's conversations in science. Watch WHO experts explain science related to COVID-19.

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.

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

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? WHO expert Dr Maria Van Kerkhove explains on Science in 5.

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.

 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. WHO expert Dr Mariângela Simão explains in Science in 5.

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

How will the COVID-19 vaccine reach you? Why is it important to keep observing public health measures? WHO's Dr Katherine O'Brien explains in Science in 5 this week.

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

Science in 5 is WHO's conversations in science, WHO experts explain science related to COVID-19. In this episode, 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 all in Science in 5.

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.

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

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

In this video and audio series WHO experts explain the science related to COVID-19. In this episode, Dr Sylvie Briand busts myths about COVID-19 and antibiotics, alcohol and garlic.

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 Natash Crowcroft explains on Science in 5.

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.

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 Science in 5.

When can we expect a vaccine for COVID-19? How will we ensure that it is safe? Who should be vaccinated first and why? WHO's Chief Scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan explains in this edition of Science in 5.