A researcher at an anti-plague institute in Russia died after breaking a test tube containing live bacteria. As headlines stoke alarm over a possible aerosolized pneumonic plague outbreak, epidemiologist Nicolas Hulscher reveals that governments and military biodefense programs – including the USA's Department of Defense – have been quietly funding more than 21 experimental plague vaccines spanning mRNA, self-amplifying RNA, and viral-vector platforms. "Why were governments and military biodefense programs already investing so heavily in plague vaccines before the current plague hysteria erupted?" asks Hulscher. The U.S. DOD alone has committed over $44 million into clinical trials for an aerosolized plague candidate, alongside programs in the UK, Israel, Russia, and China. But as Hulscher points out, pneumonic plague is a bacterial infection, not a respiratory virus like COVID-19. "I would not take an experimental plague vaccine. I'd rather take my chances with doxycycline and its documented 97% survival rate. We are not living in the Middle Ages," says Hulscher. [This episode originally aired LIVE on 10/13/2026, but was deleted due to a technical issue] Dr. Kelly Victory, MD is Chief of Emergency & Disaster Medicine at The Wellness Company, a residency-trained and boarded trauma and emergency specialist with over 30 years of clinical experience. She is an expert in disaster preparedness and mass-casualty medical managemens. Follow at https://x.com/DrKellyVictory Nicolas Hulscher, MPH is an epidemiologist and administrator for the McCullough Foundation. A Michigan native, he holds a B.S. in Pre-Health Professional Studies from Oakland University's Honors College and an MPH in epidemiology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Follow at https://x.com/NicHulscher SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Find out more about the brands that make this show possible and get special discounts on Dr. Drew's favorite products at https://drdrew.com/sponsors • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. Get 15% off your first order at https://drdrew.com/paleovalley • FATTY15 – The future of essential fatty acids is here! Strengthen your cells against age-related breakdown with Fatty15. Get 15% off a 90-day Starter Kit Subscription at https://drdrew.com/fatty15 • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Be prepared for the next crisis with a Medical Emergency Kit. Learn more at https://twc.health/drew Portions of this program may examine countervailing views on health issues, and do not necessarily represent the views of the hosting platform or producers. This show is for entertainment or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or attorney before making health or financial decisions. Executive Producers • Kaleb Nation - https://x.com/KalebNation • Susan Pinsky - https://x.com/firstladyoflove Content Producer & Booking • Emily Barsh - https://x.com/emilytvproducer Hosted By • Dr. Drew Pinsky - https://x.com/drdrew About The Show Tired of tribalism and outrage? It's time for a second opinion. From the front lines of the culture war to the front lines of medicine, iconic broadcaster Dr. Drew Pinsky (of "Loveline" with Adam Carolla) brings his unfiltered perspective to today’s most urgent political, cultural, and medical issues. Dr. Drew is a board-certified physician with over 35 years of national radio shows, NYT bestselling books, and countless TV shows bearing his name. He's best known for Celebrity Rehab (VH1), Teen Mom OG (MTV), The Masked Singer (FOX), and multiple hit podcasts. Dr. Drew Pinsky received his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his M.D. from the University of Southern California. Read more at https://drdrew.com/about