# Jay Varma
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{{Short description|American physician and epidemiologist}}
{{Orphan|date=March 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jay K. Varma
| image = Dr. Jay Varma.png
| image size =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place =
| spouse =
| children =
| education = {{plainlist|
* [UC San Diego School of Medicine](/source/UC_San_Diego_School_of_Medicine)
* Harvard University
}}
| module = {{Infobox medical details
| profession = {{flatlist|
* Physician
* Epidemiologist
}}
| field = {{plainlist|
Epidemiology
}}
| work_institutions = Centers for Disease Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City Office of the Mayor
| specialism = {{flatlist|
Epidemiology
}}
| research_field = Epidemiology
}}}}
'''Jay Varma''' is a physician and epidemiologist[{{cite news |last1=Hartocollis |first1=Anemona |title=Measles Outbreak May Have Spread in Medical Facilities, a New York City Official Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/nyregion/measles-outbreak-in-new-york-may-have-spread-in-medical-facilities.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 18, 2014 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221042058/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/nyregion/measles-outbreak-in-new-york-may-have-spread-in-medical-facilities.html |url-status=live }}] who previously served as senior advisor for [public health](/source/public_health)[{{cite news |last1=Kilgannon |first1=Corey |title=What New York City's Sewers Reveal About the Virus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/nyregion/covid-testing-sewers.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=December 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303052402/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/nyregion/covid-testing-sewers.html |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Siemaszko |first1=Corky |title=N.Y.C. mayor's reason for closing public schools was 'arbitrary,' adviser says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/n-y-c-mayor-s-reason-closing-public-schools-was-n1248285 |access-date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=NBC News |date=November 19, 2020}}] and [COVID-19](/source/COVID-19) to [New York City](/source/New_York_City) [Mayor](/source/Mayor_of_New_York_City) [Bill de Blasio](/source/Bill_de_Blasio).[{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Joseph |title=N.Y.C. Is Opening Its Own Virus Testing Lab to Address Shortages |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-lab-tests.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217104216/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/16/nyregion/nyc-coronavirus-lab-tests.html |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Szekely |first1=Peter |title=New York officials downplay concern over new coronavirus variant |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/new-york-officials-others-downplay-concern-over-new-coronavirus-variant-idUSKBN2AP2UY |access-date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=Reuters |date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301170843/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/new-york-officials-others-downplay-concern-over-new-coronavirus-variant-idUSKBN2AP2UY |url-status=live }}]
In that role, Varma helped lead New York City's COVID-19 pandemic response, including [diagnostic testing](/source/Medical_test),[{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |title=New York Has Tamed the Virus. Can It Hold Off a Second Wave? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/nyregion/coronavirus-second-wave-nyc.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=August 17, 2020 |archive-date=March 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321124718/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/17/nyregion/coronavirus-second-wave-nyc.html |url-status=live }}] [vaccine mandates](/source/vaccine_mandates)[{{Cite web|url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/02/09/former-de-blasio-health-advisor-criticizes-end-of-city-covid-19-vaccine-mandate|title=Former de Blasio health advisor criticizes end of city vaccine mandate|website=ny1.com|access-date=September 8, 2023|archive-date=September 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013934/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/02/09/former-de-blasio-health-advisor-criticizes-end-of-city-covid-19-vaccine-mandate|url-status=live}}] and the phased re-opening of businesses.[{{cite web |title=Jay K. Varma, MD |url=https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/profile/jay-k-varma-md/ |website=The Rockefeller Foundation |access-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309191557/https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/profile/jay-k-varma-md/ |url-status=live }}] He was the architect of the NYC plans for public schools during the COVID-19 crisis.[{{cite news |last1=Elsen-Rooney |first1=Michael |title=Surging community COVID spread tests NYC's efforts to keep schools safe for in-person learning |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-covid-nyc-school-testing-varma-20210111-7bupirtcofapffsqmudo5i5d6i-story.html |access-date=March 7, 2021 |work=New York Daily News |date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303183150/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-covid-nyc-school-testing-varma-20210111-7bupirtcofapffsqmudo5i5d6i-story.html |url-status=live }}]
==Early life and education==
Varma graduated [magna cum laude](/source/Latin_honors) from [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University).[{{cite web |title=Jay Varma Senior Advisor, Science & Programme |url=https://africacdc.org/people/jay-varma/ |website=Africa CDC |access-date=March 4, 2021 |archive-date=March 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319155422/https://africacdc.org/people/jay-varma/ |url-status=dead }}]
==Career==
In 2001, Varma joined the [Centers for Disease Control](/source/Centers_for_Disease_Control)'s [Epidemic Intelligence Service](/source/Epidemic_Intelligence_Service), working on foodborne diseases.[{{cite news |last1=Reichgott |first1=Megan |title=RESEARCHERS TIE E. COLI OUTBREAK IN 2001 TO CONTAMINATED BUILDING |agency=The Associated Press |publisher=St. Louis Post - Dispatch |date=November 26, 2003}}]
While working for the CDC on infectious disease prevention and control, Varma had postings in Atlanta, Thailand, China, Ethiopia, and New York City.[{{cite news |last1=Borchardt |first1=Reuvain |title=Do Antibodies Equal Immunity? |url=https://hamodia.com/2020/12/24/antibodies-equal-immunity/ |access-date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=Hamodia |date=December 24, 2020 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128052444/https://hamodia.com/2020/12/24/antibodies-equal-immunity/ |url-status=dead }}]
He became the deputy commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in 2011.[{{cite news |last1=Santora |first1=Marc |title=As Experts Confront the Hazards of Zika, Fear and Uncertainty Hover |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/nyregion/theyre-out-there-in-zika-health-officials-see-a-mystery-on-mosquito-wings.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=July 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308113243/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/nyregion/theyre-out-there-in-zika-health-officials-see-a-mystery-on-mosquito-wings.html |url-status=live }}] In 2014, he acted as the "incident commander" for Ebola in New York after two people tested positive for the virus.[{{cite news |last1=Hartocollis |first1=Anemona |title=With Persistence and Phone Calls, Defending Against Ebola in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/nyregion/with-phone-calls-and-persistence-tracking-travelers-at-risk-for-ebola.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2014 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302200641/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/nyregion/with-phone-calls-and-persistence-tracking-travelers-at-risk-for-ebola.html |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Haddon |first1=Heather |last2=Orden |first2=Erica |last3=Dawsey |first3=Josh |title=New York Ebola Patient Has Gastrointestinal Symptoms |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fiance-of-new-york-ebola-patient-to-return-to-their-apartment-1414261078 |access-date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 25, 2014 |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119153007/https://www.wsj.com/articles/fiance-of-new-york-ebola-patient-to-return-to-their-apartment-1414261078 |url-status=live }}] Varma authorized the 21 day quarantine of the fiancée and two of friends of a doctor who fell ill with Ebola after he returned from treating patients in Guinea.[{{cite news |last1=Fink |first1=Sheri |title=Ebola Crisis Passes, but Questions on Quarantines Persist |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/health/ebola-crisis-passes-but-questions-on-quarantines-persist.html |access-date=March 7, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=December 2, 2015 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308231247/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/03/health/ebola-crisis-passes-but-questions-on-quarantines-persist.html |url-status=live }}] That same year he led NYC's response to an outbreak of measles in more than two dozen people[{{cite news |last1=Hartocollis |first1=Anemona |title=New York City Reports 3 New Cases of Meningitis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/06/nyregion/city-reports-3-new-cases-of-meningitis.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=September 5, 2014 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125032803/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/06/nyregion/city-reports-3-new-cases-of-meningitis.html |url-status=live }}] He also managed the city's response to an outbreak of [Legionnaires' Disease](/source/Legionnaires'_disease) cases in 2014-2015 linked to contaminated cooling towers,[{{cite news |title=NYC health official expects more Legionnaires' disease cases |url=https://apnews.com/article/344ca034bd6347aab6efb8006f83ad01 |access-date=March 9, 2021 |publisher=The Associated Press |date=August 1, 2015 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908014920/https://apnews.com/article/344ca034bd6347aab6efb8006f83ad01 |url-status=live }}] which sickened dozens of people and killed four.[{{cite news |last1=Hu |first1=Winnie |title=Legionnaires' Disease Sickens 31, 2 Fatally, in the South Bronx |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/nyregion/legionnaires-disease-sickens-31-2-fatally-in-the-south-bronx.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=July 29, 2015 |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224170231/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/30/nyregion/legionnaires-disease-sickens-31-2-fatally-in-the-south-bronx.html |url-status=live }}]
Varma also worked as the Senior Advisor to the Director of Africa CDC, assisting with strategy and execution of the [Africa Centres for Disease Control](/source/Africa_Centres_for_Disease_Control)'s programs and helping develop the African Union's continent-wide strategy for COVID-19.[{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=J. David |title=N.Y.C. Health Commissioner Resigns After Clashes With Mayor Over Virus |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/nyregion/oxiris-barbot-health-commissioner-resigns.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=August 4, 2020 |archive-date=March 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303163053/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/nyregion/oxiris-barbot-health-commissioner-resigns.html |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Renault |first1=Marion |title=New coronavirus variant in New York spurs caution, concern |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/coronavirus-variant-york-spurs-caution-concern-76122404 |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=February 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301092214/https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/coronavirus-variant-york-spurs-caution-concern-76122404 |url-status=live }}][{{cite news |last1=Gartland |first1=Michael |title=New York City's top public health adviser rules out COVID-19 herd immunity |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-herd-immunity-jay-varma-mayor-coronavirus-20200710-wob6afhtt5g25kqnkkrtagtfxa-story.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=New York Daily News |date=July 10, 2020}}][{{cite news |last1=Tompkins |first1=Al |title=New COVID-19 variants could be more resistant to vaccines, but let's not jump to conclusions |url=https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2021/new-covid-19-variants-could-be-more-resistant-to-vaccines-but-lets-not-jump-to-conclusions/ |access-date=March 4, 2021 |publisher=Poynter Institute |date=March 1, 2021 |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301110513/https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2021/new-covid-19-variants-could-be-more-resistant-to-vaccines-but-lets-not-jump-to-conclusions/ |url-status=live }}] Before Barbot left the department, Varma was described as a "shadow commissioner" for COVID-19 matters.[{{cite news |last1=Goldenberg |first1=Sally |title=In the midst of a pandemic, tensions flare between de Blasio and his health department |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/05/08/in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic-tensions-flare-between-de-blasio-and-his-health-department-1283303 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |publisher=Politico |date=May 8, 2020 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302232250/https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2020/05/08/in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic-tensions-flare-between-de-blasio-and-his-health-department-1283303 |url-status=live }}]
In September 2020, Varma was involved in NYC's opening of a laboratory that prioritized testing for city residents.[{{cite news |last1=Kilgannon |first1=Corey |title=Scientists are monitoring New York's sewers, hoping to identify coronavirus clusters. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/world/scientists-are-monitoring-new-yorks-sewers-hoping-to-identify-coronavirus-clusters.html |access-date=March 9, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217205207/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/world/scientists-are-monitoring-new-yorks-sewers-hoping-to-identify-coronavirus-clusters.html |url-status=live }}]
After a new variant of COVID-19 called B.1.526 was identified in February 2021 as likely originating in NYC,[{{cite news |last1=Pereira |first1=Sydney |title=City Health Official Says New NYC Variant Is A 'Reminder' To Stay Diligent About COVID Precautions |url=https://gothamist.com/news/city-health-official-says-new-nyc-variant-is-a-reminder-to-stay-diligent-about-covid-precautions |access-date=March 9, 2021 |publisher=The Gothamist |date=March 3, 2021}}] Varma said preliminary analysis of the variant showed it was likely more infectious, but New Yorkers did not need to take additional precautions.[{{cite news |last1=King |first1=Kate |title=South Africa Coronavirus Variant Infects Two New York City Residents |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/south-africa-coronavirus-variant-infects-two-new-york-city-residents-11614724338 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=March 2, 2021}}]
Varma was the architect of the NYC plans for the public school system during the COVID-19 crisis, including assessing the risk factors for keeping schools partially opened in January 2021 as citywide positivity rates climbed.[{{cite news |last1=Shapiro |first1=Eliza |title=N.Y.C. public schools saw very low virus transmission as cases in the city spiked, a study says. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/world/nyc-schools-covid-transmission-study.html |access-date=March 13, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 10, 2021}}] The study showed virus transmission rates remained low within in-person classes, with 191 of 36,000 students and staff quarantined after exposure to COVID-19 testing positive for a transmission rate of .5%.[{{cite news |last1=Elsen-Rooney |first1=Michael |title=New study of NYC school COVID-19 rates presents 'compelling' evidence of low in-school transmission |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-analysis-school-covid-19-data-transmission-20210309-epaxi42255dnfjzxhhmtpxfjg4-story.html |access-date=March 13, 2021 |work=New York Daily News |date=March 9, 2021}}] A follow-up study during the COVID-19 Delta wave showed that vaccination and other COVID-19 prevention measures continued to keep transmission low; fewer than 1 in 100 people exposed to COVID in school went on to develop active disease.[{{Cite journal |last1=Varma |first1=Jay K. |last2=Feldkamp |first2=Cara |last3=Alexander |first3=Mariana |last4=Norman |first4=Emily |last5=Agerton |first5=Tracy |last6=Davis |first6=Rindcy |last7=Long |first7=Theodore |date=May 23, 2022 |title=COVID-19 Transmission Due to Delta Variant in New York City Public Schools From October to December 2021 |journal=JAMA Network Open |volume=5 |issue=5 |pages=e2213276 |doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.13276 |issn=2574-3805|doi-access=free |pmid=35604693 |pmc=9127551 }}]
After becoming a professor at [Weill Cornell Medical College](/source/Weill_Cornell_Medical_College) and director of the Cornell Center for Pandemic Prevention and Response in September 2021, Varma spoke out critically regarding the decision by the administration of New York Mayor [Eric Adams](/source/Eric_Adams) to remove COVID-19 vaccine verification for public facilities,[{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2022 |title=Keep indoor vax rules, NYC: Why Adams is wrong to drop COVID shot proof for restaurants, museums and more |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/03/03/keep-indoor-vax-rules-nyc-why-adams-is-wrong-to-drop-covid-shot-proof-for-restaurants-museums-and-more/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013935/https://www.nydailynews.com/2022/03/03/keep-indoor-vax-rules-nyc-why-adams-is-wrong-to-drop-covid-shot-proof-for-restaurants-museums-and-more/ |url-status=live }}] exempting basketball player [Kyrie Irving](/source/Kyrie_Irving) from being vaccinated,[{{Cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Ben |last2=Radnofsky |first2=Louise |date=October 13, 2021 |title=The Doctors Who Blocked Kyrie Irving |language=en-US |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/kyrie-irving-vaccine-brooklyn-nets-nba-11634141965 |access-date=September 8, 2023 |issn=0099-9660}}][{{Cite web |title=Mayor Adams Ends Vax Mandates for Athletes and Performers {{!}} The Brian Lehrer Show |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/bl/segments/mayor-adams-ends-vax-mandates-athletes-performers |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=WNYC Studios |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013936/https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/bl/segments/mayor-adams-ends-vax-mandates-athletes-performers |url-status=live }}] and removing COVID-19 vaccine mandates for government and private employers.[{{Cite web |title=Former de Blasio health advisor criticizes end of city vaccine mandate |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/02/09/former-de-blasio-health-advisor-criticizes-end-of-city-covid-19-vaccine-mandate |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=ny1.com |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013934/https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2023/02/09/former-de-blasio-health-advisor-criticizes-end-of-city-covid-19-vaccine-mandate |url-status=live }}]
Varma has written articles on a range of public health issues for outlets including the ''Washington Post'',[{{Cite news |last=Varma |first=Jay K. |date=September 29, 2022 |title=Why are so many viruses popping up again? |newspaper=[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post) |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/19/virus-outbreaks-ebola-monkeypox-coming-back/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923034252/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/19/virus-outbreaks-ebola-monkeypox-coming-back/ |url-status=live }}] ''New York Times'',[{{Cite news |last=Varma |first=Jay K. |date=May 23, 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} The Answer to Covid Fatigue Is Creativity, Not Surrender |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/23/opinion/covid-masks-tests-vaccines.html |access-date=September 8, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013935/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/23/opinion/covid-masks-tests-vaccines.html |url-status=live }}][{{Cite news |last=Varma |first=Jay K. |date=February 9, 2022 |title=Opinion {{!}} When Do Masks Come Off? The Hard Truth About Lifting Covid Restrictions. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/09/opinion/when-do-masks-come-off-the-hard-truth-about-lifting-covid-restrictions.html |access-date=September 8, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013935/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/09/opinion/when-do-masks-come-off-the-hard-truth-about-lifting-covid-restrictions.html |url-status=live }}][{{Cite news |last=Varma |first=Jay K. |date=December 20, 2021 |title=Opinion {{!}} There's One City That Can Show Us Our Omicron Future |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/opinion/covid-omicron-future.html |access-date=September 8, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013936/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/20/opinion/covid-omicron-future.html |url-status=live }}] and ''Atlantic''.[{{Cite web |last=Permar |first=Jay Varma, Sallie |date=August 6, 2022 |title=The Problem With Being Too Cautious in Vaccine Trials |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/08/vaccine-research-jynneos-monkeypox-pregnacy/671068/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013936/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/08/vaccine-research-jynneos-monkeypox-pregnacy/671068/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |last=Varma |first=Jay |date=May 15, 2022 |title=How Public Health Failed America |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/how-public-health-failed-america/629869/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013935/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/05/how-public-health-failed-america/629869/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |last=Varma |first=Jay |date=September 21, 2021 |title=Not Every Question Has a Scientific Answer |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/following-the-science-democracy-experts-covid-19/620138/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=July 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706204630/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/following-the-science-democracy-experts-covid-19/620138/ |url-status=live }}][{{Cite web |last=Varma |first=Jay |date=June 13, 2021 |title=The Public-Health Calculus Has Shifted |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/public-health-vaccine-covid-19-calculus-has-changed/619180/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=September 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908013934/https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/06/public-health-vaccine-covid-19-calculus-has-changed/619180/ |url-status=live }}]
Varma joined the Board of Directors for [SIGA Technologies](/source/SIGA_Technologies) in November 2022 and began serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer in September 2023. Varma was fired in September 2024 for "inaccurate and misleading comments" and "questionable conduct he engaged in while leading New York City’s COVID-19 response".[{{cite web |title=SIGA Statement Regarding Comments Made by Former Employee Dr. Jay Varma |url=https://investor.siga.com/investors/news/news-details/2024/SIGA-Statement-Regarding-Comments-Made-by-Former-Employee-Dr.-Jay-Varma/default.aspx |website=siga.com |access-date=14 February 2025 |quote=As a result of his conduct and lack of judgment, Dr. Varma was terminated from SIGA Technologies on September 19, 2024. He is no longer affiliated with SIGA in any way.}}][{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ex-nyc-covid-czar-fired-admits-attending-banned-private-gatherings-hei-rcna172366 |title=Ex-NYC Covid czar fired after he admits attending banned 'private gatherings' during height of pandemic |date=September 23, 2024 |first1=Tim |last1=Stelloh |website=NBC News |access-date=May 7, 2026}}]
==Recognition and awards==
In 2010, Varma was recognized as the U.S. Public Health Service Physician Researcher of the Year.[{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2023 |title=The Laboratory Workgroup {{!}} About {{!}} CDC |url=https://www.cdc.gov/about/advisory-committee-director/lab-workgroup.html |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=www.cdc.gov |language=en-us |archive-date=September 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906105152/https://www.cdc.gov/about/advisory-committee-director/lab-workgroup.html |url-status=live }}] He is a member of the [Council on Foreign Relations](/source/Council_on_Foreign_Relations).[{{Cite web |title=Jay K. Varma |url=https://www.cfr.org/bio/jay-k-varma |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}]
==Selected works==
Varma has authored 144 scientific manuscripts, 12 essays, and one book.