The article discusses internal conflicts within the FDA over COVID vaccine safety claims, particularly a memo by Dr. Vinay Prasad proposing major reforms to vaccine approval processes, which has alarmed former agency leaders and experts. Critics argue that Prasad's claims are misleading and could undermine public trust, slow vaccine development, and weaken the entire vaccine system, with potential long-term consequences for public health and vaccine innovation.
A recent study suggests that Covid mRNA vaccines may boost the immune response in cancer patients, significantly increasing their median survival time and potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment by repurposing existing vaccines to enhance immune system activation, though further research is needed to confirm causation.
RFK Jr. and some GOP lawmakers are criticizing mainstream medical groups like the AMA and Texas Medical Association for their COVID vaccine guidance, advocating for medical freedom and questioning official recommendations, while still advising Americans to trust their own doctors.
A study suggests that mRNA Covid vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna may enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, with vaccinated patients living longer than unvaccinated ones, possibly due to immune system alerting. This benefit is in addition to Covid protection, especially important for immunocompromised cancer patients.
A large French study involving nearly 530,000 infants found no increased risk of birth defects among babies whose mothers received a Covid vaccine in the first trimester, supporting the safety of vaccination during early pregnancy.
The US has officially adopted updated Covid vaccine recommendations, expanding access to children over six months, but persistent delays, misinformation, and logistical issues have hindered distribution, especially affecting vulnerable populations and missing key vaccination windows for children.
The FDA has approved the 2025-26 COVID vaccines for specific groups, mainly those 65 and older or with certain health conditions, while previous vaccines are no longer authorized for general use. In Kansas, access may be limited and requires a prescription for some, with ongoing recommendations from health authorities. Vaccination remains important for reducing severe illness, and local providers like CVS and Walgreens are offering shots under current guidelines.
AHIP announced it will continue to cover updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines with no patient cost-sharing through 2026, ahead of CDC discussions on vaccine recommendations. Meanwhile, US measles cases are rising, with a notable case in Chicago, and Moderna reports strong immune responses to its updated COVID vaccine targeting the LP.8.1 variant. Additionally, a French study highlights the significant burden of RSV in older adults, and WHO has downgraded its COVID risk level to moderate, citing declining hospitalizations and deaths.
California is diverging from federal vaccine guidance due to declining trust in the CDC and FDA, favoring recommendations from medical professional groups and expanding vaccine eligibility, amid ongoing COVID-19 concerns and political disagreements.
Shares of Moderna and other vaccine makers fell after reports suggested Trump health officials might link Covid vaccine data to the deaths of 25 children, raising concerns about vaccine safety despite scientific studies indicating rare serious side effects. The CDC and FDA continue to monitor vaccine safety, with ongoing investigations into adverse events, while the vaccines remain widely supported for their benefits.
Shares of vaccine makers Moderna, Pfizer, and BioNTech fell after reports suggested US health officials might link Covid vaccines to the deaths of around two dozen children, based on VAERS data, amid upcoming CDC advisory meetings discussing vaccine safety and recommendations. The reports have heightened political tensions surrounding vaccine safety, despite scientific studies indicating rare serious side effects.
New Jersey has expanded access to the latest Covid vaccines, allowing anyone over 3 years old to receive them, despite federal restrictions limiting eligibility to certain groups. The state's order follows similar moves by New York and other states to make the vaccines more widely available to the public.
The Nevada State Board of Pharmacy now allows pharmacists to administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated versions from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, following CDC guidelines, as the state prepares for new vaccine recommendations amid ongoing public health efforts.
Reform UK distanced itself from a conference speaker, Dr. Aseem Malholtra, who made unsubstantiated claims linking Covid vaccines to cancers in the royal family and suggesting vaccines could alter genes, with health officials and experts condemning his statements as pseudoscience and irresponsible.
States are independently developing their own COVID vaccine policies due to concerns over federal changes and leadership issues, leading to varied vaccine access and recommendations across the U.S., with some states forming regional alliances to ensure continued vaccine availability and guidance.
