UPDATED: Washington state epidemiologist on first human infected with H5N5 bird flu strain, different from H5N1 that has been spreading widely: “This is a severely ill patient.” But officials say no change to public health response or guidance. My story. 1/3 www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

I’ve been in Toronto at the #astmh meeting these past few days and last night some very good news was presented here: A new malaria drug has proven efficacious in a large trial and could soon be approved.🧪 My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come): www.science.org/content/arti...

U.S. visas can be denied for obesity, cancer and diabetes, Rubio says. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

NEW: ByHeart recalls all baby formula amid botulism outbreak
Officials have identified 15 cases of infant botulism potentially linked to the company’s organic products. The recall is not expected to create a nationwide shortage. @Rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Thirteen babies in 10 states have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. No deaths have been reported. ByHeart baby formula has recalled 2 batches of one product. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

One of the largest studies ever conducted on the link between the shingles vaccine and brain health offers insight into how the disease increases dementia risk. From [email protected] www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

BREAKING: HHS official says in a court filing: "As a result of data discrepancies and processing errors, RIF notices were issued on October 10, 2025, to approximately 1,760 employees instead of to the 982 employees who were intended to receive RIF notices.” 1/3

NEW: More than half of the roughly 1,300 layoffs notices at @CDCgov have been rescinded. But analysts with top-secret clearance working on biodefense preparedness at another health agency have lost their jobs, per sources. Our story 1/4 @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

BREAKING: Some of the layoffs at CDC are being REVERSED. Here is my updated story. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.” Among those RIFd: —leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases; —leadership of global health center —leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4

She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick Read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com deep dive on Casey Means www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Important Read: Programs that many autistic people and their families depend on — through Medicaid, the Education Department and the Administration for Community Living — have been targeted for funding cuts by Trump administration. @caitjgibson.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/parenting/20...

GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy on Trump and RFK Jr’s claims about Tylenol and autism: “Talk to your OB about it. But secondly, I was talking to a woman, she goes, ‘Oh, this is great. Two men telling me not to take the only thing I can take when my back's hurting and I'm pregnant.’”

And here’s the link to our story about RFKJR’s handpicked vaccine advisory committee. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Our story on how RFKJr’s vaccine handpicked advisers were unprepared, misunderstood or ignored key data, per experts watching the meeting. @washingtonpost.com @davidovalle.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social + me

NEW: RFKJr’s handpicked vaccine panel met this week. They were unprepared, misunderstood or ignored key data + highlighted flawed or inconclusive research often trumpeted by vaccine critics, per medical/scientific experts who watched meeting @davidovalle.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social + me.

If you are 65+ and thinking about getting a coronavirus shot, this week might be your best opportunity. Right now, the FDA has approved updated vaccines for that age group. But it’s possible it could get much tougher to get those shots next week. 1/3

HHS officially announced five new vaccine advisers who will decide fate of coronavirus vaccines Friday. One called for stopping mRNA vaccines, another blamed covid shots for rare conditions and another said coronavirus isn't scary. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

New poll by WaPo-KFF finds 1 in 6 US parents who skip/delay vaccines are more likely to home-school their children, be White and very religious, identify as Republican or be under 35, shedding new light on vaccine hesitancy. (Not incl covid or flu). www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Exclusive at WaPo: RFK Jr's aides are prepping new bid to crack down on covid vaccine by linking it to 25 child deaths They appear to be citing submissions to vaccine-report database VAERS — despite caution that it's unreliable. @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social w little help from me

NEW: Trump officials to link covid shots to child deaths, alarming career scientists www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... via @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social @lenasun.bsky.social

“The U.S. government is now in the business of vaccine misinformation.” Trump officials to link covid shots to child deaths, alarming career scientists. Story by @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/47LFKvL

New Mexico's chief medical officer has provided a COVID-19 vaccine prescription for all residents that the department recommends people bring when they go to get a vaccine just to ensure no problems.

Another important detail in this story: RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers are considering lifting the minimum age for coronavirus vaccine recommendations from 65 to 75 wapo.st/47LFKvL


The more important question that researchers are still trying to understand: Why do men and women experience pain differently? www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202... Who’s more sensitive to pain, men or women? The answer may surprise you.

SCOOP: Trump health officials plan to link covid vaccines to the deaths of 25 children as they consider limiting which Americans should get the shots, per sources. W @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

BREAKING Fired CDC director who clashed with RFK Jr. set to testify in Senate next week before crucial CDC vaccine panel meeting. @ddiamond.bsky.social @rachel.roubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Confused about fall vaccines? We have answers. - The Washington Post. Here’s our Post Reports podcast today. www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...

NEW: RFK Jr.’s upending of vaccine policy is driving some states to break away from Trump admin guidelines while others are further loosening shot requirements. Me and @laurenweberhp.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

BREAKING Florida moves to end all school vaccine mandates, first in nation to do so. @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

And here’s the story about Paul Offit and the FDA’s VRBPAC. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

NEW: Prominent critic of RFK Jr. blocked from FDA vaccine panel. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philly, is latest vaccine defender no longer serving as a fed govt expert or employee as Kennedy upends immunization policy @rachelroubein.bsky.social

NEW: The CDC has been in crisis for months. After the firing of its director, resignations of senior leaders, staff + experts are bracing for what could be death knell for public health credibility. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social + @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Three senior leaders who resigned in protest told The Post they were asked to participate in an unscientific vaccine recommendation process that they believe could harm the health of Americans. More from @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @davidovalle.bsky.social 🎁: wapo.st/46aNJB0

NEW: These CDC leaders resigned in protest. They told me why. www.washingtonpost.com/video/politi...

SCOOP BREAKING: CDC director being ousted weeks into job. Me @ddiamond @LaurenWeberHP www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

BREAKING: FDA approves coronavirus vaccines for ‘higher risk’ people. Unclear how others will be able to get the shot. Our story, developing. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

NEW: First human screwworm case in years confirmed in Maryland. It is so gross but luckily it is rare in humans. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

Health Canada has authorized updated COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer and BioNTech and by Moderna for use in the upcoming season. www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...

MAHA wasn’t a response to COVID and any journalist who doesn’t understand that it *exploited COVID* intentionally, deliberately from day one should pack it in bc they’re a dupe. Cover people who want to improve nutrition if that’s what you want to talk about. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...

What science considers a path to a good life. A “psychologically rich life, marked by novel experiences, perspective-shifting insights and complexity, but also more discomfort and challenges than a happy life or a meaningful life.” www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...

“In my opinion, you shouldn’t take your age seriously,” says this 50-year-old Olympic gymnast. “You need to do what you want to do. If you feel you want to do anything and you have the power to do it, just do it despite of the age.” Gift link below. wapo.st/3JxFt5f

BREAKING: CDC security team says shooter tried to get on campus two days before Aug. 8 attack but that security stopped him, according to email sent to agency staff this afternoon. Story will update shortly. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

NEW: More than 750 current and former staff of HHS, including @CDCgov, and NIH, have signed a letter to RFKJr and members of Congress accusing him of endangering the lives of employees and the American people following the Aug 8 attack on the CDC. www.savehhs.org/letter/hhs-s...

UPDATED: RFK Jr. has accused the AAP of conflicts of interest and suggested it is promoting commercial ambitions of its “Big Pharma benefactors.”

NEW: Defying RFK Jr., pediatric group urges covid shots for young kids. The AAP is recommending that all children ages 6 months through 23 months receive a coronavirus vaccine to help protect against serious illness. My story. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...

A gunman shot at the CDC, killing an officer. Trump hasn’t said a word. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...