Tag

Vaccine Policy

All articles tagged with #vaccine policy

health-policy14 days ago•38 min saved

U.S. Vaccine Schedule Overhaul Sparks Measles Surge and Legal Backlash

The U.S. federal vaccine schedule has been significantly altered under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., leading to a sharp rise in measles cases and legal challenges. Critics argue these changes, which include removing thimerosal from flu vaccines and ending universal newborn hepatitis B shots, are based on flawed or nonexistent evidence. While the administration claims to align with international norms, experts note the U.S. now lags behind most peer nations in disease coverage, raising concerns about preventable outbreaks and economic costs.

via Skeptic|

#acip #health-policy #hhs

politics16 days ago•1 min saved

Saphier Clears Senate Committee Hurdle, Advancing to Full Senate Vote for Surgeon General

The Senate HELP Committee advanced Dr. Nicole Saphier's nomination for surgeon general on September 30, 2026, via a 12-11 party-line vote. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is President Trump's third nominee for the role. Her confirmation hinges on her recent testimony affirming vaccine safety, which secured the support of Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy despite earlier skepticism.

via CBS News|

#nicole-saphier #politics #senate-help-committee

politics17 days ago•128 min saved

Senate committee advances Saphier for surgeon general after party-line vote

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee advanced Dr. Nicole Saphier’s nomination for surgeon general on September 30, 2026, via a 12-11 party-line vote. Saphier, a radiologist and former Fox News contributor, is President Trump’s third nominee for the role. Her nomination follows the withdrawal of Casey Means, who faced bipartisan opposition. Saphier’s confirmation hinges on her recent testimony affirming vaccine safety, which secured the support of Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy despite earlier skepticism.

via AP News|

#nicole-saphier #politics #robert-f-kennedy-jr

health-and-politics17 days ago•0 min saved

Poll: 68% of Americans reject link between childhood vaccines and autism

A new poll indicates that nearly 70% of Americans do not believe childhood vaccines cause autism, despite recent skepticism from administration officials. The data shows public opinion has remained stable since 2022, with 13% agreeing with the claim and 19% unsure. This finding contrasts with recent statements by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and President Trump regarding vaccine safety and scheduling.

via The Washington Post|

#annenberg-poll #health-and-politics #mmr-vaccine

politics20 days ago•5 min saved

FDA Nominee Heidi Overton Dodges Direct Answers on Vaccine Safety and Abortion Pill

Heidi Overton, President Trump’s nominee for FDA commissioner, faced a grueling confirmation hearing on September 24, 2026, where she refused to directly answer whether the president was wrong about the safety of the MMR vaccine. While she affirmed that the vaccine is 'safe and effective,' she avoided confirming if she would push back against presidential directives that contradict scientific consensus. Senators also pressed her on the abortion pill mifepristone and flavored vapes, with Overton citing ongoing safety reviews and agency guidance to deflect specific questions about regulatory changes.

via Ars Technica|

#fda #heidi-overton #mifepristone

politics26 days ago•2 min saved

Cassidy Demands 'Radical Honesty' from Trump Amid Measles Surge

Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized President Trump for labeling the MMR vaccine 'lethal' without evidence, urging 'radical honesty' as U.S. measles cases hit a 30-year high. Cassidy challenged FDA nominee Heidi Overton to reject these claims during her confirmation hearing, contrasting her with surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier, who affirmed vaccine safety. The dispute highlights tensions between the administration’s vaccine-skeptic messaging and medical experts warning of preventable deaths.

via CBS News|

#bill-cassidy #fda-nomination #measles-outbreak

health28 days ago•24 min saved

Trump demands split-dose vaccines, sparking expert backlash and access concerns

President Trump stated he will demand pharmaceutical companies divide certain childhood vaccines into five smaller doses administered over six months, claiming this will reduce autism rates. Health experts and the American Academy of Pediatrics rejected this, stating such changes would render vaccines ineffective and leave children vulnerable. The move follows an executive order to split the MMR vaccine, which critics say is logistically impossible and could worsen access in rural areas.

via The Washington Post|

#health #pediatrics #public-health

public-health29 days ago•10 min saved

HHS Vaccine Category Comment Deadline Looms as Experts Warn of Coverage Gaps

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a request for information regarding the naming and structure of federal vaccine recommendation categories, with a public comment deadline of September 20, 2026. This move follows an executive order directing a review of the childhood vaccine schedule. Critics argue the short 30-day window and the proposal to expand 'shared clinical decision-making' (SCDM) categories could undermine routine vaccination defaults, leading to lower uptake and potential insurance coverage issues. While HHS states that SCDM does not affect Affordable Care Act coverage mandates, analysis suggests that ambiguous insurance policies and electronic health record systems may create practical barriers to access, particularly for low-income children.

via CIDRAP|

#acip #health-insurance #hhs

politics29 days ago•3 min saved

Cassidy Condemns Vaccine Policy Amid Measles Surge, Defends RFK Jr. Confirmation

Sen. Bill Cassidy criticized Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for promoting vaccine skepticism that contributed to recent measles deaths, yet refused to express regret over his confirmation vote. While Cassidy urged the public to trust vaccines, he dismissed calls for Kennedy’s impeachment. The CDC reports over 3,300 measles cases this year, with Pennsylvania reporting four deaths, though the HHS maintains that Kennedy supports vaccination.

via Politico|

#bill-cassidy #measles-outbreak #politics

politics1 month ago•1 min saved

Cassidy Blames Trump Health Policies for Pennsylvania Measles Deaths as Saphier Vows Vaccines Are Safe

Senate Health Committee Chair Bill Cassidy blamed the Trump administration’s vaccine-skeptical stance for recent measles deaths in Pennsylvania, challenging nominee Nicole Saphier to explicitly state that vaccines do not cause autism. Saphier confirmed she believes the MMR vaccine is a vital tool against measles and does not cause autism, but Cassidy criticized her for avoiding direct confrontation with the president’s claims. The hearing highlights deep tensions within the Republican party over public health messaging amid the US’s worst measles outbreak in three decades.

via The Guardian|

#bill-cassidy #measles-outbreak #nicole-saphier

politics1 month ago•4 min saved

Saphier's Vaccine Stance and Divestment Pledges Face Scrutiny in Surgeon General Hearing

Dr. Nicole Saphier, President Trump’s third nominee for surgeon general, faced intense questioning at her Senate confirmation hearing regarding her stance on childhood vaccines and her business holdings. While she affirmed that vaccines do not cause autism and supported the MMR shot, she previously questioned the universal hepatitis B birth dose. Saphier pledged to divest from companies targeted by the administration’s 'Make America Healthy Again' initiative, including Coca-Cola and Pfizer, to address conflict-of-interest concerns. The position has been vacant throughout Trump’s second term, with previous nominees withdrawn over credential and policy disputes.

via NBC News|

#nicole-saphier #politics #public-health

health-and-politics1 month ago

Cassidy Condemns Vaccine Policy as Measles Deaths Mount

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s vaccine policies, stating that the current approach contradicts the 'Make America Healthy Again' pledge and risks eroding public trust. Cassidy, a former physician and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, expressed outrage at the spike in measles cases and reported child deaths, linking these outcomes to the administration's messaging. He revealed that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke prior commitments regarding vaccine safeguards during his confirmation process. Cassidy warned that the resurgence of preventable diseases could lead to significant political consequences for Republicans in upcoming elections, as voters may view the administration's actions as harmful rather than beneficial to public health.

via Semafor|

#bill-cassidy #health-and-politics #measles-outbreak

health1 month ago•19 min saved

Pennsylvania records third measles death as CDC disputes state data

A 40-year-old woman in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, died from measles complications on Saturday, marking the state’s third measles-related death in 2026. The victim, who was unvaccinated and had chronic respiratory conditions, succumbed to the virus despite prior federal disputes over the validity of earlier state death records. Pennsylvania currently reports 676 cases across 37 counties, while the CDC maintains no official measles deaths for the year, highlighting a growing rift between state and federal health authorities.

via New York Post|

#cdc-dispute #health #jefferson-county

politics1 month ago•21 min saved

HHS Leadership Deflects Measles Concerns Amid Lancaster County Deaths

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and senior officials are actively avoiding discussion regarding the recent measles-associated deaths in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Instead of addressing the outbreak of the world’s most contagious disease, HHS leadership has characterized media and Democratic focus on measles as a deliberate distraction from the broader toll of chronic diseases. This stance reflects a broader pattern of 'shallow iconoclasm' within the department, where traditional public health priorities are reframed to align with ideological narratives rather than immediate epidemiological crises. The controversy highlights a significant disconnect between the administration’s public health messaging and the urgent needs of communities facing preventable outbreaks.

via The Dispatch|

#hhs #measles #politics

health1 month ago

Lancaster Coroner Identifies Two Infants in Measles-Related Deaths Amid Outbreak

The Lancaster County coroner has identified two infants who died in connection with a severe measles outbreak in Pennsylvania. Ivan S. Miller, a newborn boy, died on August 14 with a ruptured spleen listed as the cause, while Mary S. Stoltzfus, a one-month-old girl with Amish lethal microcephaly, died of cardiac arrest on August 18. Pennsylvania has recorded 594 cases this year, with Lancaster County leading the state at 252 cases. The deaths have sparked debate over federal health policies and data reporting.

via WGAL|

#health #infant-deaths #lancaster-county