U.S. will no longer recommend Covid shots for children and pregnant women.
The Covid vaccine will no longer be recommended for healthy children or healthy pregnant women, ending a pandemic-era policy aimed at protecting all Americans from the coronavirus.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the new policy on Tuesday, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would drop its yearslong guidance that the vaccine be offered to children 6 months and older.
He also withdrew the additional recommendation for immunizing pregnant women intended to shield mothers and younger infants, who can be at higher risk of severe illness.
“I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that as of today, the Covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the C.D.C. recommended immunization schedule,” Mr. Kennedy said in a video he posted on X.
Flanked by Dr. Marty Makary and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, who lead the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, Mr. Kennedy said in the video announcement that there was no clinical data to support additional shots for healthy children. No C.D.C. official appeared in the video.
Overall, the absolute numbers of children who became seriously ill from Covid are low. Though children with medical conditions would still qualify for the vaccine, it is unclear whether government programs and private insurance will limit coverage for the shots.
Some public health experts immediately denounced the decision, pointing out that the risk of severe disease and hospitalization among infants is comparable to that among adults 65 and older. Others roundly condemned the decision to stop recommending the shots for pregnant women, who are at high risk of severe illness and complications from Covid.
Click on the link for the full article
Anti-Vaxxer Thread
Meanwhile...
COVID variant NB.1.8.1 hits U.S. What to know about symptoms, new booster vaccine restrictions
Cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, linked to a large surge in China, have been detected in multiple locations across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The earliest cases in the U.S. date back to late March and early April, and were detected through a screening program at airports for arriving international travelers.
"CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners," a CDC spokesperson said in a statement last week.
The spokesperson said that, so far, too few U.S. sequences have been reported of NB.1.8.1 to be included in the agency's variant estimates dashboard.
But hospitalizations abroad have raised questions about the new variant, its symptoms and more. Here's what to know, according to experts.
NB.1.8.1 is associated with symptoms that are "broadly similar to those seen in earlier strains of the virus," Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News in an emailed statement.
"Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily," Verma said. "In other words, it is more transmissible."
Despite the latest variant displaying high transmissibility, the Trump administration is planning to limit booster vaccine access to some groups.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration said it will continue approving COVID-19 vaccine updates for seniors and those with an underlying medical condition, including pregnancy or diabetes, but will require vaccine makers to conduct major new clinical trials before approving them for wider use. The decision means many Americans without underlying conditions may not have access to updated shots this fall.
Verma said these restrictions could have several significant public health impacts.
"Although over 100 million Americans are still expected to qualify under these criteria, the administration's decision introduces new barriers for the broader population," he said. "One immediate concern is that the FDA's requirement for updated clinical trials could delay access to boosters for lower-risk groups, discouraging some individuals from seeking vaccination. The new policy may also create confusion and reduce vaccination rates if people are uncertain about their eligibility or worried about insurance coverage, particularly with high-cost manufacturers planning to charge."
Click on the link for the full article
COVID variant NB.1.8.1 hits U.S. What to know about symptoms, new booster vaccine restrictions
Cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, linked to a large surge in China, have been detected in multiple locations across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The earliest cases in the U.S. date back to late March and early April, and were detected through a screening program at airports for arriving international travelers.
"CDC is aware of reported cases of COVID-19 NB.1.8.1 in China and is in regular contact with international partners," a CDC spokesperson said in a statement last week.
The spokesperson said that, so far, too few U.S. sequences have been reported of NB.1.8.1 to be included in the agency's variant estimates dashboard.
But hospitalizations abroad have raised questions about the new variant, its symptoms and more. Here's what to know, according to experts.
NB.1.8.1 is associated with symptoms that are "broadly similar to those seen in earlier strains of the virus," Subhash Verma, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, told CBS News in an emailed statement.
"Data indicates that NB.1.8.1 does not lead to more severe illness compared to previous variants, although it appears to have a growth advantage, suggesting it may spread more easily," Verma said. "In other words, it is more transmissible."
Despite the latest variant displaying high transmissibility, the Trump administration is planning to limit booster vaccine access to some groups.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration said it will continue approving COVID-19 vaccine updates for seniors and those with an underlying medical condition, including pregnancy or diabetes, but will require vaccine makers to conduct major new clinical trials before approving them for wider use. The decision means many Americans without underlying conditions may not have access to updated shots this fall.
Verma said these restrictions could have several significant public health impacts.
"Although over 100 million Americans are still expected to qualify under these criteria, the administration's decision introduces new barriers for the broader population," he said. "One immediate concern is that the FDA's requirement for updated clinical trials could delay access to boosters for lower-risk groups, discouraging some individuals from seeking vaccination. The new policy may also create confusion and reduce vaccination rates if people are uncertain about their eligibility or worried about insurance coverage, particularly with high-cost manufacturers planning to charge."
Click on the link for the full article
Meghan McCain Promotes ‘Detox’ for People Who ‘Regret Taking the Shot’
Republican author and former co-host of The View Meghan McCain announced on Wednesday that she had partnered with a “detox” product for people who “regret taking” the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Concerning data continues to emerge regarding mRNA vaccines and their unforeseen health impacts,” wrote McCain in a social media post. “They did not deliver what was promised by government + health officials. I have friends who suffered – heart and menstruation issues & more. It’s time to pull them off the market NOW.”
She continued, “Thrilled to partner with The Wellness Company! If you regret taking the shot, there’s hope. Dr. Peter McCullough’s all-natural Ultimate Spike Detox is helping people worldwide. Use code MCCAIN for 10% off + FREE shipping on all orders.”
Dr. Peter McCullough – described on the product’s website as “the world’s leading pandemic expert” – had his credentials revoked by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) after he made controversial remarks about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines.
McCullough’s Ultimate Spike Detox is being sold by The Wellness Company for $89.99 a jar. Each jar contains 120 capsules and contains ingredients which the company claims “may be effective at breaking down COVID spike protein.”
Foster Coulson, the owner of The Wellness Company, has reportedly launched several business ventures in recent years, including an “anti-vaccine dating site” and an “anti-woke” coffee brand.
Click on the link for the full article
Republican author and former co-host of The View Meghan McCain announced on Wednesday that she had partnered with a “detox” product for people who “regret taking” the Covid-19 vaccine.
“Concerning data continues to emerge regarding mRNA vaccines and their unforeseen health impacts,” wrote McCain in a social media post. “They did not deliver what was promised by government + health officials. I have friends who suffered – heart and menstruation issues & more. It’s time to pull them off the market NOW.”
She continued, “Thrilled to partner with The Wellness Company! If you regret taking the shot, there’s hope. Dr. Peter McCullough’s all-natural Ultimate Spike Detox is helping people worldwide. Use code MCCAIN for 10% off + FREE shipping on all orders.”
Dr. Peter McCullough – described on the product’s website as “the world’s leading pandemic expert” – had his credentials revoked by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) after he made controversial remarks about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines.
McCullough’s Ultimate Spike Detox is being sold by The Wellness Company for $89.99 a jar. Each jar contains 120 capsules and contains ingredients which the company claims “may be effective at breaking down COVID spike protein.”
Foster Coulson, the owner of The Wellness Company, has reportedly launched several business ventures in recent years, including an “anti-vaccine dating site” and an “anti-woke” coffee brand.
Click on the link for the full article
US measles cases nearing 30-year high
The number of measles cases in the U.S. so far this year has quadrupled compared to 2024 and is nearing a 30-year high.
As of Friday, there have been 1,168 confirmed measles cases across 33 states nationwide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, the U.S. saw just 285 measles cases, CDC data shows.
The U.S. is currently on track to surpass the 1,274 cases seen in 2019, and is expected to see the highest number of cases since 1992.
The 33 states with confirmed cases include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Click on the link for the full article
The number of measles cases in the U.S. so far this year has quadrupled compared to 2024 and is nearing a 30-year high.
As of Friday, there have been 1,168 confirmed measles cases across 33 states nationwide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last year, the U.S. saw just 285 measles cases, CDC data shows.
The U.S. is currently on track to surpass the 1,274 cases seen in 2019, and is expected to see the highest number of cases since 1992.
The 33 states with confirmed cases include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Click on the link for the full article
-
The Evil Genius
- Posts: 665
- Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2025 4:03 pm
- Reactions score: 345
- Location: Gallifery
RFK Jr. names new slate of vaccine advisers after purging CDC panel
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled eight people he has chosen to serve on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel – just two days after taking the unprecedented step of removing all 17 sitting members.
On Wednesday, Kennedy listed the names and short bios of the new advisers who will join the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, at its upcoming meeting in late June.
"All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense," Kennedy said in a post on X, "They have each committed to demanding definitive safety and efficacy data before making any new vaccine recommendations."
The new members are Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Cody Meissner, Dr. Michael A. Ross, Dr. James Pagano and Vicky Pebsworth.
"This is a huge win for the medical freedom [m]ovement," David Mansdoerfer, former deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services in the first Trump administration, wrote in a post on X, "they did everything by the book to put together this excellent slate of appointees."
Public health advocates are wary.
"Kennedy did not pick people with strong, current expertise in vaccines," says Dorit Reiss, a professor at UC Law, San Francisco, who studies vaccine policy. "It tells me that Kennedy is setting up a committee that would be skeptical of vaccines, and possibly willing to implement an anti-vaccine agenda."
Click on the link for the full article
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has unveiled eight people he has chosen to serve on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccine advisory panel – just two days after taking the unprecedented step of removing all 17 sitting members.
On Wednesday, Kennedy listed the names and short bios of the new advisers who will join the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, at its upcoming meeting in late June.
"All of these individuals are committed to evidence-based medicine, gold-standard science, and common sense," Kennedy said in a post on X, "They have each committed to demanding definitive safety and efficacy data before making any new vaccine recommendations."
The new members are Dr. Joseph R. Hibbeln, Martin Kulldorff, Retsef Levi, Dr. Robert Malone, Dr. Cody Meissner, Dr. Michael A. Ross, Dr. James Pagano and Vicky Pebsworth.
"This is a huge win for the medical freedom [m]ovement," David Mansdoerfer, former deputy assistant secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services in the first Trump administration, wrote in a post on X, "they did everything by the book to put together this excellent slate of appointees."
Public health advocates are wary.
"Kennedy did not pick people with strong, current expertise in vaccines," says Dorit Reiss, a professor at UC Law, San Francisco, who studies vaccine policy. "It tells me that Kennedy is setting up a committee that would be skeptical of vaccines, and possibly willing to implement an anti-vaccine agenda."
Click on the link for the full article