NEW: HHS sent a document to lawmakers justifying the decision to remove the recommendation for Covid vaccination during pregnancy. A researcher cited in the document told POLITICO “the results of our manuscript were misinterpreted.” w/ Lauren Gardner politico.com/news/2025/06/1…

Great Danny Nguyen David Lim piece on a key chronic disease issue the MAHA report overlooked: smoking.

ICYMI last night: Sophie Gardner, Amanda Friedman and I dove into Secretary Kennedy's ACIP picks, which include a longtime affiliate of the oldest U.S. anti-vaccine group, a paid expert witness against Merck in HPV litigation and mRNA opponents: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

‘Undermining trust’: Kennedy’s promises on vaccines put to the test, w/Sophie Gardner politi.co/4jUvgwl

Great find in the contracts universe

The former leader of an anti-vaccine group founded by RFK Jr. will present at the first meeting of the CDC's new vaccine advisory committee cnn.it/3ZLW6Q9

The statement came 12 days after the new members were announced.

NEW: U.S. FDA alum Mike Davis to rejoin agency as deputy director of the drug center. He previously worked in CDER's psychiatry division and most recently worked at a nonprofit developing psychedelic drugs for depression subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025/0…

Quite the ACIP split-screen coming up on Thursday. Lyn Redwood, former Children’s Health Defense president, will give a presentation on flu vaccines w/thimerosal, which she's long linked to autism. CDC "review of the evidence" doc: 25 yrs of data show no connection. cdc.gov/acip/meetings/…

Meissner, speaking directly to Levi, says that if he was his pediatrician, "I would strongly recommend that your wife either receive the RSV vaccine or a monoclonal antibody at birth."

Cody Meissner pulling duty today teaching CDC ACIP 101 to the new panel members about why they take a separate vote on Vaccines for Children eligibility.

Previous ACIP members were purged due to claims of rampant conflicts of interest. New member Vicky Pebsworth, who's been affiliated with an anti-vaccine group: "I don't know whether I have a conflict or not."

Lyn Redwood just gave her thimerosal presentation. She's listed on HHS' directory as an "expert" in the secretary's office/office of the assistant sec'y. Other outlets have reported she'll work on vax safety at CDC. No one from HHS has confirmed her new role.

Kennedy’s vaccine panel votes to remove preservative long targeted by activists, w/Sophie Gardner politi.co/3Tesibb via POLITICO

#SCOTUS eases states' path to ban Planned Parenthood, or any medical provider, from Medicaid. 6-3 ruling says patients can't sue under fed law when their provider is shunned. Congress could soon ban PP from Medicaid nationally w/Alice Miranda Ollstein Lauren Gardner politico.com/news/2025/06/2…

I’ve been in Atlanta covering the first ACIP meeting since Kennedy fired and replaced the panel’s members. It’s been an eventful two days. Here’s a recap, with Lauren Gardner politico.com/news/2025/06/2…

In the wake of the latest Supreme Court Obamacare decision, public health lawyers and experts cautioned that legal challenges to health policy may now shift toward assessing the scientific rationale behind those decisions. politico.com/live-updates/2…

Doctors’ groups sue Kennedy over Covid shot changes for kids, pregnant people politi.co/45Xsbs1 via POLITICO