CDC official who oversaw COVID vaccine recommendations resigns
"My career in public health and vaccinology started with a deep-seated desire to help the most vulnerable members of our population, and that is not something I am able to continue doing in this role," Dr. Lakshmi Panagiotakopoulos wrote in her resignation letter obtained by ABC News. In her letter, Panagiotakopoulos said she resigned last Friday.
Reuters first reported her resignation.
MORE: RFK Jr. cuts COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy kids, pregnant women -- and why it matters
Panagiotakopoulos co-led a part of the CDC's independent panel of vaccine advisers to review evidence for recommendations on COVID vaccines. In mid-April, the advisers had discussed the possibility of narrowing the recommendations for who should receive an annual COVID vaccine -- prioritizing those at higher risk such as adults over 65 or those with an underlying condition.
Last week, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the removal of COVID vaccines from the immunization schedule for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.
Later on Friday, the CDC updated the immunization schedule allowing all children to be eligible to receive COVID vaccines, now under a shared clinical decision-making model, which means parents can choose to get their children vaccinated with the advice of a doctor.
MORE: Why healthy children may need vaccination as RFK Jr. cuts COVID shot recommendation for some kids
The mixed messages prompted concern from some medical organizations.
"American families deserve better," the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said, in part, in a statement. "They deserve clear messages from all involved in their health, that are based on facts so they can continue to benefit from the success story of vaccines."
The statement went on to say: "While the shared clinical decision-making model in the updated immunization schedule preserves families' choice, this model has consistently proven challenging to implement because it lacks clear guidance for the conversations between a doctor and a family. Doctors and families need straightforward, evidence-based guidance, not vague, impractical frameworks," the AAP statement added.
Pregnant women were left without a recommendation on the CDC's immunization schedule as to whether or not to receive the COVID vaccine.
Despite the change in recommendations from HHS, "the science has not changed," the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) said in part of a statement. "It is very clear that COVID-19 infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability, and it can cause devastating consequences for families. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and vaccination can protect our patients and their infants after birth," the ACOG statement added.
MORE: Why are more than 300 people in the US still dying from COVID every week?
Federal officials had made the changes to the vaccine recommendations without the input of the CDC's independent panel of vaccine advisers and before their meeting set for late June, according to the public calendar. In the meeting, advisers were set to discuss their recommendation for who should be eligible for COVID vaccines including a vote on whether to narrow the recommendations.
"Governmental guidance about vaccines is an important foundation that enables insurance coverage of—and therefore access to—vaccines, so changing government recommendations about which specific and limited populations should receive COVID-19 vaccines has far-reaching consequences," the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) said in part of a statement.
Some medical and public health organizations had expressed concerns at the officials' change to vaccine recommendations without the input of independent advisers.
"Federal vaccine recommendations have traditionally been developed by medical and public health experts who gather openly to review evidence and receive public input before recommending what vaccines are needed and who should be eligible for them. Conclusions are based on the best available science, and recommendations are communicated with precision and clarity, providing guidance to clinicians to make the best decisions with their patients," part of the IDSA statement read.
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CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
The 13 Foods That Could Save Your Kidneys and Your Wallet
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Incorporating a handful of nutrient-rich superfoods into your regular meals can make a significant difference. These foods help reduce inflammation, support healthy blood flow, and ease the load on your kidneys so they can keep doing their job. If you're looking to give your kidneys the boost they need, these 13 simple additions to your diet are a great way to start. Your diet and gut health also play a major role in your wellness, especially when it comes to keeping your kidneys healthy. There are 13 superfoods you should keep in mind when considering natural ways to give your kidney health a boost. Read more: 6 Important Blood Tests You May Need for Your Overall Health 13 superfoods for kidney health 1. Cabbage This nutrient-dense vegetable is low in both potassium and sodium while packing in fiber, vitamins C and K and more. Plus, cabbage is versatile. You can use it in salads and slaws, but you can also use it as a wrap for tacos, sandwiches and more. 2. Fatty fish Fish delivers protein, and when you choose a fatty fish like tuna, salmon or trout, you're also getting omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats may help reduce fat levels (triglycerides) in the blood and may also lower blood pressure, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If you have CKD, you may need to keep an eye on the phosphorus and potassium levels of the fish you choose. The National Kidney Foundation has a chart you can use to determine levels in specific types of fish. Although, it's best to consult with your doctor. Jacobs3. Bell peppers Like cabbage, bell peppers pack in lots of good nutrients with low levels of potassium. With them, you get vitamins B6, B9, C and K, plus fiber. They deliver antioxidants too. You can slice them and eat them with dips or roast them and add them to dinner. 4. Cranberries Cranberries help to prevent urinary tract infections. These usually stay in your bladder, they can travel up to your kidney, making kidney problems worse. 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an hour ago
- Time Magazine
Cutting mRNA Research Could Be Our Deadliest Mistake Yet
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced it will wind down funding for mRNA vaccine development—which could prove to be one of the costliest, deadliest decisions HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will make during his tenure. HHS has already scaled back access to and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines—a decision experts are deeply concerned about—and Kennedy's frequently misinformed views on vaccines continue to fan the flames of anti-vaccination attitudes. Now, Kennedy's failure to fully explore the potential of mRNA vaccines could stagnate research that has the potential to save millions of lives around the world. The dark cloud of COVID-19, one of the deadliest infectious disease outbreaks in history, can hardly be thought of as having a silver lining. 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It almost certainly wouldn't be publishable in a scientific journal, yet it is being used as evidence to justify the fate of half a billion dollars of research funds. This is another example of how fringe viewpoints on mRNA technology, instead of the best available scientific evidence, are under Kennedy and HHS becoming the new mainstream. The U.S. has been at the forefront of developing mRNA technology for the past few decades, from the Nobel Prize-winning research of professors Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman at the University of Pennsylvania on mRNA, to the key role of U.S.-based pharmaceutical companies in vaccine production and rollout. Perhaps other countries, companies, and funding sources will offset this funding loss and lead the development of mRNA vaccine innovations. Large investments are already being made in the U.K. and China, for example. That would be to the detriment of U.S. scientific innovation and progress. Kennedy is right to scrutinize the potential overreach of the pharmaceutical industry, and to ensure their research and development is ethical and transparent. However, his seemingly personal war against "Big Pharma" and ideological opposition to mRNA risks stunting research that could one day help prevent the next pandemic or even provide cures for hitherto incurable cancers.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Mom Captures Happy Family Moment—Not Knowing Hours Later Life Would Change
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After being couped up in the house with COVID, a mom captured a video of her husband running outside with their four children. It was a picturesque family day out, but she never could have imagined that just hours later their world would be forever changed. In March 2022, Tracey Gairns Brioux and her family were struck down by COVID. It started with her son, then it spread to her, her husband John, and their other three children. She told Newsweek that she was "incredibly sick for 10 days," and the family couldn't leave their home for around 10 days. When they were finally feeling well enough to go outside, John suggested going out for a 6-mile run. He and Tracey, both 45, were training for half-Ironman triathlons at the time, so peak fitness was imperative. "Everyone was so glad to be out of the house and was feeling pretty happy," Tracey, from Canada, said. Tracey (left) and John (right) pose outdoors with their four children prior to his stroke. Tracey (left) and John (right) pose outdoors with their four children prior to his stroke. @traceygairnsbrioux / TikTok Tracey captured a video of John running with his children, a clip she shared on TikTok (@traceygairnsbrioux) as it seemed like a celebratory moment. However, later that evening, John's health took a turn for the worse. He was reading a bedtime story to their 5-year-old son, but, when he stood up afterward, he collapsed. "He stayed conscious but said it was the most-intense pain in his head he had ever experienced. He managed to crawl into our bedroom and get into bed, then called for my oldest son to come get me. I found him lying in our bed holding his head," Tracey said. The pain was so severe that John even broke one of his teeth from clenching his jaw so hard. Tracey initially thought it was a migraine, so she asked her mom to come round and assess him, as she used to be a nurse. It was clearly more than a migraine, however, so Tracey called an ambulance. She recalled the events of that night were like "an out-of-body experience." She watched it all unfold but was completely powerless. A CT scan was done at the local hospital, and doctors suspected an aneurysm, requiring surgery. John had to be transferred to a hospital two hours away in New Brunswick. Tracey said: "My father drove me to the hospital as there was no room in the ambulance. When we got there, I ran in anxiously to see how he was doing, but I was met by security who told me I couldn't go in. I was shocked and told them I needed to make sure my husband was still alive, and I needed to speak to someone." Due to the COVID restrictions in place at the time, visitors were allowed in hospital rooms only if the patient was likely to die. Nurses told Tracey that her husband would remain in hospital for two weeks and that no one would be allowed in his room. When Tracey learned that she couldn't even be by her husband's side, she dropped to her knees. A devastating situation became even more difficult. She said: "When we finally got to talk to someone, the doctor said it was a brain bleed, a form of stroke, so he wouldn't need brain surgery, which was a huge relief. "We were able to eventually get his phone to him so we could FaceTime, and I stayed in a nearby hotel while he was recovering in ICU," Tracey said. John experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding between the brain and the membrane covering it. Various studies have drawn links between COVID and brain bleeds. A study published by the American Academy of Neurology in 2022 suggested that people with COVID who have an ischemic stroke may be more likely to suffer bleeding in their brain and worse outcomes during treatment. The study showed that COVID patients had an 80 percent higher risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage compared to those without it. A review published in 2021 also highlighted that COVID increases the risk of an intercranial hemorrhage compared to other respiratory viruses and is more common among patients who are older or critically ill. Brain bleeds in COVID patients may also lead to longer ICU stays, greater need for ventilation, and higher mortality rates. Tracey and John pose after he was discharged from ICU, left; and the husband sits at the stroke rehab facility, right. Tracey and John pose after he was discharged from ICU, left; and the husband sits at the stroke rehab facility, right. @traceygairnsbrioux / TikTok John's recovery hasn't been easy. Upon leaving the hospital, he had to rent a hotel room for two weeks just so he could have a space with complete darkness and no noise. Tracey said that any stimulation or loud noise was hard for her husband to process, and the best thing he could do was rest. The brain bleed significantly reduced his endurance and energy levels. He was a father of four training for an Ironman race, and suddenly having one conversation with someone was enough to leave him exhausted for a whole day. Any noise, lights or screens would cause John to experience headaches, dizziness, irritability, and overwhelm. "He was used to being busy in a classroom of students, coaching hockey to three of our kids, and being active. In those early days, when his energy reserves ran out, it was like his brain just stopped working," Tracey said. For months, John was confined to his bed and was off work for six months, before making a gradual return to teaching in September 2022. Thankfully, three years on, he is doing so much better. He can do almost everything he used to do, but he is more mindful of his body's limits. At the time, John asked his doctors why the brain bleed happened to him, and why then. They couldn't say, but that told him the reason he survived is because he was healthy, young, and active. From left: John and Tracey pose with their four children; and John stands with his eldest son after a hockey provincial. From left: John and Tracey pose with their four children; and John stands with his eldest son after a hockey provincial. @traceygairnsbrioux / TikTok Tracey has continued to struggle with the effects of long COVID, a chronic condition triggered by the infection. There is no universal definition, but the Mayo Clinic suggests that common symptoms of long COVID include extreme tiredness, brain fog, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, and digestion problems. Tracey often feels like she is running on empty or like her "body is faulty." After years of confusion, she said she finally recognizes why she constantly feels so unwell. Now, she hopes to raise awareness for anyone else who may be struggling. "A mantra I hold on to is that healing is never linear," Tracey said. "When we are well, our health is so easy to take for granted. Don't wait until you are forced or until the rug is pulled out from beneath you—do everything you can to protect it. "This virus can do lasting damage to your body and nervous system, but there are ways to try and undo it if you know what the culprit is." Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
