Latest news with #U.S.HealthandHumanServices
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
White House acknowledges problems in RFK Jr.'s 'Make America Healthy Again' report
Washington: The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which decried America's food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs. Kennedy's wide-ranging " Make America Healthy Again " report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but a closer look by the news organization NOTUS found that some of those studies did not actually exist. Asked about the report's problems, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the report will be updated. "I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated." Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. "But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government. Kennedy has repeatedly said he would bring "radical transparency" and "gold-standard" science to the public health agencies. But the secretary refused to release details about who authored the 72-page report, which calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the nation's children as overmedicated and undernourished. Leavitt said that the White House has "complete confidence" in Kennedy. "Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected," HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a "historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children." NOTUS reported Thursday that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have ever been published. An author of one study confirmed that while she conducted research on the topics of anxiety in children, she never authored the report listed. Some studies were also misinterpreted in the MAHA report. The problematic citations were on topics around children's screen time, medication use and anxiety. Kennedy's MAHA report had already been stoking concerns among Trump loyalists, including farmers who criticized how the report characterized the chemicals sprayed on U.S. crops. The report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. The White House has requested a $500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedy's MAHA initiative. Associated Press writer Will Weissert contributed.
2 days ago
- Health
White House acknowledges problems in RFK Jr.'s MAHA report
WASHINGTON -- The White House will fix errors in a much-anticipated federal government report spearheaded by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which decried America's food supply, pesticides and prescription drugs. Kennedy's wide-ranging 'Make America Healthy Again' report, released last week, cited hundreds of studies, but a closer look by the news organization NOTUS found that some of those studies did not actually exist. Asked about the report's problems, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the report will be updated. 'I understand there was some formatting issues with the MAHA report that are being addressed and the report will be updated.' Leavitt told reporters during her briefing. 'But it does not negate the substance of the report, which, as you know, is one of the most transformative health reports that has ever been released by the federal government. Kennedy has repeatedly said he would bring 'radical transparency' and 'gold-standard' science to the public health agencies. But the secretary refused to release details about who authored the 72-page report, which calls for increased scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule and describes the nation's children as overmedicated and undernourished. Leavitt said that the White House has 'complete confidence' in Kennedy. 'Minor citation and formatting errors have been corrected,' HHS Spokesman Andrew Nixon said in an emailed statement. He described the report as a 'historic and transformative assessment by the federal government to understand the chronic disease epidemic afflicting our nation's children.' NOTUS reported on Thursday morning that seven of the more than 500 studies cited in the report did not appear to have ever been published. An author of one study confirmed that while she conducted research on the topics of anxiety in children, she never authored the report listed. Some studies were also misinterpreted in the MAHA report. The problematic citations were on topics around children's screen time, medication use and anxiety. Kennedy's MAHA report had already been stoking concerns among Trump loyalists, including farmers who criticized how the report characterized the chemicals sprayed on U.S. crops. The report is supposed to be used to develop policy recommendations that will be released later this year. The White House has requested a $500 million boost in funding from Congress for Kennedy's MAHA initiative. —
USA Today
2 days ago
- Health
- USA Today
Many said RFK Jr. would launch a war on vaccines, medicine. Is it here?
Many said RFK Jr. would launch a war on vaccines, medicine. Is it here? Show Caption Hide Caption RFK Jr. says COVID-19 vaccine no longer recommended for some The COVID-19 vaccine is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says. When Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was announced as President Donald Trump's U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary nominee, there were media outlets and commentators who suggested RFK Jr. would "wage a war" on vaccines. Concerns about his views were so widespread that vaccines and research-backed science were both a focus during his confirmation hearing. So is the moment his opponents cautioned about now upon us? It's been a busy week for the 'Make America Healthy Again' leader – from updating the COVID vaccine guidelines, to threatening to bar government scientists from publishing in leading medical journals. Kennedy's COVID vaccine rollbacks and comments on scientific research are concerning, and it might be difficult for people to absorb all the medical news and recommendations they're hearing about, says Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC. Similar to how Kennedy wooed supporters with his commitment to cracking down on ultraprocessed foods and artificial food dyes, his comments against scientific journals contain a nugget of truth – companies can fund research, and people need to be able to trust the scientific studies used to inform health decisions. 'It's a tricky situation when you have someone who is sharing valuable information about the impact of ultraprocessed food and the influence that the large companies can have on policy, and how we have to change that, while at the same time he is spreading falsehoods about the value of vaccination on people's health,' Besser says. RFK Jr., vaccine recommendations and what changed On May 15, Kennedy told people not to take 'medical advice' from him after being asked about the measles vaccine by Wisconsin Democrat Rep. Mark Pocan. 'What I would say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant,' he said. But on May 27, Kennedy announced in a video clip shared to X that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, in a move that breaks with previous expert guidance. Traditionally, the CDC's Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices would meet and vote on changes to the immunization schedule or recommendations on who should get vaccines before the director of the CDC makes a final call. The committee has not voted on the changes Kennedy announced, and a CDC representative was not included in Kennedy's video. Kennedy also spoke on the 'Ultimate Human' podcast, calling the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association and The Lancet, three of the most influential medical journals in the world, 'corrupt.' 'Unless those journals change dramatically, we are going to stop NIH scientists from publishing in them and we're going to create our own journals in-house,' he said, referring to the National Institutes of Health, an HHS agency and the world's largest funder of health research. He added that these journals publish studies funded and approved by pharmaceutical companies. And there is some merit to Kennedy's statements – major food and drug companies have funded scientific research. According to a 2015 article published in The Lancet, Coca-Cola disclosed spending $118.6 million over five years on scientific research and health and wellbeing partnerships; several influential medical organizations, including the American Cancer Society, received funding from the company. RFK Jr.'s changes raise 'grave concerns' from scientific community Kennedy's move to change COVID vaccine guidelines contradicts his previous claims that he wouldn't "take away anybody's vaccines." However, the changes to the guidelines may affect what is covered by insurance and who has access to the shot if they still wish to receive it. Federal vaccine recommendations affect what private insurances will cover, and Medicaid only covers the full cost of recommended vaccines. Besser says Kennedy's updated guidelines 'raise grave concerns about the stability of our vaccine recommendations.' 'There was no opportunity for people to explore the data that may be behind this decision or to ask questions,' he explains, 'which makes me feel that there could be other decisions coming with the same lack of transparency.' To lead their healthiest possible life, Besser recommends that people, especially parents, consult their trusted health provider to 'sort through the massive amounts of information being thrown at them." Contributing: Sudiksha Kochi
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says CDC Drops COVID Vaccine For 'Healthy' Pregnant Women, Children
The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be among the recommended vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's immunization schedule. Kennedy announced the change in a video posted to the social media platform X. 'As of today, the Covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule,' Kennedy said. 'Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot, despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.' Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — He was joined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. As of Tuesday morning, the immunization schedule posted online had not yet been changed. In 2021, Kennedy filed a citizen petition requesting the FDA to revoke Emergency Use Authorizations for existing COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving and licensing them. The update follows the FDA's changes to COVID-19 vaccine requirements, limiting annual booster approvals to older and high-risk Americans while implementing stricter clinical trial requirements for healthy adults. The FDA will now require new clinical trials for approval of annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under age 65, effectively restricting their availability to older adults and those at risk of severe illness, according to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and top U.S. vaccines regulator Vinay Prasad in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported week, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted to recommend a monovalent JN.1-lineage vaccine composition. Based on the totality of the evidence, the FDA has advised the manufacturers of the approved COVID-19 vaccines that to more closely match currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses, the COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States beginning in fall 2025 should be monovalent JN.1-lineage-based COVID-19 vaccines (2025-2026 Formula), preferentially using the LP.8.1 strain. On Friday, Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) submitted an application to the FDA to review its Spikevax 2025-2026 formula, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1. Also, Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX) received limited FDA approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, marking a regulatory milestone and unlocking a $175 million milestone payment from partner Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:SNY) The approval came after a six-week delay as regulators sought additional data. The vaccine is now authorized for people aged 65 and older and for individuals 12 and up with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share! Photo: Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says CDC Drops COVID Vaccine For 'Healthy' Pregnant Women, Children originally appeared on
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says CDC Drops COVID Vaccine For 'Healthy' Pregnant Women, Children
The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be among the recommended vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's immunization schedule. Kennedy announced the change in a video posted to the social media platform X. 'As of today, the Covid vaccine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women has been removed from the CDC recommended immunization schedule,' Kennedy said. 'Last year, the Biden administration urged healthy children to get yet another COVID shot, despite the lack of any clinical data to support the repeat booster strategy in children.' Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — He was joined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya. As of Tuesday morning, the immunization schedule posted online had not yet been changed. In 2021, Kennedy filed a citizen petition requesting the FDA to revoke Emergency Use Authorizations for existing COVID-19 vaccines and refrain from approving and licensing them. The update follows the FDA's changes to COVID-19 vaccine requirements, limiting annual booster approvals to older and high-risk Americans while implementing stricter clinical trial requirements for healthy adults. The FDA will now require new clinical trials for approval of annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under age 65, effectively restricting their availability to older adults and those at risk of severe illness, according to FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and top U.S. vaccines regulator Vinay Prasad in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported week, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted to recommend a monovalent JN.1-lineage vaccine composition. Based on the totality of the evidence, the FDA has advised the manufacturers of the approved COVID-19 vaccines that to more closely match currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 viruses, the COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States beginning in fall 2025 should be monovalent JN.1-lineage-based COVID-19 vaccines (2025-2026 Formula), preferentially using the LP.8.1 strain. On Friday, Moderna Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) submitted an application to the FDA to review its Spikevax 2025-2026 formula, targeting the SARS-CoV-2 variant LP.8.1. Also, Novavax Inc. (NASDAQ:NVAX) received limited FDA approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, marking a regulatory milestone and unlocking a $175 million milestone payment from partner Sanofi SA (NASDAQ:SNY) The approval came after a six-week delay as regulators sought additional data. The vaccine is now authorized for people aged 65 and older and for individuals 12 and up with underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. Read Next: Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — Invest before it's too late. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to grab 4,000 of its pre-IPO shares for just $0.30/share! Photo: Shutterstock Send To MSN: Send to MSN UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Says CDC Drops COVID Vaccine For 'Healthy' Pregnant Women, Children originally appeared on
