Latest news with #CDC
NZ Herald
18 minutes ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Robert F. Kennedy jnr and American Academy of Pediatrics clash over Covid shots for kids
In an X post, Kennedy responded to the AAP's new vaccine recommendations by calling them 'corporate-friendly' and blasting the medical organisation for receiving donations from vaccine manufacturers. He said the organisation should disclose its 'corporate entanglements' and conflicts of interest 'so that Americans may ask whether the AAP's recommendations reflect public health interest, or are, perhaps, just a pay-to-play scheme to promote commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors'. Susan Kressly, AAP's president, said her group welcomes an opportunity to meet Kennedy to discuss the recommendations. 'This attack on the integrity of paediatricians is unfortunate, but it does not change the facts,' Kressly said in a statement. 'We are transparent about our funders, follow rigorous conflict-of-interest disclosures and maintain safeguards to ensure the integrity and independence of our guidance.' The country is in the midst of a summer uptick in coronavirus cases, and the future of vaccine access is uncertain. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did not go as far as Kennedy directed and did not remove coronavirus vaccines from the childhood immunisation schedule. Instead, the public health agency softened its recommendation for all children to receive an annual coronavirus shot. It now recommends parents consult a doctor to decide whether to vaccinate their children. The AAP took a similar approach for older children. Its new guide says healthy children ages 2 to 18 can receive a coronavirus vaccine if their parents or guardians want them to have that protection. Few parents do. The CDC estimates that 13% of all eligible children are up to date on coronavirus vaccines, as well as 4.5% of children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months. By issuing a broader coronavirus vaccine recommendation for young children, the AAP is trying to boost uptake and keep the shots free. Between October 2022 and April 2024, a little more than half of children between the ages of 6 months and 23 months admitted to intensive care for Covid had no underlying conditions, a CDC study found. Still, the vast majority of children infected by coronavirus will have mild symptoms, and few will become hospitalised. Health officials say it has become difficult to measure the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines in young children because the vaccination rates are so low. Limited data shows the 2024-2025 coronavirus vaccines provided extra protection against severe illness in children and adults compared with people who did not receive a vaccine, according to CDC data presented in June. But paediatric infectious-disease specialists have argued that regularly vaccinating children makes sense as a public health strategy because evidence has shown each year that protection in children is similar to that seen in adults. Federal officials have yet to approve or recommend an updated coronavirus vaccine, which usually debuts in late summer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signalled it would not license upcoming coronavirus vaccines for otherwise healthy children. Kennedy recently fired all members of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices, a group of experts who decide who should receive FDA-approved or authorised vaccines. Four of the seven members Kennedy appointed as replacements have been publicly critical of the broad use of coronavirus vaccines. For the past three decades, the AAP and the CDC have been mostly aligned in their vaccine recommendations – until now. The AAP's schedule 'differs from recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (Acip) of the CDC, which was overhauled this year and replaced with individuals who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation', the organisation said in a statement. Retsef Levi, an Acip member who has denounced the use of mRNA coronavirus vaccines, criticised the AAP's recommendation in an X post, arguing Covid poses 'zero risk' to babies and the shots could damage their hearts. His message was reposted by Robert Malone, another Acip member who has been critical of coronavirus vaccines. Under federal law, insurers must cover the cost of Acip-recommended vaccinations. The AAP and other professional organisations have been holding discussions with insurance companies to continue covering the shots based on guidance from professional associations rather than the federal Government. O'Leary said insurers 'are signalling that they are committed to covering our recommendations'. Ahip (formerly America's Health Insurance Plans), the major insurance lobby, has said its members are committed to continuing to pay for respiratory virus vaccines this season. The new Acip panel did not make any coronavirus recommendations when it met for the first time in late June. It may not even convene a special meeting to discuss the coronavirus vaccines until mid-September, according to industry employees and CDC officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to share sensitive information. That timing has become more uncertain after the August 8 shooting at the CDC that severely damaged several buildings and traumatised CDC staff. The Acip is scheduled to hold a meeting in October. The AAP's full vaccine guidance, published on Tuesday in the organisation's clinical guidebook for infectious-diseases prevention and treatment, represents formal recommendations for immunisations for infants, children and adolescents against 18 diseases. Its recommendations for flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, are essentially the same as what federal health officials, including Kennedy, have recommended.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
California resident tests positive for the plague. Officials blame Lake Tahoe flea
A South Lake Tahoe resident has tested positive for the plague — yes, the same pest-transmitted disease estimated to have killed 25 million Europeans in the Middle Ages. It is believed that the person contracted the rare and dangerous disease after being bitten by an infected flea while camping in the South Lake Tahoe area, according to El Dorado County health officials. The patient is currently under the care of a medical professional and recovering at home, health officials said. 'Plague is naturally present in many parts of California, including higher elevation areas of El Dorado County,' said Kyle Fliflet, El Dorado County's acting director of public health, in a statement. 'It's important that individuals take precautions for themselves and their pets when outdoors, especially while walking, hiking and or camping in areas where wild rodents are present.' Plague is a very serious disease but can be treated with easily available antibiotics, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sooner a patient is diagnosed and receives treatment, the greater their chances of making a full recovery, according to the CDC. The disease is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis and is most commonly spread to humans by bites from infected fleas, according to El Dorado County health officials. The disease can also be spread by infected-rodent bites or by exposure to infected dogs and cats. The disease is extremely uncommon and infects on average seven people in the U.S. per year, according to the CDC. Nevertheless, it must be taken seriously due to the high potential for death if left untreated. The last plague case reported in El Dorado County was in 2020 and was also believed to be transmitted in the South Lake Tahoe area, health officials said. Two California plague cases were reported in 2015, likely caused by bites from an infected flea or rodent in Yosemite National Park. All three patients received treatment and made a full recovery, health officials said. There were 45 ground squirrels or chipmunks recorded with evidence of exposure to plague bacterium in the Lake Tahoe Basin from 2021 to the present, according to the California Department of Public Health, which routinely monitors rodent populations for plague activity across the state. El Dorado County health officials urged residents and visitors to take steps to avoid exposure to rodents or ticks when exploring the wilderness around Lake Tahoe. Measures include wearing long pants tucked into boots, using a bug repellent with DEET, never feeding or touching rodents, refraining from camping near animal burrows or dead rodents, and leaving dogs at home when possible. More than 80% of plague cases in the U.S. have been in the bubonic form, where patients will develop swollen, painful lymph nodes called buboes, according to the CDC. This form of the disease typically results from an infected-flea bite, and symptoms such as buboes, fever, headache, chills and weakness develop within two to eight days, according to the CDC. In July, an Arizona resident died of the pneumonic form of the plague, which can develop when bacteria spreads to the lungs of a patient with untreated bubonic plague. This is the most serious form of the plague and can have an incubation period of just one day. It's also the only form of the plague that can spread from human to human. During the Middle Ages, infected rats were to blame for the black death in Europe in the 14th century. The last urban rat-infected plague outbreak in America took place in Los Angeles in 1924 and 1925, according to the CDC.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Straits Times
New CDC drive to bring frontline jobs closer to job seekers: Experts
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The CDC job-matching drive will complement national job matching efforts by Workforce Singapore and NTUC. SINGAPORE – The new job-matching initiative by the five Community Development Councils (CDCs) complements existing measures by bringing local jobs closer to residents, said industry observers. Though details are pending, they expect frontline roles in residential areas - often overlooked by job seekers - to feature prominently. Labour policy expert Associate Professor Terence Ho said the initiative will likely feature many frontline roles, with job types varying across districts. Prof Ho, deputy executive director of the Institute for Adult Learning, noted that career centres run by Workforce Singapore and the National Trade Union Congress' Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) already serve job seekers . He added: 'A key indication of success is whether the scheme succeeds in raising placement rates among job seekers with constraints on mobility or time who may need to find work closer to their homes, as well as whether it encourages higher labour force participation among such groups.' The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the 2025 National Day Rally on Aug 17. He had said the CDCs are well-placed to spearhead the initiative with their strong networks with local merchants, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as community partners. The mayors who chair the five CDCs – Central Singapore, North West, North East, South West and South East – will share more details on the new job-matching initiative in coming weeks. Mr Ang Yuit, president of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, said the initiative could especially benefit mid-career workers seeking flexibility through shorter commutes. He noted that non-professional, managerial, executive and technical (PMET) frontline roles requiring physical presence in residential areas, as well as some PMET positions, are likely to see hiring gains - potentially helping SMEs too. An e2i spokesperson said the initiative could build on existing CDC-level efforts by offering localised support to complement the national job-matching system. 'Local SMEs may not have the same reach as larger companies, and the CDC job-matching initiative would be able to help bridge this gap between the jobseeker and local SME.' The spokesperson added that e2i could also extend its national network reach to the 'community-level opportunities'. One example of existing CDC-level efforts is Jobs Near Me @ Central, a portal which matches residents in the Central Singapore district to job opportunities nearby, in pilot operation for over a year. Bi-annual job fairs and outreach to less tech-savvy residents by 'job ambassadors' also form part of this collaboration between jobs platform operator FastCo and the Central CDC. FastCo chief executive Julian Tan said the initiative strengthens Singapore's job-matching ecosystem by placing jobs closer to residents, improving work-life balance and boosting productivity. He added that it also supports flexible work arrangements and aligns with urban planning goals to decentralise employment centres. 'Job seekers can benefit from a corporate shift towards neighbouring hubs such as Bishan, Punggol and Tampines.' However, Mr Ang noted the initiative does not address the deeper economic weaknesses and mismatched expectations that underlie SMEs' hiring challenges. Still, he sees at least one benefit of the move: 'It will increase the chances (for employers) to get in touch with potential employees.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children
The American Academy of Pediatrics released its vaccine recommendations on Aug. 19 in a break from federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The AAP, in tandem with multiple other professional medical associations, previously decried a May announcement made by Kennedy Jr. that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control's recommended immunizations for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that went against previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. The AAP, a professional organization of over 65,000 board-certified pediatricians dedicated to advancing children's medicine, said in a June 26 statement that it would "continue to publish its own evidence-based recommendations and schedules," as the creation of federal immunization policy is 'no longer a credible process." Kennedy Jr. drew further ire from medical communities when he fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the committee of health experts that provides guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, replacing them with members that critics have called unqualified. Some of the members, like Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in anti-vaccine groups. Here's what to know about the new AAP guidance and how it differs from federal guidelines. What is the AAP guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The AAP schedule lists which vaccines children should get at certain ages and provides updated guidance on influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. The schedule recommends that all children between six months and 23 months receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the chance of serious illness. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 18, without other high-risk factors like immunosuppression, can receive and should be offered the vaccine if they were not previously immunized, according to the guidance. Children, teens, and adults alike who are at increased risk of serious infection should receive the vaccine if they have not already, AAP said, adding that its recommendation differed from the CDC, which it said is now staffed with people who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. "The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents," AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly, MD, said in a statement. "Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving." What is the federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The CDC did not go as far as completely removing COVID-19 vaccination from its immunization schedule despite Kennedy Jr.'s insistence. Instead, the agency changed its language from recommending the vaccine annually to suggesting parents consult with their child's physician on whether to vaccinate. Kennedy Jr. previously said that the CDC planned only to recommend the COVID vaccine for people over the age of 65 and those at high personal risk of infection, though the agency's website still contains information recommending it for everyone over the age of six months. A notice on the top webpages on the topic reads, "COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This page will be updated to align with the updated immunization schedule," as of Aug. 19. This change to whom the vaccine is recommended could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, experts warned. Since insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, anyone who wants the shot but isn't on the CDC's recommendation list may have to pay the price out of pocket HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended the decision in a statement to USA TODAY, accusing the AAP, which receives funding from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, of failing to have proper conflict-of-interest safeguards in place. "By bypassing the CDC's advisory process and freelancing its own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability, the AAP is putting commercial interests ahead of public health and politics above America's children," Nixon said. Kennedy Jr. shared a separate response on social media on Aug. 19, pointing out that the agency's top donors are four companies that "make virtually every vaccine on the CDC recommended childhood vaccine schedule" and saying that the AAP recommendations are "corporate-friendly" and may "promote commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors" instead of public health. "AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC's official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act," his post concluded. USA TODAY reached out to AAP for comment on Aug. 19 but has not received a response. The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices didn't vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations when they met in June and are expected to reconvene in "September/October," according to the CDC. The FDA has signaled intentions to revoke the Pfizer COVID-19 shot for young, healthy children. In early August, HHS announced that it would pull $500M in funding from mRNA vaccine research and development. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Young kids should receive COVID vaccine despite CDC advice: AAP Solve the daily Crossword
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
US pediatric group breaks with CDC advice, recommends COVID vaccines for young children
The American Academy of Pediatrics released its vaccine recommendations on Aug. 19 in a break from federal guidance shaped by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The AAP, in tandem with multiple other professional medical associations, previously decried a May announcement made by Kennedy Jr. that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the Centers for Disease Control's recommended immunizations for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that went against previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. The AAP, a professional organization of over 65,000 board-certified pediatricians dedicated to advancing children's medicine, said in a June 26 statement that it would "continue to publish its own evidence-based recommendations and schedules," as the creation of federal immunization policy is 'no longer a credible process." Kennedy Jr. drew further ire from medical communities when he fired all 17 original members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the committee of health experts that provides guidance on vaccine use to the CDC, replacing them with members that critics have called unqualified. Some of the members, like Kennedy Jr., have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in anti-vaccine groups. Here's what to know about the new AAP guidance and how it differs from federal guidelines. What is the AAP guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The AAP schedule lists which vaccines children should get at certain ages and provides updated guidance on influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 immunizations for children and adolescents from birth to age 18. The schedule recommends that all children between six months and 23 months receive the latest COVID-19 vaccine to reduce the chance of serious illness. Children and adolescents aged 2 to 18, without other high-risk factors like immunosuppression, can receive and should be offered the vaccine if they were not previously immunized, according to the guidance. Children, teens, and adults alike who are at increased risk of serious infection should receive the vaccine if they have not already, AAP said, adding that its recommendation differed from the CDC, which it said is now staffed with people who have a history of spreading vaccine misinformation. "The AAP will continue to provide recommendations for immunizations that are rooted in science and are in the best interest of the health of infants, children, and adolescents," AAP President Dr. Susan J. Kressly, MD, said in a statement. "Pediatricians know how important routine childhood immunizations are in keeping children, families and their communities healthy and thriving." What is the federal guidance on COVID-19 vaccines for children? The CDC did not go as far as completely removing COVID-19 vaccination from its immunization schedule despite Kennedy Jr.'s insistence. Instead, the agency changed its language from recommending the vaccine annually to suggesting parents consult with their child's physician on whether to vaccinate. Kennedy Jr. previously said that the CDC planned only to recommend the COVID vaccine for people over the age of 65 and those at high personal risk of infection, though the agency's website still contains information recommending it for everyone over the age of six months. A notice on the top webpages on the topic reads, "COVID-19 vaccine recommendations have recently been updated for some populations. This page will be updated to align with the updated immunization schedule," as of Aug. 19. This change to whom the vaccine is recommended could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, experts warned. Since insurance coverage typically follows federal recommendations, anyone who wants the shot but isn't on the CDC's recommendation list may have to pay the price out of pocket HHS Communications Director Andrew Nixon defended the decision in a statement to USA TODAY, accusing the AAP, which receives funding from pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, of failing to have proper conflict-of-interest safeguards in place. "By bypassing the CDC's advisory process and freelancing its own recommendations, while smearing those who demand accountability, the AAP is putting commercial interests ahead of public health and politics above America's children," Nixon said. Kennedy Jr. shared a separate response on social media on Aug. 19, pointing out that the agency's top donors are four companies that "make virtually every vaccine on the CDC recommended childhood vaccine schedule" and saying that the AAP recommendations are "corporate-friendly" and may "promote commercial ambitions of AAP's Big Pharma benefactors" instead of public health. "AAP should also be candid with doctors and hospitals that recommendations that diverge from the CDC's official list are not shielded from liability under the 1986 Vaccine Injury Act," his post concluded. USA TODAY reached out to AAP for comment on Aug. 19 but has not received a response. The new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices didn't vote on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations when they met in June and are expected to reconvene in "September/October," according to the CDC. The FDA has signaled intentions to revoke the Pfizer COVID-19 shot for young, healthy children. In early August, HHS announced that it would pull $500M in funding from mRNA vaccine research and development.
