Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
@drjenbalkus.bsky.social
Infectious Disease Epidemiologist 🏳️🌈with a focus on sexual health. Former academic, current local public health practitioner. Opinions are my own.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
I am glad to see large media outlets reporting on this. Hopefully it shames the researchers into not continuing with the planned study or at minimum making sure ALL children in the study receive the birth dose of the HepB vaccine.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
CDC funds controversial hepatitis B vaccine trial in African newborns
Scientists question the value of the proposed study, which will investigate a vaccine long known to be efficacious and safe
www.science.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I am glad to see large media outlets reporting on this. Hopefully it shames the researchers into not continuing with the planned study or at minimum making sure ALL children in the study receive the birth dose of the HepB vaccine.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
🦠What happens when you say you will only protect babies of infected moms, but you are bad at detecting infected moms❓
🚫You miss a lot of babies who needed protection.
This is exactly why in 1991 we went from only vaccinating babies of Hepatitis B positive moms to vaccinating all babies.
🚫You miss a lot of babies who needed protection.
This is exactly why in 1991 we went from only vaccinating babies of Hepatitis B positive moms to vaccinating all babies.
December 4, 2025 at 11:54 PM
🦠What happens when you say you will only protect babies of infected moms, but you are bad at detecting infected moms❓
🚫You miss a lot of babies who needed protection.
This is exactly why in 1991 we went from only vaccinating babies of Hepatitis B positive moms to vaccinating all babies.
🚫You miss a lot of babies who needed protection.
This is exactly why in 1991 we went from only vaccinating babies of Hepatitis B positive moms to vaccinating all babies.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Sec. Kennedy must appear before the HELP Committee to explain why his vaccine advisory committee, in strong disagreement with the medical & scientific community, voted to end a decades-long recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
This vaccine saves lives.
This vaccine saves lives.
Breaking News: A federal vaccine committee voted to end the decades-long recommendation that all newborns be immunized at birth against hepatitis B, a highly infectious virus that leads to chronic liver disease in most infected children.
An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns
A federal panel voted on Friday to recommend halting the at-birth shots for all infants, in a step toward Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s goal of upending the nation’s vaccine policy.
nyti.ms
December 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Sec. Kennedy must appear before the HELP Committee to explain why his vaccine advisory committee, in strong disagreement with the medical & scientific community, voted to end a decades-long recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine.
This vaccine saves lives.
This vaccine saves lives.
This whole thread 💔. It is more than heartbreaking, it is the road map for poorer health and more preventable deaths in the US and globally.
The US is close to an institutional collapse across multiple public health agencies. Trump/RFK have purged anyone with expertise, many have fled and they’ve been replaced w functionaries who are either incompetent or malicious. I don’t think many understand how close to the edge we are right now.
a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
ALT: a night time view of a city with a few buildings lit up
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:45 PM
This whole thread 💔. It is more than heartbreaking, it is the road map for poorer health and more preventable deaths in the US and globally.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Wisconsin has shown that it’s cost-effective and completely possible to keep families together by stabilizing their housing. That’s not the only promising development in the field. #MsReads via @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
This Is How the Child Welfare System Becomes Less Traumatizing
Wisconsin has shown that it’s cost-effective and completely possible to keep families together by stabilizing their housing. That’s not the only promising development in the field.
www.thenation.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Wisconsin has shown that it’s cost-effective and completely possible to keep families together by stabilizing their housing. That’s not the only promising development in the field. #MsReads via @thenation.com
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“Embarrassing” and “horrifying”: CDC workers describe the new vaccines and autism page
"The best way I can put it is it feels like we're on a hijacked airplane."
www.motherjones.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:41 PM
New from me: I talked to CDC staffers about the new vaccines and autism page. They said things like:
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
“The best way I can put it is it feels like we’re on a hijacked airplane.”
“I think people are starting to see that we can’t fulfill our mission here.”
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
If there was any doubt at all that the CDC is fully destroyed, this page on autism and vaccines on its website confirms it. It's now just another vessel of dangerous health misinformation. I have no words. This is beyond sad.
November 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
If there was any doubt at all that the CDC is fully destroyed, this page on autism and vaccines on its website confirms it. It's now just another vessel of dangerous health misinformation. I have no words. This is beyond sad.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
➡️ It only takes 5 minutes, and all links are in our bio
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
October 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
➡️ It only takes 5 minutes, and all links are in our bio
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
1. Sign the petition to #impeachthequack RFK Jr & have him removed from office.
2. Mark your calendar to join us on November 5th as we march on Congress to deliver our petitions.
3. Become a member of our Science Fight Club!
Easy peasy!
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"A river doesn't argue with rocks, it flows around them"
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
NEJM and public health group are launching rival to CDC’s MMWR publication
Two institutions are coming together to create an alternative to the CDC’s vaunted Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
www.statnews.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
"A river doesn't argue with rocks, it flows around them"
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
Public health, Science and evidence based medicine much like a river will find a way to keep flowing during this time. Sad it's coming to this, but alternatives are important and needed right now.
www.statnews.com/2025/10/21/c...
The gross harms of this administration permeate every aspect of daily life.
ICE is targeting people in hospitals and clinics, deterring people from accessing essential pregnancy care.
Many patients — nervous about encountering immigration officials — are skipping virtually all of their pregnancy-related health care.
Many patients — nervous about encountering immigration officials — are skipping virtually all of their pregnancy-related health care.
ICE fears put pregnant immigrants and their babies at risk
Fear of deportation is deterring people without permanent legal status from critical care. Doctors are worried for their health — and the health of their pregnancies.
19thnews.org
October 13, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The gross harms of this administration permeate every aspect of daily life.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Sea-Tac Airport won't air Kristi Noem's miserable propaganda, and that's a good thing.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Sea-Tac won’t air Noem video blaming shutdown on Democrats
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport won’t broadcast a video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying Democrats caused the federal government shutdown.
www.seattletimes.com
October 13, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Sea-Tac Airport won't air Kristi Noem's miserable propaganda, and that's a good thing.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Donald Trump is not a king, and dog killer Kristi Noem can't just force our airports to break the law on her behalf.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Measles, Ebola, major disease outbreak investigators, HIV prevention…we’re f***ed. I’m not trying to be over dramatic here, but we currently have no defense against infectious diseases threats
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Measles, Ebola, major disease outbreak investigators, HIV prevention…we’re f***ed. I’m not trying to be over dramatic here, but we currently have no defense against infectious diseases threats
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
C.D.C. Layoffs Included 2 Top Measles Experts Amid Rising Cases www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/h...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
The specifics of the RIFs I’ve seen in group chats have been staggering. Bracing & reminding myself these are specifically intended to cause fear & distress.
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
October 11, 2025 at 1:25 PM
The specifics of the RIFs I’ve seen in group chats have been staggering. Bracing & reminding myself these are specifically intended to cause fear & distress.
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Please share URLs for any good trackers you seen as they emerge. (I want more than OMB’s version) fedscoop.com/trump-federa...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
October 11, 2025 at 12:49 PM
NEW: @CDCgov hit hard by massive firings that several staff describe to me as a “bloodbath.”
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Among those RIFd:
—leadership of the center for immunization and respiratory diseases;
—leadership of global health center
—leadership of the measles outbreak response; 1/4
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"Black people are tired. Not metaphorically tired—actually tired. The kind of tired that turns every group chat into a mix of gallows humor and emotional triage."
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
White People’s Performative Ignorance Is Exhausting—Opinion
Disbelief over authoritarianism in America isn’t a cutesy personality trait. It’s a confession: You haven’t been paying attention.
rewirenewsgroup.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Black people are tired. Not metaphorically tired—actually tired. The kind of tired that turns every group chat into a mix of gallows humor and emotional triage."
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
I write about white ignorance and how exhausting it is to hear white ppl insist "this isn't who we are, when it's ALWAYS who we've been.
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Opinion | Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Universities Is Just Extortion
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"This is extortion, plain and simple.... The only solution is solidarity and collective action against this effort at federal control over higher education."
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
A sobering analysis of the illegality of the administration's "compact" and its stakes for higher ed. 🎁🔗
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/o...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Information on sexual and gender identity and health equity is now being erased.
CDC takes down more than a dozen webpages on sexual and gender identity, health equity
Some health equity advocates say removing such resources could create gaps in access to critical health information, especially for marginalized groups.
www.cnbc.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Information on sexual and gender identity and health equity is now being erased.
These proposed cuts will be devastating. Take a moment to use your voice! (See below).
For context: "House Labor, Health and Human Services proposed $2 billion in federal cuts to domestic HIV programs, including plans that would dismantle the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention and slash $535 million from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program...."
September 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
These proposed cuts will be devastating. Take a moment to use your voice! (See below).
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen is safe for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No reputable studies support suggestions like those in HHS’s recent announcement linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism; in fact, high-quality studies show no such risk. https://bit.ly/47Wxc59
September 22, 2025 at 9:24 PM
ACOG reaffirms that acetaminophen is safe for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. No reputable studies support suggestions like those in HHS’s recent announcement linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism; in fact, high-quality studies show no such risk. https://bit.ly/47Wxc59
Thinking of my friends with autism and their families, especially this week as the storm of misinformation and stigma from HHS & RFK Jr swirls again. One of my fav artists on social media @devthepineapple.bsky.social says it best:
September 22, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Thinking of my friends with autism and their families, especially this week as the storm of misinformation and stigma from HHS & RFK Jr swirls again. One of my fav artists on social media @devthepineapple.bsky.social says it best:
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Ugh
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
BREAKING NEWS: Censorship returns to the CDC. At least 22 websites are down.
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
open.substack.com/pub/insideme...
BREAKING NEWS: Censorship returns to the CDC. At least 22 websites are down.
The Trump administration's HHS is back to its old habits of targeting public health resources deemed too woke.
open.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Ugh
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
“Many, if not most, of the removed pages have obvious tie-ins to topics known to be disfavored by the Trump administration……the care of LGBTQ+ people, health equity issues related to a variety of diseases or disabilities, sexually transmitted infections, and related educational resources.”
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability
This nationwide cohort study with sibling control analysis examines the association of acetaminophen use during pregnancy with children’s risk of autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
jamanetwork.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:43 AM
The @washingtonpost.com story on Tylenol & autism leaves out a MAJOR 2.5M sibling-controlled study of children in Denmark, which "found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy was associated with children’s risk of autism, ADHD or intellectual disability." jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
Since apparently this needs to be stated again, a reminder that TWO THIRDS OF THE US VOTERS believe abortions should be legal in all or most cases, making it FAR more popular or unifying than Ezra Klein....
Most U.S. adults think abortion should be legal 3 years after Roe was overturned, poll shows
The new findings from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll show that about two-thirds of U.S. adults think abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
www.pbs.org
September 22, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Since apparently this needs to be stated again, a reminder that TWO THIRDS OF THE US VOTERS believe abortions should be legal in all or most cases, making it FAR more popular or unifying than Ezra Klein....
Reposted by Jen Balkus, PhD, MPH
25% of Drs in US are foreign grads. Many are on an H1B visa. This will hit health systems hard especially rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas that sponsor these visas through waiver programs. The old cost was about 5000$ a year.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump signs proclamation imposing annual $100,000 fee on H-1B visas
Move deals potentially major blow to US tech industry, which relies heavily on workers from India and China
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM
25% of Drs in US are foreign grads. Many are on an H1B visa. This will hit health systems hard especially rural hospitals and hospitals in underserved areas that sponsor these visas through waiver programs. The old cost was about 5000$ a year.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...