Lena Sun
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lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun
@lenasun.bsky.social
4K followers 380 following 170 posts
National health reporter, The Washington Post
Lena.Sun@washpost.com; Reach me securely on Signal: LenaSun.04
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lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Feb 16
Hearing that @CDCgov personnel on probationary list are getting termination letters this evening. If you’re one of them, you can reach me securely on Signal at LenaSun.04. I promise to keep your name confidential. We want to get a sense of who’s been cut. DMs ok too. Also lena.sun@washpost.com
lenasun.bsky.social
Our deep dive on RFKJr. Re the previously undisclosed email, former ACIP chair and longtime member says:
“The secretary is within his legal rights to make these suggestions or request requests, but it’s unheard of as far as I know.” gift link below. @washingtonpost.com
rachelroubein.bsky.social Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · 4d
“Bobby has asked for the following changes,” top Kennedy aide emailed HHS officials. Email reveals his previously undisclosed role in seeking vaccine policy changes in a highly unusual way, per experts/former/current officials. W/ @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
wapo.st/48YSPC1
How RFK Jr. upended the public health system
Interviews with almost 100 people reveal how Kennedy, as health secretary, has reshaped the vaccine and broader public health infrastructure in less than a year.
wapo.st
December 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Reposted by Lena Sun
fenitn.bsky.social
The Post interviewed almost 100 sources for this comprehensive, revelatory account of how RFK Jr. has disrupted public health in America.

It's the capstone to a year of extensive reporting by @rachelroubein.bsky.social, @lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social.

Gift link: wapo.st/48YSPC1
Inside RFK Jr.’s reshaping of public health in Trump’s first year
Interviews with almost 100 people reveal how Kennedy, as health secretary, has reshaped the vaccine and broader public health infrastructure in less than a year.
wapo.st
December 30, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Reposted by Lena Sun
fenitn.bsky.social
BREAKING: The U.S. is preparing to stop recommending most childhood vaccines and defer to doctors instead.

The plan, which is not finalized, marks a fundamental shift in the U.S. vaccine strategy, @lenasun.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report.

Gift link: wapo.st/4aXfzn5
Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
wapo.st
December 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: US. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors, per sources familiar. HHS consulted w chief science officer and top FDA official. Me and @rachel_roubein
1/4
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors
The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
SCOOP: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. Programs included work on reducing sudden infant deaths and identifying autism early. Me and @Paigecunningham.Bsky.Social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.
HHS cuts key AAP grants, citing concerns about “identity-based language” and insufficient focus on agency priorities. The organization said the cuts could harm child health.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:34 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
SCOOP: American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr. Research included reducing sudden infant deaths and identifying autism early. Me and @Paigecunningham.Bsky.Social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
American Academy of Pediatrics loses HHS funding after criticizing RFK Jr.
HHS cuts key AAP grants, citing concerns about “identity-based language” and insufficient focus on agency priorities. The organization said the cuts could harm child health.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: CDC approves major child vaccine change, rejects controversial one that RFKJr’s handpicked vaccine advisory panel had recommended. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC approves major child vaccine change, rejects controversial one
The CDC formally approved a major change to the childhood immunization schedule by dropping the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to get a hepatitis B vaccine.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Reposted by Lena Sun
fenitn.bsky.social
For decades, the CDC has fought attempts by the anti-vaccine movement to sow doubts in the safety and efficacy of the shots that marked a triumph of public health.

This week, the agency instead provided a powerful platform www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., the CDC provides a megaphone to the anti-vaccine movement
Common anti-vaccine talking points were on display as the CDC’s immunization advisers repealed a hepatitis B birth vaccine recommendation and scrutinized the childhood schedule.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:50 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: How the CDC has become a powerful platform for the anti-vaccine movement it once sought to fight. 1/5
Me, @davidovalle.bsky.social, @paigecunningham.bsky.social
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Under RFK Jr., the CDC provides a megaphone to the anti-vaccine movement
Common anti-vaccine talking points were on display as the CDC’s immunization advisers repealed a hepatitis B birth vaccine recommendation and scrutinized the childhood schedule.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Reposted by Lena Sun
fenitn.bsky.social
!!!

The Post obtained hot mic comments by the chair of RFK Jr.'s CDC vaccine committee.

"We feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel" wapo.st/4atob4M
During the Friday discussion, Kirk Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist who was recently named as the panel’s new chair, was overheard telling another panel member that he wanted to talk to “some of the higher-ups” about the panel’s work. “You know, I feel like, you know, it’s, sort of like we feel like a little bit like puppets on a string as opposed to really being an independent advisory panel,” according to a transcript of the exchange captured by videoconferencing software and obtained by The Washington Post. Asked about those remarks, Milhoan wrote in a text message, “There are pressures from many organizations: federal, industry, medical organizations that are trying to influence by ad hominem attacks, when we are trying to look at and ask for data.”
December 5, 2025 at 8:10 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: CDC panel makes most sweeping revision to child vaccine schedule under RFK Jr. Our story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC panel makes most sweeping revision to child vaccine schedule under RFK Jr.
The panel voted to eliminate a long-standing recommendation for every newborn to receive a hepatitis B shot, excluding those born to mothers testing negative.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Lena Sun
fenitn.bsky.social
NEW: @lenasun.bsky.social spoke to the new chairman of the federal vaccine advisory panel remade under RFK Jr.

They are planning to vote to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and to scrutinize whether childhood shots are causing autoimmune disorders.
wapo.st/3XrsKoD
RFK Jr.'s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule
The new chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said the panel plans to vote to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and to scrutinize if childhood shots cause allergies.
wapo.st
December 2, 2025 at 4:09 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: In an interview w/ me, new chair of ACIP says they are planning to vote on ending practice of vaccinating all newborns for hepatitis B and to examine whether childhood immunization schedule is behind rise of allergies and autoimmune disorders.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr.’s vaccine advisers plan biggest change yet to childhood schedule
The new chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said the panel plans to vote to end universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth and to scrutinize if childhood shots cause allergies.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:52 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations during a surge in flu cases this winter has been tapped to be the new number 2 at @CDCgov. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
New leader tapped for CDC had stopped pushing vaccines amid flu surge
Ralph Abraham, a Louisiana health official who stopped promoting mass vaccination vaccines, has been appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: The National Academies release statement saying the revised language on @CDCgov web page on links between vaccines and autism, which cited some of the academies work, did not provide the full context. 1/2
www.nationalacademies.org/news/stateme...
National Academies - Statement on CDC’s Updated Vaccine Guidance
National Academies respond to CDC’s updated vaccine guidance, offering scientific context and clarity on vaccine safety.
www.nationalacademies.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: Bird flu patient dies, marking second U.S. fatality in 2025. Washington state resident was older adult w underlying conditions.
My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Bird flu patient dies, marking second U.S. fatality in 2025
The Washington state resident, an older adult with underlying conditions, was infected with a strain that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 AM
lenasun.bsky.social
UPDATED: Washington state epidemiologist on first human infected with H5N5 bird flu strain, different from H5N1 that has been spreading widely: “This is a severely ill patient.” But officials say no change to public health response or guidance. My story. 1/3
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
First U.S. case of human bird flu in 9 months confirmed in Washington state
The U.S. has reported its first human case of bird flu since February, with a confirmed infection in Washington state
www.washingtonpost.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Reposted by Lena Sun
kakape.bsky.social
I’ve been in Toronto at the #astmh meeting these past few days and last night some very good news was presented here: A new malaria drug has proven efficacious in a large trial and could soon be approved.🧪
My story in @science.org (and 🧵on why it's important to come):
www.science.org/content/arti...
‘A sigh of relief’: New malaria drug succeeds in large clinical trial
As existing drugs falter because of resistance, the world gets a backup—but hard choices loom on how to use it
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:27 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
U.S. visas can be denied for obesity, cancer and diabetes, Rubio says.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
U.S. visas can be denied for obesity, cancer and diabetes, Rubio says
The Trump administration has directed visa officers to consider obesity and other chronic health conditions when deciding whether to grant visas to immigrants.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: ByHeart recalls all baby formula amid botulism outbreak
Officials have identified 15 cases of infant botulism potentially linked to the company’s organic products. The recall is not expected to create a nationwide shortage. @Rachelroubein.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
ByHeart recalls all baby formula amid botulism outbreak
Officials have identified 15 cases of infant botulism potentially linked to the company’s organic products. The recall is not expected to create a nationwide shortage.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:34 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
Thirteen babies in 10 states have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. No deaths have been reported.
ByHeart baby formula has recalled 2 batches of one product.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Baby formula recalled after infant botulism outbreak
ByHeart recalled two batches of its baby formula following federal officials’ report of 13 children contracting infant botulism after consuming its product.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
One of the largest studies ever conducted on the link between the shingles vaccine and brain health offers insight into how the disease increases dementia risk. From Akilah.Johnson@washpost.com

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How a childhood virus can contribute to dementia later and what you can do
A new study suggests that the shingles vaccine may help prevent dementia by reducing the risk of varicella-zoster virus reactivation
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: HHS official says in a court filing:
"As a result of data discrepancies and processing errors, RIF notices were issued on October 10, 2025, to approximately 1,760 employees instead of to the 982 employees who were intended to receive RIF notices.” 1/3
October 14, 2025 at 10:31 PM
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: More than half of the roughly 1,300 layoffs notices at @CDCgov have been rescinded. But analysts with top-secret clearance working on biodefense preparedness at another health agency have lost their jobs, per sources. Our story 1/4
@washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Hundreds of CDC layoffs reversed, but biodefense preparedness staff hit
More than half of the roughly 1,300 CDC layoff notices have been rescinded, but workers at health agencies who work on biodefense and mental health still lost their jobs.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:34 AM
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: Some of the layoffs at CDC are being REVERSED.
Here is my updated story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
More than 1,000 CDC staff receive layoff notices during government shutdown
Another round of mass layoffs has struck CDC. The agency had already been cut during a reorganization this year, and more employees are now being shed amid the government shutdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:26 PM