Melody Schreiber
@melodyschreiber.com
Health contributor/reporter at Guardian US, contributing editor at the New Republic, freelance elsewhere. Arctic obsessive and book enthusiast.
Email: melodyschreiber@proton.me
Signal: melodyschreiber.06
Newsletter: notadoctor.news
Email: melodyschreiber@proton.me
Signal: melodyschreiber.06
Newsletter: notadoctor.news
Pinned
Melody Schreiber
@melodyschreiber.com
· Dec 6
Experts fear for US childhood vaccine schedule after hepatitis B guideline change
Pediatricians say panel’s decision will create confusion and access issues, and condemn ‘parody of public health’
www.theguardian.com
NEW: The entire US childhood vaccine schedule is now open for scrutiny. My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
This week, thanks to EVERY Democrat & 4 vulnerable Republicans who signed a discharge petition, the House will finally vote on a 3-year extension of the enhanced #ACA tax credits.
Here's a reminder of how much net premiums just jumped for up to 24 million Americans:
acasignups.net/ira-subsidy-...
Here's a reminder of how much net premiums just jumped for up to 24 million Americans:
acasignups.net/ira-subsidy-...
How much more will ACA enrollees have to pay if the enhanced subsidies expire? (updated)
USE THE DROPDOWN MENU ABOVE TO PICK A STATE. 9/29/25: Welcome Paul Krugman subscribers! I greatly appreciate the shoutout by him but should add the following clarification: Regarding the chart below w...
acasignups.net
January 6, 2026 at 6:42 PM
This week, thanks to EVERY Democrat & 4 vulnerable Republicans who signed a discharge petition, the House will finally vote on a 3-year extension of the enhanced #ACA tax credits.
Here's a reminder of how much net premiums just jumped for up to 24 million Americans:
acasignups.net/ira-subsidy-...
Here's a reminder of how much net premiums just jumped for up to 24 million Americans:
acasignups.net/ira-subsidy-...
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 7, 2026 at 4:35 AM
EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
The Sick Times (@thesicktimes.org) is hiring! We're looking for a new part-time podcast and social media producer who will revive our weekly podcast, help expand our social media presence, and assist with other editorial tasks.
More details here, applications are due on January 20:
More details here, applications are due on January 20:
Write for us - The Sick Times
The Sick Times is accepting pitches for reported news stories and essays/commentary pieces. We take pitches only; do not send full drafts on spec. We prioritize pitches from people with Long COVID and...
thesicktimes.org
January 6, 2026 at 9:55 PM
The Sick Times (@thesicktimes.org) is hiring! We're looking for a new part-time podcast and social media producer who will revive our weekly podcast, help expand our social media presence, and assist with other editorial tasks.
More details here, applications are due on January 20:
More details here, applications are due on January 20:
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
"Kennedy’s decision will harm and kill children, like all of his anti-vaccination decisions will. Viruses and bacteria that were under control are being set free on our most vulnerable" www.theguardian.com/society/2026... @melodyschreiber.com
US to slash routine vaccine recommendations for children in major change experts say creates doubt
Jabs to prevent influenza, rotavirus, RSV and other vaccines are no longer fully recommended
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 2:45 AM
"Kennedy’s decision will harm and kill children, like all of his anti-vaccination decisions will. Viruses and bacteria that were under control are being set free on our most vulnerable" www.theguardian.com/society/2026... @melodyschreiber.com
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
Dr. Janell Green Smith was a midwife and advocate for Black maternal health. She died from childbirth complications. Black women are still far more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes.
Our reporting: capitalbnews.org/category/hea...
Our reporting: capitalbnews.org/category/hea...
January 6, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Dr. Janell Green Smith was a midwife and advocate for Black maternal health. She died from childbirth complications. Black women are still far more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes.
Our reporting: capitalbnews.org/category/hea...
Our reporting: capitalbnews.org/category/hea...
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
Pediatric ID Physician here. I‘ll never forget the young adult who lost her limbs to disseminated meningococcal ds, I‘ll never forget the healthy children who did not get the flu vaccine and were well one day, and dead the next. The HHS is the biggest threat to children’s health.
Read our full statement by AAP President Dr. Andrew Racine on today’s HHS announcement about the childhood immunization schedule: www.aap.org/en/news-room...
January 6, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Pediatric ID Physician here. I‘ll never forget the young adult who lost her limbs to disseminated meningococcal ds, I‘ll never forget the healthy children who did not get the flu vaccine and were well one day, and dead the next. The HHS is the biggest threat to children’s health.
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
really fantastic job opportunity for folks with editorial experience (relatedly, if y’all are ever in the market for a labor reporter, PLEASE lmk @19thnews.org!) 19thnews.org/19th-news-ed...
We're hiring an Editor
The 19th is hiring an editor to work closely with the editorial director to assign, shape, edit and publish stories to fulfill The 19th’s mission of serving women and LGBTQ+ people with timely, high-q...
19thnews.org
January 6, 2026 at 12:50 AM
really fantastic job opportunity for folks with editorial experience (relatedly, if y’all are ever in the market for a labor reporter, PLEASE lmk @19thnews.org!) 19thnews.org/19th-news-ed...
Please do this so it's easier to search their site, something I do often!
Please share - @pewresearch.org wants to hire a data archivist who will be an advocate for data users, helping to ensure that our datasets are easy to discover and reuse by researchers, journalists, and the public.
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CenterExtern...
pewtrusts.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/CenterExtern...
January 6, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Please do this so it's easier to search their site, something I do often!
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Joint Statement of major EU/NATO countries on Greenland, together with Denmark:
January 6, 2026 at 12:49 PM
What is just crazy about this, aside from the need for this statement at all, is that Greenland already IS in the US sphere of influence. It's far cheaper for the US, in material, security, and reputational terms, to have Denmark continue administering Greenland and work within NATO on security.
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
RFK Jr. recently changed the vaccine schedule without an ACIP meeting and without new evidence that merited consideration for those changes, in a move that promotes the interests of infectious diseases over those of the public. I want to look at one particular change:
Single dose HPV vaccination 🧵
Single dose HPV vaccination 🧵
January 6, 2026 at 6:02 PM
RFK Jr. recently changed the vaccine schedule without an ACIP meeting and without new evidence that merited consideration for those changes, in a move that promotes the interests of infectious diseases over those of the public. I want to look at one particular change:
Single dose HPV vaccination 🧵
Single dose HPV vaccination 🧵
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
my hot take is that I don't think it's this website specifically that's toxic. the Circumstances are toxic and nobody really knows what to do about it so they come online and scream. and if I may offer an alternative: actually going outside and screaming feels better.
January 6, 2026 at 5:42 PM
my hot take is that I don't think it's this website specifically that's toxic. the Circumstances are toxic and nobody really knows what to do about it so they come online and scream. and if I may offer an alternative: actually going outside and screaming feels better.
I like this viewpoint. Sometimes people ask how I can report on the news when it's so upsetting, but truthfully, I try very hard not to give up my joy.
i realized one day that if someone has upset me, they stole a little bit from me.
if i am not invested in having a relationship with them, every extra second I give them is one i lose.
no one is changing their mind on here. when you dogpile folks you reinforce what you’re mad about.
if i am not invested in having a relationship with them, every extra second I give them is one i lose.
no one is changing their mind on here. when you dogpile folks you reinforce what you’re mad about.
January 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I like this viewpoint. Sometimes people ask how I can report on the news when it's so upsetting, but truthfully, I try very hard not to give up my joy.
Some autistic children and adults have called ABA torture and abuse
"The main area of private equity interest seemed to be clinics that offered applied behavior analysis (ABA), an evidence-based approach that teaches children and adults more effective ways of behaving"
Autism Therapy Becomes Big Business for Private Equity
Increase in private equity acquisitions mirrors rise in autism diagnoses
www.medpagetoday.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Some autistic children and adults have called ABA torture and abuse
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
BREAKING: Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws, including the first U.S. ban on pill abortions.
Abortion stays legal in Wyoming as its top court strikes down laws, including first US pill ban
Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws including the nation’s first explicit ban on abortion pills.
bit.ly
January 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
BREAKING: Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming after the state Supreme Court struck down laws, including the first U.S. ban on pill abortions.
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
Physicians in the Trump administration are aligning themselves with anti-public health interests and policies.
High profile physicians should be resisting Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, @gavinyamey.bsky.social @jonshaffer.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
High profile physicians should be resisting Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, @gavinyamey.bsky.social @jonshaffer.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
January 6, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Physicians in the Trump administration are aligning themselves with anti-public health interests and policies.
High profile physicians should be resisting Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, @gavinyamey.bsky.social @jonshaffer.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
High profile physicians should be resisting Trump and RFK Jr’s damaging policies, not collaborating with them, @gavinyamey.bsky.social @jonshaffer.bsky.social
www.bmj.com/content/392/...
if you have kids and your belongings are not covered in stickers I don't know what to say to you
Department of Interior says if you put a sticker over Trump's face on your national park entrance pass, the pass will be invalidated.
Meanwhile Trump's decision to put his face on the passes is being challenged in court
Meanwhile Trump's decision to put his face on the passes is being challenged in court
DOI cracks down on stickers covering Trump's face on national park passes
Park passes with protest stickers are facing new scrutiny.
www.sfgate.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:38 PM
if you have kids and your belongings are not covered in stickers I don't know what to say to you
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
While the U.S. will still vaccinate against rotavirus, coverage is likely to be severely undercut by RFK Jr.’s actions.
This chart shows the significantly higher rate of pediatric rotavirus hospitalizations in Denmark compared to the U.S.
Removing vaccine recommendations will harm children.
This chart shows the significantly higher rate of pediatric rotavirus hospitalizations in Denmark compared to the U.S.
Removing vaccine recommendations will harm children.
Hospitalizations from rotavirus in Denmark (doesn't vaccinate for it) and the US (stopped vaccinating for it yesterday).
January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
While the U.S. will still vaccinate against rotavirus, coverage is likely to be severely undercut by RFK Jr.’s actions.
This chart shows the significantly higher rate of pediatric rotavirus hospitalizations in Denmark compared to the U.S.
Removing vaccine recommendations will harm children.
This chart shows the significantly higher rate of pediatric rotavirus hospitalizations in Denmark compared to the U.S.
Removing vaccine recommendations will harm children.
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
This is the money quote from this article from @doritreiss.bsky.social . The new guidelines do not align with current state mandates for public school attendance. Inconsistency and confusion will no doubt lead to less protection and more vaccine preventable illness.
January 6, 2026 at 3:13 PM
This is the money quote from this article from @doritreiss.bsky.social . The new guidelines do not align with current state mandates for public school attendance. Inconsistency and confusion will no doubt lead to less protection and more vaccine preventable illness.
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
tangentially related but my physician last month said to me IUDs would always be available "because we live in Illinois," and I just... did not have the energy in me to fight over how access, industry and insurance work right now.
The changes are a “systematic attempt” by health officials “to erode public confidence in childhood vaccines,” said @peterhotezmdphd.bsky.social. “Their longer range goal is to make vaccines unavailable by making impossible demands on the vaccine producers” www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
US to slash routine vaccine recommendations for children in major change experts say creates doubt
Jabs to prevent influenza, rotavirus, RSV and other vaccines are no longer fully recommended
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:20 PM
tangentially related but my physician last month said to me IUDs would always be available "because we live in Illinois," and I just... did not have the energy in me to fight over how access, industry and insurance work right now.
This tracks
The Facebook group formerly known as "New Yorkers Against Excessive Quarantine" has rebranded to "Mamdani Watch: Charting the Intentional Destruction of NYC!"
Admin Aaron Dorr, is from the famous Dorr Brothers Family Circus of Facebook groups and gun rights organizations and Facebook pages.
Admin Aaron Dorr, is from the famous Dorr Brothers Family Circus of Facebook groups and gun rights organizations and Facebook pages.
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 AM
This tracks
This was my number-one question in choosing a pediatrician: will we come into contact with (purposefully) unvaccinated children at this practice?
so many issues with the Hoeg/Kuldorff memo but this really gets me.
"Some children from families who do not consent to certain vaccines have difficulty obtaining medical care because many pediatricians dismiss children from their practice ..."
THIS IS BECAUSE UNVAXED CHILDREN ENDANGERS OTHERS!!!
"Some children from families who do not consent to certain vaccines have difficulty obtaining medical care because many pediatricians dismiss children from their practice ..."
THIS IS BECAUSE UNVAXED CHILDREN ENDANGERS OTHERS!!!
January 6, 2026 at 2:51 AM
This was my number-one question in choosing a pediatrician: will we come into contact with (purposefully) unvaccinated children at this practice?
They also didn't invite all journalists who have been covering this 🙋♀️
RFK Jr's HHS had a press call to announce they were — based on no new data — overhauling the childhood vaccine schedule. Senior officials at HHS answered questions but refused to go on the record, saying we could only attribute the quotes to "officials." www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...
U.S. overhauls childhood vaccine schedule, recommends fewer shots
The U.S. no longer broadly recommends vaccines for flu, hepatitis A and B, and RSV. Health officials say the guidance aligns with that of peer countries.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:17 AM
They also didn't invite all journalists who have been covering this 🙋♀️
Reposted by Melody Schreiber
It will take some time (a few years), but this change will lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable diseases in the most vulnerable parts of the population, including deaths.
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
January 6, 2026 at 1:06 AM
It will take some time (a few years), but this change will lead to hundreds of thousands of preventable diseases in the most vulnerable parts of the population, including deaths.
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
I assume we'll follow this up with the introduction of universal healthcare and paid family/sick/parental leave?
obsessed
working on these ideas now
January 6, 2026 at 1:16 AM
obsessed
I mean... It's not incorrect
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
January 6, 2026 at 1:15 AM
I mean... It's not incorrect