Rachel Roubein
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social
1.5K followers 25 following 28 posts
Washington Post reporter covering the Food and Drug Administration. Reach me securely on Signal: RachelRoubein.28
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
New from this a.m.: ByHeart recalls all baby formula amid botulism outbreak.

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 6:29 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
BREAKING: ByHeart, the organic baby formula maker, is recalling all of its formula after an infant botulism outbreak linked to its product.

@rachelroubein.bsky.social with the scoop 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 2:16 PM
rachelroubein.bsky.social
A new WaPo-KFF poll found bipartisan support among American parents for much of RFK Jr.'s concerns about the food supply. But support for his MAHA movement skews along partisan lines.

w/ @sfcpoll.bsky.social & Paige Winfield Cunningham

bsky.app/profile/sfcp...
October 15, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
NEW: A Washington Post deep dive into surgeon general nominee Casey Means found she blurred sponsorship lines as she promoted supplements and products outside the medical mainstream.

Here’s one example.

And a gift link to read more: wapo.st/46LWoKQ
Means did a YouTube video titled “Unbox My Genova Metabolomix+ Nutrition Test With Me! 🧪” about a test that can cost hundreds of dollars. Genova Diagnostics is a sponsor of her book tour and newsletter, according to her financial disclosures, for $20,000 and listed as a partner of her book launch on her website. She did not expressly disclose that connection in the video, but did note viewers could get 10 percent off in the description. She also did not disclose the partnership in a May 2024 newsletter when she promoted the brand.
October 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
washingtonpost.com
Casey Means left her surgical residency in 2018. She's frequently suggested Americans should question advice from medical authorities.

Now, she’s HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s pick for surgeon general, one of the nation’s most trusted medical posts. https://wapo.st/3KMq0im
October 9, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
laurenweberhp.bsky.social
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick

Read my and @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com deep dive on Casey Means

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
She left the medical mainstream and rose to be RFK Jr.'s surgeon general pick
Casey Means, the surgeon general nominee, has criticized the medical establishment. She could be put in position to change it.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: RFKJr’s handpicked vaccine panel met this week. They were unprepared, misunderstood or ignored key data + highlighted flawed or inconclusive research often trumpeted by vaccine critics, per medical/scientific experts who watched meeting @davidovalle.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social + me.
September 20, 2025 at 11:25 AM
rachelroubein.bsky.social
Sen. Bill Cassidy's decision to support RFK Jr. came down to the morning of a crucial committee vote.

Now, he's publicly pressing the nation's top health official to endorse common vaccines & set to quiz a CDC head ousted by RFK.

w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Bill Cassidy cast the key vote for RFK Jr. What is he thinking now?
The GOP senator has invited Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, to testify about her concerns that Kennedy is threatening vaccine access in America.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
Exclusive at WaPo: RFK Jr's aides are prepping new bid to crack down on covid vaccine by linking it to 25 child deaths

They appear to be citing submissions to vaccine-report database VAERS — despite caution that it's unreliable.

@lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social w little help from me
Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists
The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
SCOOP: Trump health officials plan to link covid vaccines to the deaths of 25 children as they consider limiting which Americans should get the shots, per sources. W @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists
The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 12, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
Seven months after they voted to confirm longtime anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr, some Republican senators are having second thoughts after his moves — as public health experts and Democrats warned — to limit access to vaccines.

w @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Why some Republicans are newly worried about RFK Jr.
GOP senators say his moves on vaccines are risky for public health. They also may be bad politics.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: RFK Jr.’s upending of vaccine policy is driving some states to break away from Trump admin guidelines while others are further loosening shot requirements. Me and @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. drives a wedge between red and blue states on vaccines
As states diverge on coronavirus vaccines, parents across party lines still support vaccine mandates for measles and polio, according to a Washington Post-KFF poll.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
FDA is now taking aim at common practice of getting multiple respiratory vaccines together

Vinay Prasad, a key RFK Jr ally, says he is unsure if the tactic is safe + effective

More on a new way that Trump admin is seeking to change vaccine policy

w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @lenasun.bsky.social
FDA questions if people should get multiple respiratory vaccines together
Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top vaccine official and a key RFK Jr. ally, says the FDA is now “unsure” if the common practice is safe and effective.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 3, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Important context on the limited approval of coronavirus vaccines and why people might not be able to get them off-label at pharmacies wapo.st/45RvyPx
August 27, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
SCOOP BREAKING: CDC director being ousted weeks into job. Me @ddiamond @LaurenWeberHP

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC director being ousted weeks into job
Susan Monarez, a longtime federal government scientist, was confirmed by the Senate in late July to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: The CDC shooting was much worse than initially reported. 181 rounds. 150 windows hit. Staff are furious at RFK Jr. and Trump becuz their long-running fears about anti-vax rhetoric turning deadly seem to be vindicated. @laurenweberhp.bluesky.social + Me.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
After CDC shooting, its employees turn their anger to RFK Jr. and Trump
Investigators allege the shooter targeted the agency because of his coronavirus vaccine beliefs, according to two CDC officials briefed on the case.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Backstory here on how Vinay Prasad went from getting Loomered to getting his job back as the FDA’s vaccine chief

@laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report:
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
August 9, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
washingtonpost.com
Federal immigration authorities detained a woman seeking medical care at the National Institutes of Health’s flagship research hospital after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security.
Patient seeking care at NIH hospital detained by ICE
NIH officials called immigration authorities after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
wapo.st
August 8, 2025 at 6:19 PM
rachelroubein.bsky.social
Vinay Prasad’s clout as one of the most powerful medical regulators was unmistakable. What we know about how it all fell apart in a few weeks — and what it shows about Trump world divisions.

w/ Daniel Gilbert and Natalie Allison

bsky.app/profile/feni...
fenitn.bsky.social Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Aug 1
How did Vinay Prasad go from covid contrarian beloved by the right to ousted by the White House following a right-wing pressure campaign?

Our reporters have the backstory, including how Laura Loomer said he landed on her radar wapo.st/3U8D03n
What the ouster of a top FDA regulator shows about Trump world divisions
Vinay Prasad’s ouster as the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine and gene therapy regulator came after frustration over his handling of experimental treatments.
wapo.st
August 1, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
How did Vinay Prasad go from covid contrarian beloved by the right to ousted by the White House following a right-wing pressure campaign?

Our reporters have the backstory, including how Laura Loomer said he landed on her radar wapo.st/3U8D03n
What the ouster of a top FDA regulator shows about Trump world divisions
Vinay Prasad’s ouster as the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine and gene therapy regulator came after frustration over his handling of experimental treatments.
wapo.st
August 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Vinay Prasad, a covid vaccine policy critic who became the top FDA vaccine and gene therapy regulator, was ousted following criticism from conservatives such as Laura Loomer.

@rachelroubein.bsky.social & @lenasun.bsky.social report: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Top FDA vaccine regulator under Trump ousted amid conservative criticism
Vinay Prasad, a prominent critic of covid vaccine policy, was ousted as the FDA’s top regulator of vaccines and gene therapies, according to two people familiar with the situation.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
caitlingilbert.bsky.social
💉Our rundown of the changes in access to different vaccines under RFK Jr’s HHS:

From @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

gift link: wapo.st/4mau4q4
All the ways your access to vaccines has changed under RFK Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership at Health and Human Services has led to changes in vaccine recommendations and access, sparking concerns among medical experts.
wapo.st
July 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Coke just confirmed its cane sugar soda is coming to the U.S. this fall. RFK Jr. described the alternative as a "MAHA win."

But nutritionists told @rachelroubein.bsky.social replacing one sugar for another isn't making America healthier www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Coke confirms cane sugar soda is coming to the U.S. Is it healthier?
Some nutritionists said there is little benefit in substituting high-fructose corn syrup, a staple of sugary snacks and drinks, with cane sugar.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 22, 2025 at 12:42 PM
rachelroubein.bsky.social
On ACIP membership: RFK Jr. has said Sen. Cassidy will choose a member of ACIP. Cassidy said today he's submitted names; at least one is being interviewed.

w/ @lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/lena...
lenasun.bsky.social Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Jun 25
UPDATE (and scoop): RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel to review childhood immunization schedule. Also: He has appointed a vaccine critic to CDC’s vaccine safety office. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com
June 25, 2025 at 11:35 PM
rachelroubein.bsky.social
A look at how medical groups are mobilizing to preserve vaccine access:
— Discussing potentially ordering shots from manufacturers
— Giving greater weight to vax recs from medical societies
— Asking plans to maintain coverage of shots

with @lenasun.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/lena...
lenasun.bsky.social Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Jun 24
NEW: The extraordinary effort behind the scenes by medical groups, state health officials, pharmacists, insurers and manufacturers to make sure Americans can keep getting vaccines covered by insurance. And bypass RFK Jr. Me + @rachel_roubein

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How medical groups may preserve vaccine access — and bypass RFK Jr.
The extraordinary effort to create a parallel system of recommending and perhaps even providing vaccines faces major challenges.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 24, 2025 at 2:09 PM