Patricia Callahan
sheinvestigates.bsky.social
Patricia Callahan
@sheinvestigates.bsky.social
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at ProPublica writing about the CDC and public health. Former Chicago Tribune, Wall Street Journal writer.
Reposted by Patricia Callahan
Dramatic changes to the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program could drive drugmakers from the market, threatening access to shots, experts say.

“If (Kennedy’s) unstated goal is to basically destroy the vaccine industry, that could do it.”

By @sheinvestigates.bsky.social
RFK Jr. Wants to Overhaul a Vital System That Supports Childhood Immunization
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program stabilizes the nation’s childhood immunization system while paying those harmed by rare side effects. If the program topples, it could threaten access to vaccin...
www.propublica.org
July 20, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Patricia Callahan
NEW: Only a few companies make nearly all the vaccines kids receive. Only 1 manufacturer makes chickenpox vax. And 2 or 3 make the shots against more than a dozen diseases, including polio and measles. If any were to drop out, the US could find itself in a crisis it hasn't seen in 40 years.
RFK Jr. Wants to Revolutionize a Program That Supports Childhood Immunizations. The Results Could Be Catastrophic.
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program stabilizes the nation’s childhood immunization system while paying those harmed by rare side effects. If the program topples, it could threaten access to vaccin...
www.propublica.org
July 17, 2025 at 11:26 AM
MY LATEST STORY: RFK Jr. Wants to Change a Program That Stopped Vaccine Makers From Leaving the U.S. Market. They Could Flee Again. www.propublica.org/article/rfk-...
RFK Jr. Wants to Overhaul a Vital System That Supports Childhood Immunization
The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program stabilizes the nation’s childhood immunization system while paying those harmed by rare side effects. If the program topples, it could threaten access to vaccin...
www.propublica.org
July 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
MY LATEST: Glenmark, a drugmaker that we investigated last year, has recalled 24 drugs sold to US patients because they failed to meet US manufacturing standards. In February, FDA inspectors found serious problems at the Indian factory where the drugs were made. www.propublica.org/article/glen...
An Indian Drugmaker, Investigated by ProPublica Last Year, Has Recalled Two Dozen Medications Sold to U.S. Patients
FDA inspectors found serious problems at a Glenmark factory in India that manufactured the recalled drugs. Another medication made there has been tied to deaths of U.S. patients.
www.propublica.org
April 16, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Reposted by Patricia Callahan
People are running around looking for compost bags...Some scientists have bought their own soap and cleaning supplies.

A snapshot of the chaos at one NOAA lab as contracts for basic services expire. My latest:

www.propublica.org/article/noaa...
NOAA Scientists Are Cleaning Bathrooms and Reconsidering Lab Experiments After Contracts for Basic Services Expire
A Seattle lab has lost janitorial services, hazardous waste support, IT and building maintenance as it waits for the Commerce Department secretary to personally approve all contracts over $100,000.
www.propublica.org
April 11, 2025 at 5:58 PM
NEW: Whooping cough is killing babies. It’s not just measles cases that are soaring as vaccine rates decline. And the Trump administration recently cut $11 billion from state and local agencies on the front lines of protecting Americans from outbreaks. www.propublica.org/article/whoo...
“Not Just Measles”: Whooping Cough Cases Are Soaring as Vaccine Rates Decline
While much of the country is focused on the spiraling measles outbreak, experts warn that whooping cough and other preventable diseases could get much worse with falling vaccination rates and Trump’s ...
www.propublica.org
April 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Reposted by Patricia Callahan
SCOOP: The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations @sheinvestigates.bsky.social
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the nation’s top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
www.propublica.org
March 28, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by Patricia Callahan
From November: A Q&A with the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, Peter Marks, amid a fresh wave of disinformation. Today he was pushed out. via @statnews.com
A Q&A with the FDA’s top vaccine regulator amid a fresh wave of disinformation
A fresh wave of disinformation about vaccines is flaring amid the 2024 campaign. The FDA's top vaccine official believes transparency about the agency's regulatory role is crucial.
www.statnews.com
March 29, 2025 at 1:33 AM
My latest story: The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations. The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary RFK Jr. www.propublica.org/article/meas...
The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations
The move — along with the CDC’s explanation — is a sign that the nation’s top public health agency may be falling in line under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of vaccines.
www.propublica.org
March 28, 2025 at 9:57 PM