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Alexander Tin
@alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
14K followers 900 following 2K posts
Reported for CBS News in D.C. on federal public health. Raised in sunny Nevada. Decided to move overseas to be near family.
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alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Thank you
Today is my last day at CBS News. I’m so grateful for everyone who trusted me with their stories. Thank you for being generous with your time, helping us cover the news in a way that I hope was accurate and fair. To my colleagues at CBS, thank you for memories I will never forget. I’ve been lucky to have so many opportunities to grow as a journalist and colleague. What’s next for me: I’ll be moving overseas and won't have access to my work cell phone (202-381-7107) or email (TinA@CBSNews.com) anymore. But you’ll still be able to reach me on Signal (alexandertin.202).
July 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Why did CDC take down its evidence review debunking fears thimerosal was causing autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders?

Dr. Robert Malone told ACIP today its publication had not been authorized by Secy Kennedy's office

w/ Sara Moniuszko

www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Ahead of the meeting, the CDC removed a review the agency previously posted on its website that debunked claims about how the preservative could cause autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. "My understanding is that article was not authorized by the Office of the Secretary, and has been removed consequent. I'm sure that the Office of the Secretary will make note of your comment," panelist Dr. Robert Malone said. Malone was responding to a question from Phyllis Arthur of Bio, a trade group that represents vaccinemakers, who had called for the CDC's evidence review to be restored to the website.
June 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
The CDC tells us 36 cases (3%) of measles so far this year had been vaccinated with ≥2 doses before they were exposed

None of cases hospitalized and 83% ages 20 and older

In TX, we heard Monday all 2+ vaccinated cases in children were 8 and younger

www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
Q3. How many of the 36 cases have been in older adults or in young children? Of the 36 cases, none were younger than 5 years old; 5 (14%) were ages 5-19 years; 30 (83%) were ages 20 years and older; and 1 (3%) had an unknown age. Q4. Have any of the cases been hospitalized? None of the measles cases hospitalized this year had documented evidence of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles and its complications. Disease symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people. People who are vaccinated are also less likely to spread the disease to other people. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. People should consult with their healthcare provider to understand their options to get a vaccine and should be informed about the potential risks and benefits associated with vaccines.
June 18, 2025 at 12:22 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
We've updated our story with more details about Secy Kennedy's picks to be CDC's vaccine advisers

For example, GWU told us Dr Michael A Ross hasn't been a professor there since 2017. VCU says he was an "affiliate faculty member" until 2021

www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Ross is described by Kennedy as an obstetrics and gynecology professor at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University, though his name does not appear on directories for either university. "Dr. Michael Ross has not held a faculty appointment at the George Washington University since 2017," Katelyn Deckelbaum, a spokesperson for the university, told CBS News in an email. Deckelbaum said that Ross was previously a clinical professor, but stopped teaching medical students or residents at the university. A spokesperson for Virginia Commonwealth University, Leila Ugincius, said Ross "was an affiliate faculty member" through the university's regional campus at Inova, a hospital system in the D.C. area. "Inova was a regional campus for the VCU School of Medicine at that time. That campus relationship ended in 2021, as did Dr. Ross' faculty status with VCU," Ugincius said in an email.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
HHS had previously told members of Congress and stakeholders, in an "ACIP FAQ" that Secy Kennedy would

"be appointing scientists, public health experts, and doctors to ensure balanced membership in terms of the points of view represented"

tinalexander.github.io/notes/2025/0...
How Will HHS Ensure Balance of Views Being Represented When Filling All New Member Seats? We will be appointing scientists, public health experts, and doctors to ensure balanced membership in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed so that all vaccine recommendations are made without bias
June 11, 2025 at 11:45 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
This evening, a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices told us they received "formal notice of your immediate termination"

"This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Secy Kennedy's move

www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
"Per the June 9, 2025 directive from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this email serves as formal notice of your immediate termination as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). We appreciate your prior service and commitment," read an email to one committee member from the CDC. "This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Kennedy's move.
June 9, 2025 at 11:56 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
The CDC has stepped up its warning about the risk of measles while traveling

It comes after at least 62 reports of travelers contagious with virus, including at least 1 situation determined to be spread within airplane

www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-mea...
Source: emailed statement Attribution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Date: received May 30, 2025 From January 1 to May 26, 2025, CDC received 62 reports of travelers who were infectious with measles while traveling on an airplane. CDC initiated airplane contact investigations for 50 of these travelers because they traveled into the United States or between U.S. states and territories while infectious with measles. There has been only one situation during this period in which measles appeared to have been transmitted during air travel (i.e., a confirmed case of measles identified in an airplane passenger who was seated near a traveler with infectious measles on an airplane). Exposures at the airport itself are more difficult to track, and state, local, and territorial health departments lead these investigations.
May 30, 2025 at 5:31 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
For pregnant women, CDC now lists COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy as "No Guidance/Not Applicable"

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp...
A screenshot of a table that reads: "Ages 19 Years or Older Legend Recommended vaccination for adults who meet age requirement, lack documentation of vaccination, or lack evidence of immunity Recommended vaccination for adults with an additional risk factor or another indication Recommended vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making No Guidance/Not Applicable Vaccine Pregnancy Immuno-compromised (excluding HIV infection) HIV infection CD4 percentage and count Men who have sex with men Asplenia, complement deficiency Heart or lung disease Kidney failure, End-stage renal disease or on dialysis Chronic liver disease; alcoholisma Diabetes Health care Personnelb <15% or <200/mm3 ≥15% and ≥200/mm3 COVID-19 more info icon. See Notes"
May 30, 2025 at 2:33 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Following Secy Kennedy's announcement

The CDC has now updated its childhood immunization schedule, which now says

"children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination"

www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-kid...
A screenshot of text that reads: "Shared clinical decision-making Ages 6 month –17 years who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised. Shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian. Where the parent presents with a desire for their child to be vaccinated, children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances. https://www.cdc.gov/acip/vaccine-recommendations/shared-clinical-decision-making.html"
May 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Multiple current and former federal health officials we spoke to raised issues with the report

They said it misstated facts and left out some well-documented drivers of childhood disease, like preterm birth and reducing sodium

www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Multiple current and former federal health officials raised a number of issues with the report, which they said misstated several facts and left out several already well-documented drivers known to be causing chronic disease in children that health authorities are already working to address. Those efforts, they warned, such as work to avert lead poisoning in children, are now under-resourced in the wake of massive layoffs and further proposed budget cuts. "This document makes it seem like we don't know what makes people sick," one federal health official said in a message, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Two officials pointed out maternal health and preterm birth was left out of the report, which is known to lead to a number of health problems and can be prevented through steps like quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and getting early prenatal care. Smoking, and the need for broader efforts to prevent youth use of nicotine products, was also not mentioned in the report.
May 22, 2025 at 4:27 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
The FDA is ordering Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna to expand warnings about myocarditis/pericarditis from their shots

HHS told us:

"Americans deserve radical transparency around the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines and the FDA is delivering"

www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cov...
It is unclear whether Pfizer or Moderna disputed the order. They had "within 30 calendar days of the date of this letter" to try to rebut the demand. Spokespeople for Moderna and Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "Americans deserve radical transparency around the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines and the FDA is delivering on their promise to do just that. Spikevax and Comirnaty should take steps to ensure that individuals are aware of COVID vaccine-related adverse events resulting in myocarditis and pericarditis," Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, told CBS News in an email. Nixon did not explain why the letters were posted more than a month after they were written. They appeared on the FDA's website hours ahead of a hearing organized by the Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on "how health officials downplayed and hid myocarditis and other adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccines."
May 21, 2025 at 4:38 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
The FDA will continue approving COVID-19 vaccine updates, based on immunogenicity, for seniors and other with an underlying condition

Dr Vinay Prasad said he thinks interim results on new placebo studies for others could be out "by next calendar year"

www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-v...
Vinay Prasad, FDA [13:32:01] And there's another lesson there, which is that change in medicine isn't always easy. You know, there are lots of advances in medicine that aren't always easy. And I think there's going to be some people out there who are concerned about various aspects of our framework, but ultimately I do think this is a step forward. And a lot of these questions will be answered by next calendar year when we start to get the interim results of some of these studies back, and we will have more information to tell the American people and the results of these studies could surprise everybody. We don't know what the-- that's the whole point of running a study. You don't know what you're going to get.
May 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Officials at multiple HHS agencies have been ordered to mail out new termination letters to probationary employees

They had previously been on paid leave, amid court battles over their fate. A spokesperson told us

"This is nothing of a surprise."

www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-to-...
Source: emailed statement Attribution: Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Date: received May 9, 2025 This is nothing of a surprise. These probationary employees were previously told in February that their jobs were impacted. This is the final step of the process where they receive their final notice.
May 9, 2025 at 4:54 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
We've updated to include:

more details (e.g. one at FDA heard bonuses coming May 23)

reply from HHS that it's "fake news" and is "honoring all awards it is obligated to pay"

"Everyone will get the deal they made with the Trump Administration"

www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-to-...
A screenshot of text that reads: "Some employees at agencies where human resources offices are not directly controlled by the department, like at the National Institutes of Health, were able to receive their bonuses. An employee for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said they had yet to receive guidance about when the bonuses would be paid. One Food and Drug Administration employee said they had been told that their bonuses would be paid out around May 23. In a post on X after this story was published, HHS said it was "fake news" and said that the department "is honoring all awards that it is obligated to pay, including to separated employees." The department said that this includes employees who took buyout or early retirement offers. "Everyone will get the deal they made with the Trump Administration," HHS said."
May 9, 2025 at 11:53 AM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Means has defended her record backing Kennedy “relentlessly pushing for vaccine safety” and said last year

“There is growing evidence that the total burden of the current extreme and growing vaccine schedule is causing health declines in vulnerable children.“

www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-c...
May 8, 2025 at 12:09 AM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
From Secy Kennedy ally Dr Robert Malone, on skepticism from base re: Dr Casey Means' record on vaccines

"The nutritional agenda is a core part of MAHA. It may not be their core part of MAHA. But there's no doubt that it's a central part of the overall mission"

www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-c...
"She's qualified. She's energetic. She's been a good communicator, which is the role of surgeon general. She seems to have good ethical moorings. And she reflects this new thinking about where HHS should be. I think it's a bold pick," Dr. Robert Malone, another close ally of Kennedy, told CBS News. Casey and Calley Means have also earned skepticism from some of Kennedy's anti-vaccine base, who have grown frustrated with what they fear has been Kennedy's drifting attention away from what they hoped would be a ban of several vaccines and towards a crackdown on unhealthy foods and additives like synthetic food dyes. "The nutritional agenda is a core part of MAHA. It may not be their core part of MAHA. But there's no doubt that it's a central part of the overall mission," he said.
May 8, 2025 at 12:01 AM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Some at NIOSH, in 9/11 program, and FDA, in San Francisco & Chicago food safety labs, got notices today officially reversing layoffs

It comes after NIH faced hundreds more layoffs, which we're told was to compensate for reinstatements elsewhere

www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/hhs...
A screenshot of a memo on HHS letterhead that reads: "May 6, 2025 MEMORANDUM FOR: FROM: SUBJECT: You previously received a notice regarding the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) upcoming reduction in force (RIF). That notice is hereby revoked. You will not be affected by the upcoming RIF. If you have any questions, please contact your immediate supervisor or Tom Nagy at Thomas.Nagy@hhs.gov. Tom Nagy, Chief Human Capital Officer Rescission of Previous Notice of Reduction in Force"
May 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
There were hundreds more laid off at NIH on Friday, we're told, including at NCI

Sounds like layoffs were to make up for reinstatements elsewhere

HHS told us "savings from these reductions will help redirect resources toward critical programs"

www.cbsnews.com/news/nih-lay...
After careful review, less than 250 employees across HHS were notified that they are also impacted by the reduction in force announced in March 2025. [...] The savings from these reductions will help redirect resources toward critical programs and strengthen our ability to serve the American people effectively. The goal is clear: reduce waste and maximize the impact of every taxpayer dollar. The simple fact is that the important work of serving the American people will continue without disruption. Because of the reorganization, HHS will be better positioned to meet the needs of those who count on us most.
May 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
We've updated our story to incorporate a response from HHS to our coverage of Friday's layoffs to NIOSH employees

www.cbsnews.com/news/worker-...
HHS responds to NIOSH layoffs HHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday, asking what would happen to the agency's work now that most of its teams had been eliminated. The department had previously said that NIOSH would be absorbed into a new agency called the Administration for a Healthy America. In a post Saturday on X, the department said that firefighter programs were still a top priority and that as "the agency continues to streamline operations, the essential services provided by NIOSH will remain fully intact and uninterrupted." The department also claimed no CDC employees had been terminated on Friday and only a "required notice was sent to NIOSH employees, following the agreed-upon standard process with the union." Laid-off NIOSH workers told CBS News that the department's post was misleading, since workers represented by unions were still on the job until Friday, when they received letters from HHS informing them of the layoffs and that they would be locked out of the agency's buildings. That capped a process which started in late March, after unions received a notice saying that most NIOSH employees could be cut by the end of June. In the past, unions could use that time to negotiate with the department, allowing employees to continue to work during talks that might mitigate or avoid a "reduction in force" of their members. However, unions were unable to initiate negotiations with Kennedy's department to head off the layoff notices Friday. An executive order issued by President Trump ended collective bargaining with unions representing the CDC and some other agencies, which is now being challenged in court.
May 3, 2025 at 4:33 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Nearly all of remaining staff at CDC's NIOSH received lay off notices today, we're told

This is an org chart shared with us illustrating eliminated divisions to date

Cuts had already upended approvals of new N95 respirators and probes of firefighter injuries

www.cbsnews.com/news/worker-...
May 3, 2025 at 1:09 AM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Meanwhile, the CDC did publish a new fact sheet on Thursday on measles treatments

"Other therapies, such as antibiotics should be prescribed based on clinical judgement by an individual healthcare provider."

www.cdc.gov/measles/medi...
Measles Treatment Overview Information for Healthcare Providers Overview • There is no specific antiviral therapy that is FDA-approved for management of measles. • Medical care is generally supportive to help relieve symptoms. • Vitamin A may be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider. • Other therapies, such as antibiotics should be prescribed based on clinical judgement by an individual healthcare provider.
May 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
HHS says all of CDC will be enlisted in "scientific process" with universities

"commitment is to support all families—regardless of their vaccination status—in reducing the risk of hospitalization, serious complications, and death from measles"

tinalexander.github.io/notes/2025/0...
Source: emailed statement Attribution: Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson Date: received May 1, 2025 On background to an HHS spox: The CDC continues to recommend measles vaccination as the most effective way to prevent the disease. At the same time, we recognize that some individuals and communities across the U.S. may choose not to vaccinate. Our commitment is to support all families—regardless of their vaccination status—in reducing the risk of hospitalization, serious complications, and death from measles. Secretary Kennedy will be enlisting the entire agency to activate a scientific process to treat a host of diseases, including measles, with single or multiple existing drugs in combination with vitamins and other modalities. This effort will involve collaboration with universities nationwide to develop protocols, conduct testing, and pursue approval for new uses of safe and effective therapeutics that meet the highest scientific standards.
May 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
A HHS spox tells us Secy Kennedy is asking CDC to develop new guidance for treating measles using drugs, vitamins

Earlier, he said they were developing a worksheet for docs promoting budesonide, clarithromycin and other "very effective" treatments

www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
So we’re doing everything that we can, not only with those populations, like the Mennonites in Gaines county. And I’ve been to Gaines county. I attended a funeral down there of one of the little girls who died, not of measles, but she had had measles. Those– they have religious objections to vaccination and we need to be able to treat them, even though they’re not vaccinated. There are many, many good ways to treat measles and doctors need to know that and to know those methods. And we are developing now a worksheet for doctors to address the epidemic, to address people who have it, not just with vaccination, but actually with budesonide, with clarithromycin, with vitamin A and many, many other treatments that have been shown very effective.
May 1, 2025 at 10:21 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
Some news from Major Garrett's intv of Dr Marty Makary

- sounds like FDA now looking at whether it will still approve updates to COVID shots for next winter

- "really excited" to have Tracy Beth Høeg in process, when asked about her role in Novavax approval

www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cov...
Major Garrett [16:46:39] And for COVID shots for next winter, generally, is the FDA still planning to approve updates to those? Marty Makary, FDA [16:47:01] We’re taking a look. I can’t comment on any particular application. As you know, we have a bunch of applications for those booster shots. Remember, Major, 85% of American healthcare workers said no to the last COVID boosters. So we have a bit of a public trust problem. I think there’s a void of data. And I think rather than allow that void to be filled with opinions, I’d like to see some good data.
April 29, 2025 at 11:44 PM
alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
FDA has faced shortfalls in inspections as a result of layoffs, especially of foreign drugmakers

a broad swath of drug safety work from laid-off labs had also been interrupted, like efforts to check shelf life of medications in nation's stockpile

www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/fda...
FDA drug safety work stalls Multiple current and laid-off FDA employees said the abrupt layoffs had resulted in delays and disruptions to the agency's drug safety work. Virtually all the scientists in the FDA's San Juan and Detroit labs were cut, leaving only labs in New York and Irvine, California. The FDA labs in Detroit and San Juan had also been responsible for checking the shelf life of medical treatments stockpiled by the federal government for the military and pandemics, under a program administered by the Department of Defense. The layoffs also cut chemists based out of the labs who worked as foreign inspectors for the FDA, often assigned to travel with badge-carrying investigators to help with more complex or urgent frontline inspections of drugmakers. Some of the agency's work to detect and investigate fraudulent medical products had also effectively stalled, they said, amid complications around transferring the custody of the samples and a backlog of work that predated the April 1 layoffs. The FDA's labs had already been struggling with new hurdles to purchasing that had slowed their work, as staff waited for weeks in some cases for supply orders, officials said.
April 29, 2025 at 12:24 AM