@reflexhammer.bsky.social
🇺🇸 physician, now in 🇨🇦. Committed to democracy.
Pinned
I suddenly have a bunch of followers. Welcome!
I am a physician who sees patients each day. I have past experience in federal government, public health, and biosecurity (the field that deals with global threats to health).
I am a physician who sees patients each day. I have past experience in federal government, public health, and biosecurity (the field that deals with global threats to health).
Reposted
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 AM
CDC has overhauled its website to assert that “the claim ‘vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim”
I will be joining a "No Kings" protest tomorrow (since Canada is a constitutional monarchy, here it is called "No Tyrants"). I hope you will join one in your community, too.
October 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I will be joining a "No Kings" protest tomorrow (since Canada is a constitutional monarchy, here it is called "No Tyrants"). I hope you will join one in your community, too.
Seeing posts that the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service has been (illegally) fired by the Trump Administration. These are the elite disease detectives that are deployed to investigate outbreaks around the world.
It's a real loss as far as our ability to detect and combat the next pandemic.
It's a real loss as far as our ability to detect and combat the next pandemic.
Seen on LinkedIn: “Staff at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention across multiple programs being fired tonight, including all current (civilian) Epidemic Intelligence Service, and several people working on the Ebola response.”
October 11, 2025 at 2:28 AM
Seeing posts that the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service has been (illegally) fired by the Trump Administration. These are the elite disease detectives that are deployed to investigate outbreaks around the world.
It's a real loss as far as our ability to detect and combat the next pandemic.
It's a real loss as far as our ability to detect and combat the next pandemic.
US followers: There is a new next-generation COVID vaccine from Moderna called mNexspike that is superior to the other COVID vaccines. It is slightly more effective at protecting from COVID, it confers immunity for more months, and it causes fewer side effects. It is approved age 12 and up.
September 17, 2025 at 2:41 AM
US followers: There is a new next-generation COVID vaccine from Moderna called mNexspike that is superior to the other COVID vaccines. It is slightly more effective at protecting from COVID, it confers immunity for more months, and it causes fewer side effects. It is approved age 12 and up.
After days of trying, a physician friend in California can't get a COVID vaccine for her unvaccinated infant. We're improvising a way for her to obtain an adult dose of Moderna vaccine (which only comes in a pre-filled glass syringe), draw off a portion of it, and administer that instead.
September 6, 2025 at 3:48 AM
After days of trying, a physician friend in California can't get a COVID vaccine for her unvaccinated infant. We're improvising a way for her to obtain an adult dose of Moderna vaccine (which only comes in a pre-filled glass syringe), draw off a portion of it, and administer that instead.
Reposted
An entire lineage of influenza B viruses literally went extinct due to COVID mitigation measures and people will still say “masks don’t work”
I don't know if regular people will ever realize how insane it was that we literally did not have a flu or RSV season in January 2021.
January 20, 2025 at 7:35 PM
An entire lineage of influenza B viruses literally went extinct due to COVID mitigation measures and people will still say “masks don’t work”
As expected, RFK has populated ACIP with antivaxxers. Expect federal vaccine recommendations to be withdrawn. A significant number of people will likely lose insurance coverage for vaccines by next year.
June 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
As expected, RFK has populated ACIP with antivaxxers. Expect federal vaccine recommendations to be withdrawn. A significant number of people will likely lose insurance coverage for vaccines by next year.
Former CDC director @drtomfrieden.bsky.social weighs in
We’ll look back at this as a grave mistake that sacrificed decades of scientific rigor, undermined public trust, and opened the door for fringe theories rather than facts to guide the recommendations that doctors rely on to protect patients.
June 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Former CDC director @drtomfrieden.bsky.social weighs in
Reposted
Nobody believed us when we warned them RFK Jr.’s endgame is to eliminate all vaccines. They told us we were histrionic and hysterical. I’ve been watching RFK Jr. for 20 years. He’s antivax to the core. He really means it, and NOTHING will change his mind. He will do all he can to eliminate vaccines.
June 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Nobody believed us when we warned them RFK Jr.’s endgame is to eliminate all vaccines. They told us we were histrionic and hysterical. I’ve been watching RFK Jr. for 20 years. He’s antivax to the core. He really means it, and NOTHING will change his mind. He will do all he can to eliminate vaccines.
I can't read the article due to paywall.
This is quite bad news for vaccine access. ACIP is the CDC's advisory panel that issues vaccine recommendations. Their recommendations largely determine what vaccines insurance will pay for. Presumably RFK will install only antivaxxers on the panel.
This is quite bad news for vaccine access. ACIP is the CDC's advisory panel that issues vaccine recommendations. Their recommendations largely determine what vaccines insurance will pay for. Presumably RFK will install only antivaxxers on the panel.
In a WSJ editorial, RFK Jr removes all ACIP panel members, citing conflicts of interest and the fact that some were lawfully appointed by the Biden Administration.
*KENNEDY REMOVING ALL MEMBERS OF CDC PANEL ADVISING ON VACCINES
*KENNEDY REMOVING ALL MEMBERS OF CDC PANEL ADVISING ON VACCINES
Opinion | RFK Jr.: HHS Moves to Restore Public Trust in Vaccines
We’re reconstituting an advisory committee to avoid conflicts of interest.
www.wsj.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I can't read the article due to paywall.
This is quite bad news for vaccine access. ACIP is the CDC's advisory panel that issues vaccine recommendations. Their recommendations largely determine what vaccines insurance will pay for. Presumably RFK will install only antivaxxers on the panel.
This is quite bad news for vaccine access. ACIP is the CDC's advisory panel that issues vaccine recommendations. Their recommendations largely determine what vaccines insurance will pay for. Presumably RFK will install only antivaxxers on the panel.
COVID vaccine remains on the CDC's immunization schedule, despite RFK's announcement that he was unilaterally removing it.
Incompetence? Subtle pushback from the CDC?
Incompetence? Subtle pushback from the CDC?
Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age
Guide health care providers in determining recommended vaccines for each age group.
www.cdc.gov
May 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
COVID vaccine remains on the CDC's immunization schedule, despite RFK's announcement that he was unilaterally removing it.
Incompetence? Subtle pushback from the CDC?
Incompetence? Subtle pushback from the CDC?
I see this as a test case. RFK is seeing if he can get away with this, before unilaterally revoking the recommendations for more vaccines in the future.
Vaccine recommendations matter because they dictate what vaccines insurance will cover. It is all part of the multi-pronged assault on vaccines.
Vaccine recommendations matter because they dictate what vaccines insurance will cover. It is all part of the multi-pronged assault on vaccines.
RFK Jr. rolls back Covid vaccine recommendations for healthy children, pregnant people www.statnews.com/2025/05/27/c... via @statnews.com
RFK Jr. rolls back Covid vaccine recommendations for healthy children, pregnant people
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he has unilaterally struck the recommendation that healthy children and healthy pregnant people get Covid booster shots.
www.statnews.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I see this as a test case. RFK is seeing if he can get away with this, before unilaterally revoking the recommendations for more vaccines in the future.
Vaccine recommendations matter because they dictate what vaccines insurance will cover. It is all part of the multi-pronged assault on vaccines.
Vaccine recommendations matter because they dictate what vaccines insurance will cover. It is all part of the multi-pronged assault on vaccines.
An underappreciated point that this article makes: Makary and Prasad were chosen for their positions at FDA *because* they are anti-vaccine, and loudly so. That is essentially their only qualification.
Opinion | The far-right learned to weaponize Covid. And it's about to effect all of us.
With the current leadership at FDA and HHS, the incentives are simply stacked against humane vaccine policy.
www.msnbc.com
May 23, 2025 at 9:10 PM
An underappreciated point that this article makes: Makary and Prasad were chosen for their positions at FDA *because* they are anti-vaccine, and loudly so. That is essentially their only qualification.
@enirenberg.bsky.social is live-tweeting the VRBPAC meeting (FDA advisory committee vaccines).
The members have a tough choice: do they recommend that we continue to use our current vaccine, which is not so well matched to current trains, or recommend an updated vaccine that risks rejection by FDA?
The members have a tough choice: do they recommend that we continue to use our current vaccine, which is not so well matched to current trains, or recommend an updated vaccine that risks rejection by FDA?
All voting VRBPAC members have recommended a monovalent JN.1 lineage vaccine for the 2025-2026 formulation;
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.
This does not mean that JN.1 itself will be the spike in the vaccine- JN.1 lineage includes many subvariants including LP.8.1 etc. VRBPAC is discussing which one would be best now.
May 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
@enirenberg.bsky.social is live-tweeting the VRBPAC meeting (FDA advisory committee vaccines).
The members have a tough choice: do they recommend that we continue to use our current vaccine, which is not so well matched to current trains, or recommend an updated vaccine that risks rejection by FDA?
The members have a tough choice: do they recommend that we continue to use our current vaccine, which is not so well matched to current trains, or recommend an updated vaccine that risks rejection by FDA?
Moderna is (temporarily?) withdrawing its FDA application for its newly-developed combo COVID/flu vaccine.
Moderna published a study suggesting that the vaccine provides superior protection against COVID compared to current vaccines.
A real loss, thanks to the antivaxx ghouls who now run the FDA.
Moderna published a study suggesting that the vaccine provides superior protection against COVID compared to current vaccines.
A real loss, thanks to the antivaxx ghouls who now run the FDA.
Moderna Provides Update on BLA Submission for Combination Vaccine Against Influenza and COVID-19
CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / May 21, 2025 / Moderna, Inc. (Nasdaq:MRNA), today announced that in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Company has voluntarily withdra...
investors.modernatx.com
May 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Moderna is (temporarily?) withdrawing its FDA application for its newly-developed combo COVID/flu vaccine.
Moderna published a study suggesting that the vaccine provides superior protection against COVID compared to current vaccines.
A real loss, thanks to the antivaxx ghouls who now run the FDA.
Moderna published a study suggesting that the vaccine provides superior protection against COVID compared to current vaccines.
A real loss, thanks to the antivaxx ghouls who now run the FDA.
To summarize a bit:
-The COVID vaccine remains quite important for people of all ages to receive. COVID infection and reinfection causes cumulative, progressive damage to the body, It causes organ damage, immune dysfunction, and brain injury.
[THREAD]
-The COVID vaccine remains quite important for people of all ages to receive. COVID infection and reinfection causes cumulative, progressive damage to the body, It causes organ damage, immune dysfunction, and brain injury.
[THREAD]
May 21, 2025 at 1:32 AM
To summarize a bit:
-The COVID vaccine remains quite important for people of all ages to receive. COVID infection and reinfection causes cumulative, progressive damage to the body, It causes organ damage, immune dysfunction, and brain injury.
[THREAD]
-The COVID vaccine remains quite important for people of all ages to receive. COVID infection and reinfection causes cumulative, progressive damage to the body, It causes organ damage, immune dysfunction, and brain injury.
[THREAD]
US COVID vaccine update: The Trump-appointed ghouls running the FDA have published a piece in NEJM.
Their plan will make it difficult for people to receive COVID shots if they are under the age of 65.
Their plan will make it difficult for people to receive COVID shots if they are under the age of 65.
An Evidence-Based Approach to Covid-19 Vaccination | NEJM
This article from the FDA compares broad U.S. recommendations on Covid vaccination with those from other countries and announces the adoption of an evidence-based approach to such recommendations.
www.nejm.org
May 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
US COVID vaccine update: The Trump-appointed ghouls running the FDA have published a piece in NEJM.
Their plan will make it difficult for people to receive COVID shots if they are under the age of 65.
Their plan will make it difficult for people to receive COVID shots if they are under the age of 65.
COVID vaccine update: The European Medical Agency (EMA) is recommending that COVID vaccines be updated to target the newest emerging variant (LP.8.1) .
By comparison, the WHO says it is OK to keep vaccines as is.
I agree with the EMA's recommendations here.
By comparison, the WHO says it is OK to keep vaccines as is.
I agree with the EMA's recommendations here.
ETF recommends updating COVID-19 vaccines to target new LP.8.1 variant | European Medicines Agency (EMA)
Updated vaccines will help maintain protection against disease as virus continues to evolve
www.ema.europa.eu
May 20, 2025 at 12:23 AM
COVID vaccine update: The European Medical Agency (EMA) is recommending that COVID vaccines be updated to target the newest emerging variant (LP.8.1) .
By comparison, the WHO says it is OK to keep vaccines as is.
I agree with the EMA's recommendations here.
By comparison, the WHO says it is OK to keep vaccines as is.
I agree with the EMA's recommendations here.
FDA approved Novavax, with significant restrictions. This is mostly bad news as far as vaccine access.
It is now FDA approved for 65+ y/o, and for 12 - 64 y/o "who have at least one underlying condition
that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19."
It is now FDA approved for 65+ y/o, and for 12 - 64 y/o "who have at least one underlying condition
that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19."
F.D.A. Approves Novavax Covid Vaccine With Stricter New Conditions
www.nytimes.com
May 18, 2025 at 3:52 PM
FDA approved Novavax, with significant restrictions. This is mostly bad news as far as vaccine access.
It is now FDA approved for 65+ y/o, and for 12 - 64 y/o "who have at least one underlying condition
that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19."
It is now FDA approved for 65+ y/o, and for 12 - 64 y/o "who have at least one underlying condition
that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19."
Reposted
Do *not* underestimate RFK Jr.'s determination to eliminate *all* vaccines, as he was lying through his teeth when he said he didn't want to take away anyone's vaccines. He *will* find ways to eliminate them. First, he will try to delicense specific vaccines, likely starting with HPV or hep B.
May 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Do *not* underestimate RFK Jr.'s determination to eliminate *all* vaccines, as he was lying through his teeth when he said he didn't want to take away anyone's vaccines. He *will* find ways to eliminate them. First, he will try to delicense specific vaccines, likely starting with HPV or hep B.
Will there be COVID vaccines available in the US this fall? This is becoming a very complicated picture. A summary:
-Currently, Pfizer and Moderna are FDA approved for those 12 years old and up.
-Pediatric versions of Pfizer and Moderna are only available via emergency use authorization. [...]
-Currently, Pfizer and Moderna are FDA approved for those 12 years old and up.
-Pediatric versions of Pfizer and Moderna are only available via emergency use authorization. [...]
Federal Officials May Limit Recommendations for Covid Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Will there be COVID vaccines available in the US this fall? This is becoming a very complicated picture. A summary:
-Currently, Pfizer and Moderna are FDA approved for those 12 years old and up.
-Pediatric versions of Pfizer and Moderna are only available via emergency use authorization. [...]
-Currently, Pfizer and Moderna are FDA approved for those 12 years old and up.
-Pediatric versions of Pfizer and Moderna are only available via emergency use authorization. [...]
Reposted
Death rates in pregnancy DOUBLED during 2020-2021, and there are mountains of evidence showing COVID infection leads to significantly worse outcomes for pregnancy & baby. There are also mountains of evidence showing COVID vaccination has no adverse effects on pregnancy or baby but does protect them.
HHS to Stop Recommending Routine Covid Shots for Children, Pregnant Women
Exclusive | HHS to Stop Recommending Routine Covid Shots for Children, Pregnant Women
CDC currently recommends that everyone six months and older receive the vaccines
www.wsj.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Death rates in pregnancy DOUBLED during 2020-2021, and there are mountains of evidence showing COVID infection leads to significantly worse outcomes for pregnancy & baby. There are also mountains of evidence showing COVID vaccination has no adverse effects on pregnancy or baby but does protect them.
The WHO issued recommendations for vaccine manufacturers worldwide as to what virus strain to use in their fall COVID vaccines.
They essentially recommend using the same strains as in 2024-2025.
I interpret this as both good and bad news.
They essentially recommend using the same strains as in 2024-2025.
I interpret this as both good and bad news.
Statement on the antigen composition of COVID-19 vaccines
The TAG-CO-VAC reconvened on 6-7 May 2025 to review the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2; immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination; the performance of currentl...
www.who.int
May 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The WHO issued recommendations for vaccine manufacturers worldwide as to what virus strain to use in their fall COVID vaccines.
They essentially recommend using the same strains as in 2024-2025.
I interpret this as both good and bad news.
They essentially recommend using the same strains as in 2024-2025.
I interpret this as both good and bad news.
This pick is a disaster.
Prasad is a thin-skinned, academically-dishonest sellout who despises public health and vaccines. He also is a jerk.
Now he is in charge of reviewing our vaccines and biologics. God help us.
Prasad is a thin-skinned, academically-dishonest sellout who despises public health and vaccines. He also is a jerk.
Now he is in charge of reviewing our vaccines and biologics. God help us.
Vinay Prasad, who made a name for himself throughout the pandemic for casting doubt on clinical trials, is now the director of FDA's CBER (which reviews new vaccines and therapies).
May 6, 2025 at 10:04 PM
This pick is a disaster.
Prasad is a thin-skinned, academically-dishonest sellout who despises public health and vaccines. He also is a jerk.
Now he is in charge of reviewing our vaccines and biologics. God help us.
Prasad is a thin-skinned, academically-dishonest sellout who despises public health and vaccines. He also is a jerk.
Now he is in charge of reviewing our vaccines and biologics. God help us.
My thoughts on new obstacles the US govt is imposing on updated vaccines:
By law, RFK can overrule the FDA's decision of whether to approve a new (or updated) vaccine. But that would invite legal challenges and look bad. What if the goal is to make it near-impossible to even apply for approval? ...
By law, RFK can overrule the FDA's decision of whether to approve a new (or updated) vaccine. But that would invite legal challenges and look bad. What if the goal is to make it near-impossible to even apply for approval? ...
RFK Jr. to require placebo-controlled studies for new vaccines
The Department of Health and Human Services says it will require new vaccines to be tested against a placebo, which could complicate and delay Food and Drug Administration approval of many vaccines.
www.npr.org
May 2, 2025 at 2:33 AM
My thoughts on new obstacles the US govt is imposing on updated vaccines:
By law, RFK can overrule the FDA's decision of whether to approve a new (or updated) vaccine. But that would invite legal challenges and look bad. What if the goal is to make it near-impossible to even apply for approval? ...
By law, RFK can overrule the FDA's decision of whether to approve a new (or updated) vaccine. But that would invite legal challenges and look bad. What if the goal is to make it near-impossible to even apply for approval? ...