Recent Posts
Social•Feb 18, 2026
Pharma Demands FDA Stability as Leadership Sparks Drama
The pharmaceutical industry needs stability & clear guidance from #FDA as it attempts to bring through licensure new drugs & vaccines. Vinay Prasad, FDA's head of biologics, has brought drama to a setting where it's not welcome, @matthewherper.bsky.social writes. https://t.co/Qaw1QmYNpL
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 18, 2026
FDA Relents, Agrees to Review Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine
#FDA backs down on #Moderna: The agency had refused to review the company's licensure application for an mRNA flu vaccine, but after significant pushback has relented. https://t.co/omo7bEBQGW
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 14, 2026
Flu Kills 66 Kids; 90% Were Unvaccinated
1. Time for a #flu & #measles update. Six more kids have died from flu, bringing the year-to-date total to 66. Sadly there will be more deaths reported but hopefully this year doesn't approach last year's dreadful pediatric death toll. #CDC...
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 13, 2026
NIH Shifts Funding Away From Pandemic Preparedness
#NIH to deprioritize pandemic preparedness and biodefense research, @nature.com reports, saying director Jay Bhattacharya wants to focus on known diseases, not possible future threats. What could possibly go wrong? https://t.co/6TpLr6pY3B https://t.co/7rVzvkOzkT
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 6, 2026
Flu B Surge Kills 8 More Children, 90% Unvaccinated
1. Some news about #flu & #measles in the US: 8 more kids have died from flu this winter. That brings the pediatric death toll to 60 & flu season isn't over. Flu B activity seems to be increasing & flu...
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 6, 2026
Dropping Vaccines Revives Disease Risk in Schools
The danger of adopting a Danish-style vax schedule: "When we remove a vaccine like the meningococcal shot from the routine schedule, we aren’t just changing a line on a chart. We are inviting previously well-controlled diseases back into our high...
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 3, 2026
FDA Leadership Seeks to Calm Staff over Fast‑track Voucher
#FDA leadership tried today to assuage the concerns of staff over a controversial fast-track program for approving drugs, the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher, @LizzyLaw_ reports. https://t.co/wsvL9gTBhr
By Helen Branswell
Social•Feb 2, 2026
Dutch Dairy Farm Reports Multiple H5N1‑positive Cows
5 more dairy cows tested positive for #H5N1 #birdflu antibodies on the Dutch farm where a previous cow tested positive. No surprise that if 1 was positive, others would be too. This dairy farm is the first outside the US...
By Helen Branswell
Social•Jan 30, 2026
Nipah Risk Moderate Locally, Low Globally, Not Like Covid
For those worried about #Nipah virus: Yes, it's a dangerous disease. Yes, India has recently reported 2 cases. But Nipah doesn't spread as easily as Covid. "WHO assesses the risk posed by Nipah to be moderate at the sub-national level, and...
By Helen Branswell
Social•Jan 30, 2026
Funding Uncertainty Threatens Future US Science Talent
With continued uncertainty over federal government support for biomedical research, PhD students are struggling to find labs willing to take on new students, @JonathanWosen reports. New students are the future of US science. https://t.co/1eeq2PAbCm
By Helen Branswell
Social•Jan 29, 2026
Anti‑vax Groups Target State Vaccine Mandates After CDC List
#CDC sets the list of vaccinations recommended for all kids. But decisions about which inoculations kids require for school entry are made at the state level. Anti-vax forces are shifting their focus there @danielpayne.bsky.social & @isabellacueto.bsky.social report. https://t.co/9VPajcWzdI
By Helen Branswell
Social•Jan 29, 2026
Vaccines Strain Pediatric Practices, Not Boost Doctor Profits
People who oppose #vaccines often claim that doctors push them because they're paid to by Pharma or that vaccine administration is a big revenue source for doctors. The reality: Delivering vaccine puts an economic strain on many pediatric practices. https://t.co/cyJj1M2SPB
By Helen Branswell