Good morning everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of deadlines, online meetings and phone calls has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. So time to give it a nudge in a better direction by brewing cups of stimulation. Our choice today is mint chocolate chip. Sweets for the sweet, you know? Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest to start you on your journey, which we hope is meaningful and productive. Best of luck and do keep in touch…
The Annals of Internal Medicine, an influential U.S. medical journal, is rejecting a call from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to retract a large Danish study that found that aluminum ingredients in vaccines do not increase health risks for children, Reuters reports. Kennedy has long promoted doubts about vaccine safety and efficacy, and as health secretary has upended the federal government’s process for recommending immunization. A recent report indicated he has been considering whether to initiate a review of shots that contain aluminum, which he says are linked to autoimmune diseases and allergies. The study, which was funded by the Danish government and published in the July issue of the journal, analyzed nationwide registry data for more than 1.2 million children over more than two decades. It did not find evidence that exposure to aluminum in vaccines had caused an increased risk for autoimmune, atopic or allergic, or neurodevelopmental disorders.
Vinay Prasad is returning to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to resume his role overseeing vaccine, gene therapy, and blood product regulation, STAT tells us. It is not clear whether Prasad will also still serve as chief medical and scientific officer. He left the agency two weeks ago, amid escalating tensions related to a gene therapy product for Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy made by Sarepta Therapeutics and a campaign launched by right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, in which she criticized Prasad’s previous posts describing himself as liberal. The backlash culminated in his ouster at the end of July, which CNN reported came directly from White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who apparently wanted to protect President Trump from having to answer for Prasad’s prior political statements. The move, went directly against health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA commissioner Marty Makary’s wishes.
This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers
Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts.
Already have an account? Log in
To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.
