A rabid fox that bit a man in Wake County, North Carolina, tested positive for rabies. Animal Control captured the fox after it attacked near Pulley Town Road and Thornburg Drive in Wake Forest. This is the fourth rabies incident in the county this month, prompting health officials...
North Carolina reported its first measles case in 2024, prompting a high alert in multiple hospitals. The infected child visited several public locations, increasing the risk of transmission. Measles is highly contagious, and while US vaccination rates are generally high, they fall short of herd immunity levels in some...
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s revamped CDC vaccine advisory panel narrowly approved Merck's Enflonsia (clesrovimab), a monoclonal antibody for RSV prevention in infants. The vote, following FDA approval, was contentious, with dissenting voices citing concerns about overmedicalization. The panel, criticized for its politically aligned members, will next consider the...
The CDC's vaccine advisory committee, now with RFK Jr.-appointed members, recommended a new RSV monoclonal antibody shot for infants under 8 months. A 5-2 vote favored Merck's clesrovimab for infants not protected by maternal vaccines. The committee also unanimously updated the Vaccines for Children program to include this...
A century after vaccine contamination deaths, the preservative thimerosal, containing mercury, was removed from most vaccines in 1999 despite lacking evidence of harm. This decision, driven by concerns about potential neurotoxicity, was made even though ethylmercury in thimerosal is less harmful than methylmercury. Recently, the CDC's vaccine advisory...
A member of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s revamped federal vaccine advisory committee, Dr. Michael Ross, withdrew after a conflict of interest review of his private healthcare company holdings. Kennedy had previously dismissed all previous members, citing conflicts. While a spokesperson claims a comprehensive review occurred, concerns remain...
A New Jersey lifeguard was hospitalized Wednesday morning after being impaled by an umbrella at the beach. The umbrella stake pierced her shoulder and exited her arm. Fellow lifeguards provided initial treatment before fire department personnel arrived, cut the stake, and stabilized her. Paramedics transported the conscious and alert...
A newly appointed federal vaccine advisory committee, led by Martin Kulldorff, is reviewing the childhood vaccination schedule and decades-old vaccines. Concerns have arisen due to the committee's skepticism towards vaccines, including the chair's past criticism of pandemic measures. The committee will examine the cumulative effects of childhood vaccines and...
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is facing upheaval. Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 previous members and appointed eight new ones, sparking concerns about the committee's expertise and potential conflicts of interest. Public health experts warn of...
A new study reveals a 66% decrease in overall heart disease death rates among American adults aged 25+ over the past five decades, with heart attack deaths dropping nearly 90%. However, deaths from other heart diseases like arrhythmia, heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease increased by 81%. This rise...
