BREAKING — Trump is planning to sign an executive order today that calls for spacing out childhood vaccines, breaking the MMR into three separate shots and making other key vaccine changes. @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

Trump administration order would upend nation’s childhood vaccine schedule

The president has pushed to narrow which vaccines are administered to children and split shots up into multiple appointments.

washingtonpost.com

RFK Jr. slated to unveil plan today targeting GRAS loophole that allows chemicals in food supply without notifying federal regulators, according to ppl familiar with the matter. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

RFK Jr. slated to unveil plan targeting loophole that allows chemicals in food supply

The practice known as “generally recognized as safe” allows companies to self-certify the safety of certain food chemicals or substances without strict government oversight.

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icymi: FDA officials raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel slated to meet this week. Despite the flags, HHS chose multiple panelists who promote peptides, an unusual process given FDA staff typically pick their advisers. wapo.st/4wQFIf9

FDA raised conflict of interest concerns ahead of new peptide panel

That panel will meet to weigh whether the agency should allow Americans to have broader access to seven injectable peptides previously restricted over potential safety concerns.

wapo.st

Exclusive: Investigators have linked shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by Taylor Farms as a potential source of contamination in the outbreak of a parasitic illness that has sickened thousands in United States.

Lettuce supplier is potential source of cyclosporiasis outbreak, investigators say

Thousands have been sickened in the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, which has been largely concentrated in southeastern Michigan.

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RFK Jr., a self-professed "big fan" of peptides, wants to expand access to the popular products. FDA career scientists said there isn't enough evidence to do so. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Among our findings: — Federal officials exploring re-creating ACIP — An effort to create a new CDC Office of Science — NIH urging scientists to do vaccine injury research — Analysis of data from a surveillance system remains in hands of health orgs bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social · 2mo ago

NEW: RFK’s public effort to revamp US policy has quieted. But outside public eye, RFK + allies are embedding his agenda in institutions that decide what vaccines get studied, who does the research, and how that becomes policy. @rachelroubein.bsky.social 1/2 www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Before winning the GOP primary for Iowa governor, Zach Lahn attacked Big Ag, a stance once unthinkable for Republicans in the Corn Belt. — He beat a Trump-endorsed candidate. — Lahn had discussed his run with RFK Jr., who was supportive. W/ @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @ence.bsky.social

NEW: White House initially pushed aggressive monitoring of US hantavirus passengers who left Nebraska facility to finish quarantine at home, incl posting armed guards outside homes, before backing off. W @Bradydennis.bsky.social @RachelRoubein.bsky.Social 1/2 www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Officials divided over monitoring of hantavirus passengers who could soon return home

White House officials have been pushing for aggressive monitoring at home for those who return from the quarantine facility, but has retreated from initial proposals. Negotiations are ongoing with sta...

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RFK Jr. wanted a health overhaul led by outsiders. Now some are gone, raising concerns from some MAHA allies about his influence. — Some officials argue leaders, like Wiles, are committed to MAHA & changes are to reduce "unnecessary noise" With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @ddiamond.bsky.social

RFK Jr. promised a health overhaul led by outsiders. Now many are gone.

Trump officials have increasingly swapped out RFK Jr.’s handpicked deputies for people with more traditional experience, seeking to tamp down on health agencies’ controversies ahead of the midterms.

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A plea to Joe Rogan. An appeal to Trump: How Republicans came to embrace psychedelics Veterans and high-ranking officials, like RFK Jr., have pushed the issue. Policy proposals had been sketched out months before Trump sought to elevate the issue www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

How Republicans came to embrace psychedelic drugs

After decades of backing a “war on drugs,” the GOP has warmed to psychedelics for mental health treatment as high-profile backers and veterans tout the drugs.

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Casey Means blamed senators for blocking her nomination, calling it an "act of aggression" against MAHA. Saphier has been openly critical of some of Kennedy's moves on vaccines and Tylenol announcement. @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/laur...

Lauren Weber on X: "Trump pulled Casey Means's embattled nomination for surgeon general. Means told us it came down to "three disgruntled senators" and doesn't represent MAHA's momentum. New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w/ @rachel_roubein @ddiamond https://t.co/FiBizYF8zc" / X

Trump pulled Casey Means's embattled nomination for surgeon general. Means told us it came down to "three disgruntled senators" and doesn't represent MAHA's momentum. New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w/ @rachel_roubein @ddiamond https://t.co/FiBizYF8zc

x.com

Lauren Weber@laurenweberhp.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Trump pulled Casey Means's nomination for surgeon general Means said it came down to "three disgruntled senators" & doesn't represent MAHA's momentum New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Trump pulled Casey Means's nomination for surgeon general Means said it came down to "three disgruntled senators" & doesn't represent MAHA's momentum New pick Nicole Saphier has criticized RFK Jr.'s moves w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Trump drops embattled surgeon general pick Casey Means, announces new nominee

Nicole Saphier, Trump’s third pick for the role, is a radiologist and longtime Fox News contributor. Means’s nomination stalled as some Republicans questioned her credentials and stance on vaccination...

washingtonpost.com

Top GOP senators Bill Cassidy and John Barrasso, both physicians, pressed RFK Jr. on vaccines amid his controversial moves. After the hearing, Cassidy told reporters the secretary’s remarks on immunizations were “illuminating.” Updated w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social below @washingtonpost.com

Lauren Weber@laurenweberhp.bsky.social · 4mo ago

RFK Jr. ends his blitz of congressional hearings with chief GOP antagonist Sen. Bill Cassidy Unpacked with @rachelroubein.bsky.social the political dynamics at play amid their public meeting ahead of the midterms Check back for updates here: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? Pushed by RFK Jr., what’s banned under new food stamp rules has been mixed, leading to maze of new restrictions. www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

KitKat, Gatorade or granola bars? What’s banned under new SNAP rules is mixed.

Many GOP states are enacting soda and candy bans for food stamp purchases amid MAHA’s healthy food efforts. Some retailers and SNAP users find the new rules complicated.

washingtonpost.com

RFK Jr. begins a seven hearing blitz on Capitol Hill this morning. Here’s what we’re watching with updates throughout the day. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Four things to watch as RFK Jr. defends his health agenda on the Hill

Vaccines and turmoil at the agencies under his leadership are expected to be hot topics.

washingtonpost.com

FDA weighs lifting peptide restrictions amid wellness craze and push from RFK Jr. The agency had previously restricted some peptides due to safety concerns. With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Amid wellness craze, FDA weighs lifting peptide restrictions

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a self-professed “big fan” of peptides. They have grown in popularity for wellness and antiaging, but many remain untested.

washingtonpost.com

Despite President Trump saying Sunday “we have a lot of great candidates for that” when asked about Casey Means’s stalled surgeon general nomination, the White House reiterated its support for her tonight. w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

White House reaffirms support for surgeon general pick after Trump remarks

After President Trump said Sunday that “we have a lot of great candidates” when asked about Casey Means’s nomination, the White House reiterated its support for her.

washingtonpost.com

The White House is delaying its pick of a new CDC director as they continue to interview candidates. Jay Bhattacharya will continue to oversee the agency on an interim basis. @lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social with a little help from me

White House delays CDC pick as officials search for permanent director

The responsibilities of leading the agency will remain with Jay Bhattacharya, the head of the National Institutes of Health, who has been serving as acting CDC director since last month

washingtonpost.com

MAHA’s political power tested as Casey Means's nomination stalls w/ @rachelroubein.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

MAHA’s political power tested as surgeon general pick stalls

Casey Means faces pushback from some Republicans over her refusal to forcefully recommend vaccines.

washingtonpost.com

The White House faces complicated political dynamics as it searches for a CDC director. About a half dozen are under consideration, including Mississippi's health director, a former KY governor & a cardiologist. With @lenasun.bsky.social & @ddiamond.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social · 5mo ago

NEW: White House faces fast-approaching deadline to name CDC director. Here are three ppl being considered. w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

NEW: White House faces fast-approaching deadline to name CDC director. Here are three ppl being considered. w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

White House navigates vaccine politics, midterm risks in CDC director search

The Trump administration faces complicated political dynamics as it seeks someone to helm the key public health agency suffering a prolonged leadership vacuum.

washingtonpost.com

News: Some members of a key federal vaccine panel had been seeking to potentially stop recommending mRNA covid-19 shots. That plan is no longer moving forward. With @lenasun.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/lena...

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social · 5mo ago

SCOOP: A key federal vaccine panel has abandoned an attack on covid-19 mRNA vaccines — a shift that comes as some GOP warn that any more changes to vaccine policy could damage midterm prospects. Me + @rachelroubein.bsky.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

SCOOP: A key federal vaccine panel has abandoned an attack on covid-19 mRNA vaccines — a shift that comes as some GOP warn that any more changes to vaccine policy could damage midterm prospects. Me + @rachelroubein.bsky.com www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

RFK Jr.’s vaccine advisers drop proposal to revisit covid-19 shot

Some members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel have publicly questioned the safety and manufacturing of the shots, including raising a debunked theory that DNA contaminants in the vaccines are harmf...

washingtonpost.com

Ahead of the midterms, RFK Jr. is messaging on food & drug pricing, and downplaying vaccines, as some Republicans warn vaccines could be a liability. This comes as influential MAHA leaders want to spend big for GOP. Tony Lyons wants to raise $100M. w/ @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

Why RFK Jr. is suddenly talking less about vaccines

Health chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on tour to tout his MAHA food initiatives and drug pricing over vaccines, an issue GOP pollsters see as a liability.

washingtonpost.com

Trump's order to promote a widely used weedkiller sparked swift & fierce backlash from some MAHA supporters With @laurenweberhp.bsky.social washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Trump order to promote weedkiller sparks fury in MAHA movement

Allies of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are frustrated that the Trump administration has embraced chemicals that they say harm human health.

washingtonpost.com

FDA refuses to review Moderna’s application for first mRNA flu vaccine www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/... @rachelroubein.bsky.social

FDA won’t review Moderna application for first mRNA-based flu vaccine

The decision, which shocked company officials, comes as the FDA says it will take a stricter approach to federal vaccine approvals.

washingtonpost.com

We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of two-thirds of our Washington Post health team. Editors, please hire these wonderful journalists.

Lena Sun@lenasun.bsky.social · 6mo ago

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus. But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus. But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.

I’m stunned and heartbroken. I’ve been laid off, along with so many dear colleagues. Making my way to The Post nine years ago felt like a dream come true.

It takes all of us to make The Washington Post. Every section works together to create this authoritative, entertaining, worldwide news report. So, Jeff Bezos, #SaveThePost.