Sign in

Alexander Tin

@alexander-a-tin.bsky.social
14K followers 902 following 1.9K posts

Reported for CBS News in D.C. on federal public health. Raised in sunny Nevada. Decided to move overseas to be near family.

PostsRepliesMedia
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Thank you
Today is my last day at CBS News. I’m so grateful for everyone who trusted me with their stories. Thank you for being generous with your time, helping us cover the news in a way that I hope was accurate and fair. To my colleagues at CBS, thank you for memories I will never forget. I’ve been lucky to have so many opportunities to grow as a journalist and colleague. What’s next for me: I’ll be moving overseas and won't have access to my work cell phone (202-381-7107) or email (TinA@CBSNews.com) anymore. But you’ll still be able to reach me on Signal (alexandertin.202).
1427349
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
The CDC now estimates that COVID-19 cases are likely growing in half of states, as this year's summer wave now looks to be getting underway It comes as health authorities are tracking elevated trends of another respiratory germ, Parvovirus B19 www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-c...
cbsnews.com
COVID cases likely rising in half of states, CDC estimates
Many Southeast, Southern and West Coast states are likely seeing an increase in COVID cases.
05622
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
The backlog of delayed grants at HHS has swelled to more than a billion dollars, in wake of DOGE reviews that stalled process Now we're told ACF is bringing some laid-off staff back temporarily, as officials try to rush awards out door in time www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-fac...
cbsnews.com
HHS facing billion-dollar backlog of delayed grants after DOGE
Delayed funds include grants for youth homelessness and domestic violence.
02414
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Why did CDC take down its evidence review debunking fears thimerosal was causing autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders? Dr. Robert Malone told ACIP today its publication had not been authorized by Secy Kennedy's office w/ Sara Moniuszko www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Ahead of the meeting, the CDC removed a review the agency previously posted on its website that debunked claims about how the preservative could cause autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. "My understanding is that article was not authorized by the Office of the Secretary, and has been removed consequent. I'm sure that the Office of the Secretary will make note of your comment," panelist Dr. Robert Malone said. Malone was responding to a question from Phyllis Arthur of Bio, a trade group that represents vaccinemakers, who had called for the CDC's evidence review to be restored to the website.
0215
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
The former president of Children's Health Defense, Lyn Redwood, isn't just presenting at tomorrow's ACIP about thimerosal We're told that CDC is also going to hire Redwood to work in the agency's Immunization Safety Office www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-vac...
cbsnews.com
CDC to hire former head of anti-vaccine group founded by RFK Jr.
Lyn Redwood, who spread debunked claims about vaccines, will be in the CDC's Immunization Safety Office, multiple CDC officials tell CBS News.
98864
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
The CDC tells us 36 cases (3%) of measles so far this year had been vaccinated with ≥2 doses before they were exposed None of cases hospitalized and 83% ages 20 and older In TX, we heard Monday all 2+ vaccinated cases in children were 8 and younger www.cbsnews.com/news/measles...
Q3. How many of the 36 cases have been in older adults or in young children?

Of the 36 cases, none were younger than 5 years old; 5 (14%) were ages 5-19 years; 30 (83%) were ages 20 years and older; and 1 (3%) had an unknown age.

Q4. Have any of the cases been hospitalized?

None of the measles cases hospitalized this year had documented evidence of receiving two doses of MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect against measles and its complications. Disease symptoms are generally milder in vaccinated people. People who are vaccinated are also less likely to spread the disease to other people. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. People should consult with their healthcare provider to understand their options to get a vaccine and should be informed about the potential risks and benefits associated with vaccines.
171
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Yesterday's ruling striking down NIH cuts to research funding linked to topics like diversity, gender and vaccine hesitancy could be blocked HHS tells us they are "exploring all legal options, including filing an appeal and moving to stay the order" www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-n...
cbsnews.com
Federal judge strikes down Trump cuts to NIH medical research grants linked to diversity, gender
A federal judge struck down sweeping Trump administration orders that resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of National Institutes of Health research grants.
075
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Dr. Fiona Havers, head of agency's RESP-NET hospitalization data, resigned from the CDC today "I no longer have confidence that these data will be used objectively or evaluated with appropriate scientific rigor to make evidence-based vaccine policy decisions." www.cbsnews.com/news/fiona-h...
cbsnews.com
CDC official overseeing COVID hospitalization data resigns after RFK Jr.'s vaccine orders
Dr. Fiona Havers' resignation follows RFK Jr.'s orders to change the CDC's vaccine recommendations.
23728
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
The CDC has released new measles guidance for summer camps, urging to check for measles immunity in campers and staff, stockpiling face masks It comes as we're now less than a hundred cases from setting a record, marking worst year since 20th century www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-urg...
cbsnews.com
CDC urges summer camps to check for measles immunity, as U.S. nears record
The CDC's new "checklist" comes amid a deadly year of measles outbreaks that is now near record levels.
27942
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
We've updated our story with more details about Secy Kennedy's picks to be CDC's vaccine advisers For example, GWU told us Dr Michael A Ross hasn't been a professor there since 2017. VCU says he was an "affiliate faculty member" until 2021 www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Ross is described by Kennedy as an obstetrics and gynecology professor at George Washington University and Virginia Commonwealth University, though his name does not appear on directories for either university. 

"Dr. Michael Ross has not held a faculty appointment at the George Washington University since 2017," Katelyn Deckelbaum, a spokesperson for the university, told CBS News in an email.

Deckelbaum said that Ross was previously a clinical professor, but stopped teaching medical students or residents at the university.

A spokesperson for Virginia Commonwealth University, Leila Ugincius, said Ross "was an affiliate faculty member" through the university's regional campus at Inova, a hospital system in the D.C. area.

"Inova was a regional campus for the VCU School of Medicine at that time. That campus relationship ended in 2021, as did Dr. Ross' faculty status with VCU," Ugincius said in an email.
2122
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Beyond Secy Kennedy replacing members of CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices We're told Dr. Melinda Wharton and other career agency officials are now purged from roles overseeing committee's vetting, agenda, and planning www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-pur...
cbsnews.com
CDC purges career officials from oversight of vaccine committee
News of their removal comes after the firing of the CDC's outside vaccine advisers.
213378
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Here's our story on what we know about Secy Kennedy's new picks for CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices It caps a monthslong search for replacements. We're told Kennedy and his aides started asking for suggestions early this year www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
cbsnews.com
RFK Jr. taps allies and COVID vaccine critics among picks for CDC advisory panel. Here's who's on the list.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired the previous roster of the CDC's vaccine advisers on Monday.
5206
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
This evening, a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices told us they received "formal notice of your immediate termination" "This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Secy Kennedy's move www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
"Per the June 9, 2025 directive from the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this email serves as formal notice of your immediate termination as a member of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). We appreciate your prior service and commitment," read an email to one committee member from the CDC.

"This is horrifying," a CDC official said of Kennedy's move.
23512
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Today FDA resumed hiring food investigators, after being stalled for months by White House freeze We're told nearly 1 in 5 positions are now vacant in agency's food inspectorate Last month, agency told HHS OIG that nearly 90 investigative positions empty www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-foo...
cbsnews.com
FDA food inspector vacancies near 20% after Trump hiring freeze
The Trump administration's cost-cutting efforts have encouraged departures and stalled hiring at the FDA.
03414
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
Touting recent charges of Chinese researchers, FBI called Fusarium graminearum a "potential agroterrorism weapon" A retired USDA ARS scientist who co-authored with them told us this fungus is already "extremely prevalent" in North America, likely originated here www.cbsnews.com/news/fungus-...
cbsnews.com
Fungus in "agroterrorism" arrest already widely prevalent in U.S., researcher says
Two Chinese researchers were charged with trying to smuggle strains of a fungus called Fusarium graminearum into the U.S.
1174
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
A CDC official is resigning from role overseeing updates COVID-19 vaccine recommendations In an email to others in group, she said she started in public health to help most vulnerable "that is not something I am able to continue doing in this role" www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-off...
cbsnews.com
CDC official overseeing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations resigns
The resignation follows an order by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to change the agency's guidance.
07334
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Will norovirus surge early again this year? CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal is out with a new report on the rise of a new strain from this notorious stomach bug called GII.17, now dominant nationwide www.cbsnews.com/news/norovir...
cbsnews.com
Will norovirus surge early again this year? CDC urges tracking of new strain.
The norovirus strain GII.17 may have disrupted the seasonal pattern of outbreaks.
0113
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
The CDC has stepped up its warning about the risk of measles while traveling It comes after at least 62 reports of travelers contagious with virus, including at least 1 situation determined to be spread within airplane www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-mea...
Source: emailed statement Attribution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Date: received May 30, 2025 From January 1 to May 26, 2025, CDC received 62 reports of travelers who were infectious with measles while traveling on an airplane. CDC initiated airplane contact investigations for 50 of these travelers because they traveled into the United States or between U.S. states and territories while infectious with measles. There has been only one situation during this period in which measles appeared to have been transmitted during air travel (i.e., a confirmed case of measles identified in an airplane passenger who was seated near a traveler with infectious measles on an airplane). Exposures at the airport itself are more difficult to track, and state, local, and territorial health departments lead these investigations.
0105
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Following Secy Kennedy's announcement The CDC has now updated its childhood immunization schedule, which now says "children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination" www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-kid...
A screenshot of text that reads: "Shared clinical decision-making Ages 6 month –17 years who are NOT moderately or severely immunocompromised. Shared clinical decision-making vaccinations are individually based and informed by a decision process between the health care provider and the patient or parent/guardian. Where the parent presents with a desire for their child to be vaccinated, children 6 months and older may receive COVID-19 vaccination, informed by the clinical judgment of a healthcare provider and personal preference and circumstances. https://www.cdc.gov/acip/vaccine-recommendations/shared-clinical-decision-making.html"
22110
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
A reminder that CDC's COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are directly tied to: - requirements for what health insurance is required to cover with no out-of-pocket costs - liability protections expanding access to COVID shots in places like pharmacies www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
cbsnews.com
RFK Jr. says CDC will no longer recommend COVID vaccine for children and pregnant women
Kennedy's move appears to shortcut the CDC's outside vaccine advisers, dropping COVID vaccines from the list recommended for children and pregnant women.
815365
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
The CDC's airport screening program with Ginkgo Bioworks has now detected multiple cases of the new COVID-19 variant NB.1.8.1, which has been linked to a recent surge in China www.cbsnews.com/news/us-repo...
cbsnews.com
U.S. reports cases of new COVID variant NB.1.8.1 behind surge in China
Authorities in Hong Kong say COVID-19 levels are the worst in at least a year.
1114491
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
Here's our coverage on White House MAHA Commission's new report, highlighting 4 factors for childhood disease Secy Kennedy called it "probably the strongest and most radical consensus by a government agency in history about the state of America's health" www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
cbsnews.com
RFK Jr. releases "MAHA" report on childhood chronic disease. Here's what to know.
The "Make America Healthy Again" report outlines what it says are four leading drivers of childhood disease, but it is facing criticism from some health officials.
250
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
The FDA is ordering Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna to expand warnings about myocarditis/pericarditis from their shots HHS told us: "Americans deserve radical transparency around the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines and the FDA is delivering" www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cov...
It is unclear whether Pfizer or Moderna disputed the order. They had "within 30 calendar days of the date of this letter" to try to rebut the demand. Spokespeople for Moderna and Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"Americans deserve radical transparency around the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines and the FDA is delivering on their promise to do just that. Spikevax and Comirnaty should take steps to ensure that individuals are aware of COVID vaccine-related adverse events resulting in myocarditis and pericarditis," Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, told CBS News in an email. Nixon did not explain why the letters were posted more than a month after they were written.

They appeared on the FDA's website hours ahead of a hearing organized by the Republican-led Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on "how health officials downplayed and hid myocarditis and other adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccines."
073
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Asked today by Sen Hyde Smith about Thursday's MAHA report, Secy Kennedy sought to reassure farmers on what it will say about pesticides "The drafts that I've seen, there is not a single word in them that should worry the American farmer" www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
cbsnews.com
RFK Jr. tells farmers, GOP not to worry about his report targeting pesticides
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to release a report Thursday on how pesticides and other issues may be linked to childhood chronic diseases.
2111
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
The FDA will continue approving COVID-19 vaccine updates, based on immunogenicity, for seniors and other with an underlying condition Dr Vinay Prasad said he thinks interim results on new placebo studies for others could be out "by next calendar year" www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-v...
Vinay Prasad, FDA [13:32:01] And there's another lesson there, which is that change in medicine isn't always easy. You know, there are lots of advances in medicine that aren't always easy. And I think there's going to be some people out there who are concerned about various aspects of our framework, but ultimately I do think this is a step forward. And a lot of these questions will be answered by next calendar year when we start to get the interim results of some of these studies back, and we will have more information to tell the American people and the results of these studies could surprise everybody. We don't know what the-- that's the whole point of running a study. You don't know what you're going to get.
693
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Steep cuts to federal research grants have now disrupted millions in awards once backed by former President Joe Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative, after funding was frozen to Harvard and Columbia www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-c...
cbsnews.com
Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" hit by Trump's cuts to research at Harvard and Columbia
The Trump administration's cuts to medical research grants have disrupted awards once backed by former President Joe Biden's "Cancer Moonshot" initiative​.
091
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
Some of NIH's top brain researchers got layoff notices last month While they were asked to keep working in labs for now, their layoffs were never rescinded "As far as I know, we have not fired any working scientists," Secy Kennedy had told Congress www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
cbsnews.com
RFK Jr. told Congress no working scientists were fired, but these top NIH brain scientists are still facing job cuts
"As far as I know, we have not fired any working scientists," RFK Jr. had told Congress.
23525
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
A new CDC study estimates hundreds of drowning deaths could be prevented by more pool fences & life jackets while boating It was one of last authored by agency's injury prevention researchers, before Secy Kennedy's layoffs largely eliminated them www.cbsnews.com/news/pool-fe...
cbsnews.com
Pool fences and life jackets could save hundreds of lives, CDC estimates
The study was one of the CDC's last before its injury prevention teams were laid off.
0173
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
The FDA has granted its first marketing authorization to an Alzheimer's blood test It comes years after other Alzheimer's blood tests entered the U.S. market, which were "laboratory developed tests" not subject to the agency's oversight www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-fir...
cbsnews.com
FDA greenlights marketing of first Alzheimer's blood test for some patients
Japan-based Fujirebio's test, which helps doctors diagnose Alzheimer's disease, is intended for patients with signs of cognitive decline.
0102
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
The FDA is planning to revisit its approval of the so-called "yoga mat" chemical bread ingredient that's banned in Europe, known as azodicarbonamide or ADA www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-yog...
cbsnews.com
FDA to revisit approval of "yoga mat" bread ingredient banned in Europe
The FDA is prioritizing the review of some previously approved food additives, including ADA, dubbed the "yoga mat" chemical.
242
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Senate Dems and the Biden administration dropped plans to set drug price caps based on the amount paid in other high-income countries, during talks years ago to push thru law that empowered Medicare to negotiate down the cost of prescription medications. www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-d...
cbsnews.com
Trump wants drug price caps tied to foreign nations. Here's why Biden never did it.
President Trump is now seeking to implement the idea through an executive order.
172
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
The head of NIOSH, Dr. John Howard, and several teams at this worker safety agency within CDC have been reinstated, ahead of Secy Kennedy's Capitol Hill hearings tomorrow www.cbsnews.com/news/john-ho...
cbsnews.com
Head of worker safety agency NIOSH restored, ahead of RFK Jr. hearing
Letters reversing the layoffs arrived a day before House and Senate hearings with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. where he was expected to face questions about the layoffs.
615253
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Officials at multiple HHS agencies have been ordered to mail out new termination letters to probationary employees They had previously been on paid leave, amid court battles over their fate. A spokesperson told us "This is nothing of a surprise." www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-to-...
Source: emailed statement
Attribution: Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson
Date: received May 9, 2025
This is nothing of a surprise. These probationary employees were previously told in February that their jobs were impacted. This is the final step of the process where they receive their final notice.
091
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
We're told HHS has decided to block many laid-off workers from receiving overdue bonus pay that had been earned from high performance last year "If the savings from the layoffs were pennies from the HHS budget, this is hundredths of a penny." www.cbsnews.com/news/hhs-to-...
cbsnews.com
HHS to withhold some bonus pay earned by laid-off employees
The Department of Health and Human Services will effectively block the payout of overdue bonuses to many of its laid-off​ employees, multiple health officials say.
35823
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
From Secy Kennedy ally Dr Robert Malone, on skepticism from base re: Dr Casey Means' record on vaccines "The nutritional agenda is a core part of MAHA. It may not be their core part of MAHA. But there's no doubt that it's a central part of the overall mission" www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-c...
"She's qualified. She's energetic. She's been a good communicator, which is the role of surgeon general. She seems to have good ethical moorings. And she reflects this new thinking about where HHS should be. I think it's a bold pick," Dr. Robert Malone, another close ally of Kennedy, told CBS News. Casey and Calley Means have also earned skepticism from some of Kennedy's anti-vaccine base, who have grown frustrated with what they fear has been Kennedy's drifting attention away from what they hoped would be a ban of several vaccines and towards a crackdown on unhealthy foods and additives like synthetic food dyes. "The nutritional agenda is a core part of MAHA. It may not be their core part of MAHA. But there's no doubt that it's a central part of the overall mission," he said.
380
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
We're told CDC was granted an exemption from federal hiring freeze to hire a new class of its Epidemic Intelligence Service, the "disease detectives" We've also heard of exemptions for agency's LLS fellowship and NIH's clinical fellows www.cbsnews.com/news/cdc-dis...
cbsnews.com
CDC disease detectives exempted from Trump hiring freeze, averting cut to program
Each year, the CDC usually hires a new class of Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, known as disease detectives.
094
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Some at NIOSH, in 9/11 program, and FDA, in San Francisco & Chicago food safety labs, got notices today officially reversing layoffs It comes after NIH faced hundreds more layoffs, which we're told was to compensate for reinstatements elsewhere www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/hhs...
A screenshot of a memo on HHS letterhead that reads: "May 6, 2025 MEMORANDUM FOR: FROM: SUBJECT: You previously received a notice regarding the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) upcoming reduction in force (RIF). That notice is hereby revoked. You will not be affected by the upcoming RIF. If you have any questions, please contact your immediate supervisor or Tom Nagy at Thomas.Nagy@hhs.gov. Tom Nagy, Chief Human Capital Officer Rescission of Previous Notice of Reduction in Force"
02514
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
The FDA has replaced Dr. Peter Marks, the agency's top vaccines official, with a vocal critic of Marks: Dr. Vinay Prasad Prasad posted in March that his predecessor was "one of the most dangerous, pro-pharma regulators of the 21st century" www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cri...
cbsnews.com
FDA picks critic of COVID boosters to be new top vaccines official
Dr. Vinay Prasad replaces Dr. Peter Marks, who Prasad had called "dangerous."
21215
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
The FDA's top inspections official is stepping down, amid frustration with Commissioner Makary's plans "It's fairly basic math. We know how long inspectional activities take. If they get shorter, which inspections activities are we no longer performing?" www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-top...
cbsnews.com
FDA's top inspector abruptly resigns
Michael Rogers had worked for the FDA for more than three decades.
5252140
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
There were hundreds more laid off at NIH on Friday, we're told, including at NCI Sounds like layoffs were to make up for reinstatements elsewhere HHS told us "savings from these reductions will help redirect resources toward critical programs" www.cbsnews.com/news/nih-lay...
After careful review, less than 250 employees across HHS were notified that they are also impacted by the reduction in force announced in March 2025. [...] The savings from these reductions will help redirect resources toward critical programs and strengthen our ability to serve the American people effectively. The goal is clear: reduce waste and maximize the impact of every taxpayer dollar.

The simple fact is that the important work of serving the American people will continue without disruption. Because of the reorganization, HHS will be better positioned to meet the needs of those who count on us most.
35621
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Nearly all of remaining staff at CDC's NIOSH received lay off notices today, we're told This is an org chart shared with us illustrating eliminated divisions to date Cuts had already upended approvals of new N95 respirators and probes of firefighter injuries www.cbsnews.com/news/worker-...
23431251
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Weekly measles cases, backdated by rash onset in CDC's figures, have now topped peak of what had been worst wave since 20th century It comes as the health department in Texas tells us they're now watching for an increase from Easter travel in coming weeks www.cbsnews.com/news/weekly-...
cbsnews.com
Weekly measles cases hit new record amid worst outbreak since 1990s
There were at least 111 cases of measles reported in the last week of March, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
03514
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
A HHS spox tells us Secy Kennedy is asking CDC to develop new guidance for treating measles using drugs, vitamins Earlier, he said they were developing a worksheet for docs promoting budesonide, clarithromycin and other "very effective" treatments www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
So we’re doing everything that we can, not only with those populations, like the Mennonites in Gaines county. And I’ve been to Gaines county. I attended a funeral down there of one of the little girls who died, not of measles, but she had had measles.

Those– they have religious objections to vaccination and we need to be able to treat them, even though they’re not vaccinated.

There are many, many good ways to treat measles and doctors need to know that and to know those methods.

And we are developing now a worksheet for doctors to address the epidemic, to address people who have it, not just with vaccination, but actually with budesonide, with clarithromycin, with vitamin A and many, many other treatments that have been shown very effective.
169338
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
We've told this move by HHS to redirect $500M to a project linked to NIH's Dr. Memoli was unusual both in size and how it was done Political appointees handpicked project for funding without usual reviews by career scientists w/ @celinegounder.com www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-f...
cbsnews.com
HHS redirects $500 million to Trump appointee's vaccine project, bypassing reviews
The Department of Health and Human Services said it is redirecting funding from what it calls a wasteful Biden-era project on next-generation COVID vaccines.
32925
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Early CDC data suggests that diabetes mortality has dropped to some of lowest levels in years, after surge during COVID-19 "While diabetes-related death rates have decreased since 2021, they have not returned to pre-pandemic levels" www.cbsnews.com/news/diabete...
cbsnews.com
Diabetes deaths fall to lowest levels in years, in early CDC figures
Deaths from diabetes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
193
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Some news from Major Garrett's intv of Dr Marty Makary - sounds like FDA now looking at whether it will still approve updates to COVID shots for next winter - "really excited" to have Tracy Beth Høeg in process, when asked about her role in Novavax approval www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-cov...
Major Garrett [16:46:39]

And for COVID shots for next winter, generally, is the FDA still planning to approve updates to those?

Marty Makary, FDA [16:47:01]

We’re taking a look. I can’t comment on any particular application.

As you know, we have a bunch of applications for those booster shots. Remember, Major, 85% of American healthcare workers said no to the last COVID boosters.

So we have a bit of a public trust problem.

I think there’s a void of data. And I think rather than allow that void to be filled with opinions, I’d like to see some good data.
4114
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
After FDA cuts to inspections and drug safety A handful of support staff, and labs in Detroit and San Juan, were told in recent days that their layoffs would be reversed This could mark one of first major reversals to Secy Kennedy's layoffs to date www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-to-...
cbsnews.com
FDA to undo some layoffs, after cuts to inspections and drug safety
Some FDA scientists and inspections staff were told that their layoffs may be rescinded.
23314
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
An HHS official has told us same, that they "are not creating an autism registry" tinalexander.github.io/notes/2025/0... It contradicts what NIH's director had told agency's advisers days ago, in a presentation about Secy Kennedy's autism research effort www.cbsnews.com/news/health-...
A screenshot of text that reads in part: "HHS statement on not creating autism registry Source: emailed statement Attribution: Department of Health and Human Services official Date: received April 25, 2025 On background to an HHS official: We are not creating an autism registry. The real-world data platform will link existing datasets to support research into causes of autism and insights into improved treatment strategies. Additional background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing our understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a complex and heterogeneous condition affecting approximately 1 in 31 children, according to 2025 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. In response to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s call to identify the causes of autism, NIH is investing $50 million to launch a comprehensive research effort aimed at understanding the causes of ASD and improving treatments by
0171
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
The CDC's bird flu guidance has not changed under Secy Kennedy, the agency and states tell us, despite social media rumors otherwise Testing is still being offered. California is offering $25 gift cards at clinics near farms with bird flu www.cbsnews.com/news/bird-fl...
cbsnews.com
CDC and California offer $25 gift cards to encourage bird flu testing
California officials said bird flu testing has not stopped, despite social media rumors.
1163
Alexander Tin @alexander-a-tin.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
In interviews, FDA Commissioner Makary has repeatedly claimed no scientists were laid off at his agency We spoke to laid-off scientists in some of FDA's food safety labs that were gutted by layoffs "That just made me so mad," one laid-off scientist told us www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-hea...
cbsnews.com
611948