FDA/CBER is announcing a date change to the May 16 VRBPAC meeting. The committee will now meet on June 5 to discuss & make recommendations on the strain(s) to be included in the 2024-2025 Formula for COVID-19 vaccines. fda.gov/advisory-commi…

SCOOP: A manufacturing issue with certain avian influenza tests was discovered earlier this week, but the CDC says no tests are inaccurate or need to be repeated.

w/ 🌸 Chelsea Cirruzzo: subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/0…

Out of Office for the week. Turns out O is also a star at 30,000 feet

The result of the polarization of public health - public health professionals who volunteer to help develop national guidance need armed guards for protection.

Sr Biden health officials briefed Congress today on avian flu, David Lim scoops. They told Hill staff:
—Still no sign of human-to-human spread
—Cow-to-cow spread may be happening via milking facilities
—No impact so far on price of milk and dairy products
politico.com/news/2024/04/0…

Hanging out at #WVCDC the next few days to take in all things vaccines — find me if you’re here!

New: A Texas dairy worker has tested positive for the avian flu, marking the first identified human case of an illness in the U.S. that has sickened cattle across several states over the past few weeks.

w David Lim: politico.com/news/2024/04/0…

NEW: Anti-abortion activists/elected officials have a backup plan should the Supreme Court reject their arguments for nationwide restrictions on the abortion pill mifepristone. In fact, they have several.

“We’re not putting all our chips on this one case”
politico.com/news/2024/03/2…

1 moment that jumped out from today's arguments on abortion pills:

Jackson: “Do you think that courts have specialized scientific knowledge with respect to pharmaceuticals? Do you have concerns about judges parsing medical and scientific studies?”
politico.com/news/2024/03/2…

Our first take from inside the Supreme Court. Much more to come!
politico.com/news/2024/03/2…

After a two-year decline, the U.S. life expectancy is back on the rise — but still isn’t back to pre-pandemic levels. politico.com/news/2024/03/2…

Dem lawmakers in red/purple states are pushing bills to establish rights to contraception as the fallout from Dobbs continues. The effort has exploded this year, with the most measures introduced to date — & VA next in line for the gov to sign/veto subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2024/0…

Lot of interesting stuff in Kellyanne Conway' remarks at the POLITICO health care summit today, but what jumped out most to me was her urging Republicans to *stop* claiming Democrats support abortion 'up until the moment of birth.'

politico.com/news/2024/03/1…

“Words are important. Actions are even more important” -- Biden's continued unease talking about abortion splits the left politico.com/news/2024/03/1…

In Trenton to cover today’s Medicare price negotiation challenges, and there’s a hazmat response truck outside the building. This is great.

In the fall Lauren Gardner and I scooped that a small number of independent pharmacies had quietly begun dispensing the drugs -- including in states with abortion restrictions. politico.com/news/2023/10/0…

Any tips for healing a ruptured ear drum/regaining hearing after doing so (besides time and seeing an ENT, which I plan to do)? This year’s Cold of Doom™️ did a number on me.