Brett Wattles
The Latest
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FDA Moves to Restrict COVID Vaccine Access for Healthy Adults and Children, Requiring New Clinical Trials
The Food and Drug Administration announced sweeping changes to its COVID-19 vaccine policy Tuesday, signaling a major departure from universal booster recommendations and shifting toward targeted protection for high-risk populations. Under the revised approach, healthy children and adults will no longer be automatically eligible for updated vaccines each year, with new doses requiring large-scale, placebo-controlled trials before being approved for use in lower-risk groups. 
The Food and Drug Administration announced sweeping changes to its COVID-19 vaccine policy Tuesday, signaling a major departure from universal booster recommendations and shifting toward targeted protection for high-risk populations. Under the revised approach, healthy children and adults will no longer be automatically eligible for updated vaccines each year, with new doses requiring large-scale, placebo-controlled trials before being approved for use in lower-risk groups. -
FDA Grants Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Limited Approval for High-Risk Groups Only
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, but only for a narrow population: adults aged 65 and older, or those ages 12 to 64 with at least one underlying health condition that puts them at elevated risk for severe illness. The decision marks a departure from expectations that the protein-based vaccine would be broadly approved for use in people 12 and up. 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, but only for a narrow population: adults aged 65 and older, or those ages 12 to 64 with at least one underlying health condition that puts them at elevated risk for severe illness. The decision marks a departure from expectations that the protein-based vaccine would be broadly approved for use in people 12 and up. -
Florida Bans Fluoride in Public Water, Becoming Second State to End Decades-Long Public Health Practice
Florida has become the second U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems, joining Utah in a move that has sparked controversy among medical experts, local officials, and political allies. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation Thursday as part of the broader "Florida Farm Bill," which includes a provision barring the use of unspecified additives in water systems-effectively halting the decades-long practice of municipal water fluoridation in the state. 
Florida has become the second U.S. state to ban fluoride in public water systems, joining Utah in a move that has sparked controversy among medical experts, local officials, and political allies. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the legislation Thursday as part of the broader "Florida Farm Bill," which includes a provision barring the use of unspecified additives in water systems-effectively halting the decades-long practice of municipal water fluoridation in the state. -
Nearly 18,000 Ice Cream Tubs Recalled Nationwide Over Plastic Shard Contamination Risk
Wells Enterprises has issued a nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 tubs of bulk ice cream and frozen yogurt after reports that some containers may contain shards of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard. The Iowa-based manufacturer, known for brands such as Blue Bunny and Halo Top, initiated the recall after internal investigations found foreign material contamination in a number of large-format products sold to food service distributors. 
Wells Enterprises has issued a nationwide recall of nearly 18,000 tubs of bulk ice cream and frozen yogurt after reports that some containers may contain shards of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard. The Iowa-based manufacturer, known for brands such as Blue Bunny and Halo Top, initiated the recall after internal investigations found foreign material contamination in a number of large-format products sold to food service distributors. -
U.S. Measles Deaths Hit 30-Year High; RFK Jr. Draws Fire for Misinformation
More than 1,000 measles cases have been reported in the United States so far this year, marking only the second time in three decades that infections have reached this level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,001 cases as of May 8, with 14 active outbreaks across 30 states. Texas alone accounts for 709 confirmed infections, the largest share by far. 
More than 1,000 measles cases have been reported in the United States so far this year, marking only the second time in three decades that infections have reached this level. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 1,001 cases as of May 8, with 14 active outbreaks across 30 states. Texas alone accounts for 709 confirmed infections, the largest share by far. -
CDC Warns Travelers Over 60 to Avoid Chikungunya Vaccine Amid Neurological Risk Review
Federal health officials are advising Americans aged 60 and older to avoid the chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq amid an investigation into potential side effects, including neurological and cardiac symptoms, in older recipients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued separate advisories last week following reports of adverse reactions in older adults who had recently received the vaccine. 
Federal health officials are advising Americans aged 60 and older to avoid the chikungunya vaccine Ixchiq amid an investigation into potential side effects, including neurological and cardiac symptoms, in older recipients. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued separate advisories last week following reports of adverse reactions in older adults who had recently received the vaccine. -
FDA Warns ‘Gas Station Heroin’ Tianeptine Linked to Sudden Deaths and ICU Admissions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a national warning Thursday about the serious health risks posed by tianeptine, an unapproved drug widely sold in gas stations and online under the guise of dietary supplements. Often referred to as "gas station heroin," tianeptine has been linked to severe adverse reactions, addiction, and at least four fatal overdoses in the U.S., despite not being approved for any use by the FDA. 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a national warning Thursday about the serious health risks posed by tianeptine, an unapproved drug widely sold in gas stations and online under the guise of dietary supplements. Often referred to as "gas station heroin," tianeptine has been linked to severe adverse reactions, addiction, and at least four fatal overdoses in the U.S., despite not being approved for any use by the FDA. -
Tomatoes Recalled in 14 States Over Salmonella Risk, FDA Warns Consumers to Discard Products
The Food and Drug Administration issued a sweeping recall of tomatoes this week after potential salmonella contamination was identified in products distributed across 14 states. Ray & Mascari Inc., based in Indianapolis, announced the recall of its four-count vine ripe tomatoes packaged in clamshell containers and sold at Gordon Food Service Stores. 
The Food and Drug Administration issued a sweeping recall of tomatoes this week after potential salmonella contamination was identified in products distributed across 14 states. Ray & Mascari Inc., based in Indianapolis, announced the recall of its four-count vine ripe tomatoes packaged in clamshell containers and sold at Gordon Food Service Stores. -
CDC Reports 216 U.S. Child Flu Deaths — Highest Toll Since 2009 H1N1 Pandemic
A severe flu season has claimed the lives of at least 216 children in the United States, the highest pediatric toll in 15 years, according to new data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figure surpasses last year's 207 deaths and marks the most recorded in a single flu season since the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic. 
A severe flu season has claimed the lives of at least 216 children in the United States, the highest pediatric toll in 15 years, according to new data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The figure surpasses last year's 207 deaths and marks the most recorded in a single flu season since the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic. -
North American Measles Outbreak Surges Past 2,500 Cases, Spanning U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Measles outbreaks across North America have surpassed 2,500 confirmed cases, with transmission accelerating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Health authorities on both sides of the U.S. border are racing to contain the spread of a highly contagious virus that has already claimed four lives across the continent. 
Measles outbreaks across North America have surpassed 2,500 confirmed cases, with transmission accelerating in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Health authorities on both sides of the U.S. border are racing to contain the spread of a highly contagious virus that has already claimed four lives across the continent.
