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fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil
@fenitn.bsky.social
3.8K followers 1.8K following 410 posts
I edit coverage of public health and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Washington Post.

Contact: fenitn.33 on Signal; [email protected]
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fenitn.bsky.social
Two paths to Thanksgiving drama offered by two departments at The Washington Post. Do you choose violence?

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
lenasun.bsky.social
BREAKING: Louisiana health official who ordered his health department to stop promoting mass vaccinations during a surge in flu cases this winter has been tapped to be the new number 2 at @CDCgov. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
New leader tapped for CDC had stopped pushing vaccines amid flu surge
Ralph Abraham, a Louisiana health official who stopped promoting mass vaccination vaccines, has been appointed as the CDC's principal deputy director
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
The “walk with your cousin” before Thanksgiving dinner is out.

This walk is in www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/202...
November 24, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: The National Academies release statement saying the revised language on @CDCgov web page on links between vaccines and autism, which cited some of the academies work, did not provide the full context. 1/2
www.nationalacademies.org/news/stateme...
National Academies - Statement on CDC’s Updated Vaccine Guidance
National Academies respond to CDC’s updated vaccine guidance, offering scientific context and clarity on vaccine safety.
www.nationalacademies.org
November 23, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
lenasun.bsky.social
NEW: Bird flu patient dies, marking second U.S. fatality in 2025. Washington state resident was older adult w underlying conditions.
My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Bird flu patient dies, marking second U.S. fatality in 2025
The Washington state resident, an older adult with underlying conditions, was infected with a strain that has previously been reported in animals but never before in humans.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
ddiamond.bsky.social
exclusive: Rick Pazdur, the official just tapped by Trump administration to be FDA's top drug regulator has privately warned that some of the agency's new initiatives could be illegal and dangerous.

w @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Top FDA drug regulator raises alarms about expediting approvals
Richard Pazdur, who assumed his new role this month, has warned that new Trump administration initiatives could be illegal and pose a risk to public health.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
david-grimm.bsky.social
EXCLUSIVE: CDC to end all monkey studies. Decision handed down by recent college grad and former DOGE employee who is now deputy chief of staff at the agency. Animals were being used in studies of HIV prevention. Some may be euthanized. My latest for @science.org
Exclusive: CDC to end all monkey research
Studies related to HIV and other infectious diseases will be phased out, sources say; fate of the agency's animals remains unclear
www.science.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:16 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
The frontline CDC staff first asked to change the vaccines-autism website to promote a false link between the two wouldn't do so, @lenasun.bsky.social discovered wapo.st/3X9Mr43
CDC in turmoil after agency backpedals on rejecting vaccines-autism link
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), who voted to confirm Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after he pledged not to remove language stating vaccines do not cause autism from the CDC website, condemne...
wapo.st
November 21, 2025 at 3:36 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Artificial dyes are going away. So how do you color food naturally?

@rachelroubein.bsky.social went to a lab that studies how to do that and this visual story is stunning www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How scientists are trying to solve something RFK Jr. hates about your food
Inside the lab where scientists are inventing food dyes of the future
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
ence.bsky.social
We spent a year investigating billionaires for @washingtonpost.com.

We found: the wealthiest 100 Americans gave $1.1 billion to influence the 2024 elections — 140x more than they did in 2000. And almost all of that giving boosted Republicans.

washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
November 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Cassidy's response (which does not directly address Kennedy)
Cassidy's post says: I’m a doctor who has seen people die from vaccine-preventable diseases. What parents need to hear right now is vaccines for measles, polio, hepatitis B and other childhood diseases are safe and effective and will not cause autism. Any statement to the contrary is wrong, irresponsible, and actively makes Americans sicker. We need to understand the real causes of autism. Studies show there’s a genetic predisposition when a mom who’s pregnant is exposed to environmental toxins which can increase a child’s risk of autism. It’s deeply troubling that, according to HHS officials, they appeared to have canceled hundreds of millions in research on autism genetics. Redirecting attention to factors we definitely know DO NOT cause autism denies families the answers they deserve. We had two children die and many more hospitalized nationally from measles this year. Louisiana is experiencing its worst whooping cough outbreak in 35 years. Families are getting sick and people are dying from vaccine-preventable deaths, and that tragedy needs to stop.
November 20, 2025 at 8:30 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
The CDC under RFK Jr. has repudiated its decades of work fighting to debunk the false assertion that vaccines cause autism wapo.st/4idz3Wn
Under RFK Jr., CDC promotes false vaccines-autism link it once discredited
The CDC’s website now says health authorities ignored evidence of a potential connection between vaccines and autism, despite dozens of studies showing no link.
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
I watched “All Her Fault” because I wanted to read this @monicahesse.bsky.social column, and it DELIVERS www.washingtonpost.com/style/2025/1...
November 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
"From the end of February to August, grants for 383 clinical trials were terminated and the funding disruptions affected more than 74,000 trial participants, according to new research published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine."

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Federal cuts upended clinical trials. A new study reveals the toll.
Grants for 383 clinical trials were terminated and the funding disruptions affected more than 74,000 trial participants, according to new research.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:07 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
GLP-1s are now being used to treat drug and alcohol addiction. Fascinating story here by @davidovalle.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The surprising new use for GLP-1s: Alcohol and drug addiction
Some doctors are prescribing weight-loss drugs such as Zepbound and Ozempic to help reduce cravings for illicit drugs and alcohol. But research on the benefits is limited.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:18 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
BREAKING: ByHeart, the organic baby formula maker, is recalling all of its formula after an infant botulism outbreak linked to its product.

@rachelroubein.bsky.social with the scoop www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
ByHeart recalls all baby formula amid botulism outbreak
Officials have identified 15 cases of infant botulism potentially linked to the company’s organic products. The recall is not expected to create a nationwide shortage.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
washingtonpost.com
Breaking news: The FDA will ask drug manufacturers to remove a warning on hormone replacement therapies that some doctors say has long prevented women from taking medications aimed at treating the symptoms of menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy for menopause could become easier to access
The FDA is asking drug manufactures to remove black box warnings on hormone replacement therapy for menopause, which could make it easier for women to access the treatment.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
shannonosaka.bsky.social
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.

We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.

www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
This bar chart shows a decrease in mentions of 'climate' since a peak in August 2022, when Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act.
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Amazing window into the anti-vaccine movement from @laurenweberhp.bsky.social's trip to the CHD conference.

The father of an unvaccinated girl who died of measles said "he would do everything in his power to protect his children from vaccines" wapo.st/49HVH6S
‘God is an anti-vaxxer’: Inside the conference celebrating RFK Jr.’s rise
An anti-vaccine conference in Austin celebrated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s rise to political power, highlighting his influence in Trump’s Washington.
wapo.st
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Americans across the country face soaring ACA premiums as Republicans in Congress decline to extend enhanced subsidies that could cushion the blow.

@paigecunningham.bsky.social tells some of their stories. Gift link: wapo.st/43Q4Iag
ACA health care premiums are rising. These 8 Americans showed us how much.
Premiums for health insurance sold through the Affordable Care Act are soaring because of the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the heart of the government shutdown.
wapo.st
November 8, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Fenit Nirappil
ddiamond.bsky.social
Trump is set to announce deal Thursday to lower price of Lilly, Novo obesity drugs for some Medicare beneficiaries.

Part of "most favored nation" pricing push — with potential for public health impact.

(On a separate note: Trump calls these drugs "the fat pill" and has questioned if they work.)
White House nears deal to lower obesity drug prices for Medicare coverage
The price of Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk drugs could be lowered to $149 per month in some cases.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
“Andres-Tysch had considered going as “Ho Biden” but ultimately went the Slutdown route”

(I’m good with suburban trick or treating instead of going out tonight) www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/...
Halloween costumes only D.C. would get: ‘Hooyah’ Melania and a riff on RIF
“What are we supposed to do? Just like, wallow in self-pity forever?”
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:37 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Means, who was more than 40 weeks pregnant, went into labor and the hearing is now postponed www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
October 30, 2025 at 12:42 PM
fenitn.bsky.social
Casey Means, a MAHA leader and RFK Jr. ally, is appearing before the Senate tomorrow for her confirmation hearing.

Our podcast episode today starring @laurenweberhp.bsky.social dives deep into her history www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/pos...
Casey Means: A MAHA leader, and the next surgeon general? - The Washington Post
Casey Means left mainstream medicine. She could soon be in a position to change it as the next U.S. surgeon general.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:59 PM