rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein
@rachelroubein.bsky.social
1.5K followers 25 following 26 posts
Washington Post reporter covering the Food and Drug Administration. Reach me securely on Signal: RachelRoubein.28
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · 18d
NEW: RFKJr’s handpicked vaccine panel met this week. They were unprepared, misunderstood or ignored key data + highlighted flawed or inconclusive research often trumpeted by vaccine critics, per medical/scientific experts who watched meeting @davidovalle.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social + me.
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · 21d
Sen. Bill Cassidy's decision to support RFK Jr. came down to the morning of a crucial committee vote.

Now, he's publicly pressing the nation's top health official to endorse common vaccines & set to quiz a CDC head ousted by RFK.

w/ @ddiamond.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Bill Cassidy cast the key vote for RFK Jr. What is he thinking now?
The GOP senator has invited Susan Monarez, the former CDC director, to testify about her concerns that Kennedy is threatening vaccine access in America.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 26d
Exclusive at WaPo: RFK Jr's aides are prepping new bid to crack down on covid vaccine by linking it to 25 child deaths

They appear to be citing submissions to vaccine-report database VAERS — despite caution that it's unreliable.

@lenasun.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social w little help from me
Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists
The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · 26d
SCOOP: Trump health officials plan to link covid vaccines to the deaths of 25 children as they consider limiting which Americans should get the shots, per sources. W @rachelroubein.bsky.social @ddiamond.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Trump officials to link child deaths to covid shots, alarming career scientists
The move to link coronavirus vaccines to 25 child deaths alarms career scientists who say the shots have been extensively studied.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · Sep 7
Seven months after they voted to confirm longtime anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr, some Republican senators are having second thoughts after his moves — as public health experts and Democrats warned — to limit access to vaccines.

w @theodoricmeyer.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social
Why some Republicans are newly worried about RFK Jr.
GOP senators say his moves on vaccines are risky for public health. They also may be bad politics.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Sep 4
NEW: RFK Jr.’s upending of vaccine policy is driving some states to break away from Trump admin guidelines while others are further loosening shot requirements. Me and @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. drives a wedge between red and blue states on vaccines
As states diverge on coronavirus vaccines, parents across party lines still support vaccine mandates for measles and polio, according to a Washington Post-KFF poll.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
ddiamond.bsky.social
Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · Sep 3
FDA is now taking aim at common practice of getting multiple respiratory vaccines together

Vinay Prasad, a key RFK Jr ally, says he is unsure if the tactic is safe + effective

More on a new way that Trump admin is seeking to change vaccine policy

w @rachelroubein.bsky.social @lenasun.bsky.social
FDA questions if people should get multiple respiratory vaccines together
Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top vaccine official and a key RFK Jr. ally, says the FDA is now “unsure” if the common practice is safe and effective.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Aug 27
Important context on the limited approval of coronavirus vaccines and why people might not be able to get them off-label at pharmacies wapo.st/45RvyPx
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Aug 27
SCOOP BREAKING: CDC director being ousted weeks into job. Me @ddiamond @LaurenWeberHP

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
CDC director being ousted weeks into job
Susan Monarez, a longtime federal government scientist, was confirmed by the Senate in late July to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Aug 12
NEW: The CDC shooting was much worse than initially reported. 181 rounds. 150 windows hit. Staff are furious at RFK Jr. and Trump becuz their long-running fears about anti-vax rhetoric turning deadly seem to be vindicated. @laurenweberhp.bluesky.social + Me.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
After CDC shooting, its employees turn their anger to RFK Jr. and Trump
Investigators allege the shooter targeted the agency because of his coronavirus vaccine beliefs, according to two CDC officials briefed on the case.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Aug 9
Backstory here on how Vinay Prasad went from getting Loomered to getting his job back as the FDA’s vaccine chief

@laurenweberhp.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report:
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
washingtonpost.com
The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · Aug 8
Federal immigration authorities detained a woman seeking medical care at the National Institutes of Health’s flagship research hospital after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security.
Patient seeking care at NIH hospital detained by ICE
NIH officials called immigration authorities after the patient presented a non-real ID while passing security at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center.
wapo.st
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · Aug 1
Vinay Prasad’s clout as one of the most powerful medical regulators was unmistakable. What we know about how it all fell apart in a few weeks — and what it shows about Trump world divisions.

w/ Daniel Gilbert and Natalie Allison

bsky.app/profile/feni...
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Aug 1
How did Vinay Prasad go from covid contrarian beloved by the right to ousted by the White House following a right-wing pressure campaign?

Our reporters have the backstory, including how Laura Loomer said he landed on her radar wapo.st/3U8D03n
What the ouster of a top FDA regulator shows about Trump world divisions
Vinay Prasad’s ouster as the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine and gene therapy regulator came after frustration over his handling of experimental treatments.
wapo.st
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Aug 1
How did Vinay Prasad go from covid contrarian beloved by the right to ousted by the White House following a right-wing pressure campaign?

Our reporters have the backstory, including how Laura Loomer said he landed on her radar wapo.st/3U8D03n
What the ouster of a top FDA regulator shows about Trump world divisions
Vinay Prasad’s ouster as the Food and Drug Administration’s top vaccine and gene therapy regulator came after frustration over his handling of experimental treatments.
wapo.st
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Jul 30
Vinay Prasad, a covid vaccine policy critic who became the top FDA vaccine and gene therapy regulator, was ousted following criticism from conservatives such as Laura Loomer.

@rachelroubein.bsky.social & @lenasun.bsky.social report: www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Top FDA vaccine regulator under Trump ousted amid conservative criticism
Vinay Prasad, a prominent critic of covid vaccine policy, was ousted as the FDA’s top regulator of vaccines and gene therapies, according to two people familiar with the situation.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
caitlingilbert.bsky.social
Caitlin Gilbert @caitlingilbert.bsky.social · Jul 24
💉Our rundown of the changes in access to different vaccines under RFK Jr’s HHS:

From @lenasun.bsky.social @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @rachelroubein.bsky.social

gift link: wapo.st/4mau4q4
All the ways your access to vaccines has changed under RFK Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership at Health and Human Services has led to changes in vaccine recommendations and access, sparking concerns among medical experts.
wapo.st
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Jul 22
Coke just confirmed its cane sugar soda is coming to the U.S. this fall. RFK Jr. described the alternative as a "MAHA win."

But nutritionists told @rachelroubein.bsky.social replacing one sugar for another isn't making America healthier www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Coke confirms cane sugar soda is coming to the U.S. Is it healthier?
Some nutritionists said there is little benefit in substituting high-fructose corn syrup, a staple of sugary snacks and drinks, with cane sugar.
www.washingtonpost.com
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · Jun 25
On ACIP membership: RFK Jr. has said Sen. Cassidy will choose a member of ACIP. Cassidy said today he's submitted names; at least one is being interviewed.

w/ @lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/lena...
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Jun 25
UPDATE (and scoop): RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel to review childhood immunization schedule. Also: He has appointed a vaccine critic to CDC’s vaccine safety office. Me + @laurenweberhp.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · Jun 24
A look at how medical groups are mobilizing to preserve vaccine access:
— Discussing potentially ordering shots from manufacturers
— Giving greater weight to vax recs from medical societies
— Asking plans to maintain coverage of shots

with @lenasun.bsky.social

bsky.app/profile/lena...
lenasun.bsky.social
Lena Sun @lenasun.bsky.social · Jun 24
NEW: The extraordinary effort behind the scenes by medical groups, state health officials, pharmacists, insurers and manufacturers to make sure Americans can keep getting vaccines covered by insurance. And bypass RFK Jr. Me + @rachel_roubein

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
How medical groups may preserve vaccine access — and bypass RFK Jr.
The extraordinary effort to create a parallel system of recommending and perhaps even providing vaccines faces major challenges.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · Jun 24
To bypass RFK Jr., medical societies, local health officials and others are creating a shadow system to preserve vaccine access for Americans.

@lenasun.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social take us inside the counteroffensive wapo.st/3TBmtVd
The plan to vaccinate all Americans, despite RFK Jr.
The extraordinary effort to create a parallel system of recommending and perhaps even providing vaccines faces major challenges.
wapo.st
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · Jun 11
House Rs seek to eliminate a nutrition program for Americans on food stamps in Trump bill, alarming program leaders who say states would be forced to pare back efforts to improve Americans' health.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
Nutrition program for Americans on food stamps at risk in GOP bill
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education, or SNAP-Ed, faces elimination in a GOP bill, sparking concerns about the impact on low-income Americans' health education.
www.washingtonpost.com
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rachelroubein.bsky.social
Rachel Roubein @rachelroubein.bsky.social · May 29
HHS cancels funding for Moderna to develop vaccines to combat bird flu. The company was using mRNA — the same technology hailed as a major medical achievement during the first Trump administration.

with @lenasun.bsky.social

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
HHS cancels funding for Moderna to develop vaccines to combat bird flu
The department cited Moderna’s use of the messenger RNA technology, which it said “remains under-tested,” for the cancellation of the funding.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · May 27
RFK Jr. removed the coronavirus vaccine from the immunization schedule for otherwise healthy children and pregnant women.

This is a rare move that bypasses the traditional system for vaccine recommendations with expert review www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
RFK Jr. ends covid shot recommendation for healthy children, pregnant women
Currently the vaccine is recommended for all people over 6 months of age.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
fenitn.bsky.social
Fenit Nirappil @fenitn.bsky.social · May 20
The era of annual coronavirus vaccination may be ending.

The FDA unveiled plans to limit approval to older adults and people with underlying conditions, @rachelroubein.bsky.social & @lenasun.bsky.social report
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
FDA to limit covid shot approval to elderly, those with medical conditions
The agency will narrow its approval for updated coronavirus vaccines, marking a significant shift in the agency’s approach to green-lighting shots that have been recommended broadly to the public.
www.washingtonpost.com
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Reposted by Rachel Roubein
sarahkaplan48.bsky.social
Sarah Kaplan @sarahkaplan48.bsky.social · May 14
Asked if he would vaccinate his own children against measles, the nation's top health official said "probably," then added, “I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me."

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/... via @rachelroubein.bsky.social and @laurenweberhp.bsky.social
Congress grills RFK Jr. on budget cuts, measles vaccine
The nation’s top health official, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faces questions from lawmakers on his response to the measles outbreak and plans for budget cuts.
www.washingtonpost.com
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