F.D.A. Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe; The New York Times, May 5, 2026

 Christina Jewett , The New York Times; F.D.A. Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe

"Officials at the Food and Drug Administration have blocked publication of several studies supporting the safety of widely used vaccines against Covid-19 and shingles in recent months, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed.

The studies, which cost millions of dollars in public funds, were conducted by scientists at the agency, who worked with data firms to analyze millions of patient records. They found serious side effects to be very rare.

In October, the scientists were directed to withdraw two Covid-19 vaccine studies that had been accepted for publication in medical journals. In February, top F.D.A. officials did not sign off on submitting abstracts about studies of Shingrix, a shingles vaccine, to a major drug safety conference.

The withdrawal of the studies is the latest step by the administration to try to limit access to vaccines. It has sharply cut research funding for vaccine development, released unvetted information casting doubt on vaccines, and blocked other information supporting their safety, most recently a paper on Covid vaccine effectiveness by career scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

‘It’s not unusual’: RFK Jr. downplays largest measles outbreak in decades as cases spread to Kentucky; Independent, February 27, 2025

 Josh Marcus, Independent; ‘It’s not unusual’: RFK Jr. downplays largest measles outbreak in decades as cases spread to Kentucky

"During a Trump administration cabinet meeting, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. downplayed the ongoing measles outbreak in Texas that has killed a child and resulted in over 120 cases of the disease since January. 

“We are following the measles epidemic every day,” Kennedy said during the meeting. “Incidentally, there have been four measles outbreaks this year. In this country last year there were 16. So, it’s not unusual. We have measles outbreaks every year.”

He described those hospitalized as part of the outbreak centered near Gaines County as “mainly for quarantine,” though a local official said otherwise...

It’s the first measles death in the U.S. since 2015, all the more notable because the disease was considered eliminated in the U.S. as of 2000 given widespread vaccination."

Coos Bay Library offers community fridge; The World, October 14, 2023

Bree Laughlin , The World; Coos Bay Library offers community fridge

"Now, Coos Bay Public Library patrons can obtain fresh produce six days a week during the library’s open hours.

Addis and his colleagues at the library partnered with South Coast Food Share and The Beet Food Systems Consortium, which are helping to support the project by providing the fridge and funding for food and operational costs.

The program has been so successful, Addis needs to restock the fridge multiple times per week. He also provides handouts with recipes and the health benefits of certain fruits of vegetables.

“The vast majority of people are just extremely appreciative. People are coming in and it's been getting more popular every day,” he said.

Everyone who enters the library is eligible for free produce. Patrons can ask an employee to unlock the fridge. They will receive the free healthy food items after being asked a few questions (name, address, # of people in household) that will only be used for statistics. The library does not share personal information."