Jason Ukman

As NIH launches new autism research effort, the focus is on environmental factors The NIH is making a $50 million bet: Understanding environmental factors will help researchers better understand why some people have autism.

The NIH is making a $50 million bet: environmental "exposures" are critical for understanding why some people have autism

www.statnews.com/2025/10/03/n...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

Neither RFK Jr. nor his deputy — who is also acting CDC director — have signed off yet on ACIP recommendations, leaving states unable to order updated Covid shots for the Vaccines for Children program, which serves low-income families.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay Two weeks after vaccine advisers approved new Covid recs, Kennedy still hasn’t given his approval, leaving states unable to order updated shots for low-income kids.

Without high-level administration sign-off, states have so far been unable to order updated Covid shots for children from low-income families who depend on the Vaccines for Children program.

Via @aniloza.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/c...

Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal The Trump administration’s posture toward the pharma industry has largely been driven by threats, and a tense negotiation over prices. On Tuesday, in the Oval Office, there was talk of friendship.

At today's WH announcement on drug pricing, the jolly mood and talk of friendship in the Oval Office, @matthewherper.bsky.social notes, were "familiar to anyone who has ever encountered New York real estate."

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/w...

Trump strikes deal with Pfizer aimed at lowering prescription drug prices Pfizer will offer discounted prices on some of its drugs and avoid U.S. tariffs, in a deal with President Trump.

It's not the main headline of the day but the fact that Pfizer has officially managed to escape Trump tariffs under the president’s national security powers for three more years is no small thing.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/t...

Push to create functional human eggs in the lab stumbles, pioneering fertility researcher reports Pioneering embryologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov reported that his team has encountered hurdles in creating functional human eggs in the lab

Pioneering embryologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov reported that his team has encountered hurdles in creating functional human eggs in the lab
www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/f...

Biden and Trump are fighting to claim credit for $35 insulin. It was actually a pharma giant’s idea Biden and Trump are fighting to claim credit for $35 insulin. Here’s the real story.

In the Oval Office, Trump claims credit for bringing insulin prices down. Biden also tried to take credit.

In a way, they are both wrong. Story from @rachelcohrs.bsky.social from last year.

www.statnews.com/2024/06/13/i...

Trump to roll out plan aimed at lowering prescription drug prices Pfizer will offer discounted prices on some of its drugs and avoid U.S. tariffs, in a deal with President Trump.

NEWS: Trump to roll out plan aimed at lowering prescription drug prices, as Pfizer strikes deal with the administration to reduce some prices, avoid tariffs for three years.

Via @matthewherper.bsky.social @danielpayne.bsky.social @elaineywchen.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/t...

Days before Trump deadline to lower prices, companies push a flurry of initiatives. Will it be enough? Drugmakers are scrambling to make last-minute announcements ahead of a Trump deadline on Monday for the firms to lower U.S. prices.

Days before Trump deadline to lower prices, companies push a flurry of initiatives. Will it be enough?

w/ @elaineywchen.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/26/p...

How the government establishes research grant overhead rates: ‘It’s not like buying a widget’ How the government establishes research grant overhead rates, according to an expert: ‘It’s not like buying a widget’

There are growing signs federal funding for research overhead is headed for a major shake-up. To understand what may change (and how things currently work), I spoke with former HHS & OMB staffer Gil Tran. A Q&A for @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/09/26/r...

Anthony Letai of Dana-Farber is front-runner to lead National Cancer Institute A popular and respected scientist is reported to be in line to lead the nation's most important cancer research office.

News: Anthony Letai of Dana-Farber is front-runner to lead National Cancer Institute.

Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2025/09/24/n...

Re-upping for the morning crowd: what we know about one of the researchers fueling Trump's false push to say Tylenol causes autism

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/r...

With Trump’s anti-vaccine comments, Kennedy’s influence grows RFK Jr. is moving rapidly to reshape vaccine policy, and Trump's remarks raise questions about how far the two may go.

New: For a brief time, it seemed like RFK Jr.'s criticism of Covid vaccines could spell trouble for him with the White House. Instead, he appears to retain as much political influence as ever.

Via @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social @danielpayne.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/t...

FDA’s leucovorin approval could be a boon for supplement makers Parents may flock to a dietary supplement with the same key ingredient as leucovorin, which the FDA just approved for children with autism. But there are drawbacks.

New: RFK Jr. and aides touted leucovorin as a treatment for autism, despite limited evidence. Now, makers of a related supplement, available without a prescription, could try to cash in.

Via @tarabannow.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/l...

In dispensing advice on Tylenol and autism, Trump takes on a new role: doctor in chief Trump repeatedly and forcefully issued direct medical advice during his autism announcement, in ways that went beyond presidential precedent.

“Presidents have a long history of giving the public advice on public health issues....The difference here is that there has never been a president who has taken stances that are in opposition to the vast majority of scientists and doctors.”

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/t...

Our best evidence says acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy. Better evidence could lay the issue to rest “Discerning the safety of medications during pregnancy shouldn’t require patients to have a Ph.D.,” a physician and a professor write.

Our best evidence says acetaminophen is safe during pregnancy. Better evidence could lay the issue to rest.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/a...

Countering Trump, European health officials stress that acetaminophen is safe to use during pregnancy Regulators in Europe have issued new statements backing the safety of Tylenol use in pregnancy, effectively repudiating claims from the Trump administration.

New: Europe is watching what is happening in the U.S. on Tylenol — and not convinced.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/23/t...

Trump, questioning vaccine safety, pushes major changes to how kids get shots At a White House event, Trump linked vaccines to autism and urged major changes in how kids get their shots.

What President Trump said today about vaccines could send shockwaves through the country for a very long time.

Story from @danielpayne.bsky.social @aniloza.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/t...

What the evidence tells us about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy increase the risk of autism? Can leucovorin help treat the condition? Here is what the evidence shows.

At a time of huge questions about autism, Tylenol, and more, you won't find a better source of information than @statnews.com.

Scientific explainer:
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/t...

FDA approval story:
www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/f...

Main story TK.

What the evidence tells us about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism Does taking Tylenol during pregnancy increase the risk of autism? Can leucovorin help treat the condition? Here is what the evidence shows.

An excellent, thorough explainer by @matthewherper.bsky.social about Tylenol, leucovorin, and autism. What the science actually tells us.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/22/t...

Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible” In a Q&A with STAT, Nobel winner Drew Weissman addressed concerns raised about Covid shots at a recent meeting of federal vaccine advisers.

Winner of mRNA Nobel Prize says ACIP member’s claim that Covid vaccines persist is “absolutely impossible”

In Q&A, Drew Weissman says vast literature shows Covid shots are safe, refutes claims from Retsef Levi
www.statnews.com/2025/09/20/d...

Federal vaccine panel remade by RFK Jr. votes to maintains insurance coverage for Covid shots The panel's decision would preserve broad insurance coverage for Covid-19 shots, even though some panelists questioned their benefits and safety.

Just in: Federal vaccine panel remade by RFK Jr. votes to maintain insurance coverage for Covid shots.

ACIP encourages consultations with clinicians, even as panelists question shots’ benefits.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/19/a...

Key federal vaccine panel considers delay to newborn hepatitis B shot, risking virus’ resurgence Experts fear that delaying the newborn hepatitis B shot will lead to more people with chronic liver infections and complications.

CDC's ACIP is about to discuss a potential delay in administering the hep B shot to newborns — here's what's at stake (we're tuning in and will be updating)

w/ @elaineywchen.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/18/c...

Federal vaccine adviser says former CDC officials can’t be trusted unless they agree to ‘public debate’ The chair of a key vaccine committee that advises the CDC will strike a confrontational tone at meeting of the panel, according to a copy of his prepared remarks.

The head of ACIP, the CDC vaccine advisory panel, comes out swinging, in a big way.

Via @matthewherper.bsky.social @chelseacirruzzo.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/18/c...

HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts A meeting of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and anti-vaccine campaigner David Geier with leaders of the country’s most robust database that

Scoop via @rosebroderick.bsky.social: HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/r...

Ousted CDC director says Kennedy plans to change pediatric vaccine schedule Ousted CDC director Susan Monarez told lawmakers that her boss, health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told her he plans to change the childhood vaccine schedule this month.

The ousted CDC director said today that RFK Jr. had told her that he had briefed Trump on plans to change the childhood vaccine channel — a fairly revealing thing, if true. A WH spox didn't address that claim either way in responding to her testimony.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m...

Fear and politics pervade Kennedy’s CDC, former leaders testify In a climate of fear CDC scientists are withdrawing names from papers, and local and global health agencies are losing confidence.

"The nation’s top health agency is not well, according to a portrait that emerged in testimony Wednesday by two of its former leaders."

@elizabethcooney.bsky.social on the state of affairs at the CDC.

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m...

On the one hand, these purported comments by an HHS secretary about CDC staff are astonishing. On the other, they echo much of what RFK Jr. has said publicly in the past.

Via @danielpayne.bsky.social @isabellacueto.bsky.social

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/m...

Major health insurer group says members will continue to cover vaccines, a step that may ease anxiety over access Amid concern about Americans’ access to vaccines, a major health insurance association said member plans will continue to cover all shots recommended by the ACIP.

Important news from @tarabannow.bsky.social ahead of this week's ACIP meeting

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/a...

FDA warning letters show how it intends to ratchet up pressure over drug ads The FDA's crackdown on drug advertising is unprecedented, but some experts questioned whether the agency has the staff to carry it out.

FDA warning letters show how it intends to ratchet up pressure over drug ads.

Via @statnews.com

www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/f...