Health Care — RFK further limits COVID-19 vaccines

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  RFK further limits COVID-19 shot to high-risk groups  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated versions of Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines, but limited who is eligible to receive the shots.   © AP Now, the jabs are approved for seniors and people with at least one underlying condition, putting them at a high risk of severe infection ahead of the upcoming respiratory viral season.   Moderna said the FDA greenlit its updated Spikevax vaccine, which offers protection against the LP.8.1 variant of the virus. Pfizer's updated Comirnaty shot, which also provides protection against the variant, was approved by the agency, the company said in a statement.     Pfizer's jab was approved for adults 65 and older, as well as people between ages 5 and 64 who have at least one underlying health risk that puts them at greater risk of developing severe outcomes from the virus.     These approvals coincided with Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announcing that the FDA was rescinding the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines, removing another potential avenue through which health individuals may have been able to access the shots.  Under the EUA, children and adults could access COVID-19 vaccines regardless of their health status. The EUAs were granted to the COVID-19 vaccines prior to them receiving full approval from the FDA. EUAs are granted to medical products by the FDA when no approved, alternative product is available and the agency has determined that the potential benefits outweigh potential risks.  Despite these narrowed approvals and pathways to access, it remains unclear whether all individuals will be able to get COVID-19 vaccines this upcoming respiratory viral season.    In his announcement Wednesday, Kennedy said, "These vaccines are available for all patients who choose them after consulting with their doctors."  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health.   Correction: The principal deputy assistant secretary of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response is John Knox. Tuesday's newsletter misspelled his last name. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: CDC Director Susan Monarez ousted just weeks after confirmation Susan Monarez, the longtime government scientist recently confirmed as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been let go from her position after less than a month in the role. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Hill that Monarez was ousted as CDC director. The Senate confirmed her July 29. “Susan Monarez is no longer director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. …  Full Story Abbott signs 'Make Texas Healthy Again' laws alongside RFK Jr. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in Austin Wednesday to promote new “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) state laws. The new MAHA laws prohibit the use of federal food assistance to purchase sodas and candy; ban certain additives in free and reduced-priced school meals; and create stricter labeling requirements for food manufacturers. “This puts Texas …  Full Story HHS goes to war against employee unions The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a war on labor unions representing its workers when it announced last week it would be derecognizing representation in several offices.  Although labor representatives maintain this move was illegal, a recent federal court decision paved the way for derecognition, at least while legal battles play out in court. The HHS said Friday it would no longer be recognizing union …  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read: 'Potentially illegal' for University of Michigan to halt gender-affirming care, state AG says Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) on Tuesday denounced a recent decision by the University of Michigan's hospital system to suspend gender-affirming care for transgender youth, calling the move "cowardly" and possibly "illegal." Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Plague cases reported in New Mexico, California, and Arizona (WKRC)  As DACA recipients lose federal health benefits, Washington state offers immigrants an alternative (KUOW)  Health professionals and students say abortion restrictions in Wisconsin diminish care (Wisconsin Examiner)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Blue states that sued kept most CDC grants, while red states feel brunt of Trump clawbacks (KFF Health News)  Republicans could take midterm hit if Obamacare subsidies expire (Politico)  Novo Nordisk links to telehealth providers for patients seeking Wegovy (Stat)  What People Think  Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: The quiet collapse of America's pandemic preparedness     You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? 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