Lena Sun

A new poll shows who Americans trust over the CDC The new findings come after the Trump administration in January took the unprecedented step of overhauling the CDC’s routine childhood immunization schedule.

NEW: A new poll shows who Americans trust over the CDC. Survey reveals substantial gap between the major professional health associations and CDC, FDA and NIH. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Inside RFK Jr.’s push against the flu vaccine that he links to his voice condition Trump’s health secretary has halted federal flu vaccine promotions, citing personal beliefs about vaccine risks.

Nice reporting by @lenasun.bsky.social and colleagues about the irrational and deceptive arguments that RFK Jr has used to take away the recommendation for routine influenza vaccine. Meantime, we have seen many unvaccinated kids with flu in the ICU, on ECMO, and who died. wapo.st/46jSng1

Our deep dive on RFK Jr, his voice condition and flu vaccine. (with correct handles this time) @laurenweberhp.bsky.social and me and @caitlingilbert.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com

From @lenasun.bsky.social article: "Three top voice medical experts and Dysphonia International said there is no scientific basis for the claim that the flu vaccine is behind Kennedy’s condition; there is evidence to suggest a potential association between dystonias and certain drug use."

2/ “Having seen over 300 patients with this condition over the course of my 30 year career, no one else has ever claimed or felt that they developed this condition due to a vaccination of any kind,“ said Steven Bielamowicz, an expert.

Inside RFK Jr.’s push against the flu vaccine that he links to his voice condition Trump’s health secretary has halted federal flu vaccine promotions, citing personal beliefs about vaccine risks.

NEW: RFKJr seems to have a personal reason for his long-running campaign against the flu vaccine: He links it to his voice condition. Our deep dive on the science. 1/2 @laurenweber.bsky.social, me @caitlinsgilbert.bsky.Social @Washingtonpost.Bsky.Social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Inside RFK Jr.’s push against the flu vaccine that he links to his voice condition Trump’s health secretary has halted federal flu vaccine promotions, citing personal beliefs about vaccine risks.

🚨 Inside RFK Jr.’s long-running crusade against the flu vaccine w/ @lenasun.bsky.social @caitlingilbert.bsky.social

-links vaccine to his voice condition without evidence 
-moved to kill a flu vaccine campaign his 2nd day on job
-changed vaccine schedule

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

After leaving WHO, Trump officials propose more expensive replacement to duplicate it HHS proposes spending $2 billion a year to re-create systems the U.S. accessed through the WHO at a fraction of the cost, according to officials briefed on the matter.

🚨 WaPo scoop: You've heard of Trump's "board of peace."

Now HHS wants to build its own World Health Organization that will cost exponentially more than the U.S.'s contribution to the WHO.

-- with the incredible @lenasun.bsky.social

After leaving WHO, Trump officials propose more expensive replacement to duplicate it HHS proposes spending $2 billion a year to re-create systems the U.S. accessed through the WHO at a fraction of the cost, according to officials briefed on the matter.

The latest big scoop from @lenasun.bsky.social w/ @jacobbogage.bsky.social assisting

After pulling out of the WHO, Trump officials are proposing the U.S. spend about three times as much to duplicate it wapo.st/4tKRwyM

After leaving WHO, Trump officials propose more expensive replacement to duplicate it HHS proposes spending $2 billion a year to re-create systems the U.S. accessed through the WHO at a fraction of the cost, according to officials briefed on the matter.

SCOOP: After leaving WHO, Trump officials propose more expensive replacement to duplicate it. At a cost 3x what US paid annually. Me and @Jacobbogage.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

AMA joins effort to launch vaccine science review amid CDC turmoil The American Medical Association and a partner group are taking on a new role in reviewing vaccine safety and effectiveness as the CDC’s review process faces criticism.

NEW: The AMA and a leading public health research group focused on vaccines are teaming up to create a parallel system to review vaccine safety and effectiveness. 
The CDC’s vaccine review process has “effectively collapsed” under RFKJr. My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

“Katie Mettler, a former chair of the Washington Post guild, said: “I’m glad Will Lewis has been fired. I wish it had happened before he fired all my friends.”” www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/t...

We are absolutely heartbroken by the loss of two-thirds of our Washington Post health team. Editors, please hire these wonderful journalists.

Thank you so much for those kind words. Yes Monica is still here. Thank goodness.

We had devastating cuts to @washingtonpost. Our health team of 14 lost 9 reporters yesterday despite it being listed as part of the Post’s new focus.
But I still have my job. Along w/a core team, we are still dedicated to covering public health, holding the powerful to account.

What South Carolina’s soaring measles outbreak means for the rest of the U.S. More than 840 measles infections have been reported in South Carolina, surpassing the tally in Texas last year. Public health experts say it shows the risks when vaccination coverage falls.

South Carolina is now experiencing the nation’s worst measles outbreak since the virus was declared eliminated a quarter century ago.

@lenasun.bsky.social and photographer Juan Diego Reyes show what’s happening on the ground wapo.st/4rttZRg

Atlanta, Memphis and Nashville are metro areas with vaccination rates below the needed 95 percent. Measles outbreaks in those areas would be “terrifying,” said Scott Thorpe, head of a nonprofit public health group focused on the South.

SC has already seeded cases in NC and Washington states. “We are losing decades of public health successes, and children will get very sick and die from preventable illnesses,” said Martha Edwards, head of AAP’s SC chapter.

What South Carolina’s soaring measles outbreak means for the rest of the U.S. More than 840 measles infections have been reported in South Carolina, surpassing the tally in Texas last year. Public health experts say it shows the risks when vaccination coverage falls.

NEW: South Carolina’s measles outbreak is country’s largest in more than 25 years. But its falling vaccination coverage + rising religious exemptions from school requirements don’t make it an outlier. My story. Gift link. 1/3
wapo.st/4rttZRg

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Freeze of public health funds for states, then reversal, sows confusion A sense of whiplash spread across state public health agencies after the Trump administration paused $5 billion in federal spending, only to quickly say it would lift the pause on Saturday.

BREAKING: Sudden freeze of public health funds for states, then reversal, throws state and local health departments into confusion on eve of major snowstorm. Me + @Rachelroubein.Bsky.com
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Formal U.S. withdrawal from WHO is decried as ‘scientifically reckless’ Trump justified withdrawing from the health alliance formed in 1948 based on what he viewed as the “mishandling” of the coronavirus pandemic and a failure to adopt changes.

NEW: US formally exits WHO. U.S. officials say nation will remain a global leader in health, but through “existing and new engagements directly with other countries, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and faith-based entities.” My story.
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

CDC staff ‘blindsided’ as child vaccine schedule unilaterally overhauled The Trump administration took unprecedented steps to recommend fewer vaccines for children without extensive consultations with career scientists.

SCOOP: CDC vaccine experts were blindsided by RFKJr top deputy’s decision to unilaterally overhaul child schedule. Also, previously undisclosed CDC presentation refutes Trump admin narrative that US is outlier on vaccine policy. My story @Washingtonpost.com
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/...

Our deep dive on RFKJr. Re the previously undisclosed email, former ACIP chair and longtime member says:
“The secretary is within his legal rights to make these suggestions or request requests, but it’s unheard of as far as I know.” gift link below. @washingtonpost.com

Inside RFK Jr.’s reshaping of public health in Trump’s first year Interviews with almost 100 people reveal how Kennedy, as health secretary, has reshaped the vaccine and broader public health infrastructure in less than a year.

The Post interviewed almost 100 sources for this comprehensive, revelatory account of how RFK Jr. has disrupted public health in America.

It's the capstone to a year of extensive reporting by @rachelroubein.bsky.social, @lenasun.bsky.social & @laurenweberhp.bsky.social.

Gift link: wapo.st/48YSPC1

Under RFK Jr., U.S. plans to stop recommending most vaccines, defer to doctors The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.

BREAKING: The U.S. is preparing to stop recommending most childhood vaccines and defer to doctors instead.

The plan, which is not finalized, marks a fundamental shift in the U.S. vaccine strategy, @lenasun.bsky.social & @rachelroubein.bsky.social report.

Gift link: wapo.st/4aXfzn5

Pediatricians said shifting to more restrictive type of recommendation will confuse doctors and patients. “ I have never been more concerned about the future of vaccines and children’s health than I am now,” said pediatrician David Higggins. 4/4

It is not immediately clear, which shots would no longer be routinely recommended. Plans are still in flux, the people said. 3/4

The plan would more closely align the US schedule with that of Denmark. It would also shift most vaccines to a more restrictive approach, known as shared clinical decision-making 2/4

U.S. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors The plan, which is not finalized, suggests children get fewer shots and shifts to a model telling parents to consult doctors to make their own vaccine choices.

BREAKING: US. plans to stop recommending most childhood vaccines, defer to doctors, per sources familiar. HHS consulted w chief science officer and top FDA official. Me and @rachel_roubein
1/4
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...