JUNE 2025 NEWS
Featured topic: Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices
Stories about the firing of ACIP members:
David Gorski (Science-Based Medicine): “RFK Jr.’s vaccine committee bloodbath: I hope you’re all up-to-date on your vaccines.”
Steven Novella (Science-Based Medicine): “RFK Jr. sacks entire CDC vaccine committee.”
Paul Offitt (Beyond the Noise): “The irony of RFK Jr.’s conflicts of interest gambit.”
Apoora Mandavilli (New York Times): “Kennedy removes all C.D.C. vaccine panel experts.”
As described in Consumer Health Digest, “Three major medical and public health organizations have issued statements critical of the removal of all members” of the Committee.
Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisors: “Viewpoint: RFK's reckless firing of CDC vaccine advisors not supported by evidence.”
Sheryl Stolberg: “Party politics is said to have played a role in Kennedy’s firing of vaccine advisers.”
Andrea Love (ImmunoLogic): “RFK Jr. destroyed vaccine trust for decades and now claims he is going to restore it?”
Consumer Health Digest: links to eight statements from organizations protesting the replacement of committee members.
Mike Stobbe (AP News): “Dismissed members of CDC vaccine committee call Kennedy’s actions ‘destabilizing’.”
Apoora Mandavilli (New York Times): “Why a vaccine expert left the C.D.C.: ‘Americans are going to die’.”
Stories about new appointees:
David Gorski (Science-Based Medicine): “RFK Jr.’s remade ACIP meets: And so it begins (in earnest)…the dismantling of US federal vaccine infrastructure.”
“Orac” (Respectful Insolence): “RFK Jr. guts ACIP to pack it with antivaxxers.”
Edzard Ernst: “Robert Malone (new member of the US ‘Vaccine Advisory Committee’) and 10 of his favorite ‘COVID-vaccination-myths’.”
John Gregory (NewsGuard): “COVID vax can cause cancer, killed 17 million among hoaxes advanced by new CDC vaccine advisor Robert Malone.”
Sheryl Stolberg (New York Times): “Kennedy announces eight new members of C.D.C. vaccine advisory panel.”
Beth Mole (Ars Technica): “RFK Jr. announces 8 appointees to CDC vaccine panel – they’re not good.”
Stories about the first meeting of the new panel:
David Gorski (Science-Based Medicine): “RFK Jr.’s reconstituted vaccine committee meets for the first time, and I can’t help but think of clowns…antivax clowns.”
Jeremy Faust (Inside Medicine): “News: The CDC vaccine committee is set to vote on thimerosal in influenza vaccines. Vote revives and elevates a longstanding anti-vaccine conspiracy theory.”
Beth Mole (Ars Technica): “All childhood vaccines in question after first meeting of RFK Jr.’s vaccine panel.”
Jeremy Faust (Inside Medicine): “Chaos at CDC's vaccine meeting. One member resigns. Some scientific materials not vetted by agency experts. American Academy of Pediatrics boycotts.”
Lauren Weber and Lena Sun (Washington Post): “RFK Jr. wins his fight against a rare, safe flu-shot ingredient.”
Chris Dahl (Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy): “Vaccine, public health advocates warn of fallout from ACIP meeting.”
Other stories:
Lena Sun and Lauren Weber (Washington Post): “How vaccine critics appointed by RFK Jr. could limit access to shots.”
Ashish Jha (Washington Post): “RFK Jr. is sabotaging the vaccine program. Here’s how to stop him.”
Beth Mole (Ars Technica): “After RFK Jr. overhauls CDC panel, measles and flu vaccines are up for debate.”
Featured topic: political developments
On Science-Based Medicine,
David Gorski posted:
“Marty Makary and Vinay Prasad embrace a ‘more fluid concept of evidence’ at the FDA.”
Jonathan Howard posted:
“Our medical establishment is flailing.”
“Dr. Vinay Prasad is repeatedly undermining RCTs [randomized controlled trials]. Why?”
Kathleen Seidel posted:
“The Long Med Con: the self-styled expertise and expansive invoices of Mark & David Geier.”
David Weinberg posted:
“HHS explains new vaccine recommendations: Is this the 'gold standard science' we were promised?”
Edzard Ernst posted:
“Trump’s systematic demolition of public health.” The post discussed a list compiled by Jessica Knurick entitled “Everything this administration has done to undermine public health.”
“Trump is making sure pseudoscience will outlast him.”
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is not just wrong, he is outright dangerous.”
On Beyond the Noise, Paul Offit posted:
“The Covid vaccine-pregnancy flip flop
“Don’t trust the old FDA, trust us.”
“RFK Jr.’s letter to Congress.” “In which he explained why he withdrew the Covid-19 vaccine recommendation for young children and pregnant women.”
June 2 – Sara Moniuszko (CBS News) wrote “Removing fluoride from water could result in 25 million cavities and cost $9.8 billion, study estimates.”
June 4 – Irena Hwang and others (New York Times) posted “The disappearing funds for chronic diseases, global health, vaccination research.”
June 4 – Apoorva Mandavilli (New York Times) wrote “Trump budged eliminates funding for crucial global vaccination programs.
June 5 – Christina Jewett (New York Times) wrote “Kennedy says ‘charlatans’ are no reason to block unproven stem cell treatments.”
June 6 – Michelle Smith and Ali Swenson (AP) reported “How Trump’s pick for surgeon general uses her big online following to make money.”
June 9 – Carolyn Johnson (Washington Post) reported “NIH scientists have been angry for months. Now some are rebelling.” “More than 90 NIH scientists signed their names to the ‘Bethesda Declaration’ in protest of Trump administration policies they say are harming people’s health.”
June 11 – As noted in Consumer Health Digest, “Thirty medical, nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, public health, and consumer advocacy organizations in the U.S. have issued an open letter that: (a) objects to a new federal policy that no longer recommends a COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, and (b) urges ‘payers and insurers to continue making the COVID-19 vaccine available to pregnant people without undue utilization management or cost-sharing requirements’.”
June 17 – Wendy Grossman (Skeptical Inquirer) wrote “Letter to America: exporting Aseem Malhotra.” “…the Make America Healthy Again movement has appointed a Chief Medical Advisor: British cardiologist Aseem Malhotra.”
June 19 – David Michaels and Wendy Wagner (Science) published “Fool's gold.” “On 23 May, President Trump issued an executive order (EO)—Restoring Gold Standard Science.”
June 22 - Emily Badger, Aatish Bhatia and Ethan Singer (New York Times) wrote “Here is all the science at risk in Trump’s clash with Harvard.” “The money the government sends to Harvard is, in effect, not a subsidy to advance the university’s mission. It’s a payment for the role Harvard plays in advancing the research mission of the United States.”
June 23 – Michael Simpson (Skeptical Raptor) wrote “Four alternative medical treatments coming back thanks to RFK Jr.” Methods discussed are hydroxychloroquine, colloidal silver, vitamin D, and Miracle Mineral Solution.
June 24 – Lena Sun and Rachel Roubein (Washington Post) published “The plan to vaccinate all Americans, despite RFK Jr.”
June 25 – Stephanie Nolen (New York Times) wrote “Kennedy withdraws U.S. funding pledge to international vaccine agency.”
June 25 – Alexander Tin (CBS News) reported “CDC to hire former head of anti-vaccine group founded by RFK Jr.” “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is hiring Lyn Redwood, a nurse and the former head of a group critics have denounced as anti-vaccine, to work in its vaccine safety office…”
June 25 – Stephanie Nolen (New York Times) wrote “Promise of victory over H.I.V. fades as U.S. withdraws support.”
June 27 – Associated Press posted “RFK Jr. made promises about vaccines. Here’s what he’s done as health secretary.”
June 27 – Anicka Slachta (NewsGuard) wrote “RFK Jr. gets a bigger megaphone.” “Since emerging as the country’s nominated top health official in January, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spread 12 provably false health claims in government hearings, media appearances, and on social media that have collectively amassed 25 million views on X alone…”
Other topics
On Science-Based Medicine,
Scott Gavura:
Asked “Should you take vitamin K with your vitamin D?” “The hypothesis that underpins adult supplementation is that while vitamin D3 increases calcium absorption, concurrent vitamin K2 supplementation is claimed to help ensure that this calcium is directed to bones (good) rather than accumulating in blood vessels (bad)…While the combination of vitamin D3 and K2 is widely promoted in health circles and by manufacturers of these products, current evidence does not support routine co-supplementation in the general population. While there is some evidence suggesting modest effects on bone markers in specific groups like postmenopausal women, meaningful clinical benefits, such as fracture or cardiovascular risk reduction have not been demonstrated in high-quality trials. Vitamin K supplements have an evidence-based role in treating or preventing deficiency, but for most individuals, adequate intake is achieved with a balanced diet. Until better evidence emerges to clarify the benefits and risks of combined supplementation, clinical guidance remains appropriately cautious. As with many supplements, the marketing and hype outpaces the evidence.”
David Gorski:
Posted “No turbo cancer at ASCO: William Makis vs. Scott Adams and A Midwestern Doctor instead?” Dr. Gorski expanded his earlier Respectful Insolence discussion of Makis and Adams to include another advocate of unconventional cancer treatments, “A Midwestern Doctor.”
Steven Novella:
Wrote “Seed oils are not bad for you.” “So-called ‘health influencers’ – self-appointed health gurus spreading their unvetted opinions about health through social media, have apparently decided that seed oils are bad for you…In fact seed oils, if anything, are at the healthier end of the spectrum when it comes to food in general and oils in particular.”
Posted “Oregano snake oil.” “…claims for oregano oil are based partly on traditional use and partly on pre-clinical data. There is almost no scientific data involving people. Proponents are extrapolating from the basic science to clinical claims, which is not valid and has proven extremely unreliable. They justify this with the usual appeal-to-nature fallacious arguments.”
Edzard Ernst:
Posted “’Strong opposition’ to expanding Medicare coverage for chiropractic services.” “It has been reported that members of the U.S. House and Senate are proposing the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, ensuring reimbursement for all medically necessary services provided by chiropractors. However, the American College of Radiology and American Society of Neuroradiology have now joined over 90 other groups led by the AMA to announce their disapproval…Needless to say what I think about this bill! Chiropractors are not sufficiently trained in medicine, science or ethics to expand their services in the proposed way.”
Discussed “Efficacy of dry cupping on urinary incontinence in women.” “The authors concluded that, based on the results of the present study and considering the adverse events of the tolterodine use, dry cupping can be suggested as a therapeutic modality for women suffering from UI. Really? Who would make such a far-reaching recommendation on the back of such a flimsy trial? The study was tiny. There was no control or a placebo effect which can be expected to be substantial for dry cupping. Tolterodine is not hugely effective either. The treatment period was short and long-term results are unknown.”
Posted “The (in)effectiveness of homeopathic remedies in treating respiratory infections.” “This review is a perfect model for people who want to know how NOT to conduct a meaningful review…What emerges, once one has managed to obtain a clear picture of the carefully obfuscated evidence, is quite simple: there are no reliable studies to show that homeopathy is effective in treating respiratory infections. In view of this, I need to correct the conclusions of this review as follows: Research shows that homeopathy as a treatment of respiratory infections is not supported by the evidence of reliable clinical trials. Its use should therefore be discouraged.”
Posted “Comparative safety and efficacy of manual therapy interventions for cervicogenic headache: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.” “In my view, there are not enough reliable data for arriving at such firm conclusions. Furthermore, it is unclear how they assessed the safety of the various interventions. Considering the well-documented risks of CSM [cervical spinal manipulation], I would certainly not name it as the manual therapy of first choice.”
Wrote “Incomplete reporting and spin in acupuncture trials.” “The authors concluded that the reporting of acupuncture RCTs was low compliance with the CONSORT 2010 statement, the STRICTA checklist and the ICMJE data sharing statement, and spin appeared frequently. Journal policies on using reporting guidelines, data sharing and equitable consideration of non-significant results might enhance the reporting of acupuncture RCTs. This cannot surprise anyone who has followed my blog where we have repeatedly discussed the lamentable quality of acupuncture trials…As I have pointed out ad nauseam, the problem stems from acupuncture enthusiasts abusing science not for testing acupuncture but for confirming their quasi-religious belief that acupuncture is effective. This could be amusing to watch, but it has one important drawback: it misleads consumers and often endangers their health…I think consumers, decision makers, physicians, editors, etc. should become much more critical about the utter nonsense that is being published in this area.”
Posted “’After seeing the chiropractor, I was seeing things and blacking out’.” “Yet another case with insufficient details to draw firm conclusions. My chiro friends will not be happy. This is not evidence!, they will say. And right they are! So, let’s look at some more reliable evidence. Here are 3 recent and relevant abstracts…”
Discussed “A new ‘comprehensive overview’ of oil pulling in oral and systemic health.” “This is not a ‘comprehensive overview’ but a comprehensively misleading paper. As to the conclusion that oil pulling is a safe, cost-effective, and efficient, I should point out that: the safety of oil pulling is assumed but has not actually been tested; the cost-effectiveness of oil pulling is assumed but has not actually been tested; efficiency means the quality of achieving the largest amount of useful work using as little energy as possible and is meaningless in this context. I suspect the authors meant ‘effectiveness’ which is also wrong because it is not evidence-based…So, what is the conclusion? To me, the evidence looks promising as far as oral health is concerned. For all other indication, oil pulling is neither plausible nor evidence-based.”
Posted “Effects of the laying on of hands on brain electrical activity.” “I feel that I ought to re-write the conclusion as follows: The findings suggest that the laying on of hands by a spiritual healer has effects similar to those of the same ritual performed by a lay person. The effects are most likely caused by the attention given to the patient and are not specific to spiritual healing.”
Posted “Osteopathic manipulation for acute otitis media in pediatric patients?” “The authors concluded that the current literature on the use of OMT for acute and recurrent otitis media in pediatric patients suggests, with low certainty, that OMT may provide modest benefits in reducing recurrence rates and improving middle ear function…I disagree! The 3 RCTs [randomized controlled trials] were small and flimsy. They do not even show ‘low certainty, that OMT may provide modest benefits in reducing recurrence rates and improving middle ear function.’ On the contrary, they demonstrate that there is no reliable evidence! Our own systematic review concluded that the effectiveness of OMT for pediatric populations remains unproven which applies to any condition. We should also ask why on earth OMT should be an effective intervention for AOM? Is there a plausible mechanism of action? The answer is NO!”
Discussed “Chiropractic spinal manipulation: what harm can it cause?” “I have often pointed out that the value of a therapy is not solely determined by its potential for harm. It depends crucially on the risk/benefit profile. The benefits of CSM are few and mostly uncertain. Thus the question arises: DO THE BENEFITS OF CSM OUTWEIGH ITS RISKS?”
Wrote “The Gerson therapy does not kill the cancer, it kills the patient.” “Another tragic and avoidable death brought about by the dreadful Gerson therapy.” Another post on the Gerson therapy was “'Dr' Patrick Vickers and ‘the world’s premier clinic for the treatment of cancer and advanced disease’.” “The Gerson therapy’s demanding nature (e.g., ~13 hours of juicing daily, multiple enemas), ineffectiveness and high cost renders it little more than a truly dangerous, disagreeable rip-off. And what does that make a chiro pretending to be a doctor advocating it as a cancer cure?”
Asked “Is laughter really the best therapy?” “So, there is a surprising amount of encouraging evidence. But there is also a void of answers to important questions, e.g.: How do the effects compare to conventional treatments? How long do the effects last? How expensive is the treatment? How easy is it to implement in a hospital setting?”
Wrote “What are the reasons for people to use so-called alternative medicine?”
On McGill Office for Science and Society:
Jonathan Jarry:
Wrote “Functional medicine is a pipeline to alt med.” “Take-home message: Functional medicine is not a specialty of medicine but rather a way to move conventional healthcare providers into the alternative medicine space. Practitioners will order a large number of unneeded medical tests, leading to many potential false positive results, and are encouraged to interpret results loosely by not just looking for signs of disease but for anything that might indicate “imbalance.” The solutions they propose include restrictive diets for no good reason, as well as many dietary supplements that have often never been shown to work.”
Posted: The paper-thin evidence for mouth taping.” “Take-home message: Mouth taping is the trend of putting a small piece of tape over your mouth before going to bed to force yourself to breathe through your nose, which is supposed to lead to multiple health benefits. What popularized the practice is James Nestor’s best-selling book, Breath, in which he found out about it from a dentist who embraces pseudoscience. There is very little scientific evidence that mouth taping is beneficial, and for some people who have sleep apnea, it can actually be dangerous because their nose is obstructed.”
Eva Kellner:
Posted “Does a chocolate a day keep the Grim Reaper away?” “The Grim Reaper will eventually get us, but recent research indicates that theobromine in dark chocolate may slow down the aging process.”
Sophie Pellar:
Wrote “$1,950 worth of woo: the Biomat, unwrapped.” “Biomat’s website reads like it was written by a rogue AI with a thesaurus and a minor head injury. ‘3-part synergy of quantum energetics from deep-penetrating heat of Far Infrared Rays, Negative Ion therapy for cellular activation, and the healing properties of Amethyst’…The Biomat is pseudoscience gift-wrapped in scientific gibberish.”
Joe Schwarcz:
Wrote “An ode to yogurt.” “Research in probiotics is exploding so it is possible that one day a yogurt will be able to claim that it contains a specific blend of bacteria in the appropriate dose to treat some condition. Until that day, I’ll have my daily dose of kefir.”
Posted “Will vitamin D go the way of cod liver oil?” “Scrutinizing the scientific literature might dampen one’s enthusiasm for the ‘sunshine vitamin’."
Posted “Tomatoes and watermelon for depression. Really?” (video with transcript). “The dose of lycopene used in the mouse experiment was the equivalent of 150 mg of lycopene daily for an adult human. That amount would be found in 21 tomatoes or 14 cups of watermelon. No studies have ever used that much lycopene in people, so it is not possible to say whether it is safe.”
June 2 – Andrew Gregory (The Guardian) wrote “Cancer experts warn of coffee enemas and juice diets amid rise in misinformation.”
June 4 – Gretchen Reynolds (Washington Post) wrote “Are cold plunges good for you? Here’s what the science says.” “Cold plunges are very popular, but a new study shows they may interfere with muscle recovery and growth.”
June 10 – Beth Mole (Ars Technica) reported “False claims that ivermectin treats cancer, COVID lead states to pass OTC laws.” “Now, years after the acute phases of the COVID-19 crisis, the misinformation about ivermectin has not only persisted but also continued to grow and morph. Ivermectin now allegedly cures all cancers, foot pain, arthritis, lupus, and acne and even boosts your gut microbiome—in addition to curing COVID-19. It would be quite the miracle drug if only there were evidence to support any of that…Doctors told the Times that they have already seen some cases where patients with treatable, early-stage cancers have delayed effective treatments to try ivermectin, only to see no effect and return to their doctor's office with cancers that have advanced…16 states have proposed or passed legislation that would make ivermectin available over the counter. The intention is to make it much easier for people to get ivermectin and use it for any ailment they believe it can cure…State laws don't mean the dewormer would be readily available, however; ivermectin is still regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and it has not been approved for over-the-counter use yet.”
Additions to previous months
March 18 – “In response to growing concerns over vaccine misinformation, declining public trust in science, and recent outbreaks of preventable diseases, a coalition of 34 scientific and medical organizations, led by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and the American College of Physicians (ACP), issued the following unified statement on the impact and safety of vaccines, emphasizing the critical role of vaccinations in public health: We strongly support vaccination as a cornerstone of public health, a shining example of the power of scientific research, and a vital tool in the fight against preventable diseases. We urge everyone to adhere to recommended vaccination schedules to protect themselves, their families, and their communities. Together, we can continue to build a healthier and safer world for ourselves and future generations. We encourage all individuals to speak to their trusted healthcare professional regarding their personal medical care or if they have any concerns or questions about vaccines.”
April 30 – Chuck Dinerstein (American Council on Science and Health) wrote “Secretary Kennedy’s dangerous disservice: Gardasil falsehoods.”