Kennedy's firing of U.S. immunization committee is worrisome, Canadian scientists say
Canadian doctors and scientists say Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s firing of an immunization advisory committee south of the border is worrisome.
On Monday, the U.S. health and human services secretary – a longtime anti-vaccine advocate – said he will appoint new members to the scientific group that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccination.
Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan, said Tuesday that the move will foster more false anti-vaccine beliefs, not only in the U.S. but also in Canada.
'It creates a culture in which anti-vaxx beliefs are more accepted and challenged a lot less. And also it creates an environment where there's an alternative to an evidence-based recommendation framework,' she said.
Opinion: The measles outbreak shows why we need a vaccine registry
Even though Kennedy's new appointments will make vaccine recommendations specific to the United States, any disinformation could also feed vaccine hesitancy among Canadians, Rasmussen said.
'We have a lot of the same anti-vaxx sentiment up here. Certainly this will at the very least empower [that],' she said.
Rasmussen said current measles outbreaks in both countries show the consequences of disinformation that leads to parents not immunizing their children against preventable diseases.
She said Canada could also experience some fallout if the new committee pulls back vaccination recommendations, because manufacturers may cut back on production and that could lead to shortages.
'There's a lot of potential for really, really damaging vaccine access throughout the U.S. and potentially around the world because the U.S. market has a big impact on what vaccine manufacturers are actually going to make and manufacture,' she said.
'There's so many ways that this can end up really badly for vaccination in general. And it really causes me a lot of concern.'
Rasmussen said the firing of the advisory committee members is just the latest in a series of anti-public health actions Kennedy has taken.
'It's a death by a thousand cuts,' said Rasmussen, who is American and moved to Canada during the pandemic to work at the University of Saskatchewan's Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization.
Ontario baby's measles-related death highlights that vaccination is critical, health experts say
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has already cut billions of dollars in research grants at the National Institutes of Health.
In May, the administration cancelled a contract with mRNA vaccine manufacturer Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic influenza viruses, including H5N1 avian flu.
'It just seems that there is a top-down approach that views mRNA vaccines in particular – vaccination in general, but mRNA vaccines in particular – with distrust and is trying to dismantle that particular avenue of medical research,' said Dr. Jesse Papenburg, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Montreal Children's Hospital.
Papenburg, who is a member of Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization but was not speaking on its behalf, said although the Moderna contract cancellation and the firing of the U.S. vaccine advisory committee members are two separate actions, they're both concerning as Canada tries to prepare for potential human-to-human transmission of H5N1.
'Both are potentially very dangerous when it comes to America's and the world's ability to respond to emerging infectious diseases for which vaccines could be a useful medical countermeasure,' he said.
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Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
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Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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Ovarian Cancer Market Barriers • The absence of reliable early screening methods and vague initial symptoms often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages, limiting curative treatment options and affecting patient outcomes. • Limited access to specialized oncology care, especially in rural and low-income regions, along with underutilization of genetic testing among minority populations, continues to hinder equitable treatment and diagnosis. Scope of the Ovarian Cancer Market Report • Study Period: 2020–2034 • Coverage: 7MM [The United States, EU5 (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and Japan]. • Key Ovarian Cancer Companies: Genmab, AstraZeneca, On Target Laboratories, Chipscreen Biosciences, Aravive, Inc., Allarity Therapeutics, Merck KGaA, GlaxoSmithKline, Aprea Therapeutics, Verastem, Inc., Ellipses Pharma, Impact Therapeutics, Inc., BeiGene, Apexigen, Novartis Oncology, VBL Therapeutics, Cristal Therapeutics, Bayer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, DCPrime BV, AIM ImmunoTech Inc., Pharmicell Co., Ltd., Shattuck Labs, Inc., Laekna Limited, Celsion, and others. • Key Ovarian Cancer Therapies: Avutometinib + defactinib, Relacorilant, IMFINZI, Rinatabart sesutecan, Olvimulogene nanivacirepvec, Nemvaleukin alfa, Catequentinib, Raludotatug deruxtecan, Luveltamab Tazevibulin, Sacituzumab tirumotecan, Azenosertib (ZN-c3) + Niraparib, TORL-1-23, and others. • Ovarian Cancer Therapeutic Assessment: Ovarian Cancer currently marketed, and Ovarian Cancer emerging therapies. • Ovarian Cancer Market Dynamics: Ovarian Cancer market drivers and Ovarian Cancer market barriers. • Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces, BCG Matrix, Market entry strategies. • Ovarian Cancer Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Ovarian Cancer Market Access and Reimbursement. Table of Contents 1. Ovarian Cancer Market Report Introduction 2. Executive Summary for Ovarian Cancer 3. SWOT analysis of Ovarian Cancer 4. Ovarian Cancer Patient Share (%) Overview at a Glance 5. Ovarian Cancer Market Overview at a Glance 6. Ovarian Cancer Disease Background and Overview 7. Ovarian Cancer Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Country-Specific Patient Population of Ovarian Cancer 9. Ovarian Cancer Current Treatment and Medical Practices 10. Ovarian Cancer Unmet Needs 11. Ovarian Cancer Emerging Therapies 12. Ovarian Cancer Market Outlook 13. Country-Wise Ovarian Cancer Market Analysis (2020–2034) 14. Ovarian Cancer Market Access and Reimbursement of Therapies 15. Ovarian Cancer Market Drivers 16. Ovarian Cancer Market Barriers 17. Ovarian Cancer Appendix 18. Ovarian Cancer Report Methodology 19. DelveInsight Capabilities 20. Disclaimer 21. About DelveInsight About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports Pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform, PharmDelve. Media Contact Company Name: DelveInsight Contact Person: Jatin Vimal Email: Send Email Phone: +14699457679 Address: 304 S. Jones Blvd #2432 City: Las Vegas State: Nevada Country: United States Website:
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
U.S. doctor making move to B.C.
Vancouver Watch The government is ramping up its multi-million-dollar campaign to lure health-care professionals from south of the border.
