A version of this article appeared for the first time in the Healthy Bulletin returns from CNBC, which brings the latest medical care news directly to its entrance tray. Subscribe here To receive future editions.
A wave of indignation is sweeping the scientific and medical world after the decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop recommending the vaccines of Covid-19 routine for healthy children and healthy pregnant women.
Kennedy, an outstanding skeptic of the vaccine, said Tuesday that Covid shot has been eliminated from disease control centers and the recommended immunization program for these groups.
“Last year, the Biden Administration urged healthy children to obtain another Covid taking, despite the lack of clinical data to support the repeated reinforcement strategy in children,” Kennedy said in a video about X. He did not offer scientific evidence to justify the change to recommendations.
It is Kennedy's last movement to change and potentially undermines vaccines in the United States, since he took the helm in the Department of Health and Human Services, which supervises federal agencies that regulate and recommend shots.
It arrives a week after the Commissioner of the Food and Medicines Administration, Marty Makary, established stricter standards to approve shots for healthy Americans.
Some health experts say that the fallen recommendation could have devastating consequences, particularly for pregnant women and their babies.
According to the CDC website, both are considered with greater risk of serious complications of COVID-19 infections. That can include premature work and birth, heart injuries, blood clots and renal damage among pregnant women.
“As ob-gins that treat patients every day, we have seen firsthand how dangerous the COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and for newborns that depend on maternal antibodies of the protection vaccine,” he said in a statement by Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetral and Gynecologists.
He stressed that “science has not changed.”
“After this announcement, we are concerned about our patients in the future, which can be less likely to choose vaccination during pregnancy despite the clear and definitive evidence demonstrating their benefit,” Fleischman said.
Studies have found that COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of hospitalization of the virus for pregnant women and babies under 6 months.
Fleischman and other experts also expressed concern about whether patients will have access to vaccines after Kennedy's decision. The recommendation of the CDC is crucial because it guides insurance plans on which shots to cover free of charge for patients.
Medicare and Medicaid require that recommended vaccines be free for patients. The Low Price Health Care Law requires private insurers to cover all vaccines recommended by the CDC Advisors and Vaccine Committee. Children without insurance can obtain free recommended vaccines through the Government -administered Children's Vaccine Program.
Pfizer and Modern They are charging up to $ 150 per dose for their respective Covid shots before insurance, according to the CDC website.
“This decision could make it significantly more difficult for millions of Americans to access vaccines they want for them and their families,” said Tina Tan, president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, in a statement.
So added that process for Kennedy's decision to break with the precedent of letting federal panels of experts publicly discuss scientific evidence and vote on immunization practices. A group of external CDC advisers generally provides vaccine advice to the agency director.
The Trump candidate to lead the CDC, the interim director Susan Monarez, still needs confirmation of the Senate.
“This decision ignores a long -standing process based on the evidence used to guarantee vaccine safety and ignores the experience of independent medical experts, including members of the CDC committees that examine the evidence regarding the vaccine to make recommendations for the fall,” said Sean O'Leary, president of the Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics on infectious diseases, in a statement.
He added that the decision could “strip the families of choice”, preventing those who want to vaccinate get shots.
Do not hesitate to send any advice, suggestion, stories ideas and data to Annika in [email protected].
The latest in medical care technology: Hinge Health makes its debut in the New York Stock Exchange
Hinge Health Inc. Signaling on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) during the company's initial public offer (IPO) in New York, USA, on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty images
Did you hear that? That was the sound of the digital health sector that breathed a collective sigh of relief.
Digital Physiotherapy Company Hinge health debuted in the New York Stock Exchange last week in The first major public departure from the sector in several years.
The broader technological IPO market has been in a drought since the late 2021, when very high inflation and the increase in interest rates expelled investors from risk assets. And within digital health, there has been practically no activity of OPI.
Hinge, founded in 2014, uses software to help patients treat acute musculoskeletal lesions and chronic pain, as well as carrying out rehabilitation after surgery remotely.
The action opened to $ 39.25 on Thursday, increasing 23% of its IPO price of $ 32. It closed 17% to $ 37.56 per share, which leads to its market capitalization to more than $ 3 billion. Until Wednesday afternoon, shares are quoted at more than $ 41.
Before his OPI, Hinge had raised more than $ 1 billion of investors, including Insight Partners, Atomico, Tiger Global Management and Coatue Management.
Most analysts will officially begin the coverage of the shares around 30 days after their debut. But Roth's analysts shared some initial thoughts about the hinge earlier this month, before it was made public. It is important to highlight that they did not participate in the offer, made a recommendation or initiated coverage in their report.
“We saw the presentation of IPO Roadshow from HNGE and we were impressed by the AI products that supported the platform and the expansion of the care rate”, even beyond the musculoskeletal conditions, analysts said in a note on May 16.
Hinge said the revenues in his first quarter increased 50% to $ 123.8 million, compared to $ 82.7 million during the same period last year. The company reported $ 117.3 million in revenues during its fourth quarter, 44% more than the same period in 2023.
Roth's analysts said that the company's recent foundations are encouraging, including their revenue and billing accelerators, as well as their improved operational margins. Some of the risks faced by the company include the competitive digital therapy panorama, its dependence on the data reviewed by peers and the regulatory cantilever, they said.
After Hinge's debut, another digital health company is preparing to join the fray. Omada Health requested an OPI earlier this month, although he has not yet shared more details about its expected price or timeline.
Omada offers virtual care programs to support patients with chronic conditions such as prediabetes, diabetes and hypertension.
As we did with the hinge, we will follow this offer closely, so they are attentive to updates!
Do not hesitate to send any advice, suggestion, stories ideas and data to Ashley at [email protected].
