Pregnancy, Antidepressants and Vaccine Politics: A Quick Take

Moderna Flu Vaccine Halted by FDA

• The top FDA official stopped Moderna’s new flu vaccine from advancing, overruling the scientific review.
• Insider chatter suggests a potential reversal if the company shifts its stance.

“Real Food” Campaign Launch

• The Department of Health kicked off a new initiative in Washington, D.C., featuring posters of carrots, eggs, apples, and salmon on every chair.
• The event promised federal backing for healthy eating, with staff letting attendees keep the posters as keepsakes.

Lung Cancer in Never‑Smokers on Rise

• As smoking rates decline, the proportion of lung cancer cases among non‑smokers is increasing.
• Experts debate whether absolute numbers are climbing, noting a higher risk for women and the need for vigilance when symptoms are vague.

Shift from Needles to Pipes in Drug‑Use Communities

• A safe‑use organization founder reports a trend from injecting to smoking, citing lower risk and greater social acceptance.
• The change illustrates how evolving habits can alter health risks, even when policies lag.

Pregnancy and Antidepressant Discontinuation

• A study of ~4,000 pregnant people found that stopping antidepressants doubled the risk of a mental‑health crisis compared to those who continued medication.
• The highest risk occurs in the first and ninth months of pregnancy, prompting a call for uninterrupted mental‑health treatment.

Grant Review “No‑Review” Rejections

• Over 40 life‑sciences students had fellowship applications returned without expert review, a pattern that could reshape early‑career research trajectories.