Medical Bulletin 03/September/2026

• Updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for the fall, with insurance coverage for the 2026-27 season depending on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). • Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must cover vaccines recommended by ACIP, but the panel has faced turmoil after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members in June 2025.

• Leading U.S. medical groups issued updated guidelines on Wednesday urging the public to receive updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this fall. • The initiative aims to clear up public confusion regarding vaccination schedules and the science behind them, specifically addressing inconsistencies in previous administration advice.

• A Public Health Alerts report has identified over 6,000 cases of cyclosporiasis in Michigan through July 22, 2026, linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce. • This event marks the largest known outbreak of the diarrheal illness in U.S. history, highlighting significant risks in the produce supply chain.

• A recent Annenberg survey reveals a significant trust gap in U.S. healthcare, with 87% of Americans trusting their own doctors while confidence in the CDC, FDA, and NIH has dropped sharply. • This trend persists across various public health scenarios, including drug safety communications, food product recalls, and outbreak advisories.

• Researchers have discovered that a protein linked to cancer, specifically the BRAF pathway, may play a critical role in the development of chronic nerve pain. • The study suggests that existing cancer drugs targeting this biological pathway could potentially be repurposed to treat neuropathic pain by addressing pain amplification at its source.

• Public health debates have intensified following two "measles-associated" deaths in Pennsylvania and the FDA's approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines. • Critics are questioning the lack of direct randomized human efficacy trials for the new vaccine formulations and the transparency of the approval process.

• Health experts are warning of a potentially severe 2026 flu season in the US, driven primarily by the H3N2 strain. • A new flu vaccine has been developed specifically for adults over 50 to provide enhanced protection against the virus.

• A retrospective review of FDA novel drug approvals from 2016 through 2024 reveals a trend of approvals being supported by a decreasing number of completed clinical studies. • Researchers analyzed FDA public records and the ClinicalTrials.gov database to evaluate trial counts, funding sources, and the timing of public result reporting.

• The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines specifically designed to target the XFG variant for the 2026-2027 season. • The new shots are rolling out to provide maximum protection against the evolving strain, with guidance available on eligibility and optimal timing for administration.

• A new study reveals that nearly 70% of new drugs approved by the FDA between 2016 and 2024 were granted approval based on a single clinical trial. • Researchers analyzed FDA records and the ClinicalTrials.gov database to track the number of supporting studies, funding sources, and the speed of public result releases.

• The FDA approved a first-of-its-kind oral treatment from Roivant and Priovant Therapeutics for a rare disease affecting skin and muscles. • Following the announcement on Thursday, Roivant shares saw a 2% increase, closing at $37.58 in afternoon trading.