Listen: Healthbeat staff talk vaccinations, bird flu and other public health stories on ‘What the Health’

After a senior FDA official claimed that Covid vaccines had caused the deaths of “at least 10 children,” 12 former FDA commissioners released a warning that the claims and policy changes pose “a threat to evidence-based vaccine policy and public health security.”

As we head into the holidays and many of us travel to be with loved ones, there’s some health news to keep in mind.

About 190,000 fewer Georgians signed up for Affordable Care Act coverage this year as higher premiums take effect, raising concerns about rising uninsured rates and pressure on public health clinics and hospitals.

Other gaps in protection against the highly contagious disease include access to hard-to-reach clinics and ‘social determinants of vaccination.’

Healthbeat asked 10 of the nation's largest maternity hospitals and systems that deliver the most babies about their policies for giving hepatitis B vaccines at birth and whether they are changing. Most wouldn't answer.

New York City's mayor-elect has said little about his plans for the health department. A team of advisers includes former commissioners, hospital executives, and experts from academia.