What We’re Reading: Youth Vaping Crisis; New COVID-19 Vaccine Superior to Current Shot; Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Pill Access

FDA, DOJ Scrutinized Over Inaction on Youth Vaping Crisis

In a rare bipartisan effort, the Senate Judiciary Committee grilled the FDA and the Department of Justice for their perceived inaction on the youth vaping crisis amid the surge in flavored e-cigarette sales, according to CNN. Despite a court mandate to regulate e-cigarette products by September 2021, the FDA has struggled to keep pace with the influx of applications, authorizing only 23 products so far. Senators emphasized the urgent need for decisive action to remove illegal, youth-targeted flavored vapes from the market and criticized the FDA for not leveraging its enforcement capabilities more effectively.

Moderna's Next-Generation COVID-19 Vaccine Outperforms Current Shot in Efficacy

Moderna's latest COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated superior efficacy in a late-stage trial involving over 11,000 participants aged 12 years and older, outperforming the existing Spikevax shot, particularly in adults, according to Reuters. Designed for enhanced stability, the new vaccine can be stored in refrigerators, addressing distribution challenges in developing countries. The company is also exploring a combination vaccine for COVID-19 and flu, aiming for a potential market launch as early as the next autumn respiratory season.

Supreme Court Upholds Access to Key Abortion Drug

The US Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the FDA’s approach to regulating the abortion pill mifepristone, according to CNN. The decision will allow the pills to be mailed to patients without an in-person doctor’s visit. The ruling is considered a significant victory for abortion rights advocates amidst ongoing national debates and legal battles over reproductive rights.