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The Supreme Court on Monday threw out several cases challenging the federal government’s now-defunct Covid-19 vaccine mandates for executive branch employees and military service members. The court’s action comes after the federal employee vaccine requirement was rescinded by President Joe Biden in May, and the Pentagon – as a result of congressional action – rescinded its mandate for the military in January. (Cole, 12/11)

Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is raising alarms about what he sees as the risk of potential cancer posed by COVID vaccines. Ladapo, who rose to national prominence during the pandemic for spreading misinformation about the virus and promoting vaccination hesitancy, is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to answer questions about his concerns regarding DNA integration in mRNA vaccines. In a December 6 letter, Ladapo said he believed the drug delivery system used by mRNA vaccines could be an "efficient vehicle for delivering contaminant DNA into human cells." (12/11)

Kris Ehresmann, MPH, former director of the Minnesota Department of Health, said her experience during the pandemic included daily hate mail and threats to her personal safety. The harassment began shortly after the pandemic started in spring 2020 and ramped up when vaccines were introduced statewide in early 2021. Eventually, the threats pushed her to retire early in 2022, a move she had been contemplating. "I just decided I don't want to die early from stress," Ehresmann told CIDRAP News. "I had no idea people you didn’t know could be so hateful on something. It was just so surprising to me that something like wearing a mask could elicit this response." (Soucheray, 12/11)

Alexandria Thompson’s job is to convince the most vulnerable people in her community to get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19.She can offer education, transportation and up to $50 in gift cards to entice people to get the shots. But, she says, often that is not enough. “I just tend to lead with the flu shot, and then I’ll say COVID right after,” said Thompson, the lead canvasser for G.O.T.V. (Get Out the Vaccines), an initiative of the Kansas City advocacy organization Communities Creating Opportunity. “Many times, people say no to the COVID shot and, a lot of times, people say yes to the flu shot.” (King, 12/11)

COVID-19 and influenza cases are on the rise, but many people face obstacles to getting tested and treated. Having to travel to a testing site or to a pharmacy to purchase a test kit when feeling sick often deters people from getting the health care they need. But eligible Americans can now receive dual influenza and COVID-19 tests as well as free telehealth and treatment options, thanks to an expansion of the federal government’s Home Test to Treat program. (Scales, 12/11)

Alondra Ramos rolled up her sleeve this week for a vitamin shot she hopes will prevent her from getting her husband’s cold. The Fort Lauderdale accountant says the shot, a mix of potent vitamins, usually boosts her immunity levels when traveling and during her busy season at work — now she’s counting on it for cold and flu season. “It’s like taking a high-dosage multivitamin,” Ramos said. (Goodman, 12/11)

Obesity is more common in patients diagnosed as having COVID-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) than those with Kawasaki disease (KD) and is tied to worse outcomes, suggests a study published late last week in JAMA Network Open. ... KD inflames blood vessels and can lead to long-term complications and death. MIS-C is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by heart abnormalities that usually resolve within weeks, the authors noted. (Van Beusekom, 12/11)

 A court battle is brewing over contaminated cantaloupe spreading salmonella across dozens of states. Three people have died, including two in Minnesota. Minnesota also has the highest number of infections, with 20 reported cases of salmonella. Local law firm Pritzker Hageman, P.A. says a severe salmonella infection sent a 13-month-old Florida boy to the hospital for days. The law firm wants Sofia Produce, or Trufresh, to cover treatment and other costs. The company's brands, Rudy and Malichita, are still under recall. (Moser, 12/11)