FDA approves Moderna’s new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Sam Parsons

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. approved a new COVID-19 vaccine made by Moderna late Friday but with limits on who can use it — not a replacement for the company’s existing shot, but a second option.

The new vaccine, mNexspike, is a step toward next-generation coronavirus vaccines. It’s made in a way that allows for a lower dose — a fifth of the dose of its current COVID-19 vaccine, Spikevax — by refining its immune target.

The approval “adds an important new tool to help protect people at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19,” Stephane Bancel, Moderna’s CEO, said in a statement Saturday.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the new vaccine for use in all adults 65 and older, and for people age 12 to 64 who have a least one health condition that puts them at increased risk from the coronavirus.

That’s the same limit that the FDA set in licensing another COVID-19 vaccine option from competitor Novavax.

Those restrictions are a departure from how the U.S. has handled COVID-19 vaccines until now, reflecting skepticism about vaccines from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump officials.

Moderna’s existing vaccine doesn’t face those limits and has long been used for anyone ages 6 months and older. The company said it expected to offer both options this fall.

The FDA’s approval was based on a study of 11,400 people age 12 and older that compared the new low-dose vaccine with Moderna’s existing vaccine. It found the new vaccine was safe and was at least as effective — and more by some measures — than the original shot, the company said.

The news came just days after the Trump administration canceled funding for Moderna to develop a vaccine against potential pandemic flu viruses, including the H5N1 bird flu, despite promising early study results.

Food Bank of Iowa: New CEO, same mission

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Sam Parsons

By Pat Powers (Radio Iowa)

Iowa’s largest provider of food for the needy has a new leader.

Tammi Nielsen took over this week as the CEO of the Des Moines-based Food Bank of Iowa, which serves 55 of the state’s 99 counties. Nielson has been with the agency for almost nine years.

“I’ve had a number of different roles at the Food Bank of Iowa, most recently the COO role, and I guess even more recently I’ve been the interim CEO since January 1st,” Nielsen says. “I found out through doing the job that I actually love this job, too, and so decided that this would be a good fit.”

The Food Bank of Iowa distributes more than 27-million pounds of food every year through some 700 partners statewide. Nielsen says Iowa’s challenges with food insecurity aren’t insurmountable, but they’re continuing to grow.

“As we all see, in grocery shopping and just the price of items, and the national economy,” she says, “there is indication that the numbers are going to continue to rise for folks facing food insecurity, and so we’re just in a hard place right now with indication that it’s going to get harder.”

A report last year from Feeding America found nearly 11% of all Iowans and more than 15% of Iowa children face food insecurity. That translates to 344,000 Iowans, including 110,000 children, who don’t know where they will find their next meal.

Nielsen is the food bank’s fourth leader since its founding 43 years ago. She succeeds Michelle Book, who retired at the end of 2024.

Local Health Organizations to Offer a Community Health Needs Assessment for Poweshiek County

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Sam Parsons

GRINNELL — Poweshiek County Health Department and UnityPoint Health – Grinnell Regional Medical Center are conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) aimed at gathering valuable insights into the health needs and priorities of residents in Poweshiek County.

The CHNA survey, which will be conducted over the next three months, seeks to engage community members in a dialogue about their health concerns, experiences and goals. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities facing our community, we can better tailor our programs and services to address the most pressing health issues.

“This assessment is a valuable public health tool to inform community members and decision makers regarding community health issues and strategies, said David-Paul Cavazos, Grinnell Regional Medical Center president. “By gathering input directly from residents and analyzing local data, we can make informed decisions about where to focus our efforts, ensuring resources are used effectively to improve health outcomes for everyone.”

Topics covered in the survey include access to health care, chronic disease management, mental health, substance abuse, social determinants of health and more. It will be available online at and distributed through various community channels to reach as many residents as possible.

“We encourage everyone living in Poweshiek County to participate in the survey and share their perspectives,” said Brooke Holder, Poweshiek County Public Health manager. “Your input is invaluable in helping us create a healthier and more vibrant community for all.”

The results of the survey will be carefully analyzed and used to inform the development of a CHNA Report, which will be available to the community later this fall. This report will serve as a roadmap for prioritizing health initiatives and allocating resources effectively.

For more information about the CHNA survey, please contact Brooke Holder. You can also learn more online. To complete the survey, please visit www.prcsurvey.com/begin/Grinnell2025CHNA or use the QR code provided below. Spanish language can be accessed by clicking on the “toggle” at the top of the survey screen.

Food Safety Certification Class to Be Held

Posted on June 2, 2025 by Sam Parsons

OSKALOOSA — Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach is offering a food safety training for food service managers on June 26 at the Mahaska County Extension Office in Oskaloosa.

“Certification in ServSafe® meets the Iowa Food Code requirements to have a certified food protection manager in all establishments,” said Cathy Drost, class instructor and ISU Extension and Outreach health and human sciences educator. “We live in a time when food safety hazards and risks are prevalent. Serving safe food is mandatory. This eight-hour program aims to train food service professionals about food safety requirements and best practices to meet them.”

According to Drost, the program is based on the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe® certification program and the Iowa Food Code. The class is beneficial for foodservice managers from all areas such as schools, restaurants, convenience stores, child care, senior meal sites and health care. Participants will receive a copy of the ServSafe® Manager training manual and will take the ServSafe® certification exam.

Registrations close three weeks before class on June 5. For more information about the program, contact Suzette Striegel at (641) 673-5841 or visit www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/servsafe/.

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