Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has opened up about her twin baby daughters being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that could mean they "probably will never walk." Jesy and her musician partner, Zion Foster, welcomed Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster prematurely last May. On Sunday, she shared in an Instagram video that her daughters have Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which she called the "most severe muscular disease." "It affects every muscle in the body — legs, arms, even breathing and swallowing," she explained. Below, we break down more about this health condition.

Jesy Nelson Twins Facing SMA Type 1 Condition

Jesy Nelson revealed the heartbreaking news that her eight-month-old twins have been diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which may mean they never walk. The 34-year-old singer and her fiancé, Zion Foster, 27, welcomed daughters Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson-Foster in May after a complicated pregnancy.

In an emotional Instagram video, Jesy struggled to hold back tears as she admitted: "I am grieving a life I thought I was going to have with my children."

SMA gradually weakens all the muscles in the body, causing floppiness, breathing and swallowing difficulties, and delays in motor development. Jesy shared that her life has been completely upended as she now acts as a caregiver, managing breathing machines and performing tasks that no parent should have to do with their child.

SMA Type 1: What Is It?

SMA Type 1, also known as Werdnig-Hoffman disease, is the most severe form of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It is a genetic condition that leads to progressive muscle weakness due to a lack of Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein. Symptoms typically appear before six months of age and include poor head control, weak cries, trouble swallowing, and an inability to sit on their own. Without early, aggressive treatment, this can cause severe breathing and feeding problems and often leads to early death, though new therapies are improving outcomes, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Jesy Nelson Twins: Types of SMA

There are five recognized subtypes of SMA, classified by the age symptoms appear, severity, and expected life span:

SMA Type 0 (congenital SMA): This extremely rare form appears before birth, with reduced fetal movement. Newborns often show severe muscle weakness and usually experience respiratory failure, with death occurring at birth or within the first month.

SMA Type 1 (severe SMA): This accounts for roughly 60% of SMA cases and is also called Werdnig-Hoffman disease. Symptoms start within the first six months, including weak head control and low muscle tone (hypotonia). Infants may struggle to swallow and breathe, and without respiratory support, life expectancy is typically under two years.

SMA Type 2 (intermediate SMA): Also called Dubowitz disease, symptoms appear between six and 18 months. Muscle weakness worsens over time, usually affecting the legs more than the arms. Children may sit but cannot walk. Around 70% survive into their mid-20s, with respiratory complications being the main cause of death.

SMA Type 3 (mild): Known as Kugelbert-Welander disease, this type appears after 18 months. Weakness primarily affects the legs, making walking difficult, but breathing issues are rare, and life expectancy is generally unaffected.

SMA Type 4 (adult): The mildest form, it appears after age 21. Muscle weakness progresses slowly, and most people remain mobile, with normal life expectancy.

Jesy Nelson Twins: What Are the Symptoms of SMA?

Muscle weakness is the hallmark of SMA, typically starting in the muscles nearest the body’s core. Symptoms vary depending on the type.

Symptoms of SMA Type 0 include:

• Reduced fetal movements
• Arthrogryposis (joint contractures)
• Low muscle tone (hypotonia)
• Severe muscle weakness
• Life-threatening breathing issues

Symptoms of SMA Type 1 include:

• Limited head control
• Hypotonia
• Loss of reflexes (areflexia)
• Cannot sit without support
• Abnormal breathing patterns, including a bell-shaped chest
• Difficulty swallowing, which can affect growth (failure to thrive)
• Weakness in facial muscles, appearing later in the disease

Flu cases have now surged and hit the highest number in 25 years in the United States. It continues to bring misery with all, but four states that show high or very high levels of flu virus activity. All thanks to the new virus strain called subclade K that continues to spread.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, has shown that this year, the visits to doctor for fever, cough and a sore throat, which are common among flu symptoms have been highest since 1997-98 flu season. The data was published on Monday Dr Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist and senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security said, "This is definitely a banner year. It’s the worst we’ve had in at least 20 years. We’re seeing a majority of the country is experiencing very high levels of activity, and we’re still in the thick of it.”

Dr Rivers noted that bad flu years usually do not occur back to back, thus it is striking to see such an intense season coming off last year's bad flu season.

Read: New York Reports A Record Breaking Rate Of Flu Cases And Hospitalizations

What Does The Data Tell Us About The Flu?

Last year, nationally, 8.2% of doctor visits were noted for flu-like symptoms during the last week of the year, whereas at the same point last season, the number was 6.7%.

Massachusetts that reported a very high level of flu activity, officials are urging people to stay vaccinated. In a news release, Public Health Commissioner Dr Robbie Goldstein said, "This is a moment for clarity, urgency, and action. These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain. There is a simple, effective, and available way to address these concerns: vaccines."

He further added: "They can prevent serious illness and hospitalization. And they save lives. If you have not yet been vaccinated against flu or COVID-19 this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Choosing vaccination is choosing to protect yourself, your family, your friends, your colleagues, and your community.”

Also Read: Flu Symptoms in 2026 Show New Pattern, Including Lung Damage Linked to K Variant

In terms of hospitalization, this season is yet not the standout, the cumulative hospitalization rate is the third highest by this point in the season since 2010-11. However that could change as more and more people get infected.

Dr Michael Osterholm who directs the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota says, "In the next 48 hours, if you haven’t been vaccinated, get vaccinated. Don’t wait."

As of now, as per the CDC at least 11 million people have had the flu this season, 120,000 have been hospitalized with it and 5,000 people have died.

Flu vaccinations have also dropped in children from a high of 53% over the 2019-20 flu season to 42% at the same point this season. The new flu data released by the US Department of Health and Human services have further announced to modify the childhood vaccine schedule.

Read: CDC Vaccine Schedule: Coverage Falls From 17 to 11 Diseases For Children

What Are The Common Symptoms This Season For The Flu?

K variant causes more intense flu symptoms, they include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose

On Monday, the federal health officials, led by Robert F Kennedy Jr, the health secretary, who has long sought to reduce the number of shots American children receive, announced that the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccine schedule will include routine shots for 11 diseases for children. This is down from 17 diseases, which were earlier included. Jim O'Neill, who is the acting director of the CDC updated the agency's immunization schedule to reflect the changes, effective immediately.

While states have the authority to mandate vaccines and not the federal government, the CDC recommendation greatly influence state regulations. Kennedy and his appointees have also made other alternations to the childhood vaccination schedule, however, those have smaller impacts.

Vaccines Still Recommended for All Children

Under the revised schedule, vaccines for a limited number of diseases remain universally recommended for children. These include protection against measles, polio, and whooping cough, which are still considered essential routine immunizations.

Vaccines No Longer Recommended for All Children

The most controversial change is the narrowing of recommendations for several common childhood vaccines. Immunization against the following illnesses is now advised only for high-risk children or after consultation with a health care provider:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal disease
• Rotavirus
• Influenza
• Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV

Covid-19 vaccination has also shifted to a consultation-based recommendation rather than routine use for all children.

This means shots that were once automatically given at set ages, including at birth, during infancy, and in adolescence, may now depend on individual medical discussions rather than standard guidance.

What Experts Are Worried About

Public health specialists argue that abrupt changes to something as critical as the childhood vaccine schedule can have serious consequences. Vaccination rates have already declined in recent years, leading to the return of diseases once considered under control, including measles and whooping cough.

In 2025, the U.S. recorded its highest number of measles cases since 1993. The country could soon lose its measles elimination status, a designation it has held since 2000.

Experts also push back against claims that the new approach will improve vaccine confidence. Instead, they warn it may increase uncertainty among parents and discourage timely immunization, especially if families are told to seek additional consultations before routine shots.

Why Access and Clarity Matter

Experts have warned time and again that adding such extra steps will require consultation, which could deter families altogether. This will increase burden on doctors and parents for the decision making as pediatricians too will be left confused.

Critics have highlighted that the lack of transparency around the evidence used to justify these changes further adds to the concern. Without a clear scientific rationale, many fear the policy could reverse decades of progress in preventing childhood infectious diseases.

The debate is far from over, but one thing is clear: changes to vaccine policy rarely stay confined to paperwork. They shape real-world decisions, and ultimately, children’s health.

Americans can now buy the starter dose of the widely used weight loss drug Wegovy in pill form. The announcement was made on Monday by drugmaker Novo Nordisk. Higher strengths of the medication are expected to be rolled out as pills by the end of the week.

Wegovy Pill: How Much The Pill Costs Compared To Injections

The once-a-day pill is available with a prescription and is generally cheaper than the weekly injection for people paying out of pocket. This applies to patients who choose to purchase the drug directly from Novo Nordisk and do not use insurance. Until now, Wegovy’s high price had kept it out of reach for many people trying to lose weight, especially since most private insurance plans do not cover obesity treatment.

The oral starter dose of 1.5 mg costs $149 per month for cash-paying patients. This pricing follows a recent agreement between Novo Nordisk and the Trump administration. The 4 mg pill is priced the same until April 15, after which it will rise to $199 per month. Higher doses come at a steeper cost. The 9 mg and 25 mg pills are priced at $299 a month, according to the company.

By comparison, the injectable version of Wegovy costs $349 per month for people paying without insurance. However, new users can access two months of the lowest two injection doses at $199 each until March, Novo Nordisk says.

Wegovy Pill: What Insured Patients May Pay

As per CNN, Patients whose insurance plans do cover Wegovy for obesity may pay as little as $25 a month for either the pill or the injection through a savings programme offered by the company. The pill can be obtained through pharmacies, selected telehealth platforms, NovoCare Pharmacy, and other approved outlets.

Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in adults who are overweight or obese and already have heart disease.

Wegovy Pill: FDA Approval And How The Pill Performs

The US Food and Drug Administration approved the daily pill version of Wegovy in late December. According to Novo Nordisk, clinical trials showed that the pill led to weight loss and side effects that were broadly similar to those seen with the injectable form.

Like the injection, the pill contains semaglutide. This is the same active ingredient used in Wegovy’s diabetes counterpart, Ozempic.

Wegovy Pill: Competition from Eli Lilly

Rival drugmaker Eli Lilly is also working on an oral GLP-1 medication. The drug, currently known as orforglipron, is still awaiting a brand name. It is expected to receive FDA approval by summer and will also launch with a $149 starting price under the same Trump administration agreement. Higher doses of orforglipron could cost up to $399 a month for patients paying cash, as per CNN.

Wegovy Pills Are More Effective

The Wegovy pill and Lilly’s orforglipron have not been directly compared in a single clinical trial. However, results from separate studies give some insight. The Wegovy pill led to an average weight loss of 14 percent over 64 weeks, compared with 2 percent in people taking a placebo. Orforglipron showed an average weight loss of 11 percent over 72 weeks at its highest dose, also compared with 2 percent for placebo.

In trials of injectable versions, Wegovy resulted in about 15 percent weight loss, versus 2 percent for placebo. Lilly’s Zepbound showed even higher results, with 21 percent weight loss at its highest dose, compared with 3 percent for placebo.

Wegovy Pill Side Effects And Dropouts

Digestive problems such as nausea and vomiting remain the most common side effects of GLP-1 drugs. These issues were also reported in studies of the pill versions. Around 7 percent of participants taking the Wegovy pill stopped treatment because of side effects, compared with 6 percent in the placebo group. In orforglipron’s trial, up to 10 percent of patients discontinued treatment, compared with 3 percent on placebo.

One key difference lies in how the medications are used. The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. Patients are advised not to eat, drink, or take other medicines for at least 30 minutes afterward. Doctors say this requirement has limited the use of Rybelsus, the pill form of semaglutide approved for diabetes, compared with Ozempic.

Eli Lilly highlights that orforglipron was taken once daily in trials without restrictions on food or water, which may make it easier for patients to use consistently.