Tag

Immunization

All articles tagged with #immunization

health2 days ago•28 min saved

Pennsylvania school districts linked parents to anti-vaccine sites as immunization gaps widened

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation found that at least 20 Pennsylvania school districts linked parents to Vaclib.org, an anti-vaccine site, via exemption forms as vaccination rates fell and herd immunity weakened in dozens of elementary schools. While a state ad campaign aimed to boost immunizations, districts broadly shared the misinformation—some without realizing it—that then was removed after media inquiries. The findings highlight a lack of centralized oversight and enforcement of vaccine laws in Pennsylvania, and raise concerns about contributing to measles risk as districts face divergent messaging about vaccines.

via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|

#health #immunization #misinformation

health27 days ago•22 min saved

NJ Rotavirus Surge Tied to Wastewater Signals

Wastewater data indicate a rise in rotavirus in parts of New Jersey (notably Monmouth and Somerset counties) and the broader Northeast, signaling increased community transmission. Health experts urge vaccination and proper handwashing to protect children from vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration, noting that the New Jersey Department of Health does not track individual cases. The virus typically peaks in late winter to spring, with expectations that activity may decline through May–July as the season progresses.

via WHYY|

#health #immunization #new-jersey

health1 month ago•17 min saved

Global Catch-Up Vaccination Drive Immunizes Over 100 Million Doses Across 36 Countries

The Big Catch-Up immunization campaign, led by WHO, UNICEF and Gavi, delivered over 100 million vaccine doses to about 18.3 million children in 36 countries from 2023 through March 31, 2026, including 12.3 million zero-dose children and 15 million who had never received a measles vaccine. The effort also provided 23 million IPV doses and expanded to reach older children (1–5) to close equity gaps. While on track to reach at least 21 million un- and under-immunized kids, experts caution that strengthening routine immunization remains essential to sustain gains and prevent outbreaks, especially as measles cases rise. The initiative coincided with World Immunization Week under the banner “For every generation, vaccines work.”

via World Health Organization (WHO)|

#global-health #health #immunization

health-policy3 months ago•4 min saved

Don't Copy Denmark: The U.S. Needs Its Own Vaccine Schedule

A STAT opinion piece argues that CDC’s newly modeled childhood vaccine schedule—which mirrors Denmark and removes vaccines like hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningitis, and varicella from routine use—risks preventable disease in American children. The author, drawing on experience in Denmark, contends the U.S. health system’s size and fragmentation require a distinct, comprehensive schedule, and warns that abandoning vaccines could lead to outbreaks and serious illnesses, despite Denmark’s centralized care. He defends the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule and urges the U.S. to lead rather than imitate foreign policies.

via statnews.com|

#denmark #health-policy #immunization

your-health3 months ago•20 min saved

Pertussis Resurgence: Vaccination Remains the Best Shield

Pertussis (whooping cough) is resurging nationwide and in California, with infant cases up by 54% in the first three quarters of 2025. The illness progresses in three phases and can cause severe complications, especially in babies under six months. Vaccination—DTaP in early childhood, TDap boosters for teens and adults, and vaccination during pregnancy—remains the safest, most effective defense and is key to achieving herd immunity. Antibiotics help reduce contagiousness when given early but don’t reliably shorten illness if started late. California’s AB 144 ensures the pediatric vaccine schedule remains in place.

via Noozhawk|

#immunization #pediatrics #pertussis

politics3 months ago•3 min saved

Florida bill would broaden vaccine exemptions while preserving key school vaccines

Florida Republicans advanced a bill to broaden parental vaccine exemptions (adding a conscience-based opt-out) while preserving mandatory vaccines for MMR, DTaP, and polio, and it would require providers to discuss risks and benefits with parents. The 6-4 health policy committee vote signals a split in the GOP as Surgeon General Ladapo’s broader anti-vaccine agenda faces pushback, while the state health department is weighing potential removal of several non-mandated vaccines.

via The Guardian|

#florida #immunization #legislation

health-policy3 months ago•2 min saved

Families Rework Immunization Plans Amid Splintered Guidance

With major shifts in federal vaccine guidance—six diseases removed from routine schedules and an advisory panel head suggesting measles and polio vaccines could be optional—parents are scrambling to protect their children, delaying vaccines, switching pediatricians, or vaccinating earlier, even as measles and whooping cough infections rise across the country.

via The New York Times|

#cdc #health-policy #immunization

health3 months ago•1 min saved

Sixth measles case tied to Mukilteo church as Snohomish County outbreak expands

Snohomish County’s measles outbreak has grown to six cases, with the latest unvaccinated child linked to exposure at Slavic Christian Church Awakening in Mukilteo on Jan. 18. Health officials say most residents have immunity and urge vaccination, while public risk remains low and exposure sites are being tracked.

via komonews.com|

#health #immunization #measles

health3 months ago•3 min saved

AAP Reaffirms Science-Based Childhood Vaccines, Diverging From RFK Jr.'s CDC Reforms

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), backed by 12 medical groups, released a science-based childhood vaccine schedule that preserves the vaccines previously endorsed by the CDC and maintains a two-dose HPV plan for ages 9–12, contrasting with RFK Jr.’s push to shrink the immunization slate toward a Denmark-like list of about 10 diseases (and with the Trump administration’s past shifts). The CDC has trimmed vaccines from 18 to 11 diseases, removed the COVID vaccine from routine schedules, and some states are resisting these changes, including lawsuits challenging policy shifts. Measles resurgence and questions about polio vaccination loom as the vaccine policy debate continues.

via Gizmodo|

#cdc #health #hpv

health3 months ago•37 min saved

Pediatricians urge adherence to the traditional vaccine timetable amid federal changes

After years of near-total alignment, U.S. public health policy is splitting: the Department of Health and Human Services moved to cut vaccines on the CDC schedule from 17 diseases to 11 and reversed its COVID-19 vaccine guidance, while the American Academy of Pediatrics released its own guidelines urging continued routine immunization for 18 diseases (including Hepatitis A/B, flu, RSV, and COVID in high-risk groups). California backs the AAP line, and ongoing disputes over HPV dosing (AAP: start at 9–12 with two doses; CDC: 11–12 with one) and the long-standing MMRV combo shot reflect broader clashes. The AAP has even filed suit against HHS over Kennedy-era changes, and data interruptions at the CDC are adding to concerns about evidence-based vaccine policy.}} ,{

via Yahoo|

#american-academy-of-pediatrics #cdc #health

health3 months ago•2 min saved

Pediatricians push broader vaccine schedule, bucking Trump-era plan

The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated immunization guidance covering 18 diseases, opposing the Trump administration’s slimmed-down 11-shot schedule and signaling a rift between medical groups and federal policy; the plan continues broad vaccination for RSV, hepatitis A/B, rotavirus, influenza, meningococcal disease, measles and pertussis, and notes ongoing measles outbreaks with over 2,200 cases.

via Axios|

#aap #cdc #health

health4 months ago•1 min saved

UK Loses Measles Elimination Status Amid 2024 Outbreaks and Vaccination Gaps

The World Health Organization has announced that the UK no longer meets the measles elimination criteria due to a surge in cases in 2024 (about 3,600 suspected cases, with more than 1,000 cases in 2023 as well). Elimination requires no sustained transmission, which is unlikely while vaccination uptake remains below the 95% herd-immunity threshold; end-2024 coverage was around 92% for the first MMRV dose and just under 85% for the second. The NHS is expanding access—including an earlier second dose at 18 months—and urging catch-up vaccinations as health officials warn that lower uptake allows infections to rebound. Experts stress the need for easier access and correcting vaccine misinformation to restore elimination goals.

via BBC|

#health #immunization #measles

health4 months ago•327 min saved

AAP Vaccine Guidance Gains Ground as CDC Schedule Faces Pushback

The American Academy of Pediatrics released updated childhood vaccination guidelines, including a RSV vaccine, and many doctors and an increasing number of states are following the AAP guidance over the CDC’s revised schedule. Officials say the science is the same, but the policy shift—with about 28 states reportedly deviating from federal guidance by Jan 20—signals a major change in public health strategy and trust dynamics, as clinicians emphasize following established pediatric recommendations and informing families.

via CNN|

#aap #cdc #health

health4 months ago•1 min saved

ACIP Chair Proposes Vaccines Be Optional, Emphasizing Personal Choice

The head of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said vaccines for diseases like polio and measles should be optional and decided in consultation with a clinician, signaling a stance that prioritizes personal choice over broad immunization requirements and raising concerns about protection for infants and the immunocompromised.

via The New York Times|

#acip #health #immunization

health4 months ago•8 min saved

Vaccination Policy Under 'Shared Decision-Making' Sparks Debate

STAT argues that federal use of 'shared decision-making' in vaccine guidance risks misrepresenting the strength of evidence, shifting emphasis to individual choice in matters of public health, and undermining trust. Experts say SDM is about clinician-patient collaboration informed by evidence, not a license to downplay clearly beneficial vaccines; the language echoes past policy shifts (e.g., 'should' vs 'may') and could influence state rule-making and vaccination uptake.

via statnews.com|

#health #immunization #informed-consent