All articles tagged with #vaccination
Maryland health officials declared a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties after 14 new confirmed cases in unvaccinated residents, bringing the year's total to 31 cases; health experts say measles is highly contagious and can have serious consequences, especially for immunocompromised people, urging vaccination for children at 12 months and again at 4–6 years.
A Colorado 10-case measles outbreak required 6,876 hours of public-health work and cost about $491,175 to contain, with a week-by-week accounting of exposure events, quarantines, testing and school disruptions that show how costly outbreak response can be.
Two unvaccinated Lancaster County residents died from measles, the first measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years, as 393 cases are reported statewide—the most since 1992—prompting Gov. Shapiro to urge vaccination and officials to emphasize the MMR vaccine and herd immunity; no additional details about the deceased were released.
CDPH says COVID-19 activity is rising this summer and fall and urges Californians aged 6 months and older to get vaccinated, with emphasis on protecting high‑risk groups. The 2025‑2026 vaccine should be received now, with healthcare providers continuing access as the 2026‑2027 vaccine becomes available. Vaccines are covered by most insurance, and scheduling can be done via MyTurn or local providers. In addition to vaccination, CDPH offers prevention steps: stay home if sick, wear a quality mask (N95/KN95), wash hands, cover coughs, and improve indoor ventilation to reduce spread.
Two Lancaster County residents died from measles—the first PA deaths in 35 years—as the state reports 393 cases across 28 counties with about 70 hospitalizations, and all confirmed cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals, prompting Gov. Shapiro to challenge federal vaccine messaging amid a broader national debate.
Two unvaccinated residents in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles — the first measles deaths in the United States in 2026 and the first in Pennsylvania in 35 years. Officials say two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective; Pennsylvania has 393 measles cases across 28 counties in 2026, with about 20% of patients hospitalized. The outbreak underscores the ongoing reemergence of measles in the U.S. and the importance of catch-up MMR vaccination, even as vaccine policy debates and misinformation influence public health efforts.
Connecticut health officials confirmed the state's third measles case of 2026, a Hartford County adult who recently traveled internationally and was hospitalized; vaccination status is unknown. The case mirrors a national spike, with 2,777 cases reported as of Aug. 20 and most linked to outbreaks and unvaccinated or unknown-status individuals. Connecticut boasts one of the highest MMR vaccination rates (98.6% of kindergarteners with two doses, second in the nation). Officials urge travelers to verify MMR status before international trips, monitor for symptoms for 21 days after exposure, and contact a healthcare provider or use CT WiZ/2-1-1 for information and vaccination records.
Two unvaccinated residents in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, have died from measles—the first U.S. fatalities this year and the state’s first in 35 years—as the outbreak expands to 393 confirmed cases with 70 hospitalizations. Officials stress that the MMR vaccine is safe and highly protective (about 97%), while nationwide measles cases total around 2,777 this year, the highest in 35 years, amid rising vaccine exemptions and related policy debates.
Maryland health officials declare a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll and Cecil counties after 14 new confirmed cases, bringing the year's total to 31 cases—most in unvaccinated residents. Experts warn measles is highly contagious and urge vaccination for children (first dose at 12 months, then 4–6 years) to protect vulnerable groups, including the immunocompromised; there is no evidence of widespread transmission yet, but officials say vaccination remains essential to control the spread.
Maryland's Department of Health has declared a measles outbreak in St. Mary’s, Carroll, and Cecil counties, with 14 confirmed cases among unvaccinated residents and the year’s total at 31; officials say there is no evidence of widespread community transmission and most cases are tied to household contacts. Health officials urge vaccination (MMR), provide information on checking vaccination status and finding clinics, and advise exposed individuals to monitor for symptoms for 21 days and isolate if they appear.
A Richmond gastroenterologist woke to a bat in her mouth, trapped the bat for rabies testing, and sought emergency care; health officials urge prompt reporting and testing after bat exposure since rabies can be fatal, and the bat later tested negative, turning the incident into a viral public-education PSA.
A measles outbreak in southern Iowa has expanded to 17 cases, with Sunnyside Grocery in Bloomfield added as a potential exposure site on Aug. 15 (11 a.m.–2 p.m.). The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services lists multiple exposure locations across central and southern Iowa and continues urging vaccination to curb spread.
Maryland health officials declare a measles outbreak in Carroll, Cecil and St. Mary’s counties with 14 new confirmed cases in unvaccinated residents; statewide total reaches 31 this year, no public exposures identified, and officials urge vaccination to protect vulnerable populations.
Elisabeth (Liz) Marnik grew up in an anti-science, anti-vaccine household, but at 23 she chose to get vaccinated and later became a Ph.D. scientist and public health communicator who now leads The Evidence Collective, championing evidence-based science and empathy to counter distrust in science.
Amid a statewide measles outbreak, a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette investigation found that Pennsylvania charter schools are admitting students without required vaccines or exemptions, potentially putting thousands at risk. Nearly two-thirds of the state’s 170 charter schools allowed noncompliant students last year, including hundreds at large networks in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Department of Health says it lacks authority to enforce the immunization mandate, leaving enforcement to school leaders, while critics warn that gaps threaten herd immunity as cyber charters grew during the pandemic. Advocates call for stronger oversight and on-site vaccination clinics to close gaps and protect students.