LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
CDC’s Interim Clinical Considerations for Flu Vaccination Posted
CDC has posted interim clinical guidance for the 2026–2027 flu season, with updated recommendations for vaccine selection, timing and use. This season’s FDA-licensed influenza vaccines contain three updated components from last season, while annual vaccination remains recommended, ideally by the end of October, with efforts continuing while flu viruses circulate.
People 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and those with certain underlying conditions remain at higher risk for severe complications; three vaccines are preferentially recommended for adults 65 and older.
The guidance highlights the importance of reviewing product-specific safety information and discussing individual risks and benefits before vaccination.
CDC/NPHIC Call Resources Now Available
Missed last week’s CDC/NPHIC communication call? The recording and presentation materials are now available.
The August call featured updates and resources on measles communications, Folic Acid Awareness Week, the Overdose Prevention Data Channel, and the Suicide Prevention Communication Playbook, along with safe storytelling resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. NPHIC members can access the recording, slide decks and follow-up materials on the CDC/NPHIC Call Resources page.
Thank you to CDC and all presenters for sharing these timely resources. The next CDC/NPHIC communication call is Wednesday, September 23, 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET. For the calendar invite, contact LEspino@NPHIC.org.
PHCC Guide to Developing a Public Health Press Release: Tips and Template
Clear, actionable communication is especially important as respiratory virus season approaches and new vaccine recommendations are issued.
The Public Health Communications Collaborative’s (PHCC) new Guide to Developing a Public Health Press Release: Tips and Template gives public health communicators a practical starting point for developing effective press releases. The guide covers key steps such as identifying the audience, anticipating questions, leading with the most important information, and providing resources for additional information.
It also includes a template to help communicators turn those principles into a clear, accessible and actionable press release—supporting timely communication when new public health information needs to reach the public.
FEATURED TOPICS
Complaining About Bad Coverage Is the Surest Way to Amplify It
Public health communicators facing unfavorable media coverage should consider that public complaints can substantially amplify the original story and its negative framing.
A company executive’s social media response to a July 9 Wired article generated 437,000 views on the first day and 2.3 million within several days, compared with fewer than 15,000 views for Wired’s promotional post. The response shifted attention from the article’s reporting to the company’s dispute over its framing, while potentially overshadowing more favorable coverage.
The episode highlights the importance of weighing engagement gains against the longer-term communications risks of publicly amplifying unfavorable coverage. Read the article from PR News here.
NPHIC and CDC Monthly Communication Call Highlights Accessibility Practices for Public Health Communicators
NPHIC and CDC’s July 29 Monthly Communication Call highlighted practical strategies public health communicators can use to improve accessibility and expand access to health information. The session featured CDC’s Jessica Handley, who shared guidance on accessible digital content, including the use of descriptive links, alt text, plain language, proper headings, and mobile-friendly design.
The presentation also reviewed upcoming accessibility requirements for state and local governments, including WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards for digital content. Find the full presentation here.
Members are invited to join the next call on Wednesday, August 26, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. ET; participants can contact Laura Espino at lespino@nphic.org to receive the Microsoft Teams invitation.
Medicaid's Work Requirement Crunch Arrives
Medicaid beneficiaries in states implementing new work requirements are beginning to face coverage losses as eligibility rules take effect, increasing the risk of insurance disruptions for eligible enrollees.
Nebraska, the first state to enforce the requirements ahead of the Jan. 1 national deadline, expects about 200 people to lose coverage this week, while projections estimate up to 7 million people nationwide could lose Medicaid coverage by 2028.
Patients with serious illnesses, including cancer, and clinicians report concerns about reporting requirements, exemption processes, and administrative burden. The rollout highlights implementation challenges that could affect access to care and continuity of coverage as states adopt the new rules. Read more in Axios here.
New CDC Data Shows Decline in Healthcare-Associated Infections
According to new CDC data, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in U.S. hospitals declined between 2015 and 2023, signaling progress in patient safety while highlighting ongoing risks. In 2023, about 1 in 38 hospitalized patients had at least one HAI, compared with 1 in 31 patients in 2015, though an estimated 518,000 HAIs still occurred nationwide.
Reductions were seen in central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections, while pneumonia and surgical site infections showed limited change.
The new findings underscore the continued need for prevention strategies and infection control efforts to reduce avoidable harm in healthcare settings. See the data from the CDC here.
