LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Flu Cases are Surging and Rates Will Likely Get Worse, New CDC Data Shows
New CDC data show the U.S. flu season is off to an unusually fast and severe start, with hospitalizations rising sharply and millions already infected. The surge is being driven largely by a new influenza A(H3N2) subclade with lower population immunity, allowing the virus to spread quickly across multiple regions.
While the current flu vaccine may not be a perfect match, early data suggest it still offers meaningful protection against severe illness. With adult vaccination rates remaining low, public health experts emphasize the need for clear, timely communication around vaccination, masking in high-risk settings, early treatment, and other layered prevention strategies as flu activity continues to intensify. Read more from NPR here.
US Measles Cases Surpass 2,000 in 2025
U.S. measles cases surpassed 2,000 in 2025, marking the most significant spread of the disease in decades and signaling a growing public health concern. As of late December 2025, more than 2,000 cases were reported nationwide, a sharp increase from fewer than 300 cases the year before. Most cases were domestically acquired, with large outbreaks concentrated in Texas, including communities with low vaccination coverage.
This surge brings the United States close to losing its measles elimination status for the first time since 2000, following 12 consecutive months of transmission. Public health experts warn continued spread could have broader implications in the year ahead. Read more from The Hill here.
6 Changes to National Health Policy to Watch in 2026
Major national health policy changes set in motion last year are expected to significantly affect public health in 2026, with implications for coverage, affordability, workforce, and immunization policy. Expiring ACA premium subsidies could increase costs or lead to coverage losses for millions, while incentives for new state Medicaid expansions are ending.
New rules remove caps on ACA tax credit repayment and narrow eligibility for noncitizens. Federal loan caps for medical students may affect the future health workforce. Meanwhile, federal agencies are preparing additional reviews of vaccine recommendations, including potential changes to the childhood immunization schedule. Read more from US News here.
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CDC Data Show Updated COVID-19 Vaccines Reduce Pediatric Emergency Visits
New CDC data highlight the continued public health value of updated COVID-19 vaccines for children. Analysis from the VISION Vaccine Effectiveness Network found that the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccines reduced COVID-19–associated emergency department and urgent care visits by 76% among children ages 9 months to 4 years and by 56% among those ages 5–17 during the first six months after vaccination.
While children experience lower hospitalization rates than older adults, infants and toddlers face comparatively high risk, and severe illness still occurs among school-aged children. These real-world effectiveness studies support evidence-based vaccine policy, strengthen vaccine confidence, and inform prevention strategies across public health systems. Read more from CDC’s MMWR here.
American Academy of Pediatrics Releases Updated Vaccine Guidance, Breaking With CDC
The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel has voted to revise its long-standing hepatitis B birth dose recommendation, proposing to delay the first dose until two months of age for infants born to mothers who test negative and to support individualized decision-making with clinicians.
The shift has prompted concern among many experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, which warns that removing a universal birth dose could increase infants’ risk for a virus that can cause chronic, lifelong illness. In parallel, the AAP has released its own updated, evidence-based immunization schedule with more explicit guidance on several pediatric vaccines. As vaccine policy evolves, communicators play a key role in explaining evidence, clarifying risk, and reinforcing the importance of routine immunization for population health. Read more from CBS and Parents.
Global Measles Cases Drop 71% in 24 Years on Improved Vaccination Coverage, WHO Says
Global measles cases have declined 71% between 2000 and 2024, falling to 11 million, thanks to expanded vaccination efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports. Over this period, immunization prevented nearly 59 million deaths, with fatalities dropping 88% to 95,000. Despite these gains, 2024 saw an 8% rise in cases compared with pre-pandemic levels, highlighting vulnerabilities in healthcare systems and immunization programs—even in high-income countries.
The WHO warns that gaps in vaccine coverage, compounded by funding cuts, could trigger outbreaks of measles and other preventable diseases. Achieving 95% coverage with two doses remains critical for global measles control. Read more from Reuters here.
Shortage of Rural Doctors Won’t End Anytime Soon, Report Says
A new Commonwealth Fund report highlights a persistent shortage of primary care physicians in rural America, where communities currently have only about two-thirds of the doctors they need—a gap expected to continue for at least the next decade. Nearly 92% of rural counties are classified as primary care shortage areas, leaving roughly 43 million residents with limited access to care.
Rural patients are also less likely to use telehealth due to broadband limitations. While physician supply lags demand, rural nurse practitioners are increasingly filling gaps, reflecting broader national growth in this workforce. Federal programs aim to incentivize clinicians to practice in underserved areas. Read more from Stateline here.
