LATEST NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
This Mutated Flu Strain is Triggering Fears of a Massive Outbreak
Public health experts are monitoring a rapidly spreading H3N2 influenza A strain, which emerged over the summer and differs from the strain included in this year’s flu vaccine. Early surges in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Hong Kong have led to hospitalizations, school closures, and warnings of a potentially severe flu season.
While not considered a pandemic-level threat, H3N2 poses increased risks for older adults and those with underlying conditions. Preliminary data suggest some vaccine effectiveness. Symptoms mirror typical influenza, including fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. U.S. health agencies are closely tracking the virus, emphasizing vaccination and vigilance as key public health measures. Read more from Axios here.
Vaccine Advisory Panel Set to Revisit Hepatitis B, Other Childhood Shots Next Month
The federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will revisit the childhood vaccine schedule, including hepatitis B, at its Dec. 4 meeting. The panel may vote on delaying the birth dose of hepatitis B, a long-standing recommendation credited with saving tens of thousands of lives. ACIP also may consider changes to the combined MMR vaccine and examine the safety of ingredients such as aluminum, despite longstanding evidence supporting their use.
Panel decisions directly influence insurance coverage and state vaccination policies, making the upcoming deliberations significant for public health programs, pediatric care, and immunization strategies nationwide. Read more from The Hill here.
Judge to Approve $7bn Settlement with OxyContin Maker
A federal judge has approved a $7 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, requiring members of the Sackler family to contribute funds and relinquish ownership. The agreement resolves thousands of lawsuits over the company’s role in the U.S. opioid epidemic, which has contributed to nearly 900,000 deaths since 1999.
Purdue will convert into a non-profit, Knoa Pharma, focusing on opioid addiction treatment and overdose reversal. The settlement, part of broader state and local efforts totaling about $50 billion, aims to provide compensation for victims and represents a significant step in addressing public health harms from prescription opioid misuse. Read more from The Guardian here.
FEATURED TOPICS
WHO Warns of Widespread Resistance to Common Antibiotics Worldwide
A new WHO report warns that antibiotic resistance is rising globally, with one in six bacterial infections in 2023 resistant to treatment. Drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and K. pneumoniae, are increasingly linked to severe bloodstream infections, with resistance exceeding 70% in some regions. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance rose in over 40% of monitored pathogen-antibiotic combinations.
While participation in the WHO GLASS surveillance system has grown, nearly half of countries still lack reliable data, particularly where health systems are weakest. WHO urges countries to strengthen laboratory capacity, report high-quality data, and implement coordinated interventions to preserve antibiotic effectiveness and guide public health policies. Read more from WHO here.
Trust in Media at New Low of 28% in U.S.
Trust in U.S. news media has reached a historic low, with only 28% of adults expressing confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report fully, fairly, and accurately. Confidence has declined across all partisan groups, with Republicans’ trust now in single digits (8%), independents at 27%, and Democrats holding a narrow majority (51%).
Generational divides are pronounced: adults 65 and older show higher trust, while younger adults remain highly skeptical. For public health communicators, these trends underscore the challenge of effectively conveying health information in a polarized media environment and highlight the importance of building credibility and trust with diverse audiences. Read more from Gallup here.
2024–25 Flu Season Sees Record Pediatric Deaths: CDC Urges Vaccination
The 2024–25 influenza season saw the highest number of flu-associated pediatric deaths during a regular, non-pandemic season since national reporting began in 2004. As of September 13, 2025, 280 pediatric deaths were reported, with a median age of 7 years; over half had underlying medical conditions. Among those eligible and with known vaccination status, 89% were not fully vaccinated.
CDC emphasizes that children under 5, especially under 2, and those with chronic conditions are at higher risk of severe flu complications. Annual flu vaccination for all individuals six months and older remains the most effective strategy to reduce serious illness and death. Read the MMWR from the CDC here.
PHCC Offers New Graphics and Messaging for the 2025-26 Respiratory Illness Season
Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) offers new social media graphics and messaging for public health communicators to support community preparation for the 2025–26 respiratory virus season, running November through April. Available in English and Spanish, these resources help explain respiratory virus prevention, updated vaccine eligibility, and the importance of COVID-19 and other vaccinations for both children and adults.
Step-by-step guides make it easy to encourage community members to find, schedule, and attend vaccine appointments. Early, clear communication can help reduce severe illness, increase vaccination coverage, and strengthen community resilience throughout the upcoming respiratory virus season. Find PHCC’s resources here.
