Colorado is experiencing a significant resurgence of whooping cough, or pertussis, with over 930 cases reported in 2024 and 2025, a sharp increase after reaching pandemic-era lows. State health officials attribute this rise to declining school vaccination rates and waning immunity, as a notable portion of reported cases involve vaccinated individuals. While vaccination remains the most effective prevention, breakthrough infections can occur, and health experts emphasize the importance of booster doses to maintain protection against the highly contagious disease.
Read More
As measles outbreaks have resurged in the US, reaching levels not seen in decades and threatening the country’s elimination status, some vaccine-hesitant parents are beginning to question their deeply held beliefs. Witnessing the deadly realities of the disease firsthand has prompted a shift in perspective for individuals like Katie Jennings, who was raised in an anti-vaccine community. In measles hotspots, a growing number of parents are quietly changing their minds about the MMR shot, leading to a slowdown in outbreaks and a notable increase in immunizations in states like South Carolina and Texas. This trend challenges the sustainability of anti-vaccine movements, particularly those fueled by misinformation.
Read More
During a House committee hearing, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. repeatedly denied being anti-vaccine, despite his history of spreading vaccine misinformation, and claimed no role in the resurgence of measles cases. He asserted that the rise in measles cases is due to a global epidemic and government dishonesty during COVID-19, not his rhetoric or the dismantling of key immunization advisory committees. Experts countered that Kennedy’s decades of undermining vaccine confidence, particularly concerning the MMR vaccine, have directly contributed to declining vaccination rates and put public health at risk, including for newborns through parental reluctance to administer vital shots like vitamin K.
Read More
Suspected militants attacked a vehicle protecting polio vaccination workers in northwestern Pakistan, resulting in one officer’s death and four injuries before police returned fire, killing two attackers. This incident occurred during Pakistan’s nationwide anti-polio campaign, a crucial effort to eradicate the virus in a country still struggling with its transmission, alongside Afghanistan. Despite ongoing threats and the tragic history of attacks on health workers, the campaign, supported by first lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, aims to vaccinate millions of children, highlighting the persistent challenges and shared commitment to ending polio.
Read More
Infants too young for vaccination are particularly vulnerable during measles outbreaks, as declining vaccination rates erode herd immunity. In South Carolina, a significant outbreak has led doctors to administer the MMR vaccine earlier to protect vulnerable babies. However, legislative efforts in some states aim to reduce vaccination requirements, raising concerns among medical professionals about further jeopardizing public health and the potential for measles to spread more widely.
Read More
Refusals of routine newborn preventive care, including vitamin K shots, hepatitis B vaccines, and eye ointment, are increasing nationwide, alarming medical professionals. This trend, fueled by rising anti-science sentiment and mistrust of institutions, is leading to a near doubling of vitamin K shot refusals between 2017 and 2024. Experts emphasize that these interventions are crucial for preventing potentially deadly bleeding and blinding infections, with unvaccinated newborns facing significantly higher risks. While parents express concerns about natural birth philosophies and misinformation, doctors are striving to educate families respectfully, aiming to ensure infant well-being.
Read More
The recent nomination for Surgeon General raises significant questions regarding public health policy, particularly concerning routine childhood vaccinations. The individual selected, whose background has drawn considerable scrutiny, has indicated an unwillingness to actively urge vaccinations for common and potentially dangerous diseases like measles, influenza, and whooping cough. This stance marks a departure from established public health recommendations and traditions, sparking considerable concern among medical professionals and the broader public.
The rationale behind this position is particularly perplexing. Rather than actively promoting well-established preventative measures, the nominee appears to be deferring individual medical decisions entirely to patients and their personal physicians. While the importance of consulting with healthcare providers is undeniable, the role of the Surgeon General has historically been to champion public health initiatives and provide clear guidance based on scientific consensus.… Continue reading
With preventable infectious diseases on the rise and experts considering a review of all vaccine recommendations, there is concern about a potential surge in polio cases. Survivors and medical professionals warn that the current healthcare system is ill-equipped to handle a polio resurgence, citing a lack of specialized knowledge and outdated treatment approaches among clinicians. The decline in polio cases due to successful vaccination has led to a loss of expertise and a decreased public awareness of the disease’s devastating long-term consequences, making prevention through vaccination paramount.
Read More
An outbreak of measles has infected over 60 children across seven schools and a nursery in north London’s Enfield, with some requiring hospital treatment. This alarming rise is linked to low MMR vaccination rates in the capital, which has some of the lowest uptake in the country. Public health officials warn of the potential for a wider outbreak across London, as measles can spread rapidly and lead to severe complications like deafness and brain damage. In response, temporary vaccination clinics are being established, and a government campaign is set to launch to address vaccine skepticism.
Read More
DC Health has confirmed multiple measles cases, with contagious individuals visiting several public locations, including Ronald Reagan National Airport, Union Station, Catholic University of America, and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Individuals who were at these sites may have been exposed to the virus. This announcement comes as a large conservative religious gathering, attended by prominent politicians, is underway, an event where opposition to vaccination is noted, potentially increasing the risk of spread. Current measles outbreaks are also significant in South Carolina and Texas.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood