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Grandparents Urged to Vaccinate Against Multiple Viruses Before Visiting Newborns Amid U.S. Outbreaks

Grandparents Urged to Vaccinate Against Multiple Viruses Before Visiting Newborns Amid U.S. Outbreaks

Healthcare professionals in the U.S. are strongly recommending that grandparents and other caregivers receive several key vaccinations before interacting with newborns. This advice comes amidst the current respiratory virus season and the nation's most significant measles outbreak in decades. Dr. Dhaval Desai, an internal medicine and pediatrics physician, emphasized the vulnerability of infants aged zero to six months, who rely heavily on antibodies passed from their mothers and the immunity of those around them. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that anyone around a newborn should be up-to-date on routine vaccines, particularly the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis/whooping cough) and the seasonal flu vaccine. Additionally, doctors are recommending the RSV vaccine for older adults, with specific age and health condition guidelines. The updated COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for all adults to reduce the risk of hospitalization and transmission to vulner...

Exclusive-CDC chief says agency will not change measles response if US loses elimination status

Exclusive-CDC chief says agency will not change measles response if US loses elimination status

By Yasmeen Abutaleb WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will not fundamentally change its response to measles outbreaks even if the US loses its measles elimination status this month, CDC Director Dr Erica Schwartz told Reuters on Tuesday.

Annual Flu Shot Recommended for All Ages, High-Dose Options for Seniors in 2026-2027 Season

Annual Flu Shot Recommended for All Ages, High-Dose Options for Seniors in 2026-2027 Season

For the 2026-2027 flu season, health authorities continue to recommend that everyone 6 months and older receive an annual flu shot. Specific recommendations are in place for adults aged 65 and older, who are advised to get a stronger, high-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted flu vaccine if available. If these preferred options are not accessible, a standard-dose flu shot is still recommended over waiting. Several types of flu vaccines are available, including standard-dose inactivated vaccines (like Fluzone), high-dose inactivated vaccines (like Fluzone High-Dose), recombinant vaccines (like Flublok), adjuvanted inactivated vaccines (like Fluad), and live attenuated nasal spray vaccines (like FluMist). All available vaccines for this season are trivalent, protecting against three flu strains, and are updated annually to match circulating strains.

More parents are rejecting this shot for newborns. Why babies need it

More parents are rejecting this shot for newborns. Why babies need it

Two new studies found an accelerating trend of parents refusing vitamin K shots at birth and, at the same time, more reports of babies bleeding.

Interval Training Offers Versatile Approach to Fitness Routines

Interval Training Offers Versatile Approach to Fitness Routines

Interval Training Offers Versatile Approach to Fitness Routines

How a Third Pfizer Dose Boosted Antibodies Against Omicron

How a Third Pfizer Dose Boosted Antibodies Against Omicron

The Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, known as BNT162b2 or Comirnaty, has played a pivotal role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It...

U.S. Measles Cases Exceed 5,000, Raising Concerns Ahead of Holidays

U.S. Measles Cases Exceed 5,000, Raising Concerns Ahead of Holidays

More than 5,000 measles cases have been reported across the United States this year, marking a significant surge in the infectious disease. This increase has prompted growing concerns, particularly as the holiday season approaches, a period often associated with increased travel and social gatherings. The current figures indicate a dangerous high for measles cases in the U.S., as reported by NBC News’ Aaron Gilchrist on November 8, 2026. The rapid spread of the disease highlights ongoing public health challenges and the importance of vaccination efforts to control outbreaks. The situation suggests a potential for further escalation if preventative measures are not effectively reinforced.

WHO Recommends Two Malaria Vaccines for Young Children in Africa, Not for Travelers

WHO Recommends Two Malaria Vaccines for Young Children in Africa, Not for Travelers

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended two malaria vaccines since 2021 and 2023, specifically for young children residing in moderate-to-high malaria transmission areas of Africa. These vaccines are administered as part of national public health programs, with the first dose given around five months of age. The goal of these vaccines is to reduce severe malaria episodes in populations constantly exposed to the disease. However, these vaccines are not available or recommended for travelers, including those from the United States, as they were not tested for this purpose and provide partial protection that wanes over time, requiring booster doses suitable for continuous exposure. For travelers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health bodies continue to recommend prescription antimalarial tablets and strict mosquito-bite avoidance.

Measles Cases Surge in the Americas, U.S. Reports Significant Increase

Measles Cases Surge in the Americas, U.S. Reports Significant Increase

Between epidemiological weeks 1 and 43 of 2026, the Region of the Americas recorded 57,666 confirmed cases of measles across 17 countries and territories. This represents a 4.7-fold increase compared to the total cases reported in 2025. Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, Peru, and Canada collectively account for 99.5% of these cases. During this period, 81 deaths were attributed to measles. In weeks 41 and 42 of 2026, there were 547 new confirmed cases reported in six countries, indicating a 38% decrease compared to the preceding period. The United States alone reported 332 of these new cases, highlighting its significant contribution to the regional total. The overall surge in measles cases across the Americas points to a concerning trend in public health.

U.S. Flu Season Starts Early with Mutated H1N1 Strain, CDC Reports

U.S. Flu Season Starts Early with Mutated H1N1 Strain, CDC Reports

The 2026-2027 flu season in the United States has begun earlier than usual, with cases rising significantly since August, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of November 5, flu infections are increasing in 42 states, particularly in the West. The CDC's FluView surveillance report for the week ending October 31 indicated that early-season influenza activity is higher than typically observed. Currently, the H1N1 strain, a type of influenza A virus, is responsible for the majority of cases. This H1N1 strain has acquired a new mutation, G155E, which experts believe may affect its ability to evade pre-existing immunity. This is a shift from the previous winter, when influenza A H3N2 subclade K was the dominant strain. Experts like Andrew Pekosz, Ph.D., a virologist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, note that cases are still relatively low but are in the early phases of a surge. The percentage of positive flu tests was 9.1% during the week ending October 3...

CDC Recommends Annual Flu Shots for All Ages, Highlighting Increased Risks for Diabetics

CDC Recommends Annual Flu Shots for All Ages, Highlighting Increased Risks for Diabetics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for everyone aged 6 months and older, unless contraindications exist. For adults 65 and over, high-dose, recombinant, or adjuvanted flu vaccines are preferentially advised when available. Flu shots can be administered concurrently with updated COVID-19 or RSV vaccines. It takes approximately two weeks for immunity to develop, making the current period optimal for vaccination as flu season is already underway. For individuals with Type 2 diabetes, getting a flu shot is particularly crucial. Diabetes can impair immune function, making individuals more susceptible to severe flu complications, including pneumonia and difficulty managing blood sugar levels due to the body's stress response during infection. Flu can cause significant fluctuations in blood glucose, posing immediate health threats for diabetics.

ACOG Recommends Universal Syphilis Screening for Pregnant Individuals Amid Rising Congenital Syphilis Cases

ACOG Recommends Universal Syphilis Screening for Pregnant Individuals Amid Rising Congenital Syphilis Cases

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is advocating for universal serological screening for syphilis in all pregnant individuals. This recommendation comes in response to a significant increase in congenital syphilis cases in the United States, with 3,800 confirmed cases in 2023, marking a tenfold rise since 2012. ACOG advises screening at the first prenatal care visit, followed by universal rescreening during the third trimester and at birth. This approach moves away from risk-based testing, which has proven insufficient, as evidenced by the fact that three in five infants with congenital syphilis in 2022 were born to individuals who had received some prenatal care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 88% of congenital syphilis cases in 2022 could have been prevented with timely screening and treatment. The 'Compassionate Conversations' series aims to equip obstetric care professionals with the necessary tools for sensitive and respectful discussion...