Explore

ReutersReuters
US health secretary Kennedy launches new push on vaccine injuries

US health secretary Kennedy launches new push on vaccine injuries

By Ahmed Aboulenein WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (Reuters) - US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week launched an agency-wide effort to study and document any health problems reported after vaccination, the Department of Health and Human Services said on Thursday.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Florida Department of Health Proposes Removal of Four Childhood Vaccine Requirements

Florida Department of Health Proposes Removal of Four Childhood Vaccine Requirements

The Florida Department of Health is holding a public hearing to discuss its proposal to remove requirements for four childhood vaccines: Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), pneumococcal disease, hepatitis B, and chickenpox. Currently, Hib and pneumococcal vaccines are mandated for daycare and preschool entry, while hepatitis B and chickenpox vaccines are required through K-12. State officials frame this proposed change as a matter of parental rights and 'medical freedom,' without citing new evidence regarding vaccine safety or effectiveness. This move is significant because these four diseases are less familiar to many parents due to the success of the vaccines in making them rare. Florida is the first state to propose such a change, and its health department has the authority to implement this through rulemaking, bypassing legislative action.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
U.S. States Implement Varied Flu Vaccination Policies, Influencing Coverage Rates

U.S. States Implement Varied Flu Vaccination Policies, Influencing Coverage Rates

Flu vaccination rates across the U.S. exhibit significant variation, influenced by state-specific policies and healthcare infrastructure. New England and parts of the upper Midwest consistently show higher coverage compared to the Southeast and Mountain West. This geographical disparity is not primarily due to weather or flu severity but rather policy decisions, such as mandatory flu shots for children in licensed childcare in states like Connecticut and Rhode Island. These states require annual flu shots for children enrolled in state-licensed childcare and preschool programs, making proof of vaccination a condition for attendance. Rhode Island's rule, for instance, covers children from six months through 59 months of age, aligning with CDC recommendations that identify this age group as having a high risk of flu-related hospitalization. Additionally, the authority granted to pharmacists to vaccinate without a prescription, Medicare Advantage plans promoting preventive care for seniors, and public health ...
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
Why Ohio is at risk for more measles cases as 2026 outbreak grows

Why Ohio is at risk for more measles cases as 2026 outbreak grows

Ohio is battling its third measles outbreak of 2026. The state is at risk to see the number of cases continue to rise.
AP NewsAP News
The plague never went away. Cases are reported in parts of Africa and the US nearly every year

The plague never went away. Cases are reported in parts of Africa and the US nearly every year

The plague, a rare bacterial infection known for its deadly impact in 14th-century Europe, still exists today
Rapid ReadRapid Read
HPV Vaccination Linked to Reduced Pregnancy Complications, Swedish Study Finds

HPV Vaccination Linked to Reduced Pregnancy Complications, Swedish Study Finds

A large Swedish study published in The BMJ indicates that women vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) before pregnancy experience a decreased risk of birth complications. The research, which analyzed data from 624,713 women in Sweden who gave birth for the first time between 2006 and 2023, found that HPV vaccination was associated with a lower odds of various adverse pregnancy outcomes. These outcomes included preterm birth before 37 weeks, very preterm birth between 28 and 31 weeks, spontaneous preterm birth, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, and infants severely small for gestational age. The risk reductions were generally more significant among women vaccinated at younger ages, according to lead researcher Zhongsong Zhang from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm.
ReutersReuters
CDC sees low plague risk, monitors Siberia arrivals after worker death, director says

CDC sees low plague risk, monitors Siberia arrivals after worker death, director says

Oct 7 (Reuters) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Erica ‌Schwartz said on Wednesday the risk to the US from an unconfirmed pneumonic plague case in Siberia was extremely low, but the agency was prepared to monitor and screen travelers.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
CDC-Led Study Reveals Significant Data Gaps in Profound Autism Assessments for U.S. Children

CDC-Led Study Reveals Significant Data Gaps in Profound Autism Assessments for U.S. Children

A study led by researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that nearly half of the records for eight-year-old autistic children across 13 U.S. surveillance sites in 2022 lacked sufficient data to classify them for profound autism. The paper, authored by Kelly Shaw and colleagues and accepted by the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, aimed to count this group using a definition revised in 2025. This definition requires an IQ below 50 or nonverbal/minimally verbal status, plus an adaptive functioning score of 70 or below. However, only 54.4% of the 7,084 children had enough information on file to apply the updated definition. Specifically, 61.1% had a recorded IQ, 74.0% had verbal status information, and 55.9% had an adaptive score, with 19.5% missing all three. The study highlights that assessments, when available, were often not recent, with median ages for IQ and adaptive tests being 70 and 65 months, respectively, for children classifi...
The Columbus DispatchThe Columbus Dispatch
Ohio measles cases increase 400% from last year in latest ODH update

Ohio measles cases increase 400% from last year in latest ODH update

Another county in Ohio is reporting measles cases as Ohio's measles outbreak continues, with cases exceeding 2025 numbers by 406%.
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Hunter Education Alone Insufficient for Youth Gun Safety, Comprehensive Approach Needed

Hunter Education Alone Insufficient for Youth Gun Safety, Comprehensive Approach Needed

While hunter education programs, such as the NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC), teach valuable skills in firearm safety and ethical use, researchers argue that these alone are not enough to ensure youth gun safety. Cindy Ewell Foster, a clinical professor at the University of Michigan's Department of Psychiatry and researcher at the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention, emphasizes that a comprehensive approach is necessary. This includes safe firearm storage practices by parents, such as locking guns in safes and separating ammunition. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that firearm-related injury is the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1 to 19 when combining homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries. Ewell Foster highlights that while hunter safety is beneficial, it may not protect a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, and knowing how to use a weapon could even become a risk factor in such situations. Programs like the Ins...
Rapid ReadRapid Read
Respiratory Season Preparedness Emphasized for Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy

Respiratory Season Preparedness Emphasized for Individuals with Muscular Dystrophy

As the respiratory season approaches, individuals with Duchenne or Becker muscular dystrophy are advised to take proactive measures to protect themselves from viruses like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. Due to weakened respiratory muscles, these individuals face a higher risk of severe complications from infections. Vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19 are highlighted as the most effective way to prevent these infections, with vaccination proven to reduce cases and lead to milder illnesses for those who do get infected. Two FDA-approved RSV vaccines, AVREXVY and ABRYSVO, are available for individuals over 18 at higher risk of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV. The CDC and AAP recommend flu vaccines for everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. It is also crucial for family members, friends, and caregivers to be vaccinated to reduce the risk of exposure to vulnerable individuals. Other preventive measures include frequent handwashing, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and...
Cincinnati EnquirerCincinnati Enquirer
Why Ohio is at risk for more measles cases as 2026 outbreak grows

Why Ohio is at risk for more measles cases as 2026 outbreak grows

Ohio is battling its third measles outbreak of 2026. The state is at risk to see the number of cases continue to rise.