Author: Kate Smith

More Illness: Greater Cost

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The Common Health Coalition has published its Spotlight Brief on the cost of Childhood Immunizations. Summary: This brief demonstrates how declines in childhood vaccination will carry substantial human and economic consequences, using measles as a case study. The modeling analysis, conducted by the Yale School of Public Health, finds that a sustained 1% annual decline in MMR vaccine coverage could lead to more than 17,000 measles cases, 4,000 hospitalizations, and 36 preventable deaths each year, while adding billions in avoidable costs across the US health system and economy by 2030. Read the Brief

DPH Reports Measles Exposure at Nemours ED

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DOVER, Del. (Feb.20, 2026) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a measles exposure at the Nemours Children’s Hospital emergency department in Wilmington on February 18, 2026. Contact tracing is ongoing. DPH will notify persons who were identified as exposed, to confirm whether or not they have been vaccinated against measles before, provide educational resources, and to recommend quarantine and exclusion orders when necessary. DPH encourages people who were exposed to check their vaccination status and watch for symptoms for 21 days until March 11, 2026. Pregnant people — regardless of vaccination status — who may have Read More …

The Real Economics of Pediatric Vaccination

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Do pediatricians recommend vaccines to make a profit? Typically no. In fact, they often lose money. Clinicans are paid for vaccines in two ways: a small administration fee for giving the shot and counseling families ($7-$28, depending on insurance type and state), and Reimbursement for the vaccine, which covers the cost of purchasing it ($20-$300+). Many clinics report being reimbursed at or below what they paid, and vaccines are among the least profitable services clinicians provide. Nearly 1 in 4 pediatricians have considered stopping vaccine delivery due to financial strain threatening their practice (not due to doubts about vaccine safety Read More …

AAP Publishes 2026 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule

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The American Academy of Pediatrics published their 2026 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule on Monday, January 26, which has been endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), the Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), the National Medical Association (NMA), Pedidatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), Pediatric Pharmacy Assocation (PPA), and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM). View the Schedule Read More …

Changes to the US Childhood Immunization Schedule

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Join the ICD for a Webinar! Changes to the US Childhood Immunization Schedule: Clinical and Public Health Implications When: Friday, January 30, 2026 From: 11:00 – 12:00 pm What you will learn: Review recent changes to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule Compare prior schedule structure with current recommendations Discuss potential clinical and public health implications Provide context for providers navigating these changes in practice Register Here.  This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Medical Society of Delaware Read More …

Medical Groups Request Courts Block New CDC Vaccine Recommendations

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Physicians (ACP), the American Public Health Association (APHA), the Massachusetts Public Health Alliance, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine  are asking the courts to reverse the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new recommendations for pediatric vaccinations. They are also seeking to stop February’s scheduled ACIP meeting. Read more from CNN here

Influenza – So far this season…

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January 13, 2026. The information below is taken from a report by Your Local Epidemiologist. Things to know: Most Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) activity right now are flu ILI is the highest it has been since the 1997-98 flu season (and the highest it has been since the CDC started tracking ILI) Last season, ILI infections started peaking in the beginning of February; we are seeing similar rates now – a month earlier than last year – and infections are still increasing ED visits are highest among children aged 5-17 years, children under 5 years are close behind Seventeen children have Read More …

Keep Recommending Flu Vaccine

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Last influenza (flu) season, 289 US children died from influenza—the highest number in more than a decade. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the leading cause of hospitalization among US infants. Based on the best available scientific evidence, Dr. John Kennedy strongly urges American Medical Group Association (AMGA) members to continue recommendation of annual influenza vaccination for your patients age 6 months and older, as well as protection against RSV for all infants whose mothers did not receive an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Still not sure?? Check out the list of dozens of medical societies and trade associations who stand alongside Read More …

We Urge You: Reconsider the Overhaul of the Childhood Immunization Schedule

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MEDIA STATEMENT For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 Contact: Kate Smith (ksmith@delamed.org) STATEMENT: We Urge The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Reconsider Overhaul of Childhood Immunization Schedule Yesterday afternoon, the Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Jim O’Neill, in his role as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signed a memorandum that directs HHS and the CDC to review and revise the U.S. childhood immunization schedule. The action follows a directive from President Trump to “review international best Read More …

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The Science Behind the Immunization Schedule

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VUMEDI is a trusted source of information, with content from the most respected key opinion leaders and institutions around the globe. The following video, “The Science Behind the Immunization Schedule: How ACIP Evaluates Safety, Timing, and Risk” was created before RFK, Jr’s restructuring of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices in 2025, and reflects the scientific rigor that stood up vaccine recommendations before the second Trump administration. Recommendations from the current version of ACIP should be double checked against professional society (i.e., AAP, AMA, ACOG) recomendations. Sign up for VUMEDI and view the video here.