Author: Kate Smith

COVID’s Evolutionary Journey

Posted on by Kate Smith

Pekar, J.E., Lytras, S., Ghafari, M., Magee, A.F., Parker, E., Wang, Y., …, Lemey, P. (2025). The recency and geographical origins of the bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Cell, online. Summary: The emergence of SARS-CoV in 2002 and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 led to increased sampling of sarbecoviruses circulating in horseshoe bats. Employing phylogenetic inference while accounting for recombination of bat sarbecoviruses, we find that the closest-inferred bat virus ancestors of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 existed less than a decade prior to their emergence in humans. Read more

Global Vaccinations in Jeapordy

Posted on by Kate Smith

What happens when you add health fuding cuts, misinformation, and humanitarian crises? A perfect storm in which vaccine-preventable diseases can thrive. Reuters: the UN reports global aid funding cuts are upending vaccination efforts almost as much as the pandemic did. These cuts are “severely limiting” UNICEF’s work to vaccinate 15 million children against measels. Guardian: the Global Vaccine Data Network – which has done the largest safety studies of COVID-19 vaccines – was terminated about 13 months short of its end date. WHO, UNICEF, GAVI:

Summary: ACIP Meeting

Posted on by Kate Smith

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met on April 15-16, 2025. This meeting was postponed from the regularly schedule February meeting. During this 2-day meeting, ACIP voted to recommend: ACIP received an update on the current measles outbreak in the United States and reviewed preliminary estimates of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness during the current season. The committee received information updates on the planned use of self-administered LAIV vaccine in the 2025–26 season, an updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, and a new monoclonal antibody product for infant RSV prevention. The group also reviewed preliminary information on potential recommendation changes Read More …

Master Class: Vaccine Communication

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With the support of experts in the field, Moderna has built out a suite of resources as part of our Master Class in Vaccination Communication to aid in clear, empathetic, and evidence-based conversations. These conversations are pivotal in addressing patient concerns, dispelling misinformation, and fostering vaccine confidence. The Master Class ranges from formal training modules, a state of the art role play game, and on-demand videos and infographics on a wide variety of topics relating to vaccine communication. By engaging in these educational opportunities, HCPs can build trust with patients, effectively address vaccine hesitancy, and contribute to higher vaccination rates. Read More …

Become a Community Ambassador

Posted on by Kate Smith

Join the Movement to Strengthen Vaccine Confidence! Quality Insights and the Delaware Division of Public Health are excited to offer a unique opportunity for passionate community members to make a real impact on public health! The Vaccine Community Ambassador Program is a 3-hour workshop designed to empower participants with knowledge and tools to help increase vaccine awareness and address vaccine hesitancy within the Delaware community.  If you have a heart for helping others and want to be a voice for your community, don’t miss this chance! Link to register: https://qualityinsights.info/3FjrhL3   Choose from: In-Person Session: Friday, April 25, 2025 (Lunch Read More …

Louisiana Announces 2 Infants Have Died from Whooping Cough

Posted on by Kate Smith

Two infants have died of whooping cough in Louisiana in the past six months, according to the surgeon general of the state’s health department. The deaths from this vaccine-preventable illness are the first to occur in Louisiana since 2018. There have been 110 cases of whooping cough in the state so far this year, compared with 154 cases in all of last year, CNN reported. Cases have been rising throughout the U.S. after they dropped dramatically during the COVID pandemic. There were 35,000 cases in the country last year—higher than any year since 2012. Read more

Animal Source of Mpox Emerges: Squirrels!

Posted on by Kate Smith

One of the great mysteries of the monkeypox virus has been pinpointing its ‘reservoir’ hosts — the animals that carry and spread the virus without becoming sick from it. Now, an international team of scientists suggests that it has an answer: the fire-footed rope squirrel (Funisciurus pyrropus), a forest-dwelling rodent found in West and Central Africa1. Read more in Nature.

Shingles Vaccine and Dementia

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“Neurotropic herpes viruses may be implicated in the development of dementia. Moreover, vaccines may have important off-target immunological effects.” Eyting, M., Xie, M., Michalik, F., et al. (2025). A natural epxeriment on the effect of herpes zoster vaccination on dementia. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08800-x

2025 Immunization Champion Award

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Recognize an individual who goes above and beyond to support immunization in Delaware! The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is excited to launch the 2025 Immunization Champion Award!  This national award program recognizes an Immunization Champion from each of the 64 federally funded immunization programs. Nominees are chosen for their commitment to going above and beyond to promote or foster adult and childhood immunizations in their communities. Learn about eligibility requirements and more at www.immunizationmanagers.org.

DPH Provides Recommendations to Protect Yourself and Your Children From Measles

Posted on by Kate Smith

CONTACT: Laura Matusheski, Media Relations CoordinatorEmail: DPHMedia@delaware.gov DOVER, Del. (March 20, 2025) – With the recent increase in measles cases throughout the United States, the Delaware Division of Public (DPH) has received requests for information on how Delawareans can protect themselves from the measles virus. As advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to protect against measles remains vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, often referred to as the MMR vaccine, is safe and highly effective, with one dose being 93% effective and two doses being 97% effective against measles. Children 12 months of Read More …