AAP Files Lawsuit to Protect Immunizations

On July 7, 2025, the American Academy of Pediatrics, joined by the American College of Physicians, the American Public Health Association, and others, filed suit in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to restore science to U.S. vaccine policy development and ensure pediatricians are able to do their jobs taking care of patients. This is not the first time the AAP has sued the federal government in the name of protecting children’s health. In 1983, the AAP successfully sued along with other medical organizations to oppose federal regulations that intruded into the physician-patient relationship. We have also sued Read More …

From Inoculation to Innovation: The Historical and Ethical Journey of Vaccination

Join the New Jersey Immunization Network for a thought-provoking webinar that will delve into the life-saving global impact of vaccines, explore the roots of vaccine hesitancy and organized opposition, and unpack the ethical questions surrounding mandates, informed consent, and global access. Through real-world case studies and predictive models, we’ll also examine the far-reaching public health implications of both vaccine acceptance and refusal. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with history, ethics, and science in one compelling conversation, led by guest speakers David Cennimo, MD, and Luis Alzate-Duque, MD. CME is available When: June 30, 2025 from 3:00-6:00 pm Click here Read More …

Preserving Scientific Integrety in Vaccine Policy: The Role of, and Risk to, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

On June 24, 2025, the Annals of Internal Medicine posted an opinion post authored by Jason M. Goldman, MD and Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, MD: In 1964, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services established the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) as a trusted, transparent, and evidence-based public body charged with making vaccine recommendations. Operating under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ACIP has played a vital role in ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and appropriate use of vaccines. Its recommendations influence public health policy, clinical practice, insurance coverage, and ultimately the lives of millions of Americans (1). Read More …

The MAHA Report: Our Thoughts

Kate Smith, MD, MPHExecutive Director, Delaware Academy of Medicine Friday, May 23, 2025 — Yesterday, the White House released it’s long-awaited “MAHA Report,” outlining the government’s target areas for addressing childhood chronic disease. Executive Director Kate Smith, MD, MPH, of the Delaware Academy of Medicine responded here. Some quotes relating specifically to the vaccine section of the report: The report fails to mention that, although the number of recommended vaccines on the CDC childhood vaccine schedule has increased, vaccines today are more efficient and contain fewer stimulants to the immune system; that while original vaccines are trialed with a placebo Read More …

COVID’s Evolutionary Journey

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

Summary: ACIP Meeting

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

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

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

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

Shingles Vaccine and Dementia

“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