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Since many children and about 10% adults have a fear of needles and cite this concern for avoiding vaccines, clinically known as trypanophobia, recent research has identified another immunization option.
Researchers have confirmed that the oral cavity is a convenient location for vaccination and is the target area for an innovative needle-free vaccine.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kennedy has signed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations to remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States.
This marks the final step in removing mercury from all vaccines administered to Americans.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today announced the development of the next-generation, universal vaccine platform, Generation Gold Standard.
This innovation uses a beta-propiolactone (BPL)-inactivated, whole-virus platform.

A vaccine that combines antigens from different flu strains could trigger a more protective immune response than a traditional influenza vaccine, wrote the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH).
Published on January 14, 2025, the NIH says findings from a recent study indicate a new method could enhance the effectiveness of annual flu shots.
The NIH explained seasonal flu shots contain hemagglutinin (HA) molecules from various viral strains. But even when the strains in the vaccine exactly match those in circulation, the vaccines have limited efficacy.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today announced that it has updated its Interactive Respiratory Disease Dashboard to include updated hospitalization reporting and more visual features.
DSHS's dashboard, launched in January 2024, also includes information on emergency department visits, fatalities from influenza, and other respiratory viruses and is accessible through the Texas Health Data website.

As the flu season picks up, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will be observed December 2-6, 2024, a reminder for most everyone that there’s still time to get a flu shot this season.
National Influenza Vaccination Week is a national awareness week highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination for yourself and others.

With Thanksgiving gatherings planned for late this week, a new study suggests that everyone should get their annual flu shots.
A recent study concluded that the risk of secondary influenza among unvaccinated household contacts is approximately 15% to 20% after a person infected with the influenza virus introduces it into households.

As the United States continues reporting avian influenza cases in animals and people, the U.S. government is making another investment in pandemic prevention vaccines.
The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses and their transmission to animals and humans poses a significant global public health threat. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases recently reported two additional flu-related deaths, bringing the total number of pediatric deaths for the 2023-2024 season to 199.
As of September 18, 2024, this number equals the previous high reported during the 2019-2020 flu season. It's a profoundly tragic reminder that influenza can cause severe illness, even after a child has been vaccinated.

A recent American Academy of Physician Associates poll found that 65% of Americans say coordinating and managing healthcare is overwhelming and time-consuming, and 73% feel that the healthcare system fails to meet their needs.
Further, most patients want more digital options for managing their care.