Vaccine News

The Jamaica Tourist Board recently welcomed the U.S. Department of State's update to its Travel Advisory for Jamaica, which was downgraded to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, effective January 17, 2026.

This positive adjustment returns Jamaica to the advisory level it held before Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 Caribbean storm in 2025, reflecting significant progress in the island's recovery and a continued commitment to visitor safety.

Recovery efforts have restored major airports, cleared roads, and reopened the majority of hotels and resorts, with tourism operations now vibrant across key destinations like Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios.

Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, stated, "The U.S. Department of State's decision to lower the advisory to Level 2 is a strong endorsement of Jamaica's swift and effective recovery."

"Our people, tourism partners, and government have worked tirelessly to ensure that visitors can once again enjoy the warmth, culture, and beauty that make Jamaica one of the world's premier destinations."

"We are open, welcoming, and ready for you."

For example, Jamaica's annual Reggae Month celebrations are held throughout the island each February.

The updated State Department advisory continues to highlight risks related to crime, health, and natural disasters, with no changes to the underlying risk indicators. It also notes that some high-risk regions remain designated as Level 4 ("Do Not Travel") due to crime concerns.

Additionally, Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC recommends various routine and travel vaccinations before visiting Jamaica in 206. It also says there may be an increased risk of waterborne (including leptospirosis), vector-borne, and fungal diseases.

When planning a trip to Jamaica in 2026, the State Department advises enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

For more information, visit jamaica.com or contact the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The state of North Carolina is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, with 11 confirmed cases since late December 2025, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

As of January 23, 2026, health officials describe these cases as "embers" from a larger outbreak in South Carolina, where over 600 cases have been reported, mainly around Spartanburg County.

The NCDHHS measles dashboard indicates that cases are primarily in the western regions, with Buncombe County having the most cases (6), followed by Polk County (2), Cabarrus County (2), and Rutherford County (1).

Epidemiologists have noted local community transmission in North Carolina, with about 64% of cases in unvaccinated individuals and 34% having received only one dose of the MMR vaccine.

MMR vaccination is now recommended for infants aged 6–11 months in high-risk areas.

Nationally, the U.S. saw 2,144 measles cases in 2025, the highest since elimination in 2000.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Fortunately, measles-related fatalities are seldom reported in the USA.

For the latest updates, visit the NCDHHS measles dashboard at dph.ncdhhs.gov or consult CDC resources on measles.

The Republic of Colombia is currently experiencing a severe yellow fever outbreak, one of the worst in recent decades.

As of January 21, 2026, the Ministry of Health reported on Facebook that 157 confirmed cases had occurred since 2024, resulting in 70 deaths. This data represents a significant increase in transmission, particularly in the department of Tolima, which has recorded 137 cases and 55 deaths.

Historically considered low-risk for yellow fever, Tolima's situation indicates a shifting geographic distribution of the disease.

The recent rise in cases and a confirmed death in January 2026 reflect ongoing transmission.

Many cases arise in forested areas where Haemagogus mosquitoes and non-human primates transmit yellow fever. Still, some infections have occurred near urban areas, including the city of Bogotá, raising concerns for residents and travelers.

Bogotá is Colombia's largest city, with a population exceeding 7.5 million residents, and is a South American travel hub.

Colombia does not generally require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry from most countries. A completed International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is valid for life under International Health Regulations. It is required for travelers from certain parts of Africa or other South American countries, such as Brazil.

The single-dose yellow fever vaccine (YF-VAX, Stamaril) provides lifelong immunity for most people. It is a live attenuated vaccine, so it is not suitable for everyone.

When visiting Colombia in 2026, some domestic flights, national parks, or jungle tours may request vaccination proof, such as the ICVP.

Florida health authorities have confirmed the first locally acquired case of chikungunya in 2026, occurring in Miami-Dade County.

This incident underscores the ongoing risks posed by this mosquito-borne virus, particularly given the significant number of travel-related cases.

For example, just a few days ago, thousands of travelers visited Miami-Dade to attend the NCAA football championship game.

As of January 17, 2026, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) reported 16 cases of chikungunya associated with travel. In the previous year, the state recorded 328 cases, with Miami-Dade County accounting for 214, significantly surpassing all other areas.

The vast majority (316) of Florida's travel-related cases originated from travelers returning from Cuba, where the virus has surged dramatically.

Cuba has reported more than 50,000 chikungunya cases in 2025, with all 15 provinces affected.

Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen more than 400 chikungunya cases in 2025, with all but the two locally acquired instances linked to travel.

The CDC says the chikungunya virus, transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes, causes symptoms in most infected individuals within 3–7 days of a bite. Common signs include high fever and severe joint pain, often debilitating. While the majority recover within a week, some experience persistent or chronic joint pain lasting months or even years.

As of January 21, 2026, there is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya.

However, a chikungunya vaccine has been approved by the U.S. FDA and is commercially available at travel clinics across the United States and in various other countries.

The CDC urges travelers to consult healthcare providers or travel medicine specialists before trips to affected destinations, use insect repellents, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding.

Visitors to and residents in areas like South Florida should also maintain vigilance against local vectors, especially given the presence of competent Aedes mosquitoes.

The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC) continues to report a significant increase in acute viral hepatitis A (HepA) cases.

The surge that began in spring 2025 has led to the highest number of reported cases in nearly a decade and remains unabated as of January 20, 2026.

Official surveillance data from the Taiwan National Infectious Disease Statistics System show that there were a total of 484 confirmed acute HepA cases for the entire year of 2025.

Demographic data from this period reveal that approximately 82.8% of cases occurred in males, with the highest proportion (36.2%) among adults aged 30-39 years. Additionally, 40% of the cases in 2025 were linked to sexual contact.

In the early weeks of 2026, an additional 22 cases have already been recorded, with individuals aged 20-29 accounting for about 28% of these cases.

Historical outbreaks show HepA cases concentrated in northern Taiwan, spreading southward over time.

The TCDC has emphasized that hepatitis A antibody prevalence in Taiwan remains notably low, particularly among younger and middle-aged adults. This leaves large segments of the population vulnerable and contributes to the continued spread of the virus, which spreads through the fecal-oral route, often via contaminated food or water, or through close contact with infected individuals.

For real-time statistics and official guidance, please refer to the Taiwan National Infectious Disease Statistics System or the CDC website. It is crucial to maintain vigilance regarding hygiene, safe practices, and vaccination to mitigate this ongoing increase in cases.

According to the U.S. CDC, unvaccinated travelers aged 1 year or older traveling to Taiwan should speak with a healthcare provider about pre-trip vaccinations. Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides adequate protection for up to 2 months, depending on the dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart for a risk area in less than 2 weeks should receive the initial dose of vaccine and, at the same appointment, receive immune globulin, says the U.S. CDC.

These HepA immunization services are offered at travel clinics in the United States in 2026.

As the 2025-2026 influenza season continues, recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate a significant decrease in flu activity nationwide.

The CDC's assessment framework classifies the current flu season as moderate across all age groups. Typically, flu seasons in the United States peak between December and February, sometimes extending into March or later.

According to the CDC's latest FluView report for the week ending January 10, 2026, the number of confirmed positive influenza tests dropped by approximately 31% compared to the previous week.

This decline marks the most significant drop observed in this season so far.

The flu test positivity rate dropped to approximately 24.7% for the week ending January 3, down from 32.9% the previous week. However, experts caution that this could partially reflect reduced healthcare visits during the holidays rather than an actual peak.

Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most frequently reported influenza viruses so far this season.

These data mark a shift from earlier reports, such as the week ending December 27, 2025, when activity was still increasing throughout the USA.

The CDC also reported on January 19, 2026, that about 130 million flu shots had been distributed to clinics and pharmacies this flu season. Furthermore, these healthcare providers continue to recommend and offer flu shot services.

Since 1980, the Pan American Health Organization has been collecting epidemiological data on the incidence of dengue. Following significant dengue fever outbreaks in South America during 2024 and 2025, researchers are investigating the root cause. 

For example, Peru has experienced severe national dengue outbreaks.

In 2010 and 2011, the Loreto region of Peru experienced an unprecedented dengue outbreak. In 2025, Peru reported over 270,000 cases and 261 deaths, which set records without a known clinical explanation.

A retrospective study (Volume 19, Issue 1) published by ScienceDirect in January 2026 offers new insights into the circulation patterns of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in the Amazonas region of northeastern Peru from 2021 to 2025.

The research identifies DENV-2 as the dominant serotype driving major outbreaks in this Amazonian area while also revealing unexpected protective effects from prior infections against severe disease manifestations.

Furthermore, DENV-1 and DENV-3 circulated less frequently during the study period.

No direct association was found between specific serotypes and clinical classification, severity, or overall incidence rates.

Notably, prior dengue infection was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of developing warning signs of severe dengue (p = 0.032), suggesting partial cross-protection during secondary infections.

"These results emphasize the critical role of DENV-2 in driving major dengue surges in Amazonas, while also highlighting how previous exposure to the virus may offer some protection against more severe symptoms," noted the lead researchers.

"This underscores the importance of sustained molecular surveillance to track DENV serotype shifts and inform targeted public health responses."

The findings from the Amazonas region align with broader trends in the Americas, where infection with one serotype does not confer complete immunity to others, and secondary infections can sometimes lead to severe forms of the disease.

This is essential information, as millions of international travelers visit Peru, many of whom visit Machu Picchu. 

Regarding which dengue vaccine offers the broadest protection, only one provides equivalent tetravalent protection against all four dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). However, the single-dose Butantan-DV vaccine is only available in Brazil.

According to a 2025 survey, most people in Peru are interested in access to a next-generation dengue vaccine.