Vaccine News

As travelers plan their visits to the Mid-Atlantic region in March 2026, health officials in Maryland report a notable increase in mumps infections this year.

According to the most recent data from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), as of February 19, 2026, there have been 26 reported cases statewide, including 19 confirmed cases and 7 probable infections.

This marks a significant rise compared to just four confirmed cases throughout all of 2025.

The cases have primarily affected adults in the Baltimore metropolitan area, which includes Baltimore City and surrounding counties such as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne's.

Although mumps can occur in any age group across the state, no common link between the cases has been identified to date, despite ongoing investigations by MDH in coordination with local health departments.

MDH officials emphasize that the overall risk to the public remains low. While vaccination status is not specified for most or all cases in the available reports, Maryland's overall high vaccination rates contribute to the low general risk to the public.

This is positive news for the Baltimore Orioles, who are about to open their 2026 season.

Mumps is spread through direct contact with saliva or respiratory droplets from an infected person. It is less contagious than measles, but it can still pose risks, especially in close-contact settings like travel hubs, public transportation, or crowded tourist areas.

Most individuals recover fully from a mumps infection with supportive care, including rest, fluids, and over-the-counter pain relief. However, complications can arise, particularly in adults, says the MDH.

"The most effective prevention against a mumps infection is to get the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine," stated Dr. Meg Sullivan, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services at MDH, in a press release.

"Talk with your health care provider about whether you and your family are up to date with the MMR vaccine. It is the most effective way to protect against all three viruses."

For international travelers heading to the greater Baltimore area, or any country reporting mumps outbreaks, Vax-Before-Travel recommends verifying vaccination status with a travel vaccine expert at least 2 weeks before departure.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today announced the recommended viral composition for influenza vaccines for the northern hemisphere influenza season of 2026-2027. This update aims to match the circulating strains better, enhancing protection against seasonal flu outbreaks.

For egg-based vaccines, the WHO recommends the following:

- An A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus

- An A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus

- A B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus

For vaccines based on cell culture, recombinant protein, or nucleic acid, the WHO recommends:

- An A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus

- An A/Darwin/1415/2025 (H3N2)-like virus

- A B/Pennsylvania/14/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus

The WHO reported that influenza A viruses were predominant, with other A(H3N2) and A(H1N1) variants also observed. Low levels of influenza B viruses (B/Victoria lineage) were detected, and no cases of B/Yamagata lineage viruses have been recorded since March 2020.

"Season after season, constantly evolving influenza viruses circulate globally, reminding us how interconnected our world is. Shared risks require shared action," stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a press release on February 27, 2026.

These WHO recommendations guide national vaccine regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies worldwide in the development, production, and licensing of influenza vaccines for the upcoming season. This process ensures that vaccines are closely matched to the viruses expected to circulate, providing the best possible protection against severe illness and death.

To highlight the ongoing importance of flu vaccination, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on vaccine effectiveness over the last three completed seasons in the USA show varying but significant levels of protection.

For the 2022-2023 season, the overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness was estimated at 30% (95% CI: -9%, 54%).

This improved to 44% (95% CI: 36%, 51%) in 2023-2024, and reached 56% (95% CI: 54%, 58%) in 2024-2025.

No official data has been posted for the 2025-2026 flu season.

These CDC figures underscore the vaccine's role in reducing flu-related hospitalizations and outpatient visits, even as effectiveness can fluctuate based on virus match and population factors.

As global travel increases, health experts emphasize the importance of timely vaccination, particularly for international travelers who may encounter diverse strains when visiting a different hemisphere.

The WHO's latest guidance helps travel clinics recommend flu shots amid an ever-changing influenza landscape.

As millions of international travelers visit Malaysia in 2026, local health authorities are sounding the alarm over a significant rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases nationwide.

The Malaysian Ministry of Health (MOH) has reported a marked increase in TB infections in the early weeks of 2026, prompting updated advisories for visitors.

By mid-February 2026, the MOH recorded a total of 3,161 cases, representing a 10% rise compared to the same period in previous years.

In Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, 244 TB cases have been reported, approximately 7.7% of the national total.

For TB prevention, the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine is not routinely given in countries with low incidence rates but may be recommended for high-risk travelers.

While TB is the primary public health concern this year, travelers should also be vigilant against endemic diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and rabies.

Pre-travel vaccinations and preventive measures are crucial for mitigating health risks, according to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization.

Dengue fever remains a persistent threat, with outbreaks typically peaking during the rainy season, from October to February.

Malaria is prevalent in rural areas of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo, although urban Peninsular Malaysia is generally considered low risk. Travelers to Borneo should consider taking antimalarial medications for added protection.

Over the last few months, an increased number of cases of rabies have been reported in humans in Sarawak, Malaysia. To prevent rabies, travelers should avoid wild animals and unfamiliar dogs and cats. Before traveling abroad, consult your healthcare provider about pre-exposure rabies vaccination.

With over 40 million international visitors arriving in Malaysia last year, the Ministry of Health advises everyone to take steps to stay healthy when visiting this Southeast Asian country. For the latest health updates, it is important to monitor information from the Malaysian Ministry of Health and CDC Travel Notices.

From a security perspective, the U.S. State Department's Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution notice says Malaysia is generally a safe destination for travelers. However, visitors should exercise increased caution on islands and maritime areas off the coast of Eastern Sabah from Kudat in the north to Tawau in the south due to civil unrest.

The WHO emphasizes that safe travel requires proactive health planning and that ensuring vaccinations are administered well before departure is essential.

Cervical cancer continues to pose a significant public health challenge worldwide, including in India, where it results in over 42,000 deaths each year.

In response to this pressing health issue for women, India's Union Health Ministry is launching a free nationwide vaccination program against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) to help prevent this largely vaccine-preventable disease.

Set to begin in late February 2026, this initiative aligns with global efforts led by the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. In India, approximately 12 million girls will be eligible for vaccination each year.

Following WHO recommendations, the program will provide a single-dose regimen for adolescents, which has demonstrated strong immunity with efficacy rates exceeding 93% against persistent HPV infections. An optional second dose may be offered after 3 to 5 years if needed.

The vaccine supply is supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has secured millions of doses to ensure access across the Indian subcontinent. Vaccinations will be administered voluntarily and at no cost through government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, community health centers, district hospitals, and medical colleges.

For this national program, India has selected Gardasil. This quadrivalent recombinant vaccine protects against four key HPV types: high-risk oncogenic strains 16 and 18, responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers globally, as well as low-risk types 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts.

Meanwhile, the locally produced Cervavac vaccine is still commercially available in India's private sector. Approved in 2022, it is India's first domestically produced quadrivalent HPV vaccine.

While India's selection of the older Gardasil vaccine prioritizes cost-effectiveness and core protection against the most prevalent cancer-causing strains in the region, the U.S. offers a nonavalent option that provides broader coverage.

The leading HPV vaccine in the U.S. is Gardasil 9, recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for routine immunization starting at ages 11-12. Gardasil 9 expands protection to nine HPV types, preventing up to 90% of cervical cancers and additional HPV-related conditions such as anal, oropharyngeal, and vulvar cancers.

Notably, the U.S. CDC updated its guidelines in January 2026 to recommend a single-dose schedule for children, reflecting emerging evidence of long-term efficacy from just one dose. 

The CDC recommends consulting healthcare providers for personalized advice on HPV vaccination.

As the peak tourist season and spring break 2026 approach, health authorities urge travelers heading to the sunny beaches of Cancun and the Riviera Maya to take extra precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses.

Although overall dengue cases in the Americas have significantly decreased in early 2026 compared to recent years, local transmission of key viruses continues in popular resort areas like Quintana Roo.

According to the latest data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) posted on February 24, 2026, the Americas reported 122,090 suspected dengue cases through the end of January 2026.

The PAHO data indicate Mexico has experienced relatively low activity so far this year, with only 185 confirmed cases and about 1,972 probable cases nationwide in the first weeks of 2026.

However, Quintana Roo ranks among the states with the highest dengue activity, reporting 294 probable infections this year.

Aedes mosquitoes spread dengue and remain endemic in coastal regions. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, eye pain, joint and muscle aches, nausea, and rash. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications.

Additionally, there is an elevated risk of chikungunya, which is transmitted by the same mosquitoes.

PAHO has noted an increase in chikungunya cases across parts of the Americas since late 2025, with a re-emergence in some areas after years of low activity. Locally acquired chikungunya cases have been reported in Quintana Roo and nearby states in early 2026.

Chikungunya causes intense joint pain that can last for months, along with fever and rash.

Zika continues to circulate at low levels in Mexico, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizing it as an area with current or past transmission. While most Zika cases are mild, it poses a serious risk to pregnant women due to the potential for congenital disabilities, such as microcephaly.

The risk of malaria in Cancun and surrounding resort zones remains very low, and the CDC does not recommend routine prophylaxis for these urban and tourist areas.

And recently, cases of New World screwworm myiasis have been reported in Mexico.

The CDC, along with health authorities such as the UK's TravelHealthPro, the Government of Canada, recommends that all travelers to Mexico—including Cancun—ensure they are up to date on routine vaccinations before departure.

Additionally, travel vaccine clinics offer expert advice for those visiting high-risk areas.

Note: Recent U.S. Embassy alerts for Quintana Roo (including Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel) have recently focused on security issues, advising shelter-in-place in some cases. Check official sources for the latest safety updates.

Southwest Airlines is facing significant operational disruptions on Monday, February 23, 2026, for select flights to Mexico due to ongoing civil unrest.

As of today, the airline has fully suspended operations to Puerto Vallarta (PVR), with no flights scheduled despite initially planning eight (four in each direction) from key hubs like Dallas Love Field.

The main impacts are concentrated on PVR and its surrounding areas.

Southwest's official travel advisory warns that there may be potential delays or cancellations for PVR services through Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Flight tracking data from sources such as FlightAware indicates that Southwest has canceled approximately 75% of its PVR flights amid the unrest, following four confirmed cancellations on Sunday.

Other airlines, including American, Delta, and United, have also either halted or reduced their service to PVR and Guadalajara (GDL), with some reporting cancellation rates as high as 76% for flights to these destinations.

In contrast, flights to Cancun (CUN) from Southwest are not currently experiencing widespread cancellations or suspensions related to the unrest.

Although the U.S. Embassy has updated its security alert to include the Quintana Roo state—advising U.S. citizens in locations such as Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum to shelter in place due to potential road blockages and criminal activity—there have been no reported airport closures or extensive flight disruptions at Cancun International Airport.

Southwest continues to operate nonstop service to CUN from U.S. cities such as Houston Hobby, Dallas Love Field, and Chicago Midway, with real-time status indicating normal operations as of 1:41 pm CST.

However, some sources note Cancun as part of the broader list of affected areas, though without specific airline cancellations beyond general waivers offered by other carriers for flexibility.

Flights to other unaffected Mexican hubs, like Mexico City, also remain operational.

Southwest says it prioritizes passenger and employee safety and offers flexible options for affected passengers and employees. As of 2 pm today, the Southwest website had not posted an official statement regarding Mexico's civial unrest.

Previously, the U.S. State Department said travelers to any Mexican destination, including Cancun, should exercise caution and avoid affected areas.

The situation in Mexico continues to evolve rapidly, with authorities working to restore order, the U.S. government says.

Currently, no proof of vaccination is required to visit Cancun or other parts of Mexico.