Vaccine News

In the second quarter of 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed that poliovirus continues to pose a global public health emergency.

However, significant progress has been made in the fight against polio within the African Region.

On August 15, 2025, WHO Africa reported that various cross-border initiatives, including vaccination campaigns, are paving the way for a future free of polio for millions of children across the continent. 

Across the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel, countries are synchronizing immunization campaigns to tackle polio in one of Africa's most challenging regions. About 161 million children were vaccinated from April to June.

Similarly, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia vaccinated over 18 million children in a synchronized effort in April 2025.

Just off Africa's east coast, Madagascar also marked a significant milestone this quarter with the official declaration of the closure of the circulating variant type 1 polio outbreak in May. Following a comprehensive Outbreak Response Assessment, the country successfully halted transmission of the virus, demonstrating the effectiveness of robust response strategies that included extensive vaccination rounds and enhanced surveillance. 

In Benin, a recent nationwide vaccination campaign successfully reached nearly 2.5 million children. The campaign even extended to remote areas, showcasing Benin's resilience and determination in its response to the threat of polio. 

Meanwhile, Malawi is strengthening its healthcare infrastructure with investments in cold chain improvements, workforce training, and community engagement—ensuring that its health systems are ready to prevent future outbreaks, added the WHO.

For an overall perspective, the WHO published a scorecard with key indicators concerning outbreak response, surveillance, and polio transition activities in the African Region.

As of August 16, 2025, the WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend that people complete the primary polio vaccination series and, for some adults, consider a booster dose before visiting poliovirus outbreak areas.

Based on recent news, novel polio vaccines may soon become available that reduce poliovirus shedding and polio cases.

When departing abroad from the United States, various travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies offer polio vaccination services.

AstraZeneca has launched an innovative at-home delivery service for FLUMIST®, an intranasal influenza vaccine.

According to a press release on August 15, 2025, after verifying eligibility and insurance, FLUMIST will be prescribed and shipped directly to the consumer's home on their chosen date.

The package will include clear administration instructions, storage guidance, and disposal information.

FLUMIST is the first and only seasonal influenza vaccine approved for self-administration by adults aged 18 to 49. A parent or caregiver can also administer it to individuals aged 2 to 17.

Initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2003, eligible individuals and their families can now conveniently protect themselves during the 2025-26 flu season from the comfort of their homes.

Joris Silon, US Country President and Senior Vice President at AstraZeneca, stated in a press release, "The launch of FluMist Home marks a transformational moment in the evolution of influenza protection, providing a simple and accessible option directly to consumers."

He added, "FluMist Home reflects the growing importance of direct-to-consumer offerings and underscores our commitment to continuous innovation, making it easier for people to get vaccinated and stay protected."

Individuals aged 18 and older can visit www.FluMist.com to learn more and place an order. They will be directed to complete a medical screening questionnaire, which a licensed healthcare provider will review to determine eligibility.

After decades of progress against cholera outbreaks, cases are again on the rise, even in countries that had not seen the disease in years. And with a multi-year vaccine shortage, health leaders were confronted with significant challenges.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 44 countries reported cholera cases in 2022, a 25% increase from the 35 countries that reported cases in 2021.

On August 15, 2025, Kathryn Alberti, WHO Technical Officer for cholera, provided an update on the global cholera situation in a media release.

This year, more than 390,723 cholera cases and 4,332 related fatalities have been reported across 31 countries. These figures are underestimates, says Alberti.

Fortunately, the cholera vaccine available has recently improved.

Since December 2024, oral cholera vaccine production has hit record levels - 6 million doses monthly, the highest since 2013. But record production has been outpaced by record demand.

Since January 2025, the International Coordinating Group on Vaccine Provision (ICG) has received 38 requests from 12 countries—triple the number compared to the same period last year.

Already this year, over 40 million doses have been allocated by the ICG, compared to 35 million doses allocated in all of 2024. 

More than 85% of approved doses this year are for countries facing humanitarian crises, with the largest share going to the Republic of Sudan.

In Sudan's Darfur region alone, MSF teams saw over 2,300 cholera patients and 40 deaths in early August 2025.

In the United States, travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies continue to report ample cholera vaccine supplies. The WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend vaccination before visiting a cholera outbreak zone in 2025.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) continues to respond to a significant increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases this year.

As of July 31, 2025, DOH has identified 203 cases of pertussis, more than double the 84 cases identified in all of 2024. 

According to the DOH's media release on August 11, 2025, cases have been reported in every county, with the highest rates on Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island.

The DOH says pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease spread through the air via coughs or sneezes of an infected person. Initially, the symptoms resemble a cold, but can progress to intense coughing fits.

In children, coughing fits can be followed by a deep breath that makes a "whooping" sound. Health complications can be severe and even life-threatening, especially for infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated. 

The most effective way to reduce the risk and severity of pertussis is through vaccination, says the DOH.

The Tdap vaccine has been available for nearly 20 years and is recommended for pregnant women, which helps protect their newborns from this severe disease.

"The high number of cases means there's a greater risk of getting exposed to pertussis in the community. If you have not yet vaccinated your infant, please consider doing so to reduce the risk of hospitalization or even death," commented Dr. Kenneth Fink, DOH director.

"Like with other vaccine-preventable diseases, we continue to strongly encourage all individuals to remain up to date on recommended vaccinations to help protect both the person vaccinated and those in our families and communities who are most vulnerable."

For more information about pertussis and how to protect yourself and your loved ones, visit the Department of Health website. 

The U.S. CDC recently stated that in 2024, reported cases of pertussis increased across the United States. Preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023. 

Furthermore, preliminary case reports remain elevated in 2025.

Across the Pacific Ocean from Hawai'i, Japan has been battling a multi-year pertussis outbreak.

As of August 2025, Japan has surpassed 50,000 cases for the first time since comparable data became available in 2018.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently confirmed the first three human cases of West Nile virus (WNV) this year. The Illinois Department of Public Health previously confirmed the first human case of WNV in the state on June 24, 2025.

The patients, whose symptoms began in late July or early August, reside on the Northwest and South sides.

WNV is the most common cause of mosquito-borne disease in Chicago.

CDPH has a robust mosquito control program, which includes treating over 80,000 catch basins in Chicago with larvicide to kill immature mosquitoes, collecting and testing mosquitoes for WNV, and spraying in specific geographic areas to kill adult mosquitoes if needed.

Licensed mosquito abatement technicians are dispensing an ultra-low-volume spray from trucks.

CDPH has sprayed insecticide in nine different community areas over the last several weeks and will be spraying to kill adult mosquitoes in seven communities in mid-August 2025 (Forest Glen, Norwood Park, Mount Greenwood, Beverly, East Garfield Park, Near West Side, and North Lawndale).

"We are seeing a higher proportion of mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus than usual this year," said CDPH Commissioner Olusimbo 'Simbo' Ige, MD, MPH, in a press release on August 12, 2025.

"The best way to protect yourself from West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites and take measures to stop them from breeding around your home."

CDPH says WNV is typically spread to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito and is not generally spread from person to person. While most people infected with WNV do not feel sick, about 1 in 5 people develop a fever and flu-like symptoms.

Severe illness can occur in about 1 in 150 people and is most likely in people over age 60. Because there are no specific medications to treat WNV in people, the most effective method to prevent infection is to avoid mosquito bites.

In Europe, six countries have recently reported WNV cases.

As of August 14, 2025, there are no approved WNV vaccines available in the United States.

The U.S. Department of State today updated its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Level 3 status.

As of August 12, 2025, this U.S. government Reconsider Travel advisory also includes Level 4 status for various areas in North and South Kivu of this African country.

Additionally, the U.S. government cannot provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security risks. Due to the risks, personnel have limited mobility, and minor dependents cannot accompany U.S. government employees who work in the DRC.

Suppose you decide to travel to the DRC in late 2025. In that case, the State Department recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts from the U.S Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Separately, the U.S. CDC has included the DRC in two recent Travel Health Advisories targeting polio and measles outbreaks.

The CDC suggests international travelers speak with a vaccine advisor regarding routine and additional immunization options (chikungunya, cholera, and yellow fever) at least one month before departure.

Various retailers in the United States offer travel vaccine services.

The Florida Department of Health (FDH) today reported that additional locally-acquired and travel-related Dengue fever cases have been confirmed in various counties in 2025.

As of August 9, 2025, FDH confirmed ten locally acquired dengue cases (DEN-3, DENV-4) were reported in Miami-Dade (2) and Brevard (8) counties in 2025.

While several cities are located in Brevard County, Melbourne has the largest population at risk for this mosquito-transmitted disease, with over 87,000 residents.

To alert residents, DOH-Brevard has issued a Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert that is scheduled to be in effect through September 12, 2025.

Additionally, there have been 141 travel-related Dengue cases in Florida, most related to travelers from Cuba.

The FDH says Dengue infections can present as a flu-like illness with severe muscle aches and joint pain, fever, and sometimes a rash, and may appear within 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Furthermore, Dengue fever is not contagious.

Currently, Dengue vaccines are unavailable in the continental U.S. However, Puerto Rico is testing a first-generation vaccine on children.