Vaccines in America in 2026

The latest CDC numbers show a 7.9% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. While the number of new measles cases are down from the previous week, there are more states and outbreaks circulating throughout the US.

In this month's column, we look at the recommendation changes made by the CDC to the pediatric vaccine schedule, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics' response with its own vaccine schedule.

The federal agency is bringing over NIH Director Jayanta "Jay" Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, to fill the position.

After initially refusing to review Moderna’s investigational mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine, the company communicated with the FDA on a revised proposal to seek approval and the federal agency will now review the product. The vaccine's PDUFA decision date is August 5, 2026.

The latest CDC numbers show a nearly 25% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. This marks 2 weeks in a row with a nearly identical increase of cases by percentage, and there are now 5 outbreaks circulating throughout the US.

Robert Hopkins Jr, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) describes the potential consequences, including morbidity and mortality rates, if the federal government removed these vaccines.

New amicus brief from scholars and professional organizations including the American Thoracic Society and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology supports AAP lawsuit against HHS changes to pediatric vaccine schedule.

The FDA declined to review Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine application for its mRNA-1010 product, and based its decision on it choice of comparator in a phase 3 trial, despite the absence of safety or efficacy concerns and prior FDA agreement on the study design. Moderna requested a meeting to understand the path forward with the vaccine.

The latest CDC numbers show a significant increase week-to-week.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided its latest figures today on the confirmed number of cases in the US.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has published its 2026 immunization schedule, reaffirming routine vaccination to protect children and adolescents against 18 preventable diseases.

Infectious disease pediatrician Sharon Nachman, MD, discusses the vaccine data the federal agency disclosed in the recent letter they sent to the manufacturers.

The workgroup is examining the vaccine’s schedule including the age it is administered, dosage, and the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

Kirk Milhoan, MD, PhD, said vaccine choice is the most important element to the public even with the possibility of people contracting this disease or others when given the right to opt out of vaccination.

New federal guidance recommends childhood vaccines for 11 diseases, downsizing immunization protection from the previous list of 18 diseases.