A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking health officials from implementing proposed changes to childhood vaccine recommendations. The ruling, based on procedural concerns, pauses the update while the legal challenge proceeds, highlighting ongoing debates over administrative rulemaking in public health policy.
Mexico City's health authorities have reported 418 accumulated cases of measles, prompting a significant push for vaccination. Efforts are underway to achieve herd immunity by the end of March, as the nation grapples with a broader outbreak that has seen thousands of cases and multiple fatalities across Mexico since early 2025.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the appointment of Dr. Sean G. Downing and Dr. Angelina Farella to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on February 27, 2026. These appointments aim to enhance transparency and scientific rigor within the committee, which was reconstituted by Secretary Kennedy in June 2025 amidst ongoing legal challenges regarding its overhaul.
The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has delivered 10,000 doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine to the Greek Cypriot Administration. This cross-community effort aims to combat an FMD outbreak in the Larnaca district, which has led to widespread animal culling and threatens the island's halloumi cheese exports.
Fifteen U.S. states, led by Arizona and California, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging recent revisions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's childhood vaccine recommendations and the alleged unlawful replacement of a key advisory committee. The states cite significant public health risks from the changes.
South Africa has received its initial shipment of 1 million high-potency foot-and-mouth disease vaccines from Argentina's Biogénesis Bagó. This delivery, part of a broader strategy to secure over 5 million doses by March, aims to combat the severe FMD outbreak impacting the nation's livestock sector and economy.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to review Moderna's mRNA-based flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, after an initial refusal. The decision follows a resolution of a dispute regarding clinical trial design, with Moderna now seeking full approval for adults 50-64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older. A decision is expected by August 5, 2026.
Brazil has launched a nationwide dengue vaccination campaign with an initial investment of $70.5 million. The campaign primarily targets 1.2 million frontline healthcare professionals using the Butantan-DV vaccine, with plans to extend vaccination to the general population later in 2026.
Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Shionogi group company, has launched YCANTH® topical solution 0.71% in Japan for treating molluscum contagiosum in patients aged two years and older. The product, with cantharidin as its active ingredient, received MHLW approval on September 19, 2025, and was listed on the NHI drug price list on November 12, 2025.
Chembio Diagnostic Systems, a subsidiary of Biosynex, has secured a $1.8 million CARB-X grant to develop a rapid, point-of-care diagnostic test for typhoid fever. This initiative aims to enhance diagnosis and combat antimicrobial resistance, especially in low-resource regions.
Health authorities in Mexico are grappling with a persistent measles outbreak that began in February 2025. The nation has reported over 7,400 confirmed cases and 26 deaths. A 13-month-old infant in Tlaxcala became the second child to die from measles complications in 2026, highlighting concerns over vaccination coverage and the potential loss of Mexico's measles-free status.
Los Angeles County Public Health is investigating a second confirmed measles case at LAX, linked to an international traveler. Potential exposure occurred at Tom Bradley International Terminal B on January 26-27, 2026, and a Woodland Hills Dunkin' Donuts on January 30, 2026. Officials urge vaccination and symptom monitoring.
The United Kingdom has confirmed the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in wastewater samples as of January 28, 2026, identified through routine surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency. This development has led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the UK, advising enhanced precautions for travelers.
Brazil has commenced a single-dose dengue vaccination campaign in select cities within Ceará and Minas Gerais states, utilizing the nationally developed Butantan-DV vaccine. The immunization, targeting individuals aged 15 to 59, began on January 17, 2026, following its approval by Anvisa in late 2025.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has confirmed the effectiveness of the 2025/26 seasonal flu vaccination, despite the emergence of a drifted A(H3N2) subclade K virus. Preliminary data from the EU/EEA indicate vaccine effectiveness against A(H3N2) infection, with Germany ensuring ample vaccine supply.
Germany's blood reserves have demonstrated a general stabilization in annual donation and demand figures since 2020, according to reports from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. Despite this positive trend, the supply remains susceptible to seasonal fluctuations and public health events, leading to periodic calls for donations from organizations like the German Red Cross.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in England was rooted in addressable concerns, with 65% of initially hesitant participants eventually receiving at least one vaccine dose. The research, from Imperial College London, analyzed over 1.1 million people.
The CDC has updated the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, reducing routine vaccinations from 17 to 11 diseases. This change, effective immediately, aligns the U.S. with international consensus and emphasizes transparency and informed consent, following a December 2025 presidential directive.
France is anticipating a peak in seasonal flu cases in January, with health authorities warning of intensified pressure on hospitals. All mainland regions are currently in an epidemic phase, and emergency services are already experiencing high demand, particularly after the holiday period.
South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched a probe into alleged financial misconduct within vaccine research and manufacturing programs. The investigation, authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa, targets four key entities: CSIR, UKZN, TIA, and DSTI, covering the period from January 2021 to December 2025.
