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IZ Express #1,823: Record-high measles count already for 2025, NIAM resources, and more
| From | Immunize.org <[email protected]> |
| Subject | IZ Express #1,823: Record-high measles count already for 2025, NIAM resources, and more |
| Date | July 16, 2025 10:47 AM |
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Issue 1,823: July 16, 2025
Top Stories
* In July, the United States already hit 33-year annual high in confirmed measles cases with 1,288 across 38 states
* National Immunization Awareness Month starts August 1. Promote protection with Voices for Vaccines' resources.
* Share videos about vaccine decisions from real parents like Lehigh, Margaux, and Sommer in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org
* FDA changes license for one of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax) to include children beginning at age 6 months at risk for severe COVID-19 disease
* “Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids?” Watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube.
* Vaccines in the news
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
* Spotlight on the website: Using web page header functions to navigate Immunize.org
* Immunize.org publishes 2025 state immunization requirements and exemption policies for childcare and school and moves 2024 data to online archive
Featured Resources
* Focusing on adult prevention? Use Immunize.org’s Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide—free to download
Notable Publications
* “Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink,” published in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, wins journal award for excellence
Global News
* World Health Organization updates position paper on herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines
Upcoming Events
* Virtual: Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Ask questions and learn about the Official Guidance (state resources) web sections on August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.
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Top Stories
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In July, the United States already hit 33-year annual high in confirmed measles cases with 1,288 across 38 states
As of July 8, CDC reported 1,288 confirmed measles cases ([link removed]) in 2025 in 38 states, including the first cases reported this year in Wyoming. Among confirmed cases of all ages, 13% were hospitalized. Among those younger than age 5 years, 21% were hospitalized.
CDC only requires reporting of laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Cases without laboratory testing for confirmation are not included in these numbers. Actual numbers of cases are, therefore, higher than confirmed case counts.
A map of 2025 measles cases ([link removed]) in the contiguous United States, as of July 9, from the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center ([link removed]), appears below. The U.S. Measles Tracker ([link removed]) website includes state and county-level data.
Immunize.org offers measles-related resources for the public on two of our affiliated websites:
* VaccineInformation.org: Measles ([link removed]) web page
* LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org: Measles ([link removed]) web page
LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org gives plain language answers to questions such as, “Why does my child need to be vaccinated against measles?” and “What are the vaccines’ side effects?” See the “Getting Measles vs. Getting Vaccinated” table and downloadable fast facts sheet. LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org also offers web links to partner sites for more information and social media assets.
Related Links
* CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks ([link removed]) main page
* CDC: Be Ready for Measles Toolkit ([link removed])
* Center for Outbreak Response Innovation: Measles Outbreak Response ([link removed]) main page
* Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Measles ([link removed]) main page
* Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) ([link removed]) web page
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National Immunization Awareness Month starts August 1. Promote protection with Voices for Vaccines' resources.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month ([link removed]) (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. This year, NIAM serves as a focal point to share trustworthy, credible information about the importance of staying up-to-date with routine immunizations.
Voices for Vaccines' (VFV) NIAM web page ([link removed]) includes key messages and sample social media content to grab the public's attention on immunizations. VFV encourages its partners to share these messages and resources using the hashtag #NIAM2025.
During NIAM, encourage your patients to schedule appointments to get up to date on annual exams and recommended vaccines. Research shows that healthcare providers remain the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.
------------------------------------------------------------
Share videos about vaccine decisions from real parents like Lehigh, Margaux, and Sommer in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org
Do you want to share a video highlighting parents who made the informed decision to vaccinate their children? Start by viewing the four main tabs in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]):
* Learn about Children’s Vaccines: This section offers answers to help families separate fact from fiction and to learn why most adults make sure their children receive vaccines. It addresses vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety, vaccine science, the vaccination schedule, and common questions.
* Separate Fact from Fiction: This section gives families tools to separate what’s true from what’s not. It highlights subsections such as Understanding Risk, Correlation vs. Causation, and the Credibility Checklist.
* Share the Facts: This is an extensive searchable library of parent-tested materials, including shareable social media graphics, videos, infographics, and fact sheets. This is the section with the parent videos you’re seeking.
* Help Patients: This section features a provider-tested approach called ARM (Act, Recommend, Motivate) ([link removed]), to aid vaccine conversations.
Key features of LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]) include:
* Personal stories to convey important facts and plain language to debunk misinformation
* Information that is real, balanced, and unbiased
* Content in English and Spanish (Hablemos en serio ([link removed]))
[link removed]
This is part of the Let’s Get Real campaign ([link removed]), created in 2024 and now coordinated by Immunize.org. Experts at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies worked with parents and providers to find the right tone and focus on key issues.
Please explore LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]) and see for yourself. We welcome feedback at www.immunize.org/about/org/contact.
------------------------------------------------------------
FDA changes license for one of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax) to include children beginning at age 6 months at risk for severe COVID-19 disease
On June 25, FDA changed the license for one of Moderna’s two 2025–2026 formulation COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax ([link removed]) ). Spikevax is now licensed for use in people with one or more high risk conditions for serious COVID-19 disease at age 6 months through 64 years. It remains licensed for use in all people age 65 years and older. Previously, children younger than age 12 years received Spikevax under the terms of emergency use authorization (EUA).
In fall 2025, Moderna also will offer a new formulation of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with the tradename mNexspike. The mNexspike product is licensed for use in children and adults age 12 years through 64 years who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and for use in all adults age 65 years or older. This product is not licensed or authorized for use in children younger than age 12 years. See themNexspike labeling ([link removed]) for additional information.
Related Links
* FDA: Spikevax web page ([link removed])
* FDA: Spikevax approval letter ([link removed]) (PDF)
* FDA: Spikevax package insert ([link removed]) (PDF)
* Immunize.org: Package Inserts and FDA Product Approvals ([link removed]) main page
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“Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids?” Watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube.
This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is titled Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids? ([link removed]) The video describes how to determine when steroid treatment, and subsequent immunosuppression, is a contraindication to the use of live vaccines.
The 2-minute video is available on our YouTube channel ([link removed]), along with our full collection of quick video answers to popular Ask the Experts ([link removed]) questions.
Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise.
* Facebook at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* Instagram at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* LinkedIn at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* YouTube at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
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Vaccines in the news
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
* Fox News: U.S. Measles Cases Hit Highest Level in More than 30 Years, CDC Data Shows ([link removed]) (7/9/25)
* AP: Doctors and Public Health Organizations Sue Kennedy over Vaccine Policy Change ([link removed]) (7/7/25)
* Wired: Insurers Aren’t Saying Whether They’ll Cover Vaccines for Kids If Government Stops Recommending Them ([link removed]) (7/2/25)
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Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight on the website: Using web page header functions to navigate Immunize.org
This week’s Spotlight features tips to help you use the website header, found at the top of every page on Immunize.org.
You can return to the home page easily from any page by selecting the Immunize.org logo.
The gray "Search Immunize.org" box allows you to quickly find the resources you need. We recommend using one to three keywords at a time for optimal search results. Please note that this search does not cover all of the site’s content. Hits from Ask the Experts, Clinical Resources, and Package Inserts & EUAs will be returned in search results. Content from IZ Express and our Publication Archives will not; these resources can be searched from their respective pages.
On the right side of the page header are icons that provide quick access to four popular locations.
* IZ Express: ([link removed]) read the current weekly newsletter or browse past issues
* Shop: ([link removed]) purchase merchandise such as laminated schedule booklets, record cards, shirts, and pins
* Donate: ([link removed]) find information about how to support our organization
* Guide: ([link removed]) visualize our site structure and each page on Immunize.org
------------------------------------------------------------
Immunize.org publishes 2025 state immunization requirements and exemption policies for childcare and school and moves 2024 data to online archive
Immunize.org published its 2025 updates to state policy web pages ([link removed]) showing:
* Vaccine-specific maps and data tables summarizing 2025 state immunization requirements for childcare, school, and college entry ([link removed])
* 2025 state vaccine exemption policies for childcare and school entry ([link removed])
* Contact links to each state’s relevant websites ([link removed]) with details about their requirements
The data Immunize.org displays are reviewed and verified by every state immunization program each year. These resources are valuable for vaccine advocates, public health, clinicians, families, and policymakers.
Our updated pages provide links to downloadable PDF versions of each 2025 data table and map. Archived data tables and maps ([link removed]) for 2023 and 2024 are also available.
Immunize.org's August Office Hours sessions will review the content found on the Official Guidance ([link removed]) and the State Policies ([link removed]) web pages. Register for a session: Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]) or Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]).
Immunize.org thanks the state immunization personnel who shared their updated information. For questions about a state’s requirements, please contact that state immunization program ([link removed]) directly. To ask questions about our site content, contact us ([link removed]).
Related Links
* Immunize.org: State Immunization Vaccine-Specific Requirements ([link removed]) web page
* Immunize.org: State Exemptions ([link removed]) web page
* Immunize.org: Website Office Hours Webinar: Official Guidance, Part 2 ([link removed]) (state resources) (37:11)
* Immunize.org:Introducing State Immunization Requirements Information ([link removed]) (4:00)
* Immunize.org: Introducing State Immunization Requirements Information (mobile view) ([link removed]) (3:53)
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Featured Resources
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Focusing on adult prevention? Use Immunize.org’s Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide—free to download
Download Immunize.org’s free 142-page book on adult vaccination to help build your program and train your team: Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide) ([link removed]).
This thorough "how to" guide on adult vaccination provides easy-to-use, practical information covering all essential activities. It helps vaccine providers enhance their existing adult vaccination services or introduce them into any clinical setting.
The Guide ([link removed]) is available to download/print either by chapter or in its entirety free of charge. The National Vaccine Program Office and CDC both supported the development of the Guide and provided early technical review.
The Guide is a valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult vaccination rates. Be sure to get a copy today!
Please note: this guide was produced in 2017, before the COVID-19 era, and reflects the recommendations of that time.
Related Links
* Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide ([link removed]) main page, permitting download of entire Guide (142 pages, PDF) ([link removed])
* View the table of contents and individual chapters (PDF):
+ Table of Contents ([link removed])
+ Step 1: Getting Started ([link removed])
+ Step 2: Setting Up for Vaccination Services ([link removed])
+ Step 3: Vaccine Storage and Handling ([link removed])
+ Step 4: Deciding Whom to Vaccinate ([link removed])
+ Step 5: Administering Vaccines ([link removed])
+ Step 6: Documentation and Related Issues ([link removed])
+ Step 7A: Financial Considerations ([link removed])
+ Step 7B: How to Bill for Adult Immunizations ([link removed])
* Immunize.org’s Clinical Resources on adult immunization ([link removed])
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Notable Publications
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“Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink,” published in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, wins journal award for excellence
In its August 2024 issue, Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety published Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink ([link removed]). This article won the 2024 Ronald D. Mann Best Paper Award given annually to this journal’s best paper. The prize is cosponsored by the publisher, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., and by the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology. An excerpt from the abstract appears below.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed COVID-19 severity as a proxy for VAED [vaccine-associated enhanced disease] among 400 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 from March through October 2021 at eight US healthcare systems. Primary outcomes were admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and severe illness (score ≥6 on the World Health Organization [WHO] Clinical Progression Scale). We compared the risk of outcomes among those who had completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series versus those who were unvaccinated. We incorporated inverse propensity weights for vaccination status in a doubly robust regression model to estimate the causal average treatment effect.
Results: The causal risk ratio in vaccinated versus unvaccinated was 0.36 . . . for ICU admission and 0.46 . . . for severe illness.
Conclusion: Among hospitalized patients, reduced disease severity in those vaccinated against COVID-19 supports the absence of VAED.
Lead author, Thomas G. Boyce, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Marshfield Clinic, is a member of the Vaccine Safety Datalink team. Immunize.org is honored to acknowledge that Dr. Boyce has graciously donated the award honorarium to Immunize.org to continue our efforts to share information about vaccine safety.
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Global News
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World Health Organization updates position paper on herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines
The World Health Organization (WHO) published WHO Position Paper on Herpes Zoster Vaccines—July 2025 ([link removed]) in the July 4 issue of its Weekly Epidemiological Record. This position paper focuses on zoster vaccination and supersedes the 2014 vaccine position paper on varicella and zoster vaccines. It reviews the evidence on the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix, GSK ([link removed])) and provides recommendations on its use. The paper contains off-label recommendations.
The following passage appears in the document:
Herpes zoster [HZ] vaccination should be considered in the context of a life-course approach to immunization. In moving towards this approach, consideration needs to be given to the establishment of vaccination programmes for older adults which contribute to healthy ageing. Structures and strategies put in place for COVID-19 vaccination may be leveraged to deliver HZ vaccines as part of primary care services. Vaccination programmes for older adults could further be used to administer other important vaccines for this age group – such as influenza, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines.
Related Links
* WHO Position Papers in alphabetical order by disease/vaccine ([link removed]) at immunize.org
* WHO: Weekly Epidemiological Record ([link removed]) (current issue and archives)
* Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Zoster (Shingles) ([link removed])
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Upcoming Events
------------------------------------------------------------
Virtual: Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Ask questions and learn about the Official Guidance (state resources) web sections on August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.
To learn simple tips and tricks for using our website efficiently, please register for our next set of Website Office Hours on Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]) or Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]). The same content will be covered in both sessions.
We will open each 45-minute session with a short, live demonstration on navigating the Official Guidance ([link removed]) (state resources) website section. This section is useful for those who want to know about state immunization requirements for school and childcare. You can submit questions when you register or live on Zoom during the session.
Register today for Immunize.org Website Office Hours (content is the same for both):
* Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed])
* Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed])
The archive of previous Website Office Hours content ([link removed]) is posted at Immunize.org’s "Webinars & Videos" page. These archived programs include Ask the Experts; Clinical Resources; Vaccine Information Statements (VISs); Affiliated Websites; Images, Webinars, Videos, & Social Media; Let's Get Real About Vaccines Website; News & Updates; Official Guidance Part 1 & 2; Publication Archives, Vaccine Timeline, & About Us; Travel Vaccines, Vaccine Confidence, & Addressing Concerns; and Vaccines A–Z.
Mark your calendar ([link removed]) for future Immunize.org Website Office Hours.
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For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events ([link removed]).
Editorial Information
Editor-in-Chief
Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
Managing Editor
John D. Gräbenstein, RPh, PhD
Associate Editor
Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
Writer/Publication Coordinator
Taryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA
Style and Copy Editor
Marian Deegan, JD
Web Edition Managers
Arkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes
Contributing Writer
Laurel H. Wood, MPA
Technical Reviewer
Kayla Ohlde
About IZ Express
Immunize.org welcomes redistribution of this issue of IZ Express or selected articles.
When you do so, please add a note that Immunize.org is the source of the material and provide a link to this issue ([link removed]).
IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
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Issue 1,823: July 16, 2025
Top Stories
* In July, the United States already hit 33-year annual high in confirmed measles cases with 1,288 across 38 states
* National Immunization Awareness Month starts August 1. Promote protection with Voices for Vaccines' resources.
* Share videos about vaccine decisions from real parents like Lehigh, Margaux, and Sommer in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org
* FDA changes license for one of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax) to include children beginning at age 6 months at risk for severe COVID-19 disease
* “Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids?” Watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube.
* Vaccines in the news
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
* Spotlight on the website: Using web page header functions to navigate Immunize.org
* Immunize.org publishes 2025 state immunization requirements and exemption policies for childcare and school and moves 2024 data to online archive
Featured Resources
* Focusing on adult prevention? Use Immunize.org’s Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide—free to download
Notable Publications
* “Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink,” published in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, wins journal award for excellence
Global News
* World Health Organization updates position paper on herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines
Upcoming Events
* Virtual: Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Ask questions and learn about the Official Guidance (state resources) web sections on August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.
------------------------------------------------------------
Top Stories
------------------------------------------------------------
In July, the United States already hit 33-year annual high in confirmed measles cases with 1,288 across 38 states
As of July 8, CDC reported 1,288 confirmed measles cases ([link removed]) in 2025 in 38 states, including the first cases reported this year in Wyoming. Among confirmed cases of all ages, 13% were hospitalized. Among those younger than age 5 years, 21% were hospitalized.
CDC only requires reporting of laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Cases without laboratory testing for confirmation are not included in these numbers. Actual numbers of cases are, therefore, higher than confirmed case counts.
A map of 2025 measles cases ([link removed]) in the contiguous United States, as of July 9, from the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center ([link removed]), appears below. The U.S. Measles Tracker ([link removed]) website includes state and county-level data.
Immunize.org offers measles-related resources for the public on two of our affiliated websites:
* VaccineInformation.org: Measles ([link removed]) web page
* LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org: Measles ([link removed]) web page
LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org gives plain language answers to questions such as, “Why does my child need to be vaccinated against measles?” and “What are the vaccines’ side effects?” See the “Getting Measles vs. Getting Vaccinated” table and downloadable fast facts sheet. LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org also offers web links to partner sites for more information and social media assets.
Related Links
* CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks ([link removed]) main page
* CDC: Be Ready for Measles Toolkit ([link removed])
* Center for Outbreak Response Innovation: Measles Outbreak Response ([link removed]) main page
* Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Measles ([link removed]) main page
* Immunize.org: Ask the Experts: MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) ([link removed]) web page
------------------------------------------------------------
National Immunization Awareness Month starts August 1. Promote protection with Voices for Vaccines' resources.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month ([link removed]) (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. This year, NIAM serves as a focal point to share trustworthy, credible information about the importance of staying up-to-date with routine immunizations.
Voices for Vaccines' (VFV) NIAM web page ([link removed]) includes key messages and sample social media content to grab the public's attention on immunizations. VFV encourages its partners to share these messages and resources using the hashtag #NIAM2025.
During NIAM, encourage your patients to schedule appointments to get up to date on annual exams and recommended vaccines. Research shows that healthcare providers remain the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.
------------------------------------------------------------
Share videos about vaccine decisions from real parents like Lehigh, Margaux, and Sommer in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org
Do you want to share a video highlighting parents who made the informed decision to vaccinate their children? Start by viewing the four main tabs in LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]):
* Learn about Children’s Vaccines: This section offers answers to help families separate fact from fiction and to learn why most adults make sure their children receive vaccines. It addresses vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine safety, vaccine science, the vaccination schedule, and common questions.
* Separate Fact from Fiction: This section gives families tools to separate what’s true from what’s not. It highlights subsections such as Understanding Risk, Correlation vs. Causation, and the Credibility Checklist.
* Share the Facts: This is an extensive searchable library of parent-tested materials, including shareable social media graphics, videos, infographics, and fact sheets. This is the section with the parent videos you’re seeking.
* Help Patients: This section features a provider-tested approach called ARM (Act, Recommend, Motivate) ([link removed]), to aid vaccine conversations.
Key features of LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]) include:
* Personal stories to convey important facts and plain language to debunk misinformation
* Information that is real, balanced, and unbiased
* Content in English and Spanish (Hablemos en serio ([link removed]))
[link removed]
This is part of the Let’s Get Real campaign ([link removed]), created in 2024 and now coordinated by Immunize.org. Experts at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies worked with parents and providers to find the right tone and focus on key issues.
Please explore LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org ([link removed]) and see for yourself. We welcome feedback at www.immunize.org/about/org/contact.
------------------------------------------------------------
FDA changes license for one of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax) to include children beginning at age 6 months at risk for severe COVID-19 disease
On June 25, FDA changed the license for one of Moderna’s two 2025–2026 formulation COVID-19 vaccines (Spikevax ([link removed]) ). Spikevax is now licensed for use in people with one or more high risk conditions for serious COVID-19 disease at age 6 months through 64 years. It remains licensed for use in all people age 65 years and older. Previously, children younger than age 12 years received Spikevax under the terms of emergency use authorization (EUA).
In fall 2025, Moderna also will offer a new formulation of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine with the tradename mNexspike. The mNexspike product is licensed for use in children and adults age 12 years through 64 years who are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 disease and for use in all adults age 65 years or older. This product is not licensed or authorized for use in children younger than age 12 years. See themNexspike labeling ([link removed]) for additional information.
Related Links
* FDA: Spikevax web page ([link removed])
* FDA: Spikevax approval letter ([link removed]) (PDF)
* FDA: Spikevax package insert ([link removed]) (PDF)
* Immunize.org: Package Inserts and FDA Product Approvals ([link removed]) main page
------------------------------------------------------------
“Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids?” Watch the 2-minute answer, part of the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube.
This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is titled Should Vaccines Be Withheld for Patients on Steroids? ([link removed]) The video describes how to determine when steroid treatment, and subsequent immunosuppression, is a contraindication to the use of live vaccines.
The 2-minute video is available on our YouTube channel ([link removed]), along with our full collection of quick video answers to popular Ask the Experts ([link removed]) questions.
Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise.
* Facebook at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* Instagram at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* LinkedIn at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
* YouTube at ImmunizeOrg ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Vaccines in the news
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
* Fox News: U.S. Measles Cases Hit Highest Level in More than 30 Years, CDC Data Shows ([link removed]) (7/9/25)
* AP: Doctors and Public Health Organizations Sue Kennedy over Vaccine Policy Change ([link removed]) (7/7/25)
* Wired: Insurers Aren’t Saying Whether They’ll Cover Vaccines for Kids If Government Stops Recommending Them ([link removed]) (7/2/25)
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Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
------------------------------------------------------------
Spotlight on the website: Using web page header functions to navigate Immunize.org
This week’s Spotlight features tips to help you use the website header, found at the top of every page on Immunize.org.
You can return to the home page easily from any page by selecting the Immunize.org logo.
The gray "Search Immunize.org" box allows you to quickly find the resources you need. We recommend using one to three keywords at a time for optimal search results. Please note that this search does not cover all of the site’s content. Hits from Ask the Experts, Clinical Resources, and Package Inserts & EUAs will be returned in search results. Content from IZ Express and our Publication Archives will not; these resources can be searched from their respective pages.
On the right side of the page header are icons that provide quick access to four popular locations.
* IZ Express: ([link removed]) read the current weekly newsletter or browse past issues
* Shop: ([link removed]) purchase merchandise such as laminated schedule booklets, record cards, shirts, and pins
* Donate: ([link removed]) find information about how to support our organization
* Guide: ([link removed]) visualize our site structure and each page on Immunize.org
------------------------------------------------------------
Immunize.org publishes 2025 state immunization requirements and exemption policies for childcare and school and moves 2024 data to online archive
Immunize.org published its 2025 updates to state policy web pages ([link removed]) showing:
* Vaccine-specific maps and data tables summarizing 2025 state immunization requirements for childcare, school, and college entry ([link removed])
* 2025 state vaccine exemption policies for childcare and school entry ([link removed])
* Contact links to each state’s relevant websites ([link removed]) with details about their requirements
The data Immunize.org displays are reviewed and verified by every state immunization program each year. These resources are valuable for vaccine advocates, public health, clinicians, families, and policymakers.
Our updated pages provide links to downloadable PDF versions of each 2025 data table and map. Archived data tables and maps ([link removed]) for 2023 and 2024 are also available.
Immunize.org's August Office Hours sessions will review the content found on the Official Guidance ([link removed]) and the State Policies ([link removed]) web pages. Register for a session: Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]) or Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]).
Immunize.org thanks the state immunization personnel who shared their updated information. For questions about a state’s requirements, please contact that state immunization program ([link removed]) directly. To ask questions about our site content, contact us ([link removed]).
Related Links
* Immunize.org: State Immunization Vaccine-Specific Requirements ([link removed]) web page
* Immunize.org: State Exemptions ([link removed]) web page
* Immunize.org: Website Office Hours Webinar: Official Guidance, Part 2 ([link removed]) (state resources) (37:11)
* Immunize.org:Introducing State Immunization Requirements Information ([link removed]) (4:00)
* Immunize.org: Introducing State Immunization Requirements Information (mobile view) ([link removed]) (3:53)
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Featured Resources
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Focusing on adult prevention? Use Immunize.org’s Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide—free to download
Download Immunize.org’s free 142-page book on adult vaccination to help build your program and train your team: Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide) ([link removed]).
This thorough "how to" guide on adult vaccination provides easy-to-use, practical information covering all essential activities. It helps vaccine providers enhance their existing adult vaccination services or introduce them into any clinical setting.
The Guide ([link removed]) is available to download/print either by chapter or in its entirety free of charge. The National Vaccine Program Office and CDC both supported the development of the Guide and provided early technical review.
The Guide is a valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult vaccination rates. Be sure to get a copy today!
Please note: this guide was produced in 2017, before the COVID-19 era, and reflects the recommendations of that time.
Related Links
* Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide ([link removed]) main page, permitting download of entire Guide (142 pages, PDF) ([link removed])
* View the table of contents and individual chapters (PDF):
+ Table of Contents ([link removed])
+ Step 1: Getting Started ([link removed])
+ Step 2: Setting Up for Vaccination Services ([link removed])
+ Step 3: Vaccine Storage and Handling ([link removed])
+ Step 4: Deciding Whom to Vaccinate ([link removed])
+ Step 5: Administering Vaccines ([link removed])
+ Step 6: Documentation and Related Issues ([link removed])
+ Step 7A: Financial Considerations ([link removed])
+ Step 7B: How to Bill for Adult Immunizations ([link removed])
* Immunize.org’s Clinical Resources on adult immunization ([link removed])
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Notable Publications
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“Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink,” published in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety, wins journal award for excellence
In its August 2024 issue, Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety published Lack of Evidence for Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease from COVID-19 Vaccines Among Adults in the Vaccine Safety Datalink ([link removed]). This article won the 2024 Ronald D. Mann Best Paper Award given annually to this journal’s best paper. The prize is cosponsored by the publisher, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., and by the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology. An excerpt from the abstract appears below.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed COVID-19 severity as a proxy for VAED [vaccine-associated enhanced disease] among 400 adults hospitalized for COVID-19 from March through October 2021 at eight US healthcare systems. Primary outcomes were admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and severe illness (score ≥6 on the World Health Organization [WHO] Clinical Progression Scale). We compared the risk of outcomes among those who had completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series versus those who were unvaccinated. We incorporated inverse propensity weights for vaccination status in a doubly robust regression model to estimate the causal average treatment effect.
Results: The causal risk ratio in vaccinated versus unvaccinated was 0.36 . . . for ICU admission and 0.46 . . . for severe illness.
Conclusion: Among hospitalized patients, reduced disease severity in those vaccinated against COVID-19 supports the absence of VAED.
Lead author, Thomas G. Boyce, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Marshfield Clinic, is a member of the Vaccine Safety Datalink team. Immunize.org is honored to acknowledge that Dr. Boyce has graciously donated the award honorarium to Immunize.org to continue our efforts to share information about vaccine safety.
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Global News
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World Health Organization updates position paper on herpes zoster (shingles) vaccines
The World Health Organization (WHO) published WHO Position Paper on Herpes Zoster Vaccines—July 2025 ([link removed]) in the July 4 issue of its Weekly Epidemiological Record. This position paper focuses on zoster vaccination and supersedes the 2014 vaccine position paper on varicella and zoster vaccines. It reviews the evidence on the recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix, GSK ([link removed])) and provides recommendations on its use. The paper contains off-label recommendations.
The following passage appears in the document:
Herpes zoster [HZ] vaccination should be considered in the context of a life-course approach to immunization. In moving towards this approach, consideration needs to be given to the establishment of vaccination programmes for older adults which contribute to healthy ageing. Structures and strategies put in place for COVID-19 vaccination may be leveraged to deliver HZ vaccines as part of primary care services. Vaccination programmes for older adults could further be used to administer other important vaccines for this age group – such as influenza, RSV and pneumococcal vaccines.
Related Links
* WHO Position Papers in alphabetical order by disease/vaccine ([link removed]) at immunize.org
* WHO: Weekly Epidemiological Record ([link removed]) (current issue and archives)
* Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Zoster (Shingles) ([link removed])
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Upcoming Events
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Virtual: Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Ask questions and learn about the Official Guidance (state resources) web sections on August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.
To learn simple tips and tricks for using our website efficiently, please register for our next set of Website Office Hours on Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]) or Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed]). The same content will be covered in both sessions.
We will open each 45-minute session with a short, live demonstration on navigating the Official Guidance ([link removed]) (state resources) website section. This section is useful for those who want to know about state immunization requirements for school and childcare. You can submit questions when you register or live on Zoom during the session.
Register today for Immunize.org Website Office Hours (content is the same for both):
* Wednesday, August 6 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed])
* Thursday, August 7 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) ([link removed])
The archive of previous Website Office Hours content ([link removed]) is posted at Immunize.org’s "Webinars & Videos" page. These archived programs include Ask the Experts; Clinical Resources; Vaccine Information Statements (VISs); Affiliated Websites; Images, Webinars, Videos, & Social Media; Let's Get Real About Vaccines Website; News & Updates; Official Guidance Part 1 & 2; Publication Archives, Vaccine Timeline, & About Us; Travel Vaccines, Vaccine Confidence, & Addressing Concerns; and Vaccines A–Z.
Mark your calendar ([link removed]) for future Immunize.org Website Office Hours.
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For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events ([link removed]).
Editorial Information
Editor-in-Chief
Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
Managing Editor
John D. Gräbenstein, RPh, PhD
Associate Editor
Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
Writer/Publication Coordinator
Taryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA
Style and Copy Editor
Marian Deegan, JD
Web Edition Managers
Arkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes
Contributing Writer
Laurel H. Wood, MPA
Technical Reviewer
Kayla Ohlde
About IZ Express
Immunize.org welcomes redistribution of this issue of IZ Express or selected articles.
When you do so, please add a note that Immunize.org is the source of the material and provide a link to this issue ([link removed]).
IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
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