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Top Stories
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
Featured Resources
Notable Publications
Global News
Upcoming Events
Top Stories
CDC published Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths—United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season on September 25 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. The 2024–25 influenza season had the highest number of pediatric deaths reported (280) since child deaths became nationally notifiable in 2004, except for the 2009–10 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic. Approximately one half of children who died from influenza had an underlying medical condition, and 89% were not fully vaccinated. . . . All persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications should receive an annual influenza vaccination to prevent influenza and its complications, including influenza-associated death. Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.
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“Pediatric Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy and Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy—United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season” published in MMWR CDC published Pediatric Influenza-Associated Encephalopathy and Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy—United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season on September 25 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. Influenza-associated encephalopathy (IAE) is a rare, severe neurologic complication of influenza. . . . During the high-severity 2024–25 influenza season, 109 U.S. pediatric IAE cases were identified; 55% of affected children were previously healthy. Thirty-seven IAE cases were subcategorized as acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), a severe form of IAE characterized by rapid neurologic decline and a poor prognosis. Overall, 74% of IAE patients were admitted to an intensive care unit, and 19% died; 41% of ANE patients died. Only 16% of vaccine-eligible IAE patients had received the 2024–25 influenza vaccine. . . . All children are at risk for severe neurologic complications of influenza. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all children aged ≥6 months to prevent influenza and associated complications, potentially including IAE.
October 1 kicks off the season of giving RSV preventive antibody to infants in most parts of the United States
According to the 2023 ACIP recommendation for administration of nirsevimab (Beyfortus, Sanofi) and the 2025 recommendation for administration of clesrovimab (Enflonsia, Merck), RSV monoclonal antibodies for infants should generally begin on October 1 and continue through March 31 in jurisdictions with RSV seasonality typical of most of the contiguous United States. Alaska and tropical climates have RSV circulation patterns that differ from most of the contiguous United States. Locations with tropical climates include southern Florida, Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Providers in these jurisdictions should follow state or territorial public health guidance on timing of RSV monoclonal antibody administration. A preventive RSV antibody is recommended as a single dose for infants younger than age 8 months and 0 days whose mothers were not effectively vaccinated against RSV during pregnancy. Infants whose mothers were effectively vaccinated against RSV and those who received a dose of Beyfortus late last season should not receive a dose of RSV preventive antibody now, even if they are still younger than age 8 months. A dose of Beyfortus is also recommended for certain children at high risk of severe RSV disease age 8 months through 19 months entering their second RSV season, regardless of their history of maternal vaccination or receipt of a preventive antibody during their first RSV season. These high-risk groups include American Indian and Alaska Native children (particularly those living in remote areas and with limited access to medical services), children with chronic lung disease of prematurity, severe immunocompromise, and cystic fibrosis with growth under 10th percentile. CDC has published the following timeline infographic to make it easier for clinical staff to determine which RSV prevention measures are recommended at which times of year in most of the United States.
To review details of recommendations, including dosing criteria, and guidance for rare circumstances, view Immunize.org's:
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Immunize.org posts translations of both current official pneumococcal VISs (PCV and PPSV23), dated May 2025
On May 29, 2025, CDC updated VISs for PCV and PPSV23. Immunize.org recently posted new VIS translations, including:  
To locate VIS translations for a particular vaccine on Immunize.org, click the top tab “Vaccines & VISs,” click on “VISs,” and then select a specific vaccine. Scrolling down the resulting page, you will see:
Families given any VIS translation should also receive the current official VIS, which is in English. Check the version date of your inventory of VIS translations. Discard translations of previous versions as translations of current versions become available. Related Links
Immunize.org updates "You Must Provide Patients with Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) – It’s Federal Law!"
Immunize.org updated its clinician resource, You Must Provide Patients with Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) – It’s Federal Law! VISs are always required when administering vaccines included in the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Previously, VISs were also required when federally funded vaccines that were not covered by the VICP were administered. The resource was updated to state that CDC recommends providing a VIS when administering vaccines not included in the VICP, but it is not required for these vaccines, regardless of funding source. Examples of vaccines not covered by VICP include COVID-19, RSV, PPSV23, and zoster.
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World Meningitis Day is October 5; American Society for Meningitis Prevention shares resources and awareness video aimed at college students To recognize World Meningitis Day (WMD) on October 5, the American Society for Meningitis Prevention (ASMP) invites you to visit its World Meningitis Day web page. This offers several ways to join the global movement to defeat meningitis:
“Pregnancy and Flu Vaccine.” Watch the 1-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 Pregnancy and Flu Vaccine. The video describes the importance of the influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Vaccination protects expectant mothers, who face higher risks of influenza illness, preterm labor, and pregnancy complications if infected. Vaccination also protects infants, who are especially vulnerable to influenza and flu-related hospitalization in their first six months of life. Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise.
IZ Express is committed to keeping our 50,000+ readers up to date on evidence-based vaccine information each week; encourage seasonal vaccinators to subscribe
Now more than ever, vaccinators need accurate, up-to-date immunization news at their fingertips. Encourage your coworkers to subscribe to IZ Express so they get all the news that matters to vaccinators in their own inbox each Wednesday. It’s free! IZ Express, the weekly e-newsletter produced by Immunize.org, alerts our readers to the week’s important vaccine developments. IZ Express also features:
These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
Immunize.org offers a variety of video content for staff development, presentations, and sharing on social media or your website. You will find these under the Clinical Resources tab on the menu bar at the top of every page. Simply select “Webinars & Videos” from the bottom of the left menu. From the “Webinars & Videos” home page, you can choose either the webinars or videos tab.
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Recap: Immunize.org offers new Website Training Videos series of short demonstrations recorded during live Website Office Hours sessions
Our monthly Website Office Hours webinars include live demonstrations of efficient navigation of the Immunize.org website, followed by question-and-answer sessions with our website team. In response to participant requests, we edited recordings of the live sessions to include only the short demonstration portions and categorized them as our Website Training Videos series. Each training video is condensed to just 10- to 20-minutes, accessible for viewing at any time. Current videos in the series include:
IZ Express regularly provides readers with information about Immunize.org’s new and updated educational materials for healthcare professionals and handouts for patients. All Immunize.org materials are free to distribute. 2025–26 influenza season-related web page and materials:
Standing orders templates for administering:
Other materials to support immunization and administration:
Web pages:
Immunize.org webinars:
Featured Resources
Vaccinate Your Family launches #RootedInProtection 2025 Respiratory Campaign toolkit to help spread pro-vaccine messages and answer questions
Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) recently launched its #RootedInProtection 2025 Respiratory Campaign toolkit that includes easy-to-share content to help answer the questions families are asking this season:
The social media graphics and copy are free to use and adapt across platforms. The campaign materials can be downloaded in both English and Spanish. Please tag @vaccinateyourfamily (@vaxyourfam on X and Bluesky) and use #RootedInProtection so VYF can amplify your posts. CHOP’s Vaccine Education Center curates vaccine recommendations from professional medical societies, sorted by age and by disease The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Vaccine Education Center (VEC) offers its new web page, Locating the Latest Science-Based Vaccine Recommendations. VEC created a one-stop web page with the latest recommendations from professional medical societies. The web page will be updated as recommendations change or as new statements become available.
Explore the www.Give2MenACWY.org website to increase coverage for the MenACWY booster and other adolescent vaccinations Immunize.org's www.Give2MenACWY.org website promotes the importance of adolescent vaccination, including the recommended MenACWY vaccine booster dose at age 16. Many teens are behind on vaccines, so vaccine outreach is more important than ever. The website is divided into five easy-to-access sections:
The site also categorizes materials according to whether they are primarily of interest to providers, to adolescents, or to parents.
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Help Immunize.org reach more vaccinators through your social media networks. Follow us and share our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn!
Immunize.org offers a social media program to highlight our educational resources for a widespread audience of vaccinators. Our social media channels now feature our most popular printable resources and Ask the Experts questions, as well as announcements important to frontline vaccinators. Please view and share our newest feature, the Ask the Experts Video Series. Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise:
Notable Publications
“Modeling the Impact of MMR Vaccination Strategies on Measles Outbreaks in Texas” published in JAMA Health Forum
This week, the United States surpassed 1,500 cases of measles reported to CDC this year, highlighting the critical importance of maintaining high MMR vaccination coverage. In its September 19 issue, JAMA Health Forum published Modeling the Impact of MMR Vaccination Strategies on Measles Outbreaks in Texas. Portions of the article appear below. Global News
“Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2025 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-Associated Outpatient and Hospitalized Illness—Eight Southern Hemisphere Countries, March–September 2025” published in MMWR
CDC published Interim Effectiveness Estimates of 2025 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Vaccines in Preventing Influenza-Associated Outpatient and Hospitalized Illness—Eight Southern Hemisphere Countries, March–September 2025 on September 25 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. Monitoring seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness in Southern Hemisphere countries can guide health authorities in Northern Hemisphere countries about the potential protection provided from vaccination. . . . During the 2025 Southern Hemisphere influenza season, seasonal influenza vaccination reduced influenza-associated outpatient visits by 50.4% and hospitalization by 49.7%. . . . CDC recommends that all eligible persons aged ≥6 months receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. The 2025–26 Northern Hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine composition is the same as that used during the 2025 Southern Hemisphere influenza season and might be similarly effective if the same viruses circulate in the coming season.
Upcoming Events
Virtual: NFID hosts webinar, “2025–2026 US Respiratory Season Updates” on October 8 at 1:30 p.m. (ET); CE credit offered
NFID will host a webinar titled 2025–2026 US Respiratory Season Updates at 1:30 p.m. (ET) on October 8. The panel includes NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD; NFID Director Matthew M. Zahn, MD, pediatric infectious disease physician at Rady Children’s Health; Melody Butler, RN, BSN, founding executive director of Nurses Who Vaccinate; and Brigid K. Groves, PharmD, MS, vice president of professional affairs at the American Pharmacists Association. Speakers will discuss current U.S. immunization recommendations for COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and pneumococcal disease, and will provide strategies to increase immunization rates. Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Join a 30-minute discussion about the Clinical Resources web section on October 8 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or October 9 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, October 8, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, October 9, at 12:00 p.m. (ET). The same content will be covered in both sessions. Register today for Immunize.org Website Office Hours (content is the same for both sessions): The archive of previous Website Office Hours content is posted at Immunize.org’s "Webinars & Videos" page. Mark your calendar for future Immunize.org Website Office Hours. |
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