The five Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to the outbreak were confirmed through laboratory testing and occurred across multiple states, with all patients requiring hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiologic investigations identified three varieties of Crave Brothers soft-ripened cheeses—Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with truffles—as the common food exposure among all patients, officials said. Patients reported consuming these cheeses at both restaurants and retail grocery stores, indicating multiple points of sale rather than a single distribution source.

According to CDC records, hospitalization rates in soft-cheese-related Listeria outbreaks often exceed 80 to 90 percent of reported cases.

Following the identification of Crave Brothers cheeses as the likely source, public health authorities initiated a nationwide recall of the implicated products to prevent further illnesses. The recall was part of a coordinated response involving the CDC, state health departments, and the Food and Drug Administration. The CDC issued food safety alerts advising consumers, particularly those at higher risk for severe listeriosis—including pregnant women, older adults, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems—to avoid consuming the recalled cheeses and to discard or return any remaining products.

Listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is a serious infection known for high hospitalization rates and potential fatality, especially among vulnerable populations. Previous outbreaks linked to soft cheeses have resulted in double-digit case counts and deaths, underscoring the severity of such contamination events.

Soft-ripened cheeses have been repeatedly implicated in multistate Listeria outbreaks. In addition to the 2013 Crave Brothers outbreak, other investigations have linked soft and fresh cheeses sold under various retail brands, including Whole Foods Market’s 365 brand, to Listeria infections. For example, a 2024 multistate outbreak associated with Rizo-López Foods involved more than 60 recalled dairy products such as queso fresco, Cotija cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under multiple brand names, including 365 Whole Foods Market. That outbreak resulted in 26 illnesses, 23 hospitalizations, and two deaths across 11 states, according to CDC and FDA reports.

Whole Foods Market has also voluntarily recalled soft wash-rind raw milk cheeses from Vulto Creamery—specifically the Ouleout and Miranda varieties—from nine stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York. The recall followed findings of Listeria contamination in FDA testing, which detected Listeria monocytogenes in Ouleout lot #617 and possible contamination in lot #623, as reported by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. These cheeses were cut and repackaged in clear plastic wrap and labeled with PLU codes 0200305 and 0200306, with “sell by” dates ranging from December 27, 2016, to March 28, 2017.

The CDC and regulatory agencies use epidemiologic interviews and laboratory analyses, including whole genome sequencing, to link Listeria infections to specific products and brands. In the 2013 outbreak, all five patients reported consuming Crave Brothers cheeses, which guided investigators to identify and recall the contaminated products. Similar investigative approaches have been employed in other outbreaks, such as a 2023 multistate cluster linked to Clover Hill Dairy’s requesón cheese, which resulted in 15 confirmed infections across four states.

The recurring pattern of multistate Listeria outbreaks linked to soft cheeses highlights the ongoing risk associated with these products. Scientific studies and outbreak investigations have shown that soft cheeses, including those made from pasteurized milk, remain vulnerable to contamination due to post-pasteurization exposure and the ability of Listeria to grow in refrigerated environments. Health authorities continue to monitor and respond to such outbreaks, issuing recalls and public warnings to protect consumers.

The CDC and FDA maintain active surveillance and coordination with state agencies to identify additional cases and contaminated products. Public health officials emphasize that high-risk groups should exercise caution with all soft cheeses, especially during outbreaks, and adhere to recall notices to reduce the risk of listeriosis.

Combined, these figures represent more than 11,000 reported illnesses this season, marking a record high for U.S. infections, according to CDC surveillance data and media reports from July 14. The agency noted that the current caseload includes both cluster-associated cases under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traceback and sporadic cases without a known common source.

As of mid-July 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 4,173 laboratory‑confirmed, domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis across at least 34 states, with an additional 7,400 suspected illnesses under investigation, federal health officials said.

Among the outbreak investigations, a second cluster has been identified and linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. The CDC, FDA, and state health departments are actively investigating this multistate outbreak, which epidemiologic and traceback data indicate is connected to shredded iceberg lettuce from a single supplier in Mexico. Officials reported that 90% of interviewed patients in this cluster consumed iceberg lettuce in their meals. As of July 13, more than 400 Cyclospora infections in four states were linked to this source, with additional cases still under investigation. The CDC has advised consumers to avoid shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in the affected states while the FDA continues its traceback work.

Hospitalizations associated with cyclosporiasis have been reported but no deaths have occurred. Records show at least 308 hospitalizations linked to the current U.S. season, with some data sets indicating 141 hospitalizations among nearly 7,000 possible cases. Specifically, the Taco Bell outbreak has accounted for 94 hospitalizations among infected individuals who reported exposure at the chain’s locations in five states. Officials emphasized that, despite the “unusually high number” of cases, the illness is generally treatable with no fatalities confirmed to date.

The geographic spread of cases is broad, with reports placing confirmed infections in 34 to 41 states. CDC officials stressed that the current counts reflect a nationwide surveillance tally comprising multiple clusters and sporadic infections rather than a single unified outbreak. Michigan health authorities, for example, have interviewed more than 1,000 infected individuals, many of whom reported lettuce and salad greens as common exposures, though no specific brand or supplier has been definitively identified.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the Cyclospora cayetanensis parasite, which is transmitted through food or water contaminated with fecal matter and is not typically spread from person to person, according to CDC information. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, loss of appetite, bloating, fatigue, and sometimes low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms. Without treatment, the illness can last from a few days to a month or longer and may be more severe in young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals. The CDC and other health authorities recommend specific antibiotics for treatment and stress the importance of adequate fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Officials also note that cooking is the only reliable method to kill the Cyclospora parasite on contaminated produce.

Public health guidance from the CDC includes washing hands with soap and water before and after handling produce, rinsing fruits and vegetables under clean running water, and scrubbing firm produce with a clean brush. Consumers are advised to buy whole heads of lettuce, remove outer leaves, thoroughly wash remaining leaves, and refrigerate cut or prepared produce within two hours. Amid ongoing investigations, the CDC cautioned against consuming shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico served at Taco Bell locations in the five affected states.

The FDA’s traceback investigation is focused on the distribution pathways of shredded iceberg lettuce from Mexico to determine whether contaminated products may have reached locations beyond the initially identified states. Meanwhile, the broader multistate outbreak remains under investigation, with CDC officials stating on July 14 that no specific food source has yet been confirmed for cases outside the Taco Bell cluster. The agency continues to monitor the situation and update guidance as new information becomes available.

Officials said an additional 5,100 suspected cases are under review to determine whether they are domestically acquired, potentially raising the total number of cases to nearly 7,000. The CDC noted that 141 patients have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported in connection with the outbreak.

As of July 13, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,645 laboratory-confirmed cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis across 34 states, with illness onset dating back to May 1.

The agency emphasized that the outbreak is widespread and involves multiple multistate clusters. One notable cluster includes more than 400 cases spanning at least four Midwestern states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Officials said these cases appear epidemiologically linked, suggesting a common source of infection, though no specific food or water vehicle has been confirmed. Michigan alone has reported nearly 1,000 cyclosporiasis cases in 2026, marking the largest outbreak in the state’s history and one of the largest in the United States in recent years, according to state health department records.

The CDC, Food and Drug Administration, and state and local health departments are coordinating investigations to identify the sources of infection. On July 14, the CDC issued a health advisory warning clinicians and the public about the increase in domestically acquired cyclosporiasis cases and the emerging multistate outbreak patterns. The advisory urged healthcare providers to consider cyclosporiasis in patients with prolonged or unexplained watery diarrhea and to order appropriate diagnostic testing, including stool examinations for the parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis*. The CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to support the outbreak response, reflecting a coordinated national effort.

The median age of confirmed domestic case-patients is 44 years, with ages ranging from 2 to 95, and 56% of patients are female, according to CDC data. The median illness onset date among confirmed cases is June 22, with onset dates spanning from May 1 to July 9, indicating peak activity in late spring and early summer. In addition to domestically acquired cases, the CDC reported 440 cases classified as travel-associated, where illness developed after international travel within 14 days before onset.

Officials said the investigations have not yet identified a specific food item responsible for the outbreaks. While prior outbreaks in the United States have been linked to fresh produce such as salad mixes and cilantro imported from Mexico, the CDC and FDA stated that no particular product has been confirmed in the current events. Earlier this year, some illness clusters were associated with Mexican-style restaurants, a grocery chain, and a catered event, but these have not been publicly confirmed as sources for the national surge in cases.

Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the parasite *Cyclospora cayetanensis*, which is transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces containing the parasite’s oocysts. Common symptoms include watery diarrhea, cramping, bloating, increased gas, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss. The illness can cause prolonged or relapsing diarrhea lasting weeks if untreated, but most otherwise healthy individuals recover with antibiotic treatment, typically trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The parasite is generally not spread directly between people because the oocysts require time in the environment to become infectious. Vulnerable populations such as young children, older adults, and immunocompromised individuals may be at greater risk for dehydration and complications, which may explain the hospitalizations recorded in this outbreak.

Public health officials advise thorough washing of fresh produce under clean running water and adherence to food safety and hand hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection. During the Michigan cluster, health authorities recommended consumers purchase whole heads of lettuce rather than prewashed, bagged salads, remove the outer two to three leaves, and wash the remaining leaves carefully. The CDC’s advisory also stressed the importance of reporting confirmed cases to state health departments to improve surveillance and outbreak investigations.

The CDC continues to work closely with the FDA and jurisdictional partners to analyze epidemiologic and genotyping data as investigations proceed. Officials noted that case counts are expected to rise as additional illnesses are confirmed and classified. The agency’s surveillance and outbreak pages will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

Following the June 9 shakeup, Kennedy installed 13 new advisers to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), replacing the previous 17 members. Many of the new appointees were described as holding anti-vaccine views, fundamentally altering the committee’s composition, according to reporting by *The New York Times* and court documents. A federal judge ruled on March 16, 2026, that Kennedy’s appointments likely violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and invalidated the membership of the reconstituted ACIP.

The court’s order suspended all votes and decisions made by the committee over the prior year, including significant changes to the U.S. vaccination schedule, and blocked the committee from convening for a planned meeting, officials confirmed.

The court found that several policy changes implemented under Kennedy’s appointees were “arbitrary and capricious,” a legal standard indicating a lack of proper justification or adherence to required procedures. Among the invalidated decisions were the prohibition of thimerosal in flu vaccines, the discontinuation of the combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and chickenpox vaccine recommendation, and the removal of the universal dose recommendation for the hepatitis vaccine. These changes, which affected about one-third of routine immunization guidelines, were made without following established advisory processes, the ruling stated.

Internal emails released by Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and reported by national media revealed political interference in vaccine policy following Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS Secretary. The communications showed that Kennedy and his top aides began altering vaccine recommendations and releasing materials to the public without review or input from CDC experts. One email from CDC official Nicole Coffin stated that Andrew Nixon of HHS requested that all campaign ad buys related to flu or vaccination encouragement be pulled from circulation, illustrating direct political pressure to halt pro-vaccine messaging.

Additional emails documented that Kennedy’s aides dispatched a disgraced researcher to search for evidence of a disproven autism-vaccine link without proper clearance or limits on access to sensitive data, bypassing routine scientific oversight. CDC staff reportedly “chafed at pressure” from Kennedy’s team as they navigated contentious vaccine decisions during President Trump’s second term, including policies related to seasonal flu vaccination and COVID-19, according to internal communications obtained by the Senate HELP Committee.

Beyond ACIP, Kennedy also removed at least half of the eight members serving on the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines (ACCV), which advises on the federal vaccine injury compensation program. Among those dismissed were pediatricians Wendy Lane Burgert and Joshua Williams, as well as Veronica McN, a director of advocacy at a state university. Reporting indicated these removals mirrored Kennedy’s restructuring of ACIP, with midterm dismissals followed by plans to install new members aligned with Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism, suggesting a coordinated strategy to reshape both vaccine recommendation and compensation frameworks.

Kennedy justified his overhaul in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, asserting that federal vaccine advisers were “beholden to industry” and that the committee’s previous members had conflicts of interest. However, an investigation by *Science* found that ACIP members were subject to strict conflict-of-interest rules, including divestment from vaccine manufacturer stock and bans on advisory and consulting roles. The committee historically consisted of 15 voting members plus non-voting representatives who filed annual financial disclosures designed to minimize industry influence.

The changes prompted strong reactions from public health and industry groups. A biotech trade group memo described Kennedy as a “direct threat to public health,” reflecting industry concerns over his anti-vaccine stance and committee restructuring. Public health advocates, including Protect Our Care, characterized the leaked emails and committee changes as evidence of a “deadly anti-vax agenda” imposed over the objections of CDC leaders and career scientists.

The federal court’s ruling has delayed ACIP’s upcoming meeting, which had been scheduled to address alleged long-term effects following COVID-19 vaccination. An HHS representative confirmed the meeting’s postponement due to the invalidation of the committee’s membership. The ruling and email disclosures have fueled ongoing congressional, judicial, and public scrutiny of political influence in vaccine policymaking.

Kennedy’s overhaul of vaccine advisory bodies and the ensuing legal and political fallout mark a significant shift in U.S. vaccine policy governance. The court’s intervention underscores the importance of compliance with federal advisory regulations and established scientific review processes. Meanwhile, the Senate HELP Committee continues to review internal CDC communications as part of broader oversight into vaccine policy decisions during Kennedy’s tenure.

The Texas Department of State Health Services announced on March 25 that the infected dairy farm worker had direct contact with cattle presumed to be infected with avian influenza A(H5N1) prior to the onset of symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the diagnosis through laboratory testing, marking the second human case of H5N1 ever identified in the United States and the first linked to exposure to dairy cattle rather than poultry or wild birds, according to CDC officials.

The patient’s primary symptom was eye inflammation, or conjunctivitis, with no severe respiratory illness reported at the time of the announcement, Texas DSHS said. The individual was described as “doing well” and receiving antiviral treatment consistent with standard influenza therapy. Health authorities reported the patient had been instructed to isolate to prevent potential onward transmission, although there was no evidence of efficient human-to-human spread of the virus, CDC spokespersons confirmed.

The infected worker was employed on a Texas dairy farm and had close, direct contact with sick dairy cows, which were later confirmed or presumed to be infected with H5N1, officials said. Prior to the human case, H5N1 had been detected in multiple dairy herds across several states, including Texas, Kansas, Michigan, and New Mexico, indicating a multistate outbreak in dairy cattle, according to CDC and state agriculture departments. CDC and Texas DSHS noted that the most plausible route of infection was exposure to secretions or excretions from infected cattle, particularly around the udder and milk, consistent with findings that H5N1 in cows was strongly associated with udder infection and milk contamination.

CDC classified the overall public health risk from H5N1 bird flu in the United States as “low” but emphasized that the risk was elevated for individuals with close, unprotected contact with infected animals, such as farm workers and veterinarians. There was no known person-to-person transmission of H5N1 in the U.S., including in connection with this Texas case, CDC officials said. Following the case, CDC continued active monitoring and testing of people with relevant animal exposures through national influenza surveillance systems to detect any unusual human flu activity.

The Texas case occurred amid a broader outbreak of H5N1 in U.S. dairy cattle, with confirmed affected herds in Texas, Kansas, Michigan, Idaho, South Dakota, New Mexico, Ohio, and North Carolina, according to CDC data. National records show that since early 2024, 71 human A(H5) infections have been reported in the United States, with 41 cases linked to exposure to dairy cattle. The total included two deaths. Experimental and epidemiological studies cited by CDC and academic sources found that H5N1 viruses in dairy cattle retained a strong preference for infecting birds and did not efficiently transmit via airborne routes between mammals, suggesting low pandemic potential in their current form.

Federal and state agencies, including CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and Texas DSHS, have consistently stated that commercial milk remains safe for consumption. Pasteurization inactivates H5N1 virus, and milk from sick cows is required to be discarded or diverted, FDA officials said. Although viral fragments were detected in some commercial milk samples, FDA investigations confirmed these were non-infectious remnants and did not pose a direct consumer health risk. Public health guidance advises against consuming raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products from infected or unknown-status herds due to theoretical exposure risks prior to pasteurization.

CDC recommends that workers on affected farms use appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection, masks or respirators, gloves, and protective clothing, and adhere to hygiene and biosecurity protocols when handling sick animals or contaminated materials. Authorities stress the importance of rapid reporting of illness in farm workers, prompt testing for influenza in symptomatic exposed individuals, and early antiviral treatment when H5N1 infection is suspected, as demonstrated in the management of the Texas dairy worker case.

The Texas DSHS alert and CDC confirmation have been incorporated into national situation summaries, distinguishing this case as the index human H5N1 infection linked to dairy cattle. Ongoing surveillance and research by CDC and academic partners continue to monitor the evolving outbreak and assess zoonotic transmission risks, with an emphasis on protecting agricultural workers and preventing further spillover events.

This testing schedule typically occurs on days 1, 3, and 5, with the day of exposure designated as day 0, according to the agency’s “Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2.” The guidance defines higher-risk exposure as being within six feet of a confirmed infected person or having unprotected direct contact with infectious secretions or excretions.

The CDC’s interim guidance outlines a testing regimen for healthcare personnel exposed to SARS-CoV-2, recommending serial viral testing immediately after exposure, but not earlier than 24 hours, followed by subsequent tests 48 hours apart.

Work restrictions are generally not required for asymptomatic healthcare workers following such exposures, except in specific circumstances. The CDC advises considering work restrictions for personnel who cannot undergo testing or wear source control for 10 days, those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, healthcare workers caring for highly immunocompromised patients, or those working in units experiencing uncontrolled SARS-CoV-2 transmission, according to CDC officials. The guidance also notes that vaccination status does not alter the recommendation against routine work restrictions for asymptomatic exposed personnel.

The CDC’s webpage states that the interim guidance is subject to revision and references forthcoming updates to the “Guideline for Infection Control in Healthcare Personnel, 1998.” A draft of these updated recommendations is expected to be published in the Federal Register in the coming months, agency officials said.

In related public health developments, a federal judge ordered the restoration of multiple federal health websites and datasets on February 11, 2025, following their abrupt removal in late January. The order covered materials from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and the CDC, including information on HIV testing and prevention, contraceptive guidance, and vulnerability data related to natural disasters and emergencies. The government was required to restore the cited webpages by midnight Tuesday and identify additional physician resources by the end of that week, according to NPR reporting.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a significant workforce restructuring on March 27, 2025, which will reduce its staff by approximately 20,000 positions. The plan involves consolidating 28 divisions into 15 and is expected to cut about 3,500 FDA employees, 2,400 CDC employees, 300 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services staff, and 1,200 National Institutes of Health workers, according to a summary by law firm Polsinelli. The reduction includes roughly 10,000 direct job cuts and an additional 10,000 through buyouts or voluntary resignations, aiming to return HHS staffing levels to those seen before 2002.

Layoff notices began arriving as early as 5 a.m. EDT on a Tuesday in 2025, with entire divisions eliminated across multiple agencies, including much of the FDA’s communications and media affairs staff, The Hill reported. The reduction in force was scheduled to take effect on June 30, according to internal notices cited by the publication. StatNews reported on April 1, 2025, that thousands of employees across HHS and its subsidiary agencies received layoff notices, potentially affecting up to 10,000 workers. The report noted that some senior health officials were among those impacted, with the cuts linked to changes under the Trump administration and HHS leadership transitions under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Regarding workforce policies, HHS Instruction 990-3 governs telework, stating that participation is voluntary and subject to management approval based on applicable laws, the nature of the work, and work portability. The instruction references Office of Personnel Management guidance issued on February 3, 2025, allowing HHS to set overall telework levels and exclude certain positions from eligibility. Federal News Network reported that the CDC temporarily paused further telework approvals while clarifying internal policy details, reflecting ongoing adjustments to workforce flexibility.

These developments occur amid evolving federal health policies and agency restructuring efforts, with the CDC’s interim guidance and HHS workforce changes marking significant operational shifts in the nation’s public health infrastructure.

The outbreak has been linked to the Andes virus, a type of hantavirus, officials said. The World Health Organization was first notified on May 2, 2026, of a cluster of severe acute respiratory illness among passengers and crew aboard the M/V Hondius cruise ship. WHO confirmed on May 6 that the virus involved was Andes virus and reported eight cases, including three deaths, as of May 8, according to CDC and WHO records. The CDC described the event as a multi-country hantavirus cluster involving international partners.

“WHO confirmed on May 6 that the virus involved was Andes virus and reported eight cases, including three deaths, as of May 8, according to CDC and WHO records.”

CDC officials emphasized that there is no evidence of broad spread in the United States at this time. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a CDC spokesperson, said there are currently no hantavirus cases reported in the U.S. The agency framed its response as precautionary monitoring of exposed travelers rather than evidence of domestic transmission. “The risk to the general public remains extremely low,” CDC officials said.

The CDC activated its emergency response in Atlanta immediately after the outbreak was reported. More than 100 CDC staff have been involved in the response, according to agency and media reports. On May 7, a CDC team was deployed to the Canary Islands to assist on site, where they interviewed each U.S. citizen about their potential exposure, officials said. The agency has coordinated with federal, state, local, and international health partners throughout the response.

American passengers who may have been exposed are being closely monitored. The CDC and its partners are tracking travelers for the virus’s incubation period, which can extend up to 42 days. Repatriated Americans were sent to a specialized medical facility in Nebraska for observation, officials confirmed. Monitoring also includes individuals potentially exposed on an aircraft by an infected cruise ship passenger. Reports indicate that 41 people across 16 states are currently under observation for possible exposure.

Prior to the repatriation of American citizens, the CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory and posted a suite of resources on its website, including a toolkit, frequently asked questions, a situation overview, and a fact sheet. The agency has warned clinicians to be aware of possible imported cases and has alerted public health agencies, laboratories, and healthcare professionals nationwide as a precaution, according to CDC communications. Officials stressed that these measures are precautionary despite the low risk to the public.

The outbreak has resulted in multiple fatalities. The CDC’s Health Alert Network initially reported two deaths and one critically ill passenger at the time of notification. WHO’s subsequent update on May 8 confirmed eight total cases, including three deaths. Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of hantavirus in the cluster, specifically identifying the Andes virus as the cause.

Hantavirus disease has been monitored in the United States since 1993. According to CDC surveillance data, 890 cases had been reported nationwide as of the end of 2023. Of these, 859 were hantavirus pulmonary syndrome cases, while 31 involved non-pulmonary hantavirus infections. The CDC continues to track these cases through its ongoing surveillance program.

This estimate, based on data collected from September 2024 through January 2025, was derived from a single CDC-funded vaccine effectiveness network, according to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) volume 74 released in early 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s interim analysis found that the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine was 33% effective in preventing COVID-19–associated emergency department or urgent care visits among adults aged 18 and older.

The CDC’s report detailed that vaccine effectiveness (VE) against emergency department and urgent care visits was 33%, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 28% to 38%, during the first 7 to 119 days following vaccination. This finding contrasts with claims that the vaccine halved such visits, as the data indicate a more modest reduction.

Regarding hospitalizations, the CDC analyzed data from two CDC-funded vaccine effectiveness networks focusing on immunocompetent adults aged 65 and older. The vaccine was found to be 45% to 46% effective in preventing COVID-19–related hospital admissions in this group. One network reported a VE of 45% with a 95% confidence interval of 36% to 53%, while the other showed 46% VE with a wider confidence interval of 26% to 60%. These figures also fall short of the 50% reduction in hospitalizations that some had suggested.

The report additionally included data on immunocompromised adults aged 65 and older from one CDC network, which showed a vaccine effectiveness of 40% against hospitalizations, although the confidence interval for this estimate was not specified. The estimates for hospitalizations similarly covered the same 7 to 119-day post-vaccination window as the emergency department and urgent care visits.

The interim estimates published in the MMWR were based on data collected between September 2024 and January 2025, encompassing the early months following the vaccine’s rollout for the 2024–2025 season. The CDC’s analysis focused exclusively on U.S. adults, with no data included for pediatric or other age groups. Comparisons were made between vaccinated individuals and those who did not receive the 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Contrary to some reports, the CDC’s documentation does not indicate any delay in releasing these findings. The MMWR publication, identified as volume 74, mm7406a1, provides verified interim vaccine effectiveness data without noting any postponement. The report’s authors emphasized that the estimates represent short-term effectiveness within the specified post-vaccination period.

The vaccine effectiveness networks involved in the study are funded by the CDC and include one network assessing emergency department and urgent care visits among adults 18 years and older, two networks evaluating hospitalizations among immunocompetent adults aged 65 and older, and one network focusing on immunocompromised adults in the same age group. These networks collect and analyze clinical and laboratory data to estimate vaccine performance against COVID-19 outcomes.

The CDC’s interim report underscores the vaccine’s moderate effectiveness in reducing COVID-19–associated emergency visits and hospitalizations but does not support claims of a 50% or greater reduction in these outcomes. The findings provide a data-driven assessment of vaccine impact during the early months of the 2024–2025 vaccination period.

The CDC continues to monitor vaccine effectiveness as additional data become available and as the COVID-19 virus evolves. Future updates are expected as more comprehensive analyses are conducted across broader populations and longer follow-up periods.

The updated CDC schedule includes routine vaccinations for 11 diseases: measles, mumps, rubella, polio, pertussis, tetanus, diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), pneumococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and varicella, according to a January 5 decision memorandum signed by CDC Acting Director Jim O’Neill. Six vaccines—respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, and influenza—were moved to high-risk or shared decision-making categories, officials said. This change followed a December 5, 2025, Presidential Memorandum directing the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services to review U.S. childhood immunization practices in comparison with international peers, such as Denmark, which administer fewer vaccine doses, sources confirmed.

The CDC noted that in 2024, the United States recommended more childhood vaccines than any peer nation, with some European countries administering less than half the number of doses, records show.

The agency also reduced the HPV vaccine regimen from two doses to one while maintaining core recommendations, officials said. Despite these adjustments, all vaccines available before January 2026 remain accessible and covered by insurance, according to CDC communications.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its 2026 immunization schedule on January 26, maintaining routine recommendations for 18 diseases, unchanged from 2025. The AAP’s schedule continues to endorse vaccines for hepatitis B within 24 hours of birth and influenza for all children beginning at six months of age, citing the increased risk of severe illness and hospitalization in young children, according to AAP statements. The California Department of Public Health also supports the AAP schedule, aligning with the state’s Public Health for All recommendations, officials said.

The AAP, representing approximately 67,000 pediatricians, rejected the CDC’s changes, stating they lack sufficient scientific evidence. The organization’s January 26 release was backed by 12 professional groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Medical Association, sources confirmed. The AAP continues to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, citing a 90% risk of chronic infection in infants who contract the virus and a 99% reduction in childhood infections since vaccination began in 1991.

Several medical organizations voiced criticism of the CDC’s revised schedule. The West Coast Health Alliance issued a statement on January 5, 2026, opposing the changes for bypassing established vaccine policy procedures and warning of potential increases in preventable diseases. Pediatric groups expressed concern that the reduction from 17 to 11 routine vaccines could cause confusion among parents and healthcare providers, records indicate. Some organizations, including the Council of Pediatric Practice Committees (COPC), continue to follow the original 17-vaccine schedule for all children, despite the CDC’s shift to shared decision-making for six vaccines.

Specific vaccine impacts were detailed by public health experts. The RSV vaccine, now recommended for high-risk groups or shared decision-making, can reduce hospitalizations by up to 92%. Hepatitis A vaccination, previously routine, is over 80% effective against an estimated 17,500 annual U.S. illnesses and 75 deaths but has been moved to a targeted recommendation. Hepatitis B vaccination has cut infections by 99% since 1991 but is now recommended based on parental testing and shared decision-making, according to CDC reports.

Legal developments have influenced the implementation of these changes. In March 2026, a federal judge ordered a hold on HHS vaccine guidance changes issued from June 2025 through March 2026, including the CDC’s adjustments. As of March 16, 2026, modifications such as the shared decision-making recommendation for hepatitis B and the removal of thimerosal from influenza vaccines are paused pending further review, court records show. The AAP’s 2026 schedule remains endorsed and in use despite the federal hold, providing consistent vaccination guidance, according to AAP officials.

The CDC categorizes vaccines post-update into three groups: recommended for all children, recommended for high-risk groups, or based on shared decision-making between parents and healthcare providers. Pediatricians continue to urge adherence to vaccination schedules to prevent illness, school absences, hospitalizations, and deaths, sources said. Public health professionals advise parents and providers to consult current guidance carefully, especially in light of the federal hold on recent changes.

The timeline of events includes the December 5, 2025, Presidential Memorandum directing the review of vaccine schedules; the CDC’s January 5, 2026, memorandum revising the routine vaccine list; the AAP’s January 26 release of its unchanged 2026 schedule; and the March 2026 federal court order halting recent changes. The CDC and partner agencies continue to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness while aligning U.S. policies with evolving scientific evidence and international practices.