Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)

12/23/2025

The nearly 80-year-old law that could hamper RFK Jr.’s drive to remake vaccine schedule

Legal experts say Kennedy needs to follow established legal procedures to prevent any policy changes from being dismissed by a judge.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-vaccines/nearly-80-year-old-law-could-hamper-rfk-jr-s-drive-remake-vaccine-schedule

Photo: Gage Skidmore/Flickr cc

12/23/2025

South Carolina now has 156 measles cases, as states see highest activity in 30 years

Utah also reported six new cases.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/south-carolina-now-has-156-measles-cases-states-see-highest-activity-30-years

12/23/2025

roundworm now in 9 European countries, putting people at higher risk for infection

Of the 146 raccoons examined in necropsy, 66.4% were infected with the Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/misc-emerging-topics/raccoon-roundworm-now-9-european-countries-putting-people-higher-risk

Photo: Adrien Sifre / Flickr cc

12/23/2025

spreads to new counties or areas in 2 US states, 1 Canadian province

The infections were reported by Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Manitoba, Canada.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-spreads-new-counties-or-areas-2-us- states-1-canadian-province

Photo: Mark Moschell / Flickr cc

12/23/2025

Quick takes: Lassa fever deaths spike in Nigeria; 3 new cases of H9N2 avian flu

In 2025, there have been 29 H9N2 cases reported from mainland China.

In 2025, there have been 29 H9N2 cases reported from mainland China.

12/23/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a year of both serious challenges and determined action.

Federal vaccine policymaking abandoned accurate, credible evidence this year – an erosion that threatens the health of individuals, families, and communities. This short recap video from the Vaccine Integrity Project highlights that shift, while also showcasing the efforts of leaders in medicine and public health to provide clear, evidence-based vaccine information, including expert reviews on influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and the hepatitis B birth dose.

As we look ahead to 2026, we remain committed to strengthening the evidence base for vaccines and supporting timely, trustworthy public health guidance.

Vaccines that protect our health are under attack.The Vaccine Integrity Project was established to providing trusted, science-based information to empower in...

12/23/2025

Denmark is suddenly being held up as a model for U.S. childhood vaccination policy – because it vaccinates its kids less, a goal of the political appointees running our federal health agencies.

But across wealthy countries with advanced health systems, childhood vaccine schedules are remarkably consistent. By age 5, most protect children against at least a dozen serious diseases. The U.S. sits at the top of that range – alongside Germany, France and Israel.

Denmark stands apart, protecting against fewer pathogens than nearly every peer. That choice reflects Denmark’s unique circumstances: a small, homogeneous population, centralized healthcare, universal access and low baseline disease prevalence. Those circumstances do not apply to the U.S.

Copying Denmark’s schedule would mean not vaccinating American children against diseases like rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, and RSV – illnesses that cause thousands of hospitalizations and preventable deaths every year.

Public health policy should be based on evidence, not ideology. The data show that vaccines save lives and keep kids out of hospitals.
👉 Read the full Viewpoint from the Vaccine Integrity Project: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/vaccine-integrity-project/viewpoint-myth-over-vaccinated-america-us-does-follow-global-consensus

12/23/2025

European report calls on countries to update strategies on sexually transmitted infections

The report is in response to a continent-wide surge in STIs since 2014.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/chlamydia/european-report-calls-countries-update-strategies-sexually-transmitted-infections

12/23/2025

USDA says H5 detection in Wisconsin dairy herd is new spillover event

Whole genome sequencing confirmed the virus detected in a Wisconsin dairy herd on December 14 is H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D.1.1.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/usda-says-h5-detection-wisconsin-dairy-herd-new-spillover-event

12/22/2025

As Marrazzo prepares for helm at , scientific community praises choice

Anthony Fauci, MD, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, calls Marrazzo a “superb choice.”

Photo: University of Alabama at Birmingham

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has tapped Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH, as its next chief executive officer (CEO), which some observers in the scientific community hail as a bold move that signals the society’s willingness to push back against the Trump administration’s perceived ...

12/22/2025

Poll shows small yet significant drop in Americans’ willingness to recommend MMR vaccines

Only 13% of those polled said they were concerned or worried that they or someone in their family would contract measles.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/poll-shows-small-yet-significant-drop-americans-willingness-recommend-mmr-vaccines

12/22/2025

Mpox infection early in pregnancy linked to poor fetal outcomes, study suggests

Adverse outcomes occurred in 94% of pregnancies during the first trimester.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/mpox/mpox-infection-early-pregnancy-linked-poor-fetal-outcomes-study-suggests

Photo: White Ribbon Alliance / Flickr cc