The Vaccine Intelligence Report: July 29-August 4

The Vaccine Intelligence Report—brought to you by Vaccinate Your Family—provides clear, fact-based updates on vaccine policy, research, and public health each week. This report is part of Viral Truths, a resource designed to cut through the noise, offering concise information to help navigate the evolving immunization landscape.

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

  • The Senate HELP Committee advanced nominees to lead the CDC and ASPR, and the full Senate will vote on Schwartz’s confirmation today
  • The U.S. released $600 million in previously frozen funding for Gavi under an agreement that ties future support to new conditions, including efforts to transition away from vaccines containing thimerosal
  • Maine moved to preserve vaccine access and coverage independent of federal guidance, while South Carolina expanded school immunization requirements for the upcoming academic year
  • U.S. measles cases continued to climb, with new or ongoing outbreaks reported across several states and Pennsylvania recording a notable weekly increase
  • New measles research highlighted both the substantial economic costs of outbreaks and the continued safety of vaccination, with one analysis estimating New Mexico’s 2025 outbreak cost $5.4 million, and a separate study of more than 2.5 million children finding no association between MMR vaccination before age 2 and autism
  • The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the DRC became the second largest Ebola outbreak on record as global partners moved to accelerate vaccine development

NEED TO KNOW

Senate Panel Advances CDC and Preparedness Nominees 

  • The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sean Kaufman’s nomination to serve as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) last Thursday (Jul. 30). Both nominations now move to the full Senate for consideration.
  • Schwartz advanced 13-10, with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joining committee Republicans in support. HELP Committee Chair Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), whose vote had been uncertain, said additional conversations convinced him that Schwartz would protect the CDC’s scientific independence and resist actions not supported by evidence.
    • The CDC has lacked permanent leadership since former Director Susan Monarez was fired in August 2025. For a more detailed breakdown of Health and Human Services (HHS) leadership, see the July 15 edition of the Vaccine Intelligence Report.
  • Kaufman’s nomination advanced on a party-line 12-11 vote after facing greater resistance from committee members over his previous vaccine-related statements and support for the Administration’s cancellation of federal mRNA vaccine projects.
    • Cassidy supported Kaufman after HHS reportedly agreed that Kaufman would not oversee vaccine policy or make final decisions involving mRNA technology. Cassidy also said the department committed to personnel changes and stronger scientific oversight, though HHS has not publicly detailed those commitments.
  • The Senate will vote today (Aug. 5) on Schwartz’s confirmation. Kaufman’s path remains less certain, as his narrow committee vote and the limits reportedly placed on his responsibilities may continue to draw scrutiny.

U.S. Releases $600M for Gavi After Reaching Conditional Agreement

  • The U.S. government has agreed to immediately release $600 million in congressionally appropriated funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, reversing a months-long freeze that threatened immunization programs in lower-income countries.
    • The funding, which would have expired in September, includes $300 million for FY2025 and $300 million for FY2026.
    • In June, the Administration began withholding the funding over Gavi’s use of vaccines containing thimerosal, a preservative safely used in multi-dose vaccine vials. Earlier this year, the U.S. said it would not provide additional funding unless Gavi agreed to phase out thimerosal-containing vaccines.
  • Under the new agreement, Gavi committed to “work towards transitioning” from vaccines containing thimerosal and expanding access to newer alternatives that do not use the preservative. The announcement does not establish a deadline for the transition or indicate that Gavi will immediately stop procuring thimerosal-containing vaccines.
    • This distinction is important because multi-dose vials are generally less expensive and require less refrigerated storage than single-dose alternatives, making them particularly important for immunization programs in lower-resource settings. Extensive scientific reviews have found no evidence that thimerosal in vaccines causes harm.
  • The agreement also places broader conditions on the renewed partnership. The Administration said the U.S. expects to reclaim its seat on Gavi’s board and will base future support on the organization’s “demonstrated performance, accountability, and implementation” of agreed reforms.
  • Separately, the Administration stipulated that none of the U.S. funding may be transferred to or administered by the World Health Organization (WHO), reflecting the country’s continued disengagement with the organization following its withdrawal and its retreat from other international health partnerships.
  • The decision restores near-term funding but does not reinstate the more than $1 billion in additional U.S. support previously pledged to Gavi through 2030. Future contributions remain uncertain and will likely depend on the Administration’s assessment of Gavi’s compliance with the new conditions.

STATE POLICY

Maine and South Carolina Update Vaccine Policy and School Immunization Requirements

  • In Maine, a new law took effect last week (Jul. 29) disconnecting the state’s vaccine policy from CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidance.
    • All vaccines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), or the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) can be administered by pharmacists and are covered by insurance.
  • South Carolina officials have expanded the number of vaccinations required to attend public and private schools for the 2026-2027 school year, requiring students entering sixth grade to have two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine and those entering twelfth grade to have two doses of the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.
    • The state continues to allow medical and religious exemptions.

OUTBREAK OUTLOOK

News on respiratory virus season, measles, pertussis, and other vaccine-preventable and infectious disease outbreaks.

Measles Spread Continues Across the Country

  • As of July 31, the U.S. has reported 2,370 measles cases in 2026—an increase of 49 cases since last week.
  • This week, several states reported new or continued measles activity:
    • Arizona has reported one measles case this week, bringing its 2026 total to 121 as of August 4.
    • Delaware’s measles outbreak has grown to 13 total cases—the first cases in the state in over a decade.
    • Ohio officials announced the state’s third measles outbreak in 2026 (Jul. 30), with four new cases reported this week. This brings the state’s 2026 total to 24 cases.
    • Pennsylvania’s 2026 total has risen to 176 cases as of August 3—an increase of 35 cases in the seven days prior. State data shows that none of the individuals infected were fully vaccinated against measles.
    • Utah reported two measles cases since last week’s newsletter, bringing the state’s total to 516 cases in 2026.
    • Virginia has reported no new measles cases for the past three weeks after an outbreak that started in April and reached 154 cases. To officially declare the outbreak over, the state must see no new associated measles cases for 42 days.
    • West Virginia officials reported one new measles case this week (Jul. 28)—the state’s first case since 2024.

New Research Reinforces the Costs of Measles and Safety of MMR Vaccination

  • Two newly published studies continue to emphasize the importance of measles vaccination and the costs of outbreaks for taxpayers.
  • An analysis of New Mexico’s 2025 measles outbreak estimated a total economic cost of $5.4 million—or an average of $53,522 for each of the outbreak’s 100 cases. The outbreak, which took place from February to September 2025, resulted in seven hospitalizations and one death.
    • The estimate includes direct medical costs, public health response costs, and lost productivity of caregivers and those who had to quarantine. The response involved 133 public health workers who spent more than 22,000 hours investigating cases, tracing contacts, coordinating vaccination efforts, and working to contain the outbreak.
  • Separately, a new study of over 2.5 million U.S. children published in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal found that receiving the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination before age 2 was not associated with an increased risk of autism.
    • Researchers analyzed electronic health records from 2015 to 2024 and followed children until age eight, finding no increased risk of autism across any of the age groups studied.
    • This study reinforces the large body of evidence supporting the safety of the MMR vaccine.

Ebola Outbreak Becomes the Second Largest in History as Vaccine Development Efforts Continue

  • The Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is now the second largest Ebola outbreak in history, with 3,802 confirmed cases and 1,707 related deaths reported through August 2.
    • This is an increase of 58 new confirmed cases and 40 deaths in one day.
  • The pharmaceutical company Merck and global charity Wellcome are now collaborating to support the manufacturing of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative’s (IAVI) Bundibugyo ebolavirus vaccine for clinical trials.
    • IAVI’s vaccine was singled out by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the most promising of the Bundibugyo vaccines in development, using the same platform as the approved Ervebo vaccine for the Zaire strain of Ebola.
    • The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) committed $8.5 million to back the manufacturing effort. CEPI has also pledged $50 million to advance the development of a Bundibugyo vaccine.
  • Other vaccine candidates are also advancing. A Bundibugyo-specific vaccine developed by Oxford University and the Serum Institute of India entered a Phase 1 trial ⁠in the United Kingdom on July 24, while Moderna’s mRNA vaccine candidate received approval July 30 to begin a Phase 1 trial in Canada.

REALITY CHECK

These fact checks respond to several recent claims made by different groups and individuals.

CLAIM: Gain-of-function research is too risky to continue and has few safeguards.

  • REALITY: Gain-of-function research broadly refers to research that changes an organism, such as a virus or bacterium, in a way that gives it a new or enhanced characteristic. Researchers may use these techniques to understand how pathogens infect cells, move between species, evade immunity, or resist treatments.
    • It does not necessarily mean making a pathogen more contagious or deadly, and describing all gain-of-function research as “creating bioweapons” or “making pandemics” is inaccurate.
  • The Administration is focused on what it calls “dangerous gain-of-function” (DGOF) research, which it defines as work that could make a biological agent more dangerous and could result in “significant negative societal consequences.”
    • A new policy prohibits federal funding of DGOF or potential DGOF research and creates stronger oversight for life sciences research that could pose significant public health, biosecurity, or national security risks.
    • The policy aligns with a May 2025 Executive Order that suspended federally funded DGOF research, while the Administration developed a new federal oversight framework. It also directed agencies to end federal funding for DGOF research by foreign entities in countries of concern or in countries without adequate oversight.
  • Some gain-of-function experiments can pose serious risks without regulatory oversight, including accidental exposure to or release of a biological agent, and the potential misuse of research findings. Research that could meaningfully increase a dangerous pathogen’s transmissibility, severity, treatment resistance, or capacity to evade immunity warrants rigorous, case-by-case review, and strong biosafety and biosecurity protections.
  • However, gain-of-function research can play an important role in pandemic preparedness and public health readiness when conducted under appropriate safeguards.
    • Researchers use these studies to understand how viruses evolve, how they could become more transmissible or severe, and whether vaccines, diagnostics, or treatments may need to be updated in advance of outbreaks.
    • This type of research can also help scientists predict viral evolution, design vaccines, and develop countermeasures before or during outbreaks.
  • While oversight of high-risk research can help protect public safety, experts warn that the new policy’s broad and sometimes ambiguous definitions could also impede beneficial research.
    • The American Society for Microbiology said the new policy’s broad definitions could impede the nation’s ability to address infectious disease threats and respond to future outbreaks.

CLAIM: Measles cases are high because children missed routine vaccinations during the Covid pandemic.

  • REALITY: While pandemic-era disruptions contributed to missed routine vaccinations among some children, they do not fully explain the rise in measles cases. Current record numbers of measles cases are more directly tied to the continued decline in MMR coverage, which has left pockets of under-vaccinated communities nationwide vulnerable to outbreaks.
  • Measles is very contagious and requires consistently high vaccination coverage to prevent spread.
    • MMR vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners fell from 95.2% in the 2019-20 school year to 92.5% in 2024-25, leaving around 286,000 kindergartners without a documented, complete MMR series.
    • This puts the national average below the 95% community immunity threshold needed to prevent transmission.
    • National averages can also overlook schools and communities with substantially lower coverage, where measles can spread rapidly after it is introduced.
  • The pattern of current cases reflects these immunity gaps. The CDC’s latest update showed that 93% of 2026 U.S. measles cases were among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
    • Additionally, 94% of confirmed cases were outbreak-associated, demonstrating that most infections occurred through sustained transmission in affected communities, rather than isolated cases.
  • Coverage gaps have also continued to grow after the acute pandemic disruption. During the 2024–25 school year, coverage for kindergartners continued to decline for every routinely reported vaccine from the year before.
    • Exemptions from one or more vaccines rose to a record 3.6%, increasing in 36 states and Washington, D.C., and 17 states reported exemption rates above 5%.
  • Pandemic disruptions contributed to missed vaccinations and may have accelerated existing challenges, but the continued decline among successive kindergarten classes shows that coverage did not rebound after the initial pandemic disruption.
    • Lower coverage points to continuing problems involving rising exemptions, vaccine hesitancy, access barriers, and missed opportunities for catch-up immunizations.
  • Preventing measles outbreaks requires maintaining high MMR coverage in every community—not only at the national level—while making vaccination accessible, supporting families in catching up on missed doses, and providing clear, evidence-based public health guidance.

WHAT TO WATCH

Senators Question Kennedy’s Ties to Gardasil Settlement 

  • A group of Democratic senators asked Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to explain whether he or his family could financially benefit from Merck’s recent $50 million settlement of Gardasil vaccine lawsuits, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
  • The senators noted that Kennedy previously worked on Gardasil-related litigation and transferred his financial interest in those cases to his son before taking office. They are seeking information about whether he played any role in the settlement or continues to receive financial benefits tied to the lawsuits.
  • In their letter, the lawmakers emphasized that Gardasil is a safe and effective vaccine that helps prevent several types of cancer. They pointed to previous court rulings finding insufficient scientific evidence to support claims that the vaccine caused the alleged injuries in many of the lawsuits.

FDA Decision Expected on First mRNA Flu Vaccine

  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to decide today (Aug. 5) whether to approve Moderna’s mFlusiva, which would become the first mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccine available in the U.S.
  • In June, an FDA advisory committee voted unanimously that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks for adults ages 50 and older. The decision follows an unusual regulatory process in which the FDA initially declined to review Moderna’s application before reversing course.
  • Approval could provide a new flu vaccination option ahead of the 2026-2027 respiratory season. However, uncertainty surrounding federal immunization recommendations could complicate how quickly the vaccine is recommended, covered by insurance, and made broadly available.

Vaccinate Your Family is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting people of all ages from vaccine-preventable diseases. To learn more, visit us at: vaccinateyourfamily.org

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