The Vaccine Intelligence Report: March 11-17

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

  • A federal judge stayed government changes to federal vaccine policy—including the reconstitution of ACIP membership, all votes taken by the new Committee, and the CDC’s January revision of the childhood immunization schedule—while a lawsuit against HHS proceeds
  • The ruling resulted in the postponement of this week’s scheduled ACIP meeting, which was set to focus on Covid vaccines and vaccine injury as well as a number of topics outside of the Committee’s remit
  • The FDA launched a new adverse event reporting system that will encompass all FDA-regulated products, including the vaccine system VAERS
  • The FDA’s vaccine panel VRBPAC recommended the flu virus strains that should be included in vaccines for the 2026-27 respiratory season
  • The U.S. has seen over 100 pediatric flu deaths this season and over 1,500 measles cases this year

NEED TO KNOW

Judge Blocks HHS Reconstitution of ACIP and Revisions to Childhood Immunization Schedule

  • On Monday (Mar. 16), federal judge Brian Murphy granted a preliminary injunction to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and co-plaintiffs in their lawsuit challenging federal vaccine policy changes made under Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
    • Murphy concluded that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that the reconstitution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and changes to the childhood immunization schedule violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which governs how federal agencies develop, issue, and enforce regulations.
  • Based on these findings, the Court stayed several actions while litigation proceeds, including:
    • The appointment of the thirteen new ACIP members at issue in the case,
    • All votes taken by ACIP since its reconstitution, and
    • The January memo revising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended childhood immunization schedule.
  • In effect, this means ACIP will not be able to meet as scheduled this week (Mar. 18-19), and HHS has confirmed the meeting is postponed.
    • Murphy stated that plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that ACIP membership does not meet Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requirements.
    • While the ruling doesn’t explicitly bar the Committee from meeting, the judge noted that it is unable to do so “without nearly the entirety of its membership.”
  • ACIP’s votes—including those to change the recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination at birth, to remove the broad recommendation for Covid vaccines, and to remove thimerosal from flu vaccines—have been blocked.
    • Because the Court determined current ACIP membership likely violates FACA, these votes are considered invalid.
  • Finally, the injunction restores the previous childhood immunization schedule (2025) for the time being. The 2026 schedule reduced the number of routine childhood immunizations recommended from 17 to 11.
    • The CDC bypassed ACIP in issuing the January 2026 memo to change the schedule, which Murphy called a “technical, procedural failure” and “arbitrary and capricious.”
  • Murphy specified that “the Court is not dictating what vaccine-related content Defendants [i.e., the government] may or may not espouse. Instead, the Court is regulating the procedure by which Defendants do so.” HHS plans to appeal the ruling.

Leaked ACIP Report Proposes Changes Beyond Committee Authority

  • Shortly before the ruling and subsequent postponement of the ACIP March meeting, a report by the Committee’s Covid Immunization Workgroup was leaked. The meeting was set to focus on “Covid vaccine injuries and Long Covid.”
  • In its report, the workgroup proposed significant changes to how Covid vaccine injuries are recognized, diagnosed, reimbursed, and tracked—all of which are outside of ACIP’s purview.
    • Per ACIP’s charter, the Committee provides guidance to the CDC regarding the use of immunizations to control vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S. The Committee considers potential adverse events in its deliberations and issues recommendations on appropriate vaccine use and administration.
  • ACIP is not responsible for diagnostic guidelines or vaccine injury claims, which are handled by separate advisory committees.
  • The report was condemned by medical and public health experts, who said the workgroup misrepresented the body of evidence on Covid vaccines and potential side effects. An October 2025 independent review of updated evidence for Covid vaccines reaffirmed their safety across populations.
  • Relatedly, a new analysis by the Immunization Scientific Advisory Collaborative—which was established by dismissed ACIP members to produce evidence-based reviews of vaccine policy—found that the Committee’s December meeting discussions reflected data misinterpretations and that the subsequent recommendations lacked supporting evidence.
    • The former ACIP members conclude that “the quality of ACIP deliberations continues to degrade, and its policy recommendations are likely harmful to public health.”

FDA Launches New Adverse Events System to Replace VAERS and Other Databases

  • Last week (Mar. 11), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launched the Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), which unifies several adverse event systems.
    • For now, AEMS will replace four databases: the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS); the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) for drugs, biologics, cosmetic products, and color additives; and the Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS), which includes two databases for animal drugs and animal foods.
    • In May, the agency will expand AEMS to include medical devices (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience, MAUDE), human food and dietary supplements (Human Foods Complaint System, HFCS), and nicotine and tobacco products (Center for Tobacco Products Adverse Event Reporting System, CTPAE).
  • By the end of May, the FDA says AEMS will contain real-time reports for all FDA-regulated products, whereas previous systems reported adverse events quarterly. The FDA also plans to migrate historical adverse event data to the new system, which amounts to approximately 6 million reports per year across the seven databases.
    • The agency has said it will decommission certain legacy systems, including FAERS and VAERS.
  • AEMS and the legacy databases are passive reporting systems, which rely on unverified reports from individuals, and the existence of a report does not establish causation.
    • For example, VAERS can help detect unusual or unexpected patterns of adverse event reporting that might indicate a possible safety problem with a vaccine. From there, the FDA and CDC further investigate and take action if needed.

FDA’s Vaccine Panel Recommends Strains for Next Season’s Flu Shot

  • The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met last week (Mar. 12) to recommend which flu virus strains should be included in vaccines for the 2026-27 flu season.
  • The Committee voted unanimously to recommend a trivalent vaccine targeting two influenza A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B virus (Victoria lineage).
    • The recommendation updates the H3N2 component to include a newer variant known as subclade K, which emerged late last year and is now one of the dominant strains circulating globally.
    • This update follows a season in which the flu vaccine was less well matched to circulating viruses, due in large part to the late spread of subclade K after strain selection decisions were made.
    • While this season’s vaccines had lower effectiveness as a result, they still provided meaningful protection against severe illness and hospitalization, protected against other strains of the flu represented in the vaccines, and helped reduce community spread.
  • VRBPAC’s recommended strains align with those selected last month by the World Health Organization (WHO) for Northern Hemisphere vaccines.
    • Although the U.S. formally withdrew from WHO earlier this year, U.S. scientists and CDC representatives participated virtually in the WHO strain-selection meeting last month and have continued collaborating with international influenza surveillance networks that monitor evolving flu viruses and inform global strain selection.
  • The meeting also marked the return to VRBPAC’s typical public advisory process for selection of flu vaccine strains.
    • Last year, the FDA canceled the scheduled VRBPAC meeting and instead selected strains following a closed-door process—a move that drew criticism from public health experts who argued that independent scientific input and transparency are critical for maintaining trust in vaccine decisions.
  • Notably, the U.S. has seen several particularly severe flu seasons in recent years. CDC officials told VRBPAC that hospitalization rates this season were already the third highest in over two decades and the second highest among children.
    • While experts say seasonal severity can vary due to a variety of factors such as viral evolution, reduced population immunity, and the timing of circulating strains—declining vaccination rates have also contributed.
    • Flu vaccination coverage has dropped in recent years across adults and children—dropping from about 50% in adults and nearly 64% among children in 2019-20, to roughly 46% and 48%, respectively this year (as of Feb. 2026).
  • VRBPAC’s recommendation now moves to the FDA for final review. Once strains are finalized, vaccine manufacturers will update their formulations and begin scaling production to ensure doses are ready ahead of next year’s respiratory season.

STATE POLICY SPOTLIGHT

Connecticut, Minnesota Advance Legislation to Preserve Evidence-Based Vaccine Access

  • Connecticut lawmakers are considering two bills (HB 5044 and SB 450) that would allow the state’s Department of Public Health commissioner to set vaccine recommendations, require insurance coverage for recommended vaccines, and enable the state to purchase vaccines from sources beyond the CDC.
    • State health officials and other supporters said the bills would preserve evidence-based vaccination standards and help health officials respond more quickly to disease outbreaks. Opponents—including Republican lawmakers—argued the measures constitute government overreach and erode religious freedom.
  • A Minnesota bill (SF 3859) to create a science-based Vaccine Advisory Council cleared another Senate committee and now heads to the Health and Human Services Committee.
    • The proposal would establish a panel to provide immunization recommendations and help ensure continued insurance coverage for immunizations.

Arizona Advances Insurance Bill Tied to Vaccination Status; Florida Measure Stalls

  • The Arizona Senate passed a bill (SB 1212) that would prohibit insurers from reducing reimbursement to physicians based on a patient’s vaccination status.
    • The move comes amid ongoing measles transmission in the state and nationwide, which has led some providers to decline patients who are not up to date on measles immunizations due to infection risk.
    • Supporters argue the measure protects patient choice, while critics, including medical organizations, say it could discourage physicians from promoting routine immunization during outbreaks.
  • Florida’s bill to create a “conscience exemption” from school and daycare immunization requirements (SB 1756), which passed in the Senate, ultimately stalled this legislative session.
    • Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the House for failing to take up the bill before the session ended March 13. Some reports suggest a special session could be called to revisit this and other vaccine-related legislation.

OUTBREAK OUTLOOK

Utah Measles Cases Remain High, Reports Underscore Severity of Complications and Outbreaks

  • As of March 13, the U.S. has reported 1,513 measles cases in 2026.
  • Recent reporting also highlights the risk of serious measles complications:
    • Physicians are warning about a rare but deadly complication of measles called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a progressive brain disorder that can emerge years after infection and can lead to severe neurological decline and death.
    • Measles can also pose severe risks to immunocompromised individuals. Last month, for example, a fully vaccinated but immunocompromised teenage girl contracted measles, which led to life-threatening complications including pneumonia and extended hospitalization.
  • Pandemic researchers warn that the resurgence of measles may signal broader vulnerabilities in global infectious disease preparedness, and that declining vaccination coverage and weakening public-health systems could make other outbreaks more likely in the future.

Pediatric Flu Deaths Exceed 100 This Season, Whooping Cough Emerges in Two States

  • Eleven additional pediatric flu deaths were reported in the past week, bringing the total number of children who have died from the flu this season to 101.
    • Recent flu-related deaths were reported in several states including Michigan (the state’s third this season) and Texas (the state’s seventh this season).
  • Influenza activity remains elevated but continues to decline in most areas of the country, with the number of states reporting high or very high activity down from 18 to 16 states.
  • More broadly, national respiratory illness activity is low.
    • Covid activity is decreasing and hospitalizations continue to decline.
    • Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, conversely, remains elevated and is increasing in some regions of the country.
  • As RSV continues to circulate, the FDA last week expanded approval of GSK’s RSV vaccine, Arexvy, to include adults ages 18 to 49 who are at increased risk of lower respiratory tract disease caused by the virus. The vaccine was previously approved only for adults 60 and older.
  • State health officials are also monitoring the spread of pertussis (whooping cough) in several parts of the country.
    • West Virginia has reported cases of pertussis following a spike last year.
    • Wyoming has reported 26 cases this year, though state health officials say cases are likely underreported.

REALITY CHECK

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

CLAIM: Giving children multiple vaccines at once is dangerous and increases the risk of adverse outcomes. It’s safer to space out vaccines.

  • REALITY: Research consistently shows that receiving multiple vaccines at once (coadministration) does not increase the risk of serious adverse health outcomes. Vaccines are tested together to ensure they are safe and effective when administered during the same visit.
  • A major study of 323,247 children in the U.S. Vaccine Safety Datalink found that timely infant vaccination was not associated with an increased risk of post-vaccination seizures compared with delayed vaccination.
    • Additional studies continue to support the safety of coadministration. Research examining childhood vaccinations in Ukraine found that children who received multiple vaccines during the same visit did not experience higher rates of adverse events compared with those who received vaccines separately.
  • Some combinations of vaccines can cause temporary side effects such as fever. In rare cases, fever may trigger febrile seizures, but these events are uncommon and typically do not cause lasting harm.
  • Spacing out routine childhood vaccines is linked to lower vaccination coverage and is not recommended by medical experts.
    • A cohort study of over 320,000 children found that delays in early vaccines were strongly associated with children missing recommended vaccines later in childhood.
    • The AAP says delaying or separating vaccines prolongs the period when children are susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • Spreading vaccines out often results in more clinic visits and more injections, without proven safety benefits, and increases the likelihood that children fall behind on the recommended schedule.

CLAIM: The flu vaccine is often poorly matched to circulating strains and not effective, so it provides little protection and isn’t worth getting.

  • REALITY: While the amount of protection offered by flu vaccines often varies year to year, vaccination consistently reduces the risk of illness, severe outcomes, and death, even in seasons where the strain match is not perfect.
    • Flu vaccines are updated each year based on global surveillance data, but because the virus evolves rapidly, the match is not always exact.
    • Even in years where the strains aren’t as well-matched, vaccines still help reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization, protect against other strains included in the vaccine, and help limit community spread.
  • Data from recent respiratory illness seasons show that flu vaccines decreased the risk of medical visits, hospitalization, and serious complications. According to interim data, this season—despite an imperfect match—flu vaccines were estimated to have:
    • Reduced outpatient illness among children by 38-41% and hospitalization by 41%.
    • Reduced outpatient illness in adults (18-64 years old) by up to 34%, and reduced hospitalization and medical visits in older adults (65+) by up to 41% and 31%, respectively.
  • Vaccination is especially critical for those at higher risk of experiencing complications from the flu including young children, older adults, those who are pregnant, and those with underlying and chronic medical conditions.
  • Even during years when flu vaccine efficacy is more moderate, vaccination has a significant public health impact – during a typical U.S. flu season vaccination has been found to prevent millions of illnesses and tens of thousands of hospitalizations, resulting in healthier communities and easing strain on the healthcare system.
  • Flu vaccines have a long and robust track record of safety, and hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received flu vaccines for more than 50 years. It is also important to note that the risks of serious complications from flu infection—which can include hospitalization and death—are far greater than the risk associated with vaccination.

WHAT TO WATCH

Senate Considers Surgeon General Nominee as CDC Leadership Timeline Approaches Deadline

  • The Senate continues to consider President Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, Casey Means, who testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee last month.
    • Senators questioned her views on vaccines and the role the Surgeon General should play in promoting immunization during the February hearing.
    • In a written response to Committee follow-up questions, Means clarified that she supports measles vaccination and agrees with CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz’s message encouraging Americans to receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, noting that the current measles outbreak is “largely preventable” through vaccination.
  • The CDC remains under interim leadership, with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya serving as Acting Director. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, officials can serve in an acting role for up to 210 days in positions requiring Senate confirmation.
    • That window for the CDC Director role is set to expire on March 25, meaning the administration would need to submit a formal nominee to pause the clock and allow Bhattacharya to continue serving in an acting capacity while the Senate considers the nomination.

Federal Autism Committee Meeting Postponed; Independent Group to Convene March 19

  • The cancelation comes as the Independent Autism Coordinating Committee (I-ACC) plans to move forward with its own meeting the same day, signaling a growing divide over the direction of federal autism research efforts.
    • The I-ACC was established earlier this month and includes former IACC chairs and members, former NIH Institute Directors, leading autism scientists, and research advocates.

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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