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 FDA’s top infectious disease regulator is leaving the agency in April along with other senior agency staff
- HHS is working to identify the next CDC Director, who must be nominated by this Thursday to allow Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to continue serving as Acting Director
- In response to the preliminary ruling in favor of AAP in their lawsuit against HHS over vaccine policy actions, the administration is considering whether to appeal or pursue alternative approaches to restructuring ACIP
- Amid the ongoing ACIP legal battle, the committee’s Vice Chair, Robert Malone, announced his resignation on Tuesday (Mar. 24)
- Colorado and Connecticut advanced legislation focused on evidence-based vaccine access, while bills that would lessen vaccine requirements have stalled in Idaho and Iowa
- The U.S. has recorded over 1,560 measles cases in 2026—more than two-thirds of total cases reported in 2025, a year that saw the highest annual count in over 3 decades
- Although flu activity is declining, the virus continues to take a toll on children, with 115 pediatric flu deaths reported this season
NEED TO KNOW
Turnover at FDA Continues as HHS Moves to Fill CDC Director Role
- Last week (Mar. 18), the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) top infectious disease regulator, Dr. Adam Sherwat, announced he will be departing the agency on April 4—marking the latest in a series of senior leadership exits.
- Sherwat is the Director of the Office of Infectious Diseases within the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), which has been led by Dr. Tracy Beth Høeg since December 2025.
- Høeg assumed the role following the retirement of Dr. Richard Pazdur, who has raised concerns about “chaos” at the agency. Pazdur was the fourth person to lead CDER in 2025.
- Additional recent departures include Andrew LeBoeuf, Associate Center Director for Regulatory Strategy, and Dr. Juli Tomaino, Deputy Director of the Division of Gastroenterology.
- Separately, Dr. Vinay Prasad, Director of the FDA’s Center of Biological Evaluation and Research (CBER) is also set to leave the agency in April. As the agency’s top vaccine regulator, Prasad’s tenure has been marked by significant controversy.
- At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), officials are working to identify a new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ahead of a statutory deadline.
- To allow Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to continue serving as Acting Director, the administration must nominate a permanent director by Thursday (Mar. 26). Under federal law, acting officials may generally serve for up to 210 days, but an acting official may continue serving while a nomination is pending in the Senate.
- HHS Chief Counselor Chris Klomp indicated his optimism for the appointment of a new agency head. Reportedly under consideration are former Kentucky Governor Dr. Ernie Fletcher, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney, and Johns Hopkins cardiologist Dr. Joseph Marine.
- Bhattacharya—who also serves as the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—testified before Congress as part of last week’s House Appropriations Oversight Hearing (Mar. 17).
- While the hearing largely focused on NIH’s nearly $50 billion budget and research priorities, Bhattacharya addressed CDC leadership, stating he is “committed to making sure that whoever the next director is has a CDC that’s working.”
- When questioned on vaccine policy, he affirmed that “routine childhood vaccinations are tremendously important for childhood health,” and claimed that declining immunization rates reflect a decrease in trust in public health.
- The developments highlight ongoing leadership instability across federal health agencies as the administration works to fill key roles.
ACIP Vice Chair Malone Resigns as HHS Faces Legal Setback and Considers Next Steps
- The federal government is weighing next steps following last week’s preliminary ruling in favor of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and co-plaintiffs in their lawsuit against HHS over vaccine policy changes.
- Judge Brian Murphy granted plaintiffs a preliminary injunction, pausing several HHS actions while litigation proceeds, after finding plaintiffs were likely to succeed in arguing that actions taken under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. violated federal law.
- The ruling effectively blocks the appointment of new members to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) following Kennedy’s dismissal of all 17 previous members in June 2025, nullifies all votes taken by ACIP since its reconstitution, and restores the CDC’s previous childhood immunization schedule—covering 17 diseases—reversing the reduced schedule that addressed 11.
- HHS is reportedly considering whether to appeal the ruling or pursue alternative approaches to restructuring ACIP. Kennedy has also suggested that disbanding the committee entirely remains under consideration, though no decision has been made.
- On Thursday (Mar. 19), ACIP Vice Chair Dr. Robert Malone initially claimed the administration planned to dissolve and recreate the committee, citing communication from Bhattacharya via ACIP Chair Dr. Kirk Milhoan. He later walked back the statement, calling it a “miscommunication.”
- On Tuesday (Mar. 24) Malone resigned from ACIP.
- If an appeal is unsuccessful, the plaintiffs’ attorney Richard Hughes said the administration could seek emergency review from the Supreme Court.
- On Thursday (Mar. 19), ACIP Vice Chair Dr. Robert Malone initially claimed the administration planned to dissolve and recreate the committee, citing communication from Bhattacharya via ACIP Chair Dr. Kirk Milhoan. He later walked back the statement, calling it a “miscommunication.”
- The ruling has drawn support from public health groups and medical organizations, while MAHA allies have criticized the decision. Senator Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) reportedly said he’d like to see the previous panel restored, before it was overhauled by Kennedy.
- The broader policy changes—and ongoing legal uncertainty—have created confusion for states, healthcare providers, and patients.
- Americans have lost confidence in the federal government’s childhood immunization guidance, with trust declining from 71% in June 2025 to 60% in March 2026. Significantly more poll respondents trust the AAP than the CDC (35%), compared to just 8% expressing more trust in the CDC.
- Many healthcare providers are opting to follow AAP’s recommended childhood immunization schedule, which has been endorsed by 12 major medical organizations.
- States are also diverging from federal guidance—29 states and Washington, D.C., have rejected all or some changes to the CDC’s childhood schedule as of mid-March (see map below).
Pink states will not rely on federal guidance for any vaccines: CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OR, PA, RI, VA, VT, WA, WI
Striped states will not rely on federal guidance for only Covid and/or hepatitis B vaccines: AK, AZ, MS
STATE POLICY SPOTLIGHT
Colorado, Connecticut Move Legislation to Preserve Evidence-Based Vaccine Access
- In Colorado, House lawmakers approved a bill (SB 32) that would allow the state to rely on childhood immunization recommendations from professional medical organizations—including the AAP, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American College of Physicians (ACP), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)—when setting vaccine policy.
- Connecticut bills (HB 5044 and SB 450) related to evidence-based immunization recommendations and preserving access to vaccines were approved by a key committee. The bills will next be voted on by the full legislature.
Vaccine Requirement Bills Stall in Idaho and Iowa, Remain Under Consideration in Ohio
- In Idaho, a bill (HB 808) aimed at eliminating childhood immunization requirements and moving the state’s immunization registry to an opt-in system was rejected by a House committee.
- A similar bill (HF 2171) in Iowa that would make school immunization requirements for elementary and middle school children optional failed to advance this session.
- Support for the bill centered around medical freedom and reducing vaccine injury. Those opposed raised concerns about public health impacts and disease severity.
- An Ohio bill (HB 561) to eliminate hepatitis B immunization requirements for some children and allow unvaccinated students to continue attending public schools during disease outbreaks remains under discussion in the House.
OUTBREAK OUTLOOK
Measles Spreads Across Multiple States; Prior Outbreak Response Offers Lessons
- The U.S. has reported 1,567 measles cases in 2026 as of March 20, surpassing two-thirds (70%) of the total cases reported in 2025.
- For the first time since its outbreak began last October, South Carolina reported zero new cases from March 17-24. Total outbreak cases remain at 997.
- Measles activity remains elevated across several states:
- Florida has reported 140 cases as of March 14. Amid rising cases, Governor Ron DeSantis continues to push legislation to reduce vaccine requirements.
- Michigan health officials declared a measles outbreak after identifying three confirmed cases and one suspected case of the disease.
- Texas has reported 147 measles cases in 2026—108 of which occurred at the West Texas Detention facility.
- Utah has reported 289 cases in 2026. Local health departments have implemented containment measures such as public messaging and vaccination clinics, though reporting indicates more limited statewide coordination compared to other states, including South Carolina, which organized vaccine clinics, brought in experts, and held weekly public briefings.
- Cases have been confirmed in 32 jurisdictions this year, including states with high counts such as Arizona (60), Colorado (12), New Mexico (13), and Washington (28).
- A recent CDC report examining New Mexico’s 2025 measles outbreak found that a coordinated response—including expanded vaccine access and targeted public communication—coincided with a 55% increase in vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).
- The CDC notes that New Mexico’s strategy could serve as a model for other states experiencing measles outbreaks, especially those with large rural areas.
CDC Records 14 More Pediatric Flu Deaths; Research Underscores Severity of Covid Infection and Safety of Vaccination
- Influenza (flu) activity remains elevated but continues to decline, with 10 states reporting high activity, down from 16 with high or very high activity the previous week.
- 14 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 115.
- States reporting pediatric flu deaths include Massachusetts (the state’s ninth this season) and Virginia (the state’s second this season).
- A teenager in Texas lost three limbs after complications from flu and strep.
- 14 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 115.
- More broadly, national respiratory illness activity is low and trending downward.
- Covid activity is decreasing and hospitalizations continue to decline.
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is elevated but has peaked in many regions of the country.
- Recent research provides additional insight into Covid-related outcomes and vaccination:
- One study estimates that approximately 150,000 more people died from Covid in 2020–2021 than reflected in official U.S. records, bringing the total to nearly one million deaths in the first two years of the pandemic.
- Separate research found no increased risk of sudden death among healthy individuals ages 12 to 50 following one, two, or three doses of Covid vaccines.
- The study’s nearly 6.4 million healthy adolescents and young adults vaccinated against Covid were 43% less likely to experience sudden death than non-vaccinated people.
REALITY CHECK
These fact checks respond to several recent claims made by different groups and individuals.
CLAIM: Vaccines only protect against the individual diseases they target and have little impact on overall health beyond those specific infections.
- REALITY: In addition to preventing and reducing the severity of specific infections, vaccines also provide significant, broader health benefits, including reducing the risk of serious health complications, chronic conditions, and even some cancers.
- Some vaccines prevent cancers directly.
- HPV vaccination has led to sharp declines in infections, precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer, with one study showing cervical cancer deaths among women under 25 falling by more than 60% in recent years.
- The hepatitis B vaccine prevents chronic infection that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer later in life. When the vaccine series is started at birth and the course is completed, vaccination is shown to reduce the risk of liver cancer by 84% and death from liver disease by 70%.
- Other vaccines appear to reduce the risk of serious health events that go beyond the infection itself.
- In adults with heart disease, shingles vaccination has been found to be associated with 46% lower risk of major cardiac events and a 66% lower risk of death from any cause within one year.
- Flu vaccination has also been linked to lower risks of heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure, particularly in older adults.
- Additionally, large population studies have found that Covid vaccination is associated with reduced rates of heart attacks and stroke.
- There is also growing evidence that certain vaccines can help protect cognitive health as people age.
- Shingles vaccination was associated with a 20% lower risk of dementia in a large study of older adults.
- Similarly, a meta-analysis of more than 100 million people found vaccination against shingles, flu, and pneumococcal disease was consistently linked to lower dementia risk.
- Vaccines also provide broader population-level and long-term benefits.
- After pediatric pneumococcal vaccination was introduced, cases in children dropped by 91% between 1997 and 2019—accompanied by parallel declines in older adults due to reduced transmission.
- HPV vaccination reduces infections in unvaccinated men, and according to one study,led to a 38% drop in oral HPV infections in the U.S between 2009-2010 and 2015-2016.
- Preventing chickenpox in childhood reduces the risk of developing shingles later in life. Preventing severe infections from diseases like flu, Covid, and RSV, vaccines can also reduce the risk of long-term complications like post-viral conditions and worsening chronic conditions.
- In short, vaccination not only prevents infections—which alone saves lives and promotes healthier communities—but also delivers far-reaching benefits that support improved health and wellbeing across the lifespan.
WHAT TO WATCH
Sanders Urges Hearing on RFK Jr. Vaccine Claims
- Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is urging Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)—chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee—to hold a hearing with “leading scientists, physicians, and public health experts” to reaffirm that vaccines do not cause autism.
- Sanders raised concerns about statements from HHS Secretary Kennedy, criticizing him for promoting debunked claims linking vaccines to autism and replacing a federal vaccine advisory panel with members who share his views.
- Cassidy had invited Kennedy to testify before the HELP Committee in September for an oversight hearing, but six months later it has not occurred.
Anti-Vaccine Group Threatens HHS with Lawsuit
- On behalf of the Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN), attorney Aaron Siri sent a letter demanding HHS update the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) Vaccine Injury Table to include more than 300 additional injuries he claims are associated with vaccines.
- Siri is a vaccine injury lawyer and close ally of Kennedy, and ICAN is an influential anti-vaccine organization that funds efforts to repeal vaccine requirements and related efforts. As of late 2025, the organization was funding 90 lawsuits focused on “medical freedom.”
- The Vaccine Injury Table identifies specific injuries and conditions presumed to be caused by covered vaccines if they occur within a defined timeframe, which streamlines access to compensation.
- Expanding the table would increase the number of claims automatically presumed eligible for compensation.
- Injuries not listed on the table may still qualify, but require additional evidence, such as medical records or expert testimony, to establish causation.
- Siri suggested Kennedy may already support the changes but is facing resistance from the White House. He warns that if changes are not made within 60 days, the group plans to file a federal lawsuit.
Pfizer’s Lyme Vaccine Heads Toward FDA Review
- Pfizer is expected to seek FDA approval for its Lyme disease vaccine—a move that could determine whether the U.S. sees its first human Lyme vaccine in decades.
- In topline Phase 3 trial results released this week (Mar. 23), the vaccine showed more than 70% efficacy and no major safety concerns were identified. However, it did not meet its primary statistical endpoint, raising questions about how regulators will weigh strong clinical results against strict trial criteria.
- In short, the trial demonstrated that the vaccine is effective and safe, but too few cases occurred in the trial to meet a key statistical threshold, leaving regulators to decide whether the overall evidence is strong enough for approval.
- With no approved Lyme vaccine currently available and cases rising in the U.S., the FDA’s review will be an early test of how the agency approaches vaccine approval amid heightened scrutiny and evolving policy debates taking place under current leadership.
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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