The Vaccine Intelligence Report: March 4-10

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

  • Dr. Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, will leave the agency in April following a year marked by agency turbulence and controversial regulatory decisions
  • A federal judge is weighing a preliminary injunction against HHS in AAP’s lawsuit, which would halt implementation of the new CDC childhood immunization schedule and the upcoming ACIP meeting
  • States have continued to advance vaccine legislation, with Florida and South Carolina advancing bills to lessen immunization requirements, while Minnesota, New York, and Nevada are advancing measures to reduce their reliance on federal vaccine guidance
  • South Carolina’s measles outbreak has slowed, but spread continues across the country, with the U.S. reporting over 1,300 cases in 2026 compared to 285 in 2024
  • While respiratory virus activity is declining in most of the U.S., mumps activity is increasing several states, likely due to a decline in childhood MMR vaccination
  • The CDC issued a travel advisory for over 30 countries for polio, recommending vaccination to protect against the highly infectious disease

NEED TO KNOW

Top FDA Vaccine Regulator, Vinay Prasad, to Depart Following Controversial Tenure

  • On Friday (Mar. 6) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its top vaccine regulator, Dr. Vinay Prasad, will be leaving the agency at the end of April after a turbulent year overseeing the regulation of vaccines, gene therapies, and blood products as Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER).
    • This marks the second time Prasad has departed the role in less than a year. He first exited in July 2025 amid backlash over the FDA’s handling of a Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, before returning weeks later with the backing of FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.
  • Prasad’s tenure at CBER was marked by a series of controversial regulatory decisions, internal tensions within the agency, and criticism from patient advocates, industry groups, and former FDA officials.
    • During his time leading CBER, Prasad rejected or delayed several therapies for rare diseases and clashed with drugmakers over clinical trial requirements. Internally, some FDA staff raised concerns that his management style had created a climate of mistrust and disruption within the agency.
  • Prasad’s tenure also included several high-profile disputes related to vaccines and vaccine policy.
    • Under Prasad’s leadership, the FDA changed the product label for updated Covid vaccines, narrowing its label indication to adults 65 and older and people at higher risk of severe illness. This shift was made despite experts warning that this change lacked a clear evidence basis, would create confusion, and could limit access.
    • In November 2025, Prasad circulated an internal memo—released by the FDA following announcement of his departure—claiming FDA reviewers had identified at least 10 child deaths caused by Covid vaccines. However, the memo did not provide any supporting evidence, and the agency has not taken regulatory action despite the severity of the claim.
    • Last month, the FDA initially refused to review Moderna’s application for its messenger RNA (mRNA)-based influenza (flu) vaccine, citing issues with the trial design—an unusual move that drew criticism after Moderna said the trial approach had been previously cleared with regulators. The agency reversed course a week later and accepted the application for review.
  • Makary said the agency will name a successor before Prasad’s departure next month, though a replacement has yet to be named at the time of publication of this newsletter.

Judge Weighs Temporary Reversal of Vaccine Policy Changes in AAP Lawsuit Against HHS

  • A preliminary ruling is expected this week on a lawsuit brought by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other major medical organizations against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding changes to federal vaccine policy.
    • If the court grants the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction, it will halt implementation of recent changes to the childhood immunization schedule—temporarily restoring the previous schedule—and the planned March meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) while the litigation proceeds.
  • During last week’s hearing (Mar. 4), the plaintiffs argued that the defendants violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) by failing to adequately justify a series of vaccine policy shifts, including the overhaul of ACIP membership; changes to hepatitis B, Covid, and thimerosal recommendations; revisions to the childhood immunization schedule; and the removal of the routine Covid vaccine recommendation for healthy children and pregnant women.
    • The government defendants argued that Kennedy and other health officials have broad discretion to remake vaccine guidance and may choose the evidence they consider and experts they consult in doing so.
  • The ruling would also have implications for the recent lawsuit brought by 15 states against the administration, which similarly challenges the January changes to the childhood immunization schedule and overhaul of ACIP.

At MAHA Institute Event, Anti-Vaccine Activists Call for Elimination of Vaccination Frameworks

  • Anti-vaccine activists convened in Washington, D.C. on Monday (Mar. 9) for a conference to discuss the “massive epidemic of vaccine injury.”
  • The event—organized by the MAHA Institute, a think tank aligned with HHS Secretary Kennedy and his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) platform—featured speakers from a range of anti-vaccine organizations including Children’s Health Defense Fund and the Informed Consent Action Network.
  • Of note, speakers called for the elimination of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule and for the removal of all vaccines from the market until they “can be proven to be safe and effective.”
  • Presenters also promoted unfounded claims that contradict decades of scientific evidence, including assertions that vaccines cause autism and chronic illness, and that they are far more dangerous than the diseases they prevent.
    • Mark Gorton, President of the MAHA Institute, presented slides outlining claims that vaccines cause a host of conditions ranging from allergies to Alzheimer’s—none of which are supported by credible scientific evidence.
  • Activists also expressed their support for legislation aimed at weakening manufacturer liability protections, which were established in the 1980s to stabilize the vaccine market and ensure continued vaccine availability, while providing compensation for those with injury claims through a federal program. Speakers specifically advocated for Rep. Paul Gosar’s (R-AZ) End the Vaccine Carveout Act, and its Senate companion led by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
  • The proposals discussed at the MAHA Institute event represent a significant escalation in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the current U.S. vaccination framework, which relies on evidence-based immunization schedules and high vaccination coverage to protect Americans from highly contagious and often dangerous preventable diseases.

STATE POLICY SPOTLIGHT

State Vaccine Policy Debates Continue in South Carolina and Florida

  • In South Carolina, state senators voted to advance a bill (S 741) that would prohibit immunization requirements for children under 2 years old.
    • It’s important to note, while the CDC and medical organizations such as AAP recommend routine childhood immunizations, parents may opt out. Schools and daycares have immunization requirements, but all states allow exemptions.
  • State senators also voted against a bill (S 897) that would have removed religious exemptions for measles vaccination for public schools (while maintaining medical exemptions).
  • The votes come as South Carolina faces the worst measles outbreak in the U.S. since 2000. Nearly 1,000 cases have been reported, the vast majority occurring among unvaccinated people (93%) and children under 18 years old (90%).
    • Religious exemptions from school immunization requirements in the state have increased in recent years, more than doubling in Spartanburg County since the 2021–2022 school year.
    • The measles outbreak, which totals 993 cases as of March 10, has been largely concentrated in Spartanburg.
  • In Florida, the Senate passed SB 1756, which would create a “conscience exemption” from school and daycare immunization requirements and require parents receive specific materials before a vaccine is administered to their child.
    • However, House Speaker Daniel Perez confirmed the House will not take up the bill before the regular legislative session ends on March 13.
  • Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo and Governor Ron DeSantis have advocated for removing all immunization requirements. In September 2025, they announced plans to end all such requirements in the state, though legislative support is needed.
    • The Surgeon General and state Department of Health already hold the power to eliminate requirements for several vaccines—including hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and pneumococcal conjugate—and have taken steps to do so, though a final rule has not yet been announced.

Minnesota, New York, Nevada Push Back on Changes to Federal Vaccine Guidance

  • Minnesota senators have proposed the creation of a state Vaccine Council as an alternative to ACIP. The council would consist of 16 medical experts and provide evidence-based immunization recommendations for the state.
    • The senators leading the initiative have expressed concern over changes to federal vaccine guidance. They highlight the importance of continued access to reliable scientific information.
  • In New York, state senators passed a legislative package to protect vaccine access. One key bill would enable the state to follow immunization guidance from entities other than ACIP, such as the state, Northeast Public Health Collaborative, and AAP.
    • Other pieces of legislation included in the package focus on ensuring vaccine coverage and reimbursement and expanding providers’ ability to administer vaccines.
  • The Nevada State Board of Health unanimously voted to reject the new CDC recommended childhood immunization schedule and instead maintain existing guidance. Per Nevada leadership, “We’re not removing individuals’ ability to make singular decisions, but we’re keeping our public health system aligned with the current evidence.”

OUTBREAK OUTLOOK

South Carolina Measles Outbreak Slows Dramatically, Respiratory Illness Activity Declines

  • The U.S. has reported 1,305 measles cases so far in 2026 as of March 6.
    • South Carolina’s upstate outbreak has dramatically slowed—the state added just 3 cases (Mar. 3—Mar. 10), bringing total case numbers to 993 since last October.
      • Officials reported that there were over 17,300 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine administered in February—a 70% increase from February 2025.
    • California has recorded 26 measles cases in 2026. Health officials warn that over 100 children may have been exposed to the virus at an event in Sacramento County last week.
    • Hawaii issued a measles exposure warning after a traveler from the continental U.S. tested positive.
    • Utah has recorded 209 measles cases in 2026, overwhelming clinics across the state. Officials report a high prevalence of severe cases, with over 120 people seeking emergency care since the outbreak began last year.
    • Additional 2026 cases have been confirmed in Arizona (57), Colorado (8), Florida (124), New Mexico (6), and North Dakota (24).
  • Influenza activity remains elevated but continues to decline, with 18 states reporting high or very high activity, down from 25 the previous week.
    • 11 pediatric flu deaths were reported in the past week, increasing this season’s total to 90. Recent pediatric flu-related deaths were reported in several states including Massachusetts (the state’s eighth this season), New Jersey (the state’s third this season), and Ohio.
    • Overall, national respiratory illness activity is low as of March 6, marking a decrease from the week prior. Covid activity is decreasing and hospitalizations continue to fall, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remains elevated and is increasing in some regions.

Mumps on the Rise in Several States as MMR Vaccination Rates Decline

  • In addition to measles, mumps activity is increasing in states across the country. CDC data shows that as of February 27, 34 cases have been documented across 11 states.
    • Maryland has reported 26 of these cases, including 7 probable cases. Recent cases have also been reported in California and Missouri.
  • The U.S. has reported fewer than 500 mumps cases annually since 2021, but cases spiked to more than 6,000 in 2006, 2016, and 2017.
    • Mumps is largely preventable with the MMR vaccine, but officials warn that declining MMR vaccination rates, which have contributed to recent measles outbreaks, also make mumps outbreaks more likely.

CDC Issues Polio Advisory for International Travel

  • On March 3, the CDC issued a level 2 travel advisory for over 30 countries where poliovirus has been detected in the past 13 months.
    • The CDC recommends that children and adults be up to date on their routine polio vaccines before any international travel. Adults who previously completed the full vaccine series may also receive a single lifetime booster dose if they are traveling to a destination where poliovirus is circulating.
  • Polio is a highly infectious and potentially deadly disease that can cause paralysis and permanent disability. About 1-5 out of 100 people who are infected with polio will develop meningitis (an infection of the spinal cord or brain).
    • Before polio vaccines were available in the U.S., polio caused over 15,000 cases of paralysis each year. There is no cure for paralytic polio and no specific treatment.

New Studies Highlight Ongoing Risks from Covid and RSV

  • Recent CDC data shows that RSV was associated with 10,000–23,000 deaths and 190,000–350,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. from July 2024 through June 2025. During the same time period, Covid was associated with 34,000–53,000 deaths and 290,000–450,000 hospitalizations.
  • A new study of over 939,000 Covid patients found infection was associated with increased risk of several severe kidney conditions, including kidney failure, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease. The study found no similar association with influenza infection.
  • Another study found that children under two years of age hospitalized for Covid are more likely to die or become seriously ill than babies with RSV.
    • Among infants admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), 39% of Covid patients required mechanical ventilation compared with 16% of RSV patients, and mortality was 2.9% for Covid versus 0.4% for RSV.
  • These findings underscore the continued health burden of respiratory viruses and may inform ongoing discussions about vaccination, prevention strategies, and preparedness for seasonal respiratory illness.

REALITY CHECK

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

CLAIM: We do not have sufficient evidence that routine childhood vaccines are safe, and they should be removed from the market until their safety can be proven.

  • REALITY: Routine childhood vaccines are among the most extensively studied and continuously monitored medical products in use today.
    • Because vaccines are recommended for healthy populations, the safety standards are particularly stringent, and in many cases vaccines are evaluated in clinical trials involving thousands of participants and then monitored in post-authorization studies involving millions more.
  • Before a vaccine is authorized for use in the U.S. it must undergo rigorous clinical trials evaluating its safety, efficacy and quality, followed by multiple layers of independent scientific review by the FDA and ACIP.
  • Further, vaccine safety evaluation does not end after approval. Once a vaccine is in use, federal health agencies operate large safety monitoring systems—including the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), the Vaccine Safety Data Link, the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment (CISA) network, and others—to detect any rare adverse events and investigate potential safety signals in real time.
    • These systems analyze data from millions of vaccinated individuals and have been used to identify extremely rare risks associated with vaccines—such as certain types of allergic reactions or other rare side effects—while repeatedly confirming that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks.
  • The childhood immunization schedule has been developed over decades through a transparent scientific review process led by independent medical and public health experts who evaluate the latest evidence on disease burden, vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation considerations before making any final recommendations.
  • Extensive evidence from decades of research and real-world use shows that the benefits of childhood vaccines are far greater than any potential risks or side effects. According to comprehensive analyses carried out by the CDC, vaccines given to children born between 1994 and 2023 will prevent 508 million illnesses, 32 million hospitalizations, and over one million deaths over the course of their lifetimes.
  • Vaccines remain the most effective tool we have for preventing severe illness from dangerous infectious diseases like measles, polio, pertussis (whooping cough), and more. Removing vaccines from the market or dismantling the childhood immunization schedule would undermine decades of public health progress and leave children and families vulnerable to the return of potentially deadly diseases that vaccination has kept largely under control.

CLAIM: Mumps isn’t a big deal—even if it spreads, it’s usually mild and nothing to worry about.

  • REALITY: Rising mumps cases are a public health concern because the disease is highly contagious and can spread quickly in schools and other close-contact settings, with the potential for severe health outcomes.
  • Mumps is a contagious viral disease that spreads through respiratory droplets and saliva, transmitted via coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing drinks and utensils with an infected person.
    • People with mumps can spread the virus before symptoms appear and for several days after swelling begins, making outbreaks harder to contain in close-contact settings like schools, dorms, and sports teams.
  • Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and painful swelling of the salivary glands near the jaw.
    • Although cases are often mild, mumps can cause serious complications, including meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), pancreatitis, inflammation of the testicles or ovaries, and permanent hearing loss.
  • Vaccination against mumps (e.g., MMR, MMRV) remains the best method to prevent mumps and reduce severity. Maintaining high coverage helps limit the size, duration, and spread of outbreaks.
    • The mumps vaccine has dramatically reduced the U.S. disease burden—decreasing cases by over 99% since its approval in 1967.
    • Mumps was historically a major cause of viral meningitis and hearing loss in children in the United States before vaccines were introduced.
  • Declining vaccination rates in the U.S. increase the risk of outbreaks—and the rise in mumps cases signals a gap in community protection and the potential return of other vaccine-preventable diseases.

WHAT TO WATCH

ACIP Drops Planned Covid Vaccine Vote, Questions Remain About Next Week’s Meeting

  • Ahead of the upcoming ACIP meeting (Mar. 18-19), members of the committee had reportedly been discussing whether to revisit—and potentially withdraw—the federal recommendation for Covid mRNA vaccines. According to sources close to the matter, that effort is no longer moving forward.
    • The development adds to confusion surrounding the upcoming meeting. The Federal Register notice for the meeting, posted last month (Feb. 26), indicated that ACIP planned to discuss Covid vaccine injuries and Long Covid, but it did not explicitly state whether the committee would vote on maintaining or withdrawing the existing immunization recommendations.
  • ACIP recommendations have major implications for vaccine policy and coverage across the U.S.—public health experts have raised concerns in recent months that the panel’s discussions and recommendations have taken place without sound scientific evidence and rationale.
  • The meeting agenda remains unclear, and there are still many outstanding questions about what specific issues the committee will ultimately take up next week.

FDA Vaccine Advisory Panel to Meet Mar. 12 to Recommend Strains for 2026-27 Flu Vaccines

  • The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Mar. 12) to review global surveillance data and make recommendations on which flu strains should be included in vaccines for the 2026-27 flu season.
    • Because flu viruses evolve frequently, vaccines need to be updated annually to best match the strains predicted to circulate. Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends flu strains for Northern Hemisphere vaccines, and VRBPAC reviews data to advise the FDA on strains to be used in U.S. vaccines–decisions that must be made months in advance, so manufacturers have time to produce vaccines ahead of the next respiratory season.
  • Notably, this year’s meeting is expected to mark a return to the formal, public VRBPAC strain selection process. Last year’s VRBPAC meeting was cancelled, and instead recommendations were made following a closed door meeting of officials from the FDA, CDC, and Department of Defense without the input from outside experts who have historically been involved in the process.

Surgeon General Nominee’s Vaccine Views Draw Attention as HELP Vote Pending

  • Casey Means, President Trump’s nominee for Surgeon General, continues to face questions about her views on vaccines as senators on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee weigh whether to advance her nomination, following her hearing last month (Feb. 25).
  • During the hearing, Means stated that vaccines save lives but did not clearly indicate whether she would actively promote vaccination as Surgeon General, prompting discussion among both vaccine advocates and skeptics.
  • While a committee vote has not yet been scheduled, her path forward may hinge on securing unanimous support from Republicans on the Senate HELP Committee, and it has been reported that some GOP senators remain undecided.

CDC Nomination Deadline Approaches Amid Leadership Turnover

  • The administration faces a looming deadline (Mar. 25) to nominate a permanent CDC director following recent leadership turnover at the agency. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, an acting director may serve for 210 days unless a nominee is submitted to the Senate.
  • NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya has been serving as Acting CDC Director since the mid-February departure of Acting Director Jim O’Neill earlier that month.
    • The role of CDC Director was previously held by Dr. Susan Monarez, who was confirmed by the Senate in late July 2025. She held the role for just one month before she was ousted by Kennedy.
  • Additional leadership changes have contributed to instability at the agency. Former CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Ralph Abraham left in February after less than two months in the role, marking turnover in both leadership positions within the same month.
  • The leadership changes come amid broader challenges at the agency, including significant workforce reductions over the past year.

VIP Launches Review of Tdap Vaccination in Pregnancy

  • The Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP) announced it will independently review the safety and effectiveness of the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine in pregnancy, with findings expected this spring.
    • Launched by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), VIP aims to support evidence-based immunization policy that optimizes protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.
  • The assessment is intended to support clinicians and medical professional societies in developing vaccine recommendations and to help expectant parents make informed vaccination decisions.
    • The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends all pregnant women receive a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. Experts underscore the value of the vaccine, which helps prevent potentially deadly infections.
  • The review comes amid growing attention to maternal immunization strategies aimed at protecting newborns from infectious diseases during the first months of life.

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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