Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccine Panel Follows WHO's Advice, Adds Subclade K To Fall Flu Shots
CIDRAP: FDA Vaccine Advisers Recommend Adding Subclade K To Fall Shots
Although the United States officially left the World Health Organization (WHO) in January, US scientists have continued to collaborate with international researchers to track the evolution of influenza viruses. [On Thursday,] the Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously endorsed the WHO’s recommendation for viral strains to include in flu shots starting this fall. The final decision will be made by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Martin Makary, MD, MPH. (Szabo, 3/12)
MedPage Today: CDC Studies Suggest Slumping Flu Shot Protection
This season's influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) rates against outpatient visits and hospitalizations may be lower than last season's, pushed in part by a viral mismatch between the vaccine virus and circulating strains, according to an interim CDC analysis. Based on U.S. surveillance network data from September 2025 to February 2026, estimated VE rates against influenza A- and B-related outpatient visits for adults ranged from 22% to 34%, and 30% to 41% for those ages 65 and older specifically, while rates against hospitalizations reached 30% and 31%, respectively, reported Patrick Maloney, PhD, of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and colleagues. (Rudd, 3/12)
Stat: Are Vaccines A Political Winner? A Look At The MAGA, MAHA Divide
White House officials are steering the Trump administration away from vaccine reform, fearing the political consequences of emphasizing a relatively unpopular issue in a key election year. But the Make America Healthy Again movement, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a health secretary with a history of anti-vaccine activism — isn’t going along without a fight. (Payne and Cirruzzo, 3/13)
In related news about HHS Secretary RFK Jr. —
KFF Health News: 'What The Health? From KFF Health News': RFK Jr.’s Very Bad Week
It’s been a tough week for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In addition to Kennedy having surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, personnel issues continue to plague the department: The nominee to become surgeon general, an ally of Kennedy’s, may lack the votes for Senate confirmation. The controversial head of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine center will be resigning next month. And a new survey finds Americans have less trust in HHS leaders now than they did during the pandemic. (3/12)
On the spread of measles —
Wired: The South Carolina Measles Outbreak Is Slowing Down
A large measles outbreak in South Carolina is finally showing signs of slowing down as the total number of cases in the state nears 1,000. For several weeks now, the state has experienced a downward trend in new infections, with approximately 10 cases being reported per week. At its peak in mid-January, the state was reporting around 200 new cases a week. (Mullin, 3/11)
The Colorado Sun: Measles Outbreak In Colorado Now Up To As Many As 10 Cases
The measles outbreak tied to two schools in Broomfield is now up to as many as 10 cases, with two new confirmed infections and one suspected infection reported Thursday. (Ingold, 3/12)
KOIN: Oregon Health Authority Warns Of New Measles Exposure At Portland Area Grocery Store
Another measles case has been confirmed—this time at a popular grocery in Gresham. The Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County health officials are urging anyone who was at WinCo Foods at 2511 SE 1st St. in Gresham between 2 and 5 p.m. on March 7 to contact a healthcare provider, as they may have been exposed to the measles virus. (Rhoades, 3/12)
The Seattle Times: How One WA County Is Racing To Curb The Spread Of Measles
Three cases became six, then 10, then 12. Here's an inside look at what's been happening to track exposures, test residents and persuade people to quarantine. (Takahama, 3/11)
ABC News: A Teen Girl's Harrowing Journey With Measles Highlights How Serious The Virus Can Be For The Immunocompromised
Makayla Skjerva, a North Dakota 14-year-old, contracted measles after being exposed at school in February. Makayla, who is immunocompromised, fell seriously ill. (Kekatos, 3/13)
KFF Health News: Doctors Warn Of A Deadly Complication From Measles Outbreaks
The first sign came when Deepanwita Dasgupta was 5 and started stumbling more while playing at her home in Bangalore in southern India. The girl was always up to something, so her parents figured extra bumps and bruises were just symptoms of an active childhood. Maybe, they thought, it was ill-fitting shoes. Relatives described the unicorn-loving child as smart, affectionate, and occasionally rascally. Before she learned the alphabet, she had figured out how to find her favorite show, Blippi, on a phone. She was known to sneak butter from the fridge to enjoy a few finger licks. (Bichell, 3/13)
On whooping cough —
Wyoming Public Radio: Wyoming Health Officials Raise Concerns About High Rates Of Whooping Cough In 2026
There've been 26 confirmed cases of whooping cough so far this year, and roughly two-thirds of those have been in Fremont County. That’s according to the Wyoming Department of Health. Wyoming logged 148 cases last year, which was the highest count in over 70 years. The department said actual case numbers are likely higher because people might not recognize the symptoms or report their illness. (Habermann, 3/12)
