Special Communication: JAMA Network reported:

RSV Immunization Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season

Abstract

Importance  Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infection and a contributor to morbidity and mortality.

Objective  To synthesize evidence from recent randomized clinical trials and observational studies reporting on the effectiveness and safety of RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies and the epidemiology of RSV in the US.

Evidence Review  Databases including MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Scopus were searched from August 1, 2025, through June 29, 2026, for studies evaluating the safety and effectiveness of US-licensed RSV vaccines or RSV monoclonal antibody products or describing RSV epidemiology. Data were extracted for older adults (≥60 years), adults, immunocompromised persons, infants, children, and individuals vaccinated during pregnancy. Reviewers assessed risk of bias (RoB) using Cochrane tools for randomized and observational studies.

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You may be interested in 2nd Maternal & Child Health Symposium

Sept. 28, 2026. More details and to register here> 

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Chicago Health reported: For the first time, an mRNA cancer vaccine has succeeded in a late-stage clinical trial, a significant advance that could reshape how cancer is treated. On Aug. 19, 2026, Moderna and Merck announced that their personalized vaccine, intismeran autogene, succeeded in reducing the recurrence of the skin cancer melanoma when combined with the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. While these results could open the door to a wave of cancer vaccines, misinformation about mRNA technology circulating since the COVID-19 pandemic could undermine its momentum before it reaches patients.

The progress toward vaccines to treat cancer has been building for years. Since the early 2000s, there have been over 120 promising clinical trials testing the use of mRNA vaccines to treat multiple cancer types, such as melanoma, brain, breast, lung and prostate cancer.

At the same time, misinformation about so-called turbo cancer began spreading widely on social media, with mainstream media outlets first reporting on it in late 2022. Turbo cancer refers to the false claim that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines cause unusually aggressive cancers.

As a researcher in health communication who monitors cancer-related conversations online, I have seen how quickly new misinformation can spread and the impact it can have on people’s health decisions. In the case of mRNA cancer vaccines, this false narrative could undermine public confidence in an important tool that may help prevent or treat cancer in the future. 

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Illinois Policy Institute reported: Illinois food stamp enrollment fell in July to its lowest level in at least 13 years, a drop driven by new federal work requirements.

About 1.5 million Illinois residents received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in July, down more than 23% from July 2025 and the lowest monthly total in state data going back to 2013.

Enrollment has declined in each of the past eight months, but the steepest drops came after benefits ended May 1 for residents who did not take steps to meet the new federal eligibility requirements, which apply generally to able-bodied adults without dependents.

Since April, the last month before those rules took hold, the state has shed about 173,000 SNAP recipients, a 10.5% drop in three months.

Illinois is using state tax dollars to temporarily offset some of the benefit losses.

The state’s new Families Receiving Emergency Support for Hunger program (FRESH), provides a one-time $400 payment to eligible Illinoisans whose SNAP benefits were terminated or reduced because they failed to meet the new work requirements. Lawmakers set aside $70 million for the program, it does not restore recipients to SNAP. Payments began Aug. 1.

The number of Illinois households receiving SNAP also has fallen sharply. About 810,800 households in the state received benefits in July, down 23.5% from July 2025.

Even so, about 1-in-9 Illinois residents still receive food assistance.

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Reported from the HRSA- Maternal & Child Health: As many of you are aware, recent national news coverage of postpartum mental health has been difficult for many pregnant women, mothers, and families experiencing stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.  

This underscores both the need for compassionate, accessible resources and the important role maternal and child health programs play in helping mothers and families know where to turn.  

We are asking for your help in reminding your clients and partners that the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Individuals can call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) or webchat to connect with a trained counselor who will listen, provide support, and connect them with resources. 

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MEDPAGE TODAY reports: By this time of year, both the FDA and CDC normally have weighed in on fall respiratory virus vaccine recommendations. But given ongoing controversies over vaccination spurred by the Trump administration, a wrench has once again been thrown into the gears of that process.

The FDA made recommendations about vaccine composition for influenza vaccines in March, followed by recommendations for COVID shots in May. It also recently approved two COVID shots. But the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) hasn't done its part as it hasn't held its March or June meetings this year.

Typically, after the FDA approves vaccines, ACIP "then meets and makes recommendations about how to use those vaccines," David Freedman, MD, professor emeritus of infectious diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), told Medpage Today.

That includes weighing which products are best for various age groups, and whether additional vaccine doses are needed for immunocompromised individuals, among other considerations, Freedman noted. "That was not done this year," he said.

But clinicians shouldn't worry, because medical groups have stepped in to fill the gaps. The IDSA, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) have issued guidance on fall respiratory virus shots and more, as the Trump administration has also tried to make significant changes to the pediatric immunization schedule.

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MEDPAGE TODAY reported: The FDA expanded the approval of dolutegravir tablets for oral suspension (Tivicay PD) to include newborns with HIV infections younger than 4 weeks of age, the agency announced on Tuesday.

In combination with other antiretroviral therapies (ARTs), the once-daily treatment is indicated for babies weighing at least 2 kg (~4.4 lbs) who are naive to an integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI).

The approval was supported by the phase I IMPAACT 2023 study and pharmacokinetic modeling data. The open-label trial included 48 newborns who received dolutegravir in addition to standard ART for up to 6 weeks. With 16 weeks of follow-up, data showed that dolutegravir levels among the babies were similar to levels linked to efficacy in adults, along with a safety profile consistent with treatment in older patients.

"For too long, newborns living with HIV have had too few treatment options designed and studied to meet their unique needs, despite the importance of starting treatment as early as possible," said investigator Diana Clarke, PharmD, of Boston University School of Medicine, in a press release from manufacturer ViiV Healthcare.

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MEDPAGE TODAY reported: Pennsylvania confirmed two measles-associated deaths, the state's first in 35 years and the first for the U.S. in a record-breaking 2026.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said both occurred in unvaccinated individuals in Lancaster County, but did not specify the individuals' age or other additional details, citing privacy.

"Because measles was largely eliminated in the Commonwealth for more than three decades, people are not familiar with this disease and don't fully understand the potential severity of the illness," said Debra Bogen, MD, the state's secretary of health, in a statement. "As a physician, I want to make sure that people understand that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and provides the best protection we have against measles."

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This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 2026-08-24 and available online at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-17250, and on https://govinfo.gov

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary [Docket No. HHS–OS–2026–0332] RIN: 0991-ZA62 Request for Information: Categories Used in Federal Vaccine Recommendations and the Role of Shared Clinical Decision-Making AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice; request for information. SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS or the Department), in support of the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines and in furtherance of the Executive Order of August 10, 2026, “Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans,” seeks public comment on whether the categories currently used in Federal vaccine recommendations are adequate.

Those categories are routine (universal) recommendations, riskbased recommendations, and recommendations based on shared clinical decision-making, also referred to as individual-based decision-making. The Department seeks comment on these categories and whether additional or different categories should be adopted. The Department further seeks comment on the considerations that should be relied upon in setting vaccine recommendations, including the availability and strength of available scientific evidence, the appropriate approach when randomized controlled trial evidence is limited or absent, a presumption in favor of individual autonomy and religious freedom, the downstream legal and programmatic consequences of category assignment, and the communication practices necessary to earn and maintain public trust.

DATES: To be assured consideration, comments must be received at the address provided below no later than September 20, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments identified by Docket No. HHS–OS–2026–0332 by either of the following methods: (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.

Follow the instructions for submitting comments; or (2) Mail: Cyntha Goss, 200 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20201. All submissions received must include the agency name and docket number.

Comments received will be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Goss, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (Health Policy), Performing the Delegable Duties of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, (202) 690-7858 or by email at: osaspeinfo@hhs.gov

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Health News Illinois reported: New HIV and AIDS diagnoses in Chicago last year fell to levels not seen in over 30 years, the city’s Department of Public Health said Thursday.

Chicago recorded 504 new HIV diagnoses and 236 new AIDS diagnoses last year, according to provisional data. If those numbers stand, it is a 38 percent drop in new HIV diagnoses and a 22 percent decline in new AIDS diagnoses compared to the previous year.

CDPH said the new HIV diagnoses are the lowest since the agency first began recording them in the early 1990s, and the lowest number of new AIDS diagnoses since the mid-1980s.

"This data, while provisional, is very heartening," CDPH Commissioner Dr. Garth Walker said in a statement. “It reflects the ongoing work CDPH does with our community and healthcare partners to get Chicagoans tested, connected to care, and engaged in HIV prevention. With health equity as our guiding star, the trends are promising.”

Black Chicagoans made up 46 percent of new HIV cases, while Hispanic Chicagoans made up 34 percent of new cases.

Thursday’s numbers show a continued downward trend in new cases post-pandemic. Since 2020, new HIV diagnoses have fallen 22 percent, and new AIDS diagnoses have dropped 12 percent.

Final 2025 data will be published in the agency’s surveillance report in December.

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MEDPAGE TODAY reported: CKM framework validated in a cohort of 20-somethings.   

The relatively new concept of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) staging got further validation for young adults, based on a study in an urban population.

Among FF-CHAYA study participants followed from birth, the cardiovascular health scores in their early 20s fell in line with CKM staging (P<0.001). Scores on Life's Essential 8 averaged 77.6 in stage 0 (no risk factors), 70.0 in stage 1 CKM (excess adiposity), 63.8 in stage 2 CKM (metabolic risk factors), and 64.4 in stage 3 CKM (subclinical cardiovascular disease or advanced kidney disease).

In addition, CKM stages corresponded to early markers of carotid arterial injury in young adulthood. CKM stages 1-3 were associated with significantly higher mean-maximum carotid intima-medial thicknesses compared with stage 0, for instance, 0.014 mm thicker for stage 1, 0.020 mm thicker for stage 2, and 0.100 mm thicker for stage 3, reported Donald Lloyd-Jones, MD, ScM, of Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and colleagues in Circulation: Population Health and Outcomes.

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