Vaccine News

Vaccine news brought to you by Precision Vaccinations.

Apr 12, 2025 • 3:15 pm CDT
by Aysegul Aytoren April 2025

Last summer, the Pan American Health Organization issued several epidemiological alerts about Oropouche cases, including deaths, in the Americas. Unfortunately, these outbreaks continue today.

To notify international travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its Travel Health Advisory for Oropouche fever outbreaks in several countries across the Region of the Americas.

A Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions advisory was reissued on April 9, 2025, for Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

Previously, a Level 2 advisory was issued for Oropouche in some regions of Brazil and Panama (Darién Province).

The CDC says Oropouche is a disease caused by the Oropouche virus and is spread primarily through the bites of infected biting midges and infected mosquitoes.

The CDC is working with other international partners to learn more about the potential risks of Oropouche during pregnancy. Additionally, healthcare providers should inform pregnant women considering travel to areas with reported Oropouche virus transmission of the possible risks to the fetus.

Furthermore, a recent publication described a patient with Oropouche who had the virus and viral RNA detected in bodily fluids, including semen. 

As of April 12, 2025, no Oropouche vaccine is available.

Apr 12, 2025 • 5:33 am CDT
Chikungunya in Reunion: March 2025

When the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Advisory regarding an outbreak of chikungunya in France's Réunion in February 2025, most public health experts did not expect an overwhelming epidemic.

As of April 12, 2025, Réunion Island has become the leading chikungunya outbreak in the world.

Since the beginning of 2025, 27,521 confirmed cases of this mosquito-transmitted disease have been reported.

More concerning is data from ARS Réunion last week. 

From March 24 to 30, 2025, there were 6,289 confirmed cases and 54 hospitalizations in Le Tampon (800 cases), Saint-Paul (900 cases), Saint-Denis (750 cases), and Saint-Pierre (600 cases). 

ARS Réunion says people can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, or participating in a free vaccination program.

The first phase of the 40,000 vaccination campaign has been launched with the single-dose IXCHIQ® vaccine. It is available for people aged 65 and over with comorbidities and who have not previously contracted chikungunya.

Over the last few years, most chikungunya cases in the U.S. have been related to returning international travelers from tropical and subtropical regions. Diagnosing chikungunya is challenging, as people may also have been infected with dengue or Zika.

According to the U.S. CDC, vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for adults and some adolescents traveling to a destination with a current chikungunya outbreak, such as Réunion.

Apr 11, 2025 • 2:26 pm CDT
UKHSA April 10, 2025

During 2024 and 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported measles outbreaks in the greater London area. This year, 213 laboratory-confirmed measles cases have been reported in England.

As of April 11, 2025, in London, 24% (52 of 213) of the measles cases have been reported, 21% in the South West, and 17% in Yorkshire and Humber.

However, recently, 57 out of 152 upper-tier local authorities have reported at least one confirmed case with symptom onset since the start of January 2025, with the highest numbers reported in Bristol, Leeds, and Hertfordshire.

The positive news from the UKHSA is that no acute measles-related deaths have been reported in 2025. 

In 2024, there were 2,911 laboratory-confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually since 2012. This was initially driven by an outbreak in Birmingham but was soon overtaken by a large outbreak in London, with small clusters in other regions.

Since measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, in the UK, children receive two doses of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine as part of the routine childhood immunisation schedule.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1:51 pm CDT
US CDC 2025

A World Health Organization committee recently agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

During the 41st meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations, the Committee members unanimously recommended extending the Temporary Recommendations three months into July 2025.

On April 9, 2025, the WHO Director-General accepted the Committee’s assessment.

The Committee also called on national governments to prioritize polio eradication in their domestic funding allocations to ensure sustained progress toward eradication and appreciates the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s recent confirmation of its $500 million commitment to global polio eradication. 

Over the last three years, the nOPV2 polio vaccine has been administered about 1.1 billion times worldwide in various countries.

As of April 11, 2025, the U.S. CDC maintains a Global Measles Outbreak Travel Health Advisory that identifies 39 countries at risk for the spread of poliovirus.

In 2022, the United States was added to the list of polio-identified countries.

To reduce this significant health risk, the CDC says children and adults should be current on their routine polio vaccines, and that certain adult travelers visiting outbreak areas may get an inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) booster dose.

In the United States, IPV vaccination services are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1:26 pm CDT
WHO April 11, 2025

Over the years, meningococcal disease has remained a global public health concern, particularly in mass gatherings such as the Hajj and Umrah. 

As of March 2025, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) health authorities estimated that only 54% of international Umrah pilgrims had complied with the meningococcal vaccination requirements. 

Umrah is a year-round pilgrimage to Mecca in western Saudi Arabia, attended by millions of people.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) DON563, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) for the KSA reported 11 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) as of March 13, 2025.

Additionally, between early February and March 18, 2025, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional IHR contact point received reports of six isolated cases of IMD.

These cases involve individuals who had recently returned from Umrah.

The significant number of pilgrims traveling to KSA from countries with varying levels of meningococcal disease incidence presents a risk of international spread during these gatherings.

Given the recent notification of these cases linked to Umrah, WHO strongly advises all individuals planning to attend mass gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah to receive vaccination against meningococcal disease at least ten days before travel.

The government of Saudi Arabia regularly issues health requirements for the Hajj and Umrah, including vaccination policies. Based on the information available for the current event, the WHO does not recommend any restriction on travel and/or trade to the KSA.

In addition to meningococcal, the U.S. CDC recommends that visitors to the KSA in April 2025 consider routine and travel vaccinations such as measles and yellow fever, available at travel clinics and pharmacies.

Apr 11, 2025 • 12:00 pm CDT
Canada Health April 2025

The New York State Department of Health recently issued a travel advisory for all New Yorkers, urging them to ensure they are fully vaccinated against measles before international travel or travel to an area in the U.S. experiencing an outbreak.

New York's advisory, published on April 2, 2025, listed Canada among the countries with increased measles cases.

As of March 22, 2025, six jurisdictions (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario (548), Quebec, Saskatchewan) in Canada had reported 615 measles cases.

"Measles is more common in different places, and exposure during travel is something we need to consider. It's important that New Yorkers ensure they are up-to-date regarding being immunized against measles. In some cases, measles is as close as a car ride away," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said in a press release

"Measles can be a serious disease. It is not just a rash; it can cause pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death. Protect yourself and your family against measles and ensure you are up-to-date on immunization with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine."

Currently, MMR vaccines are offered at clinics and pharmacies in the United States.

As of April 11, 2025, the U.S. CDC maintains a global Travel Health Advisory that lists various countries impacted by the ongoing measles outbreak.

Apr 10, 2025 • 2:10 pm CDT
Google Maps April 10, 2025

While the South Indian Ocean chikungunya outbreak has been focused on France's Réunion Island, the Republic of Mauritius has also reported imported and local cases in 2025. 

According to the Mauritius health services, most mosquito-transmitted chikungunya cases were imported from Asia and Africa.

On March 17, 2025, Mauritius, located east of Africa and Madagascar, reported the first local case in the country since 2009.

Then, on April 8, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported 17 local chikungunya cases in Mauritius.

The WHO says virus transmission persists in populations with low prior exposure, making vaccines essential to a comprehensive chikungunya outbreak response.

As of April 10, 2025, the U.S. CDC has not issued a Travel Health Notice regarding this chikungunya outbreak.

For travelers departing from the United States, the United Kingdom, or Europe, effective chikungunya vaccines, such as IXCHIQ®, have been approved by government agencies and are commercially available at most travel clinics and pharmacies.

Apr 10, 2025 • 5:12 am CDT
South Korea Ministry of National Defense April 9, 2025

While most malaria cases are detected in Africa, on the other side of the world, malaria outbreaks continue to be detected in South Korea.

According to a post on X, the South Korean government has recently confirmed locally acquired malaria cases and is taking immediate action.

On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense wrote, 'Recent outbreak of malaria patients among soldiers discharged from military service in border areas such as Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.'

The Ministry of National Defense and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency are working to achieve a 'Malaria-Free Republic of Korea' to eradicate malaria domestically by 2030.

The Joint establishment of the "Second Malaria Eradication Action Plan (2024-2028) includes:

  • Free malaria diagnostic tests and treatment prescriptions for one year after discharge at 14 military hospitals nationwide.
  • Free diagnostic testing is available two years after discharge at public health centers nationwide.

In 2024, the Agency issued malaria warnings for areas, including Seoul's Yangcheon and Gangseo districts. In 2023, over 719 cases of the mosquito-borne disease were confirmed.

According to the U.S. CDC, travelers going to areas of South Korea should take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip.

As of April 10, 2025, malaria vaccines are offered in Africa, but not South Korea or the United States.

Apr 9, 2025 • 11:55 am CDT
by Dirk Daniel Mann

The Switzerland Federal Office of Public Health today reported its first case of Clade Ib mpox in an individual who had returned from Africa.

On April 8, 2025, the Swiss government stated that this person was in isolation and that there was no risk of infection to others.

The treatment of mpox consists primarily of treating its symptoms. In particularly severe cases, an antiviral therapy may also be conducted. The appropriate medicine is available in Switzerland in 2025.

Since September 2023, the World Health Organization has observed increased infections, especially of a new mpox variant designated Clade Ib, in Several African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The other well-known Clade II began infecting people worldwide in May 2022. 

A preventive vaccination (Jynneos®) is assumed to be effective against Clade I infection. The vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing severe mpox infections.

Jynneos is also available in numerous countries, such as the United States.

Apr 9, 2025 • 9:55 am CDT
US CDC 2025

The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recently approved BARYTHRAX, an anthrax vaccine jointly developed by GC Biopharma and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Traditional anthrax vaccines are made by attenuating Bacillus anthracis or culturing non-pathogenic Bacillus anthracis, which may contain residual toxin components. BARYTHRAX removes this risk and improves vaccine safety. 

BARYTHRAX utilizes protective antigen (PA) proteins produced through genetic recombination techniques. With an anthrax infection, PA is a gateway for 2 Bacillus anthracis toxins, lethal factor and edema factor, to enter host cells.

BARYTHRAX vaccination can train and stimulate an immune response to neutralize anthrax by utilizing PA proteins.

Eun-chul Huh, President and CEO of GC Biopharma, commented in a press release on April 9, 2025, "This achievement underscores our commitment to localizing critical medicines for public health and national security. GC Biopharma will continue leading efforts to ensure stable supplies of essential medical products, as we have been doing with other vaccines and blood products since our founding."

Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a class-1 infectious disease capable of surviving extreme conditions and spreading easily through airborne transmission. If untreated, its fatality rate can reach up to 97%, making it a significant threat as a potential biological weapon.

The MFDS's approval, supported by GC Biopharma's production capacity, will pave the way for the company to supply Korea's essential anthrax vaccine reserve.

In the United States, very few people get anthrax from infected animals or contaminated animal products. The U.S. CDC says The type of illness a person develops depends on how anthrax enters the body: through the skin, lungs, or gastrointestinal system.

Getting a vaccine or taking certain antibiotics after exposure to anthrax can help prevent illness.

As of April 9, 2025, the U.S. FDA has approved anthrax vaccines for those at risk of exposure to anthrax bacteria.

For example, CYFENDUS™ is a combination of BioThrax® (anthrax vaccine adsorbed) and CPG 7909, a synthetic short DNA sequence as a vaccine adjuvant.

Apr 9, 2025 • 5:30 am CDT
by Luis Silva

Shigellosis is the second leading cause of fatal diarrheal disease worldwide, strongly contributing to pediatric morbidity and mortality, without a U.S. FDA-approved vaccine available.

According to public health leaders and the Gates Foundation, developing an effective vaccine to prevent this deadly disease is essential in many areas worldwide.

To address this need, Valneva SE and LimmaTech Biologics AG today announced that the first participant has been vaccinated in a Phase 2 infant safety and immunogenicity study of Shigella4V2 (S4V2), the world's most clinically advanced tetravalent bioconjugate vaccine candidate against shigellosis. 

Dr. Juan Carlos, Chief Medical Officer of Valneva, commented in a press release on April 9, 2025, "Seeing so many infants and children dying from shigellosis is not acceptable if it can be prevented with a vaccine."

"As such, the development of Shigella vaccines has been identified as a priority by the World Health Organization and, in line with our mission of developing vaccines against infectious diseases with unmet medical needs, we are focused on delivering a preventative solution against this deadly disease." 

In the Phase 2 study S4V02, the safety and immunogenicity of S4V2 will be tested in approximately 110 nine-month-old infants to identify the best dose to be tested in a Phase 3 trial.

Sponsored and conducted by LimmaTech, S4V02 is a randomized, controlled, and blinded study conducted at a single study site in Kenya. Participants will receive a two-dose vaccination with one of two different vaccine dose levels of S4V2 or a control vaccine. Safety will be evaluated throughout the trial for approximately six months following the last vaccination.

Results of the phase 2 study, which is supported by funding from the Gates Foundation, are expected in the second half of 2025.

In November 2024, Valneva and LimmaTech launched a Phase 2b controlled human infection model (CHIM) study of S4V2 in healthy Shigella-naïve adults. This CHIM study forms part of the companies' staggered and risk-mitigating development strategy for S4V2, as it should provide the first results on efficacy before potentially advancing to further CHIM and Phase 3 studies.

Apr 8, 2025 • 1:18 pm CDT
Google Maps April 8, 2025

Mono County Public Health has confirmed a third fatality due to Hantavirus in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, a favorite outdoor destination for vacationers in Northeast California.

As of April 3, 2025, Mono County has recorded 27 cases since it was first reported here in 1993, the most in California. Twenty-one of these infections affected county residents, and six occurred among visitors who were infected in Mono. In 

As of 2022, 864 cases of Hantavirus disease were reported in the United States.

According to the U.S. CDC, Hantavirus is a serious and often fatal illness contracted through infected deer mouse droppings, urine, or saliva. It most commonly occurs in the late spring or summer.

“A third case of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (in 2025), each of which has been fatal, is tragic and alarming,” said Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer, in a press release.

“We don’t have a clear sense of where this young adult may have contracted the virus. The home had no evidence of mouse activity. We observed some mice in the workplace, which is not unusual for indoor spaces this time of year in Mammoth Lakes.

We haven't identified any other activities in the weeks before illness that would have increased this person's exposure to mice or their droppings.

We’ve been aware of this suspected case for weeks, but obtaining testing has taken time. The occurrence of three cases in a short period has me worried, especially this early in the year.

We’ve gone about a month without additional suspect cases, but remain concerned about the increased activity.

We believe deer mouse numbers are high this year in Mammoth (Eastern Sierra). An increase in indoor mice elevates the risk of Hantavirus exposure.

As far as we know, none of these deceased individuals engaged in activities typically associated with exposure, such as cleaning out poorly ventilated indoor areas or outbuildings with a lot of mouse waste. Instead, these folks may have been exposed during normal daily activities in the home or the workplace.

Many of us encounter deer mice daily, and there is some risk. We should pay attention to the presence of mice and be careful around their waste,” stated Dr. Boo.

Without a preventive vaccine available in 2025, the county says to avoid eating food that may have been contaminated by rodents and always wash your hands thoroughly after any potential exposure.

Apr 8, 2025 • 4:36 am CDT
UKHSA April 7, 2025

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today announced it had detected a confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox, in which the person who resides in the North East of England had no reported travel history and no reported link with previously reported mpox cases in the UK.

England has reported 11 mpox cases this year.

As of April 7, 2025, the UKHSA says the mpox risk to the UK population remains low, as clade Ia and Ib mpox are no longer classified as a high-consequence infectious disease.

To date, all previous cases in the UK have either been linked to someone who has traveled to an affected country or been linked to someone who has.

UKHSA Mpox Incident Director Dr Gillian Armstrong commented in a media release, "The risk to the UK population from mpox remains low."

"The majority of people who have presented with symptoms report close physical contact, including massages or sex, before developing symptoms."

"While mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe for some, and UKHSA is committed to preventing its spread within the UK."

Currently, the UK government has authorized an approved mpox vaccine known as IMVAMUNE® (JYNNEOS®, MVA-BN®).

Whether you have travelled or not, it is essential to remain alert to the risks. Anyone who thinks they may have mpox should contact NHS 111 for advice on what to do, says the UKHSA.

Recently, the U.S. CDC updated its Level 2 Travel Health Advisory, saying, 'There is ongoing person-to-person transmission of mpox in Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.'

'Person-to-person transmission has occurred through various means during this outbreak.'

About 15 million people visited central Africa last year, many traveling from the U.S. and the UK.

The CDC, like the UK, recommends mpox vaccination for at-risk individuals.

Apr 8, 2025 • 4:14 am CDT
Sao Paulo Ministry of Health April 2025

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently updated its Dengue fever outbreak data dashboard, highlighting the continued surge of cases in 2025.

Within the Americas, the Federative Republic of Brazil's state of São Paulo is on track to exceed last year's record numbers.

As of April 8, 2025, São Paulo has reported approximately 522,000 dengue cases and 390 related fatalities, with an additional 475 deaths currently under investigation by the health ministry.

For all of 2024, over 9.6 million dengue cases and 5,441 related fatalities were reported throughout Brazil.

While Dengue has become endemic in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, most cases in the United States are travel-related.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on April 2, 2025, that 1,346 travel-related Dengue cases and one local case have been reported in 30 jurisdictions this year.

Most of these cases were identified in southern Florida.

With over 6 million people visiting Brazil in 2024, and many international travelers returning to the U.S., identifying Dengue infections has become a challenge.

To offer updated guidance on Dengue testing, the CDC recently issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to provide additional information to healthcare providers about the ongoing risk of dengue virus infections and updates to testing recommendations in the United States.

The CDC urges healthcare providers to continue taking steps to prevent, detect, diagnose, and respond to Dengue, as described in the June 2024 HAN Health Advisory (CDCHAN-00511).

Currently, the CDC does not recommend any Dengue vaccine in the U.S. However, second-generation Dengue vaccines are available in about 40 countries.

Apr 7, 2025 • 2:01 pm CDT
Google Maps April 7, 2025

The Department of Mayotte, an overseas department of France, recently announced that, due to the first indigenous (local) case of chikungunya on the island, health authorities are activating level 2A of the ORSEC (emergency) plan.

This decision will increase surveillance of the epidemiological situation and measures to prevent more active viral (virus) circulation by mosquitoes in the territory.

As of April 7, 2025, Mayotte has reported four chikungunya cases this year.

As a reminder, about 900 miles away, Reunion Island has been facing a chikungunya epidemic, with 13,594 cases, including two related fatalities, since August 2024.

Mayotte's Regional Health Agency says all travelers to and from Reunion Island should protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Mayotte is located between Africa's east coast and Madagascar, one of France's 18 regions.

To protect people on Reunion, the local government has started vaccinating 40,000 residents with a U.S. FDA-approved vaccine.

Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® Chikungunya vaccine is commercially available in the U.S. and recommended for travelers to endemic areas in 2025.