Vaccine

• Moderna and Merck are developing an mRNA cancer vaccine to treat patients with late-stage skin cancer. • The vaccine showed success in clinical trials when used in combination with an immunotherapy drug. • Public distrust and disinformation regarding vaccines could limit the adoption and effectiveness of these new medical treatments.

• The 2026 Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak has reached 5,794 confirmed cases and 2,786 deaths. • The World Health Organization currently recommends using the licensed Ervebo vaccine only within research protocols because there is insufficient evidence it protects humans against the Bundibugyo virus. • Patients and health officials lack a validated vaccine for this specific strain, leaving the population vulnerable while Bundibugyo-specific countermeasures are developed.

• Updated COVID-19 vaccines are approved for the fall, with insurance coverage for the 2026-27 season depending on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). • Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers must cover vaccines recommended by ACIP, but the panel has faced turmoil after HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced all 17 members in June 2025. • A federal judge has since stayed Kennedy's appointments, creating uncertainty regarding the committee's current composition and decision-making process.

• Leading U.S. medical groups issued updated guidelines on Wednesday urging the public to receive updated flu and COVID-19 vaccinations this fall. • The initiative aims to clear up public confusion regarding vaccination schedules and the science behind them, specifically addressing inconsistencies in previous administration advice. • The push follows recent FDA approval of this year's updated vaccine versions, coinciding with the seasonal rise of RSV risks.

• Public health debates have intensified following two "measles-associated" deaths in Pennsylvania and the FDA's approval of updated COVID-19 vaccines. • Critics are questioning the lack of direct randomized human efficacy trials for the new vaccine formulations and the transparency of the approval process. • These events highlight a growing tension over how government agencies communicate scientific uncertainty and evaluate evidence for vaccine safety and effectiveness.

• Health experts are warning of a potentially severe 2026 flu season in the US, driven primarily by the H3N2 strain. • A new flu vaccine has been developed specifically for adults over 50 to provide enhanced protection against the virus. • This development is critical as H3N2 strains often lead to higher rates of hospitalization and complications among older populations.

• The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 vaccines specifically designed to target the XFG variant for the 2026-2027 season. • The new shots are rolling out to provide maximum protection against the evolving strain, with guidance available on eligibility and optimal timing for administration. • This update is critical for maintaining public immunity as the virus mutates, ensuring that vaccines remain effective against current circulating variants.