Issue 1862: February 25, 2026

The Immunize.org team is pleased to introduce durable, laminated tables of QR codes linking to VISs for vaccines given to children and adults. VISs explain both risks and benefits of vaccination. Federal law requires you to document provision of CDC’s current VIS before administering any vaccine covered by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. CDC recommends VISs accompany other vaccines, too. An easy, paperless way to comply with the law is for patients to scan a QR code and access the VIS from a smartphone or tablet. 

CDC produces official VISs only in English. CDC does not produce or certify available translations, so the official CDC VIS should accompany any translation.

These new tables belong in any room where vaccinations are given. Key features include: 

• Durable quality: The tough laminate coating can be wiped down.
• Never out-of-date: Any time a VIS or translation is updated, the QR code will direct to the new VIS.  
• Use as a booklet or poster: The laminated table arrives folded like a newspaper. It is suitable for desk use as an 8.5" x 11" booklet or wall mounted as an 11" x 17" poster.
• One version for official CDC VISs and one for Spanish translations: The table of official CDC VISs in English is sold individually. The table of Spanish translations is sold as a bundle with the table of official VISs so it is easy to make both available.
• Spanish version usable by non-Spanish speakers: The Spanish QR code table has side-by-side text in English to support its use by non-Spanish-speakers.
• Easy access to all available translations: Both versions include a QR code link to the Immunize.org index of all VIS translations available in dozens of languages.
• Bonus content: The reverse side of the QR code poster includes links to Immunize.org's “Addressing Vaccination Anxiety” resources and additional VIS content. 

Pricing (includes all shipping and handling costs)
Product shipments begin by mid-March.

Laminated CDC VIS QR Code Table (English)
1 copy: $14.00
2 copies: $9.00 each
3–4 copies: $6.50 each
5–9 copies: $5.00 each
10–19 copies: $4.00 each
20–59 copies: $3.00 each
60+ copies: $2.50 each

Bundle: Laminated CDC (English) + Spanish Translation VIS QR Code Tables
(each bundle includes 1 CDC VIS table and 1 table of Spanish translations)
1 bundle: $20.00
2 bundles: $16.00 each
3–4 bundles: $12.00 each
5–9 bundles: $8.50 each
10–19 bundles: $7.00 each
20–59 bundles: $6.00 each
60+ bundles: $5.00 each



Visit the Shop Immunize.org: Laminated VIS QR Code Tables web page to view images and order today! For additional information, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org. 

• People who are pregnant during the fall and winter respiratory illness season should receive annual influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. All eligible patients at the appropriate stage of pregnancy during the appropriate time of year should receive RSV vaccine.
• Tdap vaccine should be given during each pregnancy, as early as possible in the 27–36 gestational-week window.
• Obstetricians may recommend other vaccines during pregnancy depending on the patient’s age, vaccine history, comorbidities, and disease risk factors.

Related Links

• Obstetrics & Gynecology: Maternal Immunizations (2/18/26)
• ACOG press release: ACOG Releases Updated Guidance on Maternal Immunizations (2/17/26)
• Immunize.org: Healthcare Professional Organization Vaccine Recommendations main page

On February 19, HHS postponed the ACIP meeting scheduled for February 25–27. New dates of March 18–19 were announced this week.

In addition to the delay, on February 18, 2026, the White House named Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as acting CDC Director while continuing to lead NIH.

Related Links

• CDC: ACIP main page for access to webcast, agendas
• CDC: ACIP: Meeting Information for presentation slides, content from previous meetings, and information about future meetings

CDC published Respiratory Virus Activity—United States, July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025 on February 19 in MMWR. It summarizes the burden of COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory viruses during that period. A portion of the summary appears below. 

CDC monitors the activity and severity of respiratory viruses using data from complementary surveillance systems. Weekly data are published online. . . .

Severe outcomes from COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continue to occur, especially among young children and older adults. COVID-19 was associated with an estimated 290,000–450,000 hospitalizations and 34,000–53,000 deaths; RSV was associated with 190,000–350,000 hospitalizations and 10,000–23,000 deaths. All sequenced circulating U.S. SARS-CoV-2 viruses remained descendants of the JN.1 variant, representing the first season without a SARS-CoV-2 strain replacement since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. . . .

Respiratory virus surveillance remains critical for preparedness and prevention monitoring. Staying up to date with recommended respiratory virus vaccinations can protect against severe COVID-19, RSV, and influenza.



Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

• CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications

CDC published COVID-19 Antiviral Prescription Receipt Among Outpatients Aged ≥65 Years—United States, June 1, 2023–September 30, 2025 on February 19 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. 

COVID-19 antiviral use is low among outpatients aged ≥65 years, a population at high risk for severe disease. . . .

During June 1, 2023–September 30, 2025, 16%–23% of outpatients aged ≥65 years with COVID-19 received an antiviral prescription during periods of low COVID-19 incidence compared with 37%–38% during higher incidence periods. Adults aged 75–84 years and ≥85 years were more likely to receive an antiviral prescription than were those aged 65–74 years. . . .

COVID-19 vaccination and treatment can prevent severe COVID-19 among older adults. Efforts to improve health care provider and patient knowledge regarding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination and antivirals, especially for older adults, are needed to reduce the risk for severe illness and death.



Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

• CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications

As of February 20, CDC reported 982 confirmed measles cases in 25 states, adding Illinois, Rhode Island, and Texas since January 1, 2026. Florida approaches spring break season with at least 68 confirmed cases. The largest cluster centers around Collier County, where an outbreak east of Naples accounts for 46 cases. Dozens of students at Ave Maria University are quarantined, awaiting diagnosis. Florida's theme parks and beaches draw large crowds, potentially from states also experiencing outbreaks. Vaccination of susceptible people before springtime travel to these areas is critical to prevent further measles spread. 

CDC only requires reporting of laboratory-confirmed measles cases. Cases without laboratory testing for confirmation are not included in these numbers. Actual numbers of cases are, therefore, higher than confirmed case counts.

A map of 2025–26 measles cases in the United States, as of February 20, from the Johns Hopkins International Vaccine Access Center, appears below. Their U.S. Measles Tracker website includes state and county-level data.

Immunize.org offers measles-related resources for the public on several of our affiliated websites:

• VaccineInformation​.org: Measles web page
• LetsGetRealAboutVaccines​.org: Measles web page
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Measles main page

• AAP: Fact Checked: The Measles Vaccine Is Safe and Effective web page
• CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks main page
• CDC: Be Ready for Measles toolkit
• Health Canada: Measles and Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Outbreak Response Innovation: Measles Outbreak Response main page
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Measles main page

Nationwide respiratory virus activity reported by CDC is highlighted below.

• Influenza (data through February 20):
  • Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated across the country, with high or very high influenza-like illness (ILI) reported in 26 jurisdictions
  • Influenza A activity is decreasing while influenza B activity is increasing nationally
  • Children younger than age 18 years have the highest peak weekly hospitalization rate observed since the 2010–11 season
  • The deaths of 5 more children were reported during week 6 (ending February 20), for a total of 71 reported child deaths with influenza so far this season
• RSV:
  • The Epidemic Trends map shows that RSV activity is growing in most of the West and Midwest
  • Respiratory Illness Data Channel states that the incidence of emergency department (ED) visits for RSV is elevated among infants who are eligible for protection from RSV and children age 4 and younger
• COVID-19: Activity varies by state. Adults age 85 or older accounted for the highest rate of hospitalization for COVID-19 during week 5.

Level of Respiratory Illness Activity
Because influenza is leading the respiratory illness wave, the ILI map is shown below:

The Epidemic Trends map for RSV, with data through February 18, is shown below, indicating the growing seasonal epidemic of RSV, particularly in the West and Midwest:

It’s not too late to vaccinate! Vaccination against COVID-19, influenza, and RSV reduces the risk of severe illness. Administration of RSV preventive antibodies for all infants younger than 8 months who are unprotected provides them immediate protection as RSV activity rises in many communities. 

• CDC's Respiratory Illness Data Channel shows state and county level data on respiratory viral activity, associated ED visits, and presence in wastewater.
• CDC's Weekly Flu Vaccination Dashboard shows 47.5% of children received a flu vaccination, similar to last season at this same time point (46.8%).
• The National Immunization Survey–Fall Respiratory Virus Module shows that influenza vaccination coverage varied by age, health insurance status, poverty status, race and ethnicity, urbanicity, sex, and jurisdiction.

Related Links

• CDC: Weekly National Flu Vaccination Dashboard main page
• CDC: FluView main page
• CDC: RESP-NET main page
• CDC: FluVaxView main page
• 65+ Flu Defense website

This week, our newest video in the Ask the Experts Video Series is titled Can You Benefit from the Influenza Vaccine If You Have Already Had the Flu This Season? Because multiple influenza types often circulate during the same season, seasonal influenza vaccines that protect against two type A and one type B influenza viruses remain valuable even if you've already been sick with one type of influenza this season. That one illness will not protect you from other influenza types the way a trivalent vaccine can.

The 1-minute video is available on our YouTube channel, along with our full collection of quick video answers to popular Ask the Experts questions.

Like, follow, and share Immunize.org’s social media accounts and encourage colleagues and others interested in vaccination to do likewise.

• Facebook at ImmunizeOrg
• Instagram at ImmunizeOrg
• LinkedIn at ImmunizeOrg
• YouTube at ImmunizeOrg

Journalists seek out Immunize.org experts to help explain vaccines to the public and policy makers. We help the media understand and communicate the complex work vaccinators do. Here are some recent citations.

• Washington Post: Inside RFK Jr.’s Push Against the Flu Vaccine That He Links to His Voice Condition (2/21/26)
• The Hill: Campus Vaccine Strategies Put to Test by Rising Measles Cases (2/19/26)

These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.

• CNBC: FDA Agrees to Review Moderna’s mRNA Flu Vaccine Application in a Reversal (2/18/26)
• New York Times: Kennedy Allies Target States to Overturn Vaccine Mandates for Schoolchildren (2/14/26)
• The Hill: This Court Case Could Decide the Future of Childhood Vaccines (commentary) (2/13/26)

Ask the Experts is one of the most visited sections of the Immunize.org website. With more than 1,300 entries, it provides practical and timely answers to your questions.  

There are five subsections in the left navigation menu: Ask the Experts Overview, View All Questions, View All Video Questions, Vaccine Topics, and General Topics. 

Click on a topic on the left side to expand or access it. From there, you can view additional subtopics and find specific information via these tips and tools: 

1. Use the keyword search. Any results are highlighted within the question or answer. 
2. Show/hide filters, including options such as health conditions or age, to narrow results. 
3. Show or hide all answers to ALL questions on the web page by clicking the blue toggle button. 
4. Show or hide a single question’s answer by clicking on the question itself. 
5. Copy the hyperlink to any Ask the Experts question and answer into your clipboard to paste into a document, PowerPoint, or email. A “link copied” message will briefly appear.

For additional support, view these resources from Immunize.org:  

• Introducing Ask the Experts video (3:36)   
• Introducing Ask the Experts [Mobile View] video (3:36)   
• Website Office Hours: Ask the Experts Website Section webinar (32:35)    

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Recap: Immunize.org supports evidence-based childhood immunization schedule; pediatric standing orders templates updated to indicate consistency with AAP schedule

The American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule is in most respects the same as the ACIP/CDC schedule published in November 2024. The best available scientific evidence supports the use of this schedule to safely, effectively, and efficiently protect children and teens from serious vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunize.org supports the use of the AAP schedule.

Immunize.org will continue to convey and explain federal guidance, including new information, in our resources and on our website because vaccinators need to understand that information, too. We will clearly indicate the source of any guidance when updating our materials and will provide context for new recommendations to help our clinical readers make decisions concerning immunization practice for themselves and their patients.

As first described in the February 11, 2025, IZ Express, we completed the process of updating Immunize.org’s popular standing order templates for immunizations recommended for children or teens in the following ways:

• A callout box at the top left now indicates templates compatible with the 2026 AAP childhood schedule
• Templates for vaccination during pregnancy have a callout box at the top left indicating compatibility with recommendations of AAP and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• The “purpose” section of each template now specifies the dates of the published ACIP recommendations in CDC’s MMWR upon which the standing orders templates are based

Note that Immunize.org’s standing orders templates for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines are updated annually and changes will be made when the next seasonal updates are available. The AAP recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination are already listed in the COVID-19 vaccine template. Currently available information from CDC concerning clinical considerations for new recommendations in the 2026 HHS/CDC childhood schedule (e.g., 1-dose HPV vaccination) is not sufficient to create standing orders templates.

Seventeen templates with the additional information were posted. Clinics using standing orders based on the most recent versions of these templates do not need to make any changes to their protocols to remain consistent with the AAP recommended childhood schedule for these products:

• Standing Orders for Administering Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Acellular Pertussis (DTaP) Vaccine to Children Younger than Age 7 Years
• Standing Orders for Administering Haemophilus influenzae type b Vaccine to Children & Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Hepatitis A Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Human Papillomavirus Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine to Infants and Children
• Standing Orders for Administering Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Meningococcal B (MenB) Vaccine to Adolescents and Adults
• Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Children and Teens
• Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccine to Infants
• Standing Orders for Administering Nirsevimab RSV Preventive Antibody (Beyfortus, by Sanofi) to Infants and High-Risk Young Children
• Standing Orders for Administering Clesrovimab RSV Preventive Antibody (Enflonsia, by Merck) to Infant
• Standing Orders for Administering Tdap/Td Vaccine to Children and Teens Age 7 Years and Older
• Standing Orders for Administering Varicella Vaccine to Children and Teens

The following templates, which address vaccination during pregnancy, are compatible with recommendations of both ACOG and AAP:

• Standing Orders for Administering Tdap During Pregnancy
• Standing Orders for Administering Pfizer Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine (Abrysvo) During Pregnancy

Download Immunize.org standing orders templates from: www.immunize.org/clinical/topic/standing-orders-templates.

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Featured Resources

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Updated 65+ Flu Defense website offers resources for healthcare professionals serving older adults 

Confident healthcare provider recommendations for influenza vaccine are powerfully persuasive. As the nation faces a challenging influenza season, Immunize.org, in collaboration with CSL Seqirus, updated the 65+ Flu Defense website to help you maximize patient protection.



This helpful site includes information, tools, and tips for communicating with adults age 65 and older about the burden and severity of influenza. Resources include:

• Influenza in Adults 65+: The Facts
• Influenza Vaccination: Questions Patients Aged 65 and Older Frequently Ask Their HCP
• The Importance of Preventing Influenza and COVID-19

A clinician recommendation is the most important reason why a person will get vaccinated. Check out the updated 65+ Flu Defense website to assist your ongoing efforts in protecting this vulnerable population.

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Upcoming Events

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Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Join a 30-minute discussion about our Ask the Experts web content on March 4 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or March 5 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Recorded sessions archived.

To learn simple tips and tricks for using our websites efficiently, please register for our next set of Website Office Hours on Wednesday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 p.m. (ET). The same content will be covered in both sessions.

We will open each 30-minute session with a short, live demonstration on navigating our Ask the Experts website section. You can submit questions when you register or live on Zoom during the session.

Register today for Immunize.org Website Office Hours (content is the same for both):

• Wednesday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) 
• Thursday, March 5, at 12:00 p.m. (ET)

The archive of previous Website Office Hours content is posted at Immunize.org’s "Webinars & Videos" page.

Mark your calendar for future Immunize.org Website Office Hours.

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For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events.