Issue 1873: May 13, 2026

In Clinical Resources: Improving the Vaccination Experience, Immunize.org provides print and video tools to create a positive vaccination experience and ease injection anxiety in children and adults. Links to additional resources from trusted partner organizations are also provided.

The web page links to eight printable resources on addressing vaccination anxiety (four for providers, four for recipients; each available in English and Spanish), two in-depth webinars, and six brief videos (listed below). As with all Immunize.org resources, these are free to download, link, copy, and share.



The video topics include:

• How to Administer Multiple Intramuscular Vaccines to Adults During One Visit (3:47)
• Using Enhanced Screening Checklists for Contraindications to Vaccination (3:10)
• Addressing Vaccination Anxiety for Infants: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers (4:07)
• Addressing Vaccination Anxiety: Strategies for Healthcare Professionals (3:29) 
• Fainting Related to Vaccination: What You Need to Know (3:24)
• Addressing Vaccination Anxiety for Children: Strategies for Vaccine Recipients and Caregivers (3:26)

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Addressing Vaccination Anxiety main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Vaccine Confidence main page

Immunize.org offers wallet-sized Lifetime Immunization Record Cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, waterproof paper designed to last a lifetime. Sold in boxes of 250.

To purchase record cards, please visit the Immunize.org Shop.

Related Link

• Immunize.org: Shop Immunize.org main page

In its May 4 issue, JAMA Network: Open published Adjuvanted vs High-Dose Influenza Vaccines in Older US Adults. The results support the equivalency of adjuvanted and high-dose influenza vaccines for people age 65 years and older. A portion of the key points appears below.  

Findings This cluster randomized crossover study of 429 595 individuals found that adjuvanted and high-dose influenza vaccines did not differ in effectiveness against laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2023 to 2024 influenza season.

In its April 28 issue, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics published Post-Licensure Safety of Nirsevimab from the Canadian National Vaccine Safety (CANVAS) Network. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus, Sanofi) was well tolerated, with low incidence of adverse events within 7 days of immunization. Portions of the abstract appear below. 

This study describes parent-reported health events occurring within seven days of nirsevimab administration. Post-licensure, active, safety surveillance was conducted during the 2024–25 viral season in Canada, using parent-completed questionnaires distributed 8 days after immunization. Parents or caregivers of 1,559 children completed the survey. A third (454/1,559) of children had received nirsevimab co-administered with routine vaccines. Local injection-site reactions were reported in 140 children . . . 17.4% . . . when nirsevimab was co-administered and . . . 5.5% . . . when nirsevimab was given alone. Injection-site reactions extending beyond the closest joint were uncommon (6/1,559, 0.4%). Health events that prevented daily activities or required healthcare consultation were reported in . . . 3.4% . . . with nirsevimab administered alone and . . . 4.2% . . . with nirsevimab co-administered. The most reported symptoms were rhinorrhea: 1.8%, cough: 1.7%, feeding/eating changes: 1.6%, fever: 1.6% and diarrhea or change in bowel habits: 1.5%. Rash occurred in 10 children (0.6%). No cases of anaphylaxis were reported. Overall, in this study nirsevimab was well tolerated, with low incidence of health events within seven days of immunization. Results after co-administration support the incorporation of nirsevimab into the routine vaccination schedule.

CDC published Serologic Evidence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Infection in a Veterinary Professional Exposed to an Infected Domestic Cat—Los Angeles County, California, December 2024–January 2025 on May 7 in MMWR. Although not a vaccine-preventable infection at this time, transmission of HPAI from animals to humans is investigated closely because these influenza viruses could adapt to humans and trigger pandemics. A portion of the summary appears below. 

Transmission of influenza A(H5N1) viruses from domestic cats to humans has not been documented. . . .

During November 2024–January 2025, a total of 139 persons exposed to 19 A(H5N1)-infected domestic cats that consumed raw animal products were identified in Los Angeles County, California. Among 25 exposed persons who received serologic testing, one asymptomatic veterinary professional had serologic evidence of A(H5N1) infection after occupational exposure to an A(H5N1)-infected cat. . . .

These findings provide evidence of zoonotic transmission of influenza A(H5N1) virus from domestic cats to humans. Pet owners are advised not to feed raw animal products to cats. Veterinary professionals should be aware of infection risks, use appropriate personal protective equipment, and adhere to recommended infection control practices to reduce the risk for zoonotic transmission of influenza A(H5N1).



Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

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

CDC published Fatal Human Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N5) in a Backyard Flock Owner—Washington, November 2025 on May 7 in MMWR. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in an apparently healthy backyard flock of ducks and sediment from a watering basin on the property of a human case of HPAI. Although not a vaccine-preventable infection at this time, HPAI infections in humans are investigated closely because these influenza viruses could adapt to humans and trigger a pandemic. A portion of the summary appears below. 

Since 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses have circulated among wild birds in the United States. Seventy human cases of influenza A(H5), most with mild illness, have been reported in the United States since 2024; 14 human influenza A(H5N1) cases were previously identified in Washington. . . .

In November 2025, Washington reported the first human case of HPAI A(H5N5) infection worldwide. A positive laboratory result was obtained from a lower respiratory sample after multiple negative upper respiratory sample results; the patient experienced respiratory failure and died 28 days after symptom onset. The public health investigation identified approximately 135 exposed persons. . . .

Symptom management and testing of exposed persons are critical to monitoring for human-to-human transmission of novel influenza infection. Environmental and animal investigations, including genomic analysis, can identify epidemiologic risk factors.



Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

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

To learn simple tips and tricks for using our websites efficiently, please register for our next set of Website Office Hours on Wednesday, May 13, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, May 14, at 12:00 p.m. (ET). The same content will be covered in both sessions.

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

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