IZ Express

Issue 1885: July 29, 2026

Subscribe
Top Stories
 
Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources 
 
Featured Resources
 
Notable Publications
 
Upcoming Events
 
Top Stories
“Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination—Worldwide, 2012–2024” published in MMWR

CDC published Progress Toward Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination—Worldwide, 2012–2024 on July 23 in MMWR. Rubella was formally classified as eliminated in the United States in 2004. As long as rubella circulates anywhere in the world, the risk of devastating congenital rubella syndrome exists for unvaccinated pregnant patients in the United States. A portion of the MMWR summary appears below. 

Rubella virus infection during early pregnancy can cause miscarriage, fetal death, stillbirth, or a constellation of birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). Global rubella elimination is achievable. . . .

During 2012–2024, estimated global coverage with a rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) among infants aged 12–23 months increased from 39% to 73%, and by 2024, 179 of 194 countries had introduced RCV into the routine immunization schedule. During the same period, the number of countries that had achieved rubella elimination verification increased to 117 (60%), reflecting substantial progress in RCV introduction and vaccination coverage. CRS modeling estimates suggest that annual global CRS cases declined by more than 70%, from approximately 101,000 cases in 2012, to 27,000 cases in 2024. . . .

Substantial global progress toward rubella and CRS elimination has been made. Through 2024, RCV has been introduced in 179 of 194 countries; however, universal introduction of RCV in all 15 remaining countries and continued strengthening of immunization and surveillance systems are needed to achieve elimination.



Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Link

  • CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
Immunize.org updates “Questions and Answers” resources on diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis

Immunize.org updated three of its Questions and Answers (Q&A) summaries with 2025 disease statistics. The Q&A resource series is intended for staff and for patients or caregivers who are seeking more advanced information about diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. Updated handouts include:

Related Links

Immunize.org updates its "Notification of Immunization Letter Template"

Immunize.org updated its Notification of Immunization Letter Template, adding clesrovimab (Enflonsia, Merck) and adding the brand names of licensed COVID-19 mRNA and protein subunit vaccines.

Related Links

Unity Consortium offers social media materials and other resources encouraging back-to-school vaccination

Unity Consortium recently launched #VaccineSmart, its 2026 back-to-school immunization campaign. Along with National Immunization Awareness Month in August, the end of summer holidays is a natural time to encourage teens and families to be sure they are up to date on recommended vaccinations. This campaign equips parents, teens, and healthcare professionals with evidence-based resources that promote informed conversations, help navigate recommended immunizations, and reinforce the importance of staying up to date for a healthy school year.

Using the theme #VaccineSmart, the campaign encourages teens and parents to "level up" as the new school year starts, by being vaccine smart. The campaign encourages families to contact their children's healthcare providers to get the facts they need for the school year ahead.

Unity Consortium asks partners to help spread the word using the shareable graphics and sample posts, available on their website. When posting, use the hashtags #BackToSchool, #VaccineSmart, and #KnowYourVax.

Washington State launches measles campaign with toolkit for healthcare providers and bilingual resources for the public

Washington State Department of Health launched its measles prevention campaign focused on globally connected communities with low measles vaccine coverage. The following campaign resources are available for measles prevention:

  • Measles Toolkit: includes printable and digital materials in multiple languages for healthcare providers and public health professionals to download and share 
  • Testimonial Videos: available in English, Somali, Marshallese, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian languages
  • Explainer Videos: two videos available in American Sign Language (ASL)
  • Measles and MMR web pages: with downloadable resources available in 15 languages

Measles 2026: 2,318 confirmed measles cases in 43 states and DC; Delaware added to 2026 list

CDC reported, as of July 17, 2026:

As reported widely by media outlets, the Johns Hopkins University U.S. Measles Tracker web page shows that measles cases in the United States reached their highest level in 35 years, marking a dramatic resurgence of a disease declared eliminated in the country in 2000, more than a quarter-century ago. The U.S. Measles Tracker website includes state and county-level data.

Specific numbers from CDC and individual state websites differ slightly because the frequency and timing of federal and state updates vary.



Related Links
“Do Any Adults Need 'Booster' Doses of MMR Vaccine to Prevent Measles?” New 2-minute video joins the Ask the Experts Video Series on YouTube. 

Watch the newest video in the Ask the Experts Video Series, titled Do Any Adults Need 'Booster' Doses of MMR Vaccine to Prevent Measles? The video defines the criteria for “evidence of immunity to measles” and explains that people who meet any one of these criteria do not need MMR “boosters” later in life.

The 2-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.

Related Link
Vaccines in the news

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

Immunize.org Website and Clinical Resources
Recap: Immunize.org publishes 2026 data and maps of state immunization requirements and exemption policies for childcare and school; 2025 data archived

Immunize.org annually updates its state policy web pages based upon information confirmed and provided by state, New York City, and District of Columbia immunization program managers. These resources are valuable for vaccine advocates, public health, clinicians, families, and policymakers. In 2026, despite hundreds of vaccine-related bills filed in state legislatures, there were ultimately very few changes to state immunization requirements for childcare, school, or college entry.

Immunize.org’s website now shows the following information, updated as of May 2026: 

Our pages link to downloadable PDF versions of each 2026 data table and map. Archived data tables and maps for 2023–25 are also available to allow for comparisons of requirements across years. 



Immunize.org's August Office Hours sessions will orient participants to content on the Official Guidance and the State Policies web pages. Register for a session: Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, August 13 at 12:00 p.m. (ET).

Immunize.org thanks all immunization personnel who updated and verified their information. For questions about a state’s requirements, please contact that state immunization program directly. To ask questions about our site content, contact us.

Recap: Immunize.org updates “Key Vaccination Resources for Healthcare Professionals”

Immunize.org updated its annotated list of key training and reference materials for people who vaccinate or oversee vaccination clinics. Key Vaccination Resources for Healthcare Professionals provides a strong foundation for building and sustaining vaccination skills.

Recent changes include:

  • Removed references to CDC’s Pink Book webinar series (not updated since 2021)
  • Updated links to EZ immunization services from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Immunization Branch (EZIZ)
Featured Resources
Recap: CDC publishes 2026 update to its Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit

CDC released a major 2026 update to its Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit, an essential resource for every facility that stores and offers vaccines. The toolkit provides clear, science-based guidance for vaccine storage, handling, and transportation. Consistent adherence to proper storage and handling practices is essential to ensure patient safety, prevent loss of vaccine, and ensure vaccines work as designed.

The 2026 toolkit edition includes new and refreshed resources; improved guidance on storage, monitoring, preparation, and transport; clearer alignment with Vaccines for Children (VFC) program requirements; and a revised addendum for Jynneos mpox (referred to by CDC as “monkeypox”) vaccine provided through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS).

Previously available only as a PDF document, the main toolkit content is now available both on CDC's website and as a printable PDF. The web-based content improves accessibility, searchability, and ease of use across devices.

If you store or handle vaccines, view, download, or print the toolkit today:

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Use Voices for Vaccines’ resources to share positive messages with your patients.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is just around the corner. This annual observance highlights the importance of protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases through on-time vaccination. NIAM serves as a focal point for sharing credible information about the importance of staying up to date with routine immunizations.

The Voices for Vaccines (VFV) NIAM 2026 web page serves as a guide to promoting immunization throughout the month. This year's theme is that protection from vaccine-preventable diseases gives you one less threat to worry about. The page includes customizable social media graphics and video templates, sample captions, and a weekly posting schedule. It also offers steps to prepare for NIAM in July, including a template proclamation to submit to a governor's office or local lawmaker, and letter-to-the-editor templates for volunteers. VFV encourages partners to share these messages using the hashtags #AskForVax and #NIAM26.



During NIAM, encourage your patients to catch up on well-care exams and recommended vaccines. Research shows that healthcare providers remain the most trusted source of vaccine information for parents and patients.

Teaching children and teens about vaccination: reliable resources on how vaccines work and what immunity gives society

Planning for the upcoming school year or looking for science projects? The resources below can help children and adolescents explore vaccines and the immune system.

For elementary school children

For middle school children
For high school students

 
Browse the Immunize.org shop for clinic resources, shirts, and pins to show your support for vaccination

The Immunize.org Shop offers a variety of products for your practice and to show how much you value vaccination. Items include:




Visit Shop Immunize.org to view pricing information and to place an order.

For more information, call 651-647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.

Notable Publications
“Measles Hospitalizations in Utah, 2025–2026” published in NEJM Evidence

In its July 14 issue, NEJM Evidence published Measles Hospitalizations in Utah, 2025–2026. The article is part of NEJM’s new Public Health Alerts series, designed for public health articles of the type traditionally published in CDC’s MMWR. The abstract appears below.

The ongoing 2025–2026 outbreak of measles in Utah is the state’s largest in 40 years. To characterize the epidemiology and clinical features of hospitalized patients, we conducted a chart review of patients admitted to Utah hospitals between June 20, 2025, and April 14, 2026. Of the 602 measles cases reported during that period, we identified 49 patients (8%) who were hospitalized. Most hospitalized patients (44, 90%) were unvaccinated. The most common reasons for hospitalization were dehydration and hypoxemia. These findings highlight the preventable health care burden associated with measles in Utah.

“Trends in Pediatric and Adult COVID-19, Influenza, and Routine Vaccinations Administered in Retail Pharmacies, 2015 Through 2023, United States” published in American Journal of Infection Control

In its August issue, American Journal of Infection Control published Trends in Pediatric and Adult COVID-19, Influenza, and Routine Vaccinations Administered in Retail Pharmacies, 2015 Through 2023, United States. The results and conclusions sections appear below.

Since the 2015-16 flu season, the number and rate of children and adults receiving flu vaccinations at pharmacies has been increasing and peaked in 2020-21 with over 3.0 million vaccinations for children under 18 years of age (4% of this population) and 47.1 million vaccinations for adults ≥18 years (18%). Routine vaccinations administered in pharmacies increased overall from 3.4 million (2015) to 13.3 million vaccinations (2023). From December 2020 through December 2023, over 330.7 million vaccinations of COVID-19 vaccine were administered at pharmacies. . . .

This analysis demonstrates the large magnitude and increase since 2015 of vaccinations administered in US retail pharmacies, especially for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Upcoming Events
Register for Immunize.org Website Office Hours. Join a 30-minute discussion about our Official Guidance: States web section on August 12 at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or August 13 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, August 12, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) or Thursday, August 13, 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 Official Guidance: States web section, which includes maps and tables for each state’s vaccination requirements and exemptions. 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):  

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. 

Virtual: North Dakota State University Center for Immunization Research and Education hosts webinar titled “The Latest Updates on Human Papillomavirus or HPV Vaccination in the United States” on August 24 at 1:00 p.m. (ET); CE credit offered

The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Center for Immunization Research and Education will host a webinar titled The Latest Updates on Human Papillomavirus or HPV Vaccination in the United States at 1:00 p.m. (ET) on August 24. This webinar will explore the latest research on HPV vaccination in the United States, examine key questions that remain, and highlight proven strategies to improve vaccine uptake. Participants will gain practical, evidence-based approaches to strengthen vaccine recommendations and support higher vaccination rates in their communities.

This activity is approved for free CME and CPE credit.

Register for the webinar.

For more upcoming events, visit our Calendar of Events.

About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

IZ Express Disclaimer
ISSN 2771-8085

Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

This page was updated on .

Our Affiliated Sites

For the Public: VaccineInformation.org
For Coalitions: ImmunizationCoalitions.org
Let's Get Real
Information about pediatric vaccines for parents and providers.
65+ Flu Defense
Protect vulnerable, older adult patients from influenza.
Give2MenACWY.org
Improve protection from meningococcal serogroups ACWY.
NAIIS
Home of the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit.