Issue 1901: November 4, 2026

Immunize.org recently updated Vaccine Storage Quick Reference to include updated storage information for mpox vaccine, RSV, and 2026–27 COVID-19 vaccine formulations.

Significant edits include:

• COVID-19 vaccine storage: Incorporates 2026–27 products and updates the relevant age ranges and refrigeration instructions.
• Mpox vaccine storage: Both Jynneos (Bavarian Nordic) 1-vial and 2-vial presentations are listed with their separate storage requirements. The 1-vial presentation has an allowable-refrigeration period of 4 weeks (some now-expired lots had FDA authorization for a longer refrigeration period).
• RSV vaccine storage: mResvia (Moderna) is listed under its label-indicated freezer temperature range (−40°C to −15°C), along with specific guidance allowing refrigeration for up to 90 days.
• RSV preventive antibody products: Both Beyfortus (nirsevimab, Sanofi) and Enflonsia (clesrovimab, Merck), are listed.
• Dengue vaccine: Dengvaxia (Sanofi) was removed because it is no longer manufactured and all U.S. doses expired.

Related Links

• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Storage & Handling main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Administering Vaccines main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources A–Z main page, where you can filter by topic, vaccine, language, or other criteria

For the week ending October 24, influenza activity is low and increasing in many parts of the United States. CDC notes that activity is higher than is typical for late October. CDC’s website displays two recent childhood deaths associated with influenza. For surveillance purposes, the standard start of the influenza season every year is week 40, so one child’s death (in week 40) is counted in the current season and the death that occurred 3 weeks earlier (in week 37) is counted in the previous season.

Vaccination takes 2 weeks to induce immunity, so vaccinate now. Influenza vaccination offers an opportunity to receive or schedule other vaccinations that may be needed, such as COVID-19, pneumococcal, and RSV vaccines.

The map below shows the levels of influenza-like illness (ILI) activity by state as of October 24. For the week ending October 24, overall, 2.4% of patient visits reported through ILINet were due to ILI. Compared to the previous week, this represents a small increase but remains below the national baseline of 2.9%.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended annually for all adults, children age 6 months through 23 months, and older children who are immunocompromised, have other high-risk conditions, live with people with high-risk conditions, or who just want protection.

RSV vaccination is recommended for all adults age 75 years and older, as well as adults age 50 through 74 years at high risk of severe RSV disease. RSV vaccination between 32 and 36 6/7 weeks’ gestation is an option for RSV protection of newborns. If RSV vaccine is not administered during pregnancy, infants through age 8 months, 0 days, should receive RSV preventive antibodies (nirsevimab or clesrovimab). Remember that adults, including pregnant patients, who previously received RSV vaccine should not receive another dose.

Respiratory Illness Data Channel
CDC's Respiratory Illness Data Channel web page shows a snapshot of the amount of acute respiratory illness (ARI) causing people to seek health care in the United States. Local data are available by state or territory and by county. CDC reports:

• COVID-19: activity is declining nationally
• RSV: activity remains low in most areas of the country

Related Links

• CDC: Weekly National Flu Vaccination Dashboard main page
• CDC: FluView main page
• CDC: RESP-NET main page
• Immunize.org: Clinical Resources: Seasonal Vaccines (Influenza, RSV, COVID-19) main page
• VaccineInformation.org: Where to Get Vaccinated web page

As of October 30, 2026, the U.S. Measles Tracker, operated by Johns Hopkins University (JHU), reported 5,051 measles cases for 2026. Through October 29, 2026, CDC reported 4,852 confirmed cases, which is more than double the 2025 total of 2,289 confirmed cases.
 
Measles around the globe
According to a study published on October 21 in Nature Medicine, global measles cases among children younger than 5 years rose an estimated 40% between 2020 and 2023. Measles deaths among children in that age group increased 12% during the same period.

Pennsylvania outbreak and congenital measles
The Pennsylvania measles outbreak continues to grow. As of October 28, the 2026 count included 1,398 total cases and 85 new cases in the last 7 days. Most reported cases occurred among unvaccinated adults. Reports of measles during pregnancy also rose. Congenital measles is an unfamiliar condition in the United States. For important clinical guidance, please see the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Health Alert Network (PAHAN) Advisory, entitled Guidance for Measles in Pregnancy and Congenital Measles.

Related Links

• CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks main page
• Immunize.org: Vaccines A–Z: Measles main page
• LetsGetRealAboutVaccines.org: Measles web page
• CDC: Be Ready for Measles Toolkit 
• Pennsylvania Department of Health: Guidance for Measles in Pregnancy and Congenital Measles
• AAP: Immunization Facts for Families (MMR) (PDF)

This week, our featured episode from the Ask the Experts Video Series is titled Should Someone Who Has Already Had Shingles Get the Shingles Vaccine? The video briefly explains that adults who previously suffered shingles should still receive Shingrix vaccination when recommended to reduce their risk of future episodes. A person with an active case of shingles should delay vaccination until the acute phase of shingles resolves.

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.



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

• Washington Post: CDC Scientists Sought Urgent Alert on Measles in Pregnancy. It Wasn’t Approved. (10/30/26)
• CIDRAP: A Cancer Vaccine Milestone, a Vaccine Injury Center, and What a Flu Shot Study Actually Found: The State of US Vaccine Policy (10/29/26)
• Medscape: Without Flu Vaccination, the US Could See Substantially More Deaths and Hospitalizations Annually (10/28/26)
• STAT: NIH’s New Vaccine Injury Center Has Broad Goals Beyond RFK Jr.’s Focus on Shots (10/26/26)
• BBC: First Personalised Cancer Vaccine Cuts Risk of Disease Returning in Major Trial (10/23/26)