vaccine

While the latest state report shows the first significant decrease in flu cases since the peak, the numbers are still higher compared to the same period in recent years.

Trump's pick of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS worries pediatricians. In Florida, the childhood vaccination rate is decreasing more rapidly under a Surgeon General who is skeptical of vaccines.

Anyone who got sick with COVID-19 during the summer wave in South Florida has some protection against a future infection, but not full protection against germs spreading in fall and winter. Infectious disease experts recommend what shots to get now.

There's a new bulletin from Florida's surgeon general. Vaccine experts and historians interviewed for this article can’t remember another state health leader urging residents to avoid an FDA-approved vaccine.

Florida, like states across the country, has declining immunization rates among kindergarten students. As classes resume, health care providers are urging parents or guardians to protect their children against potentially fatal diseases like measles.

The guidance is in stark contrast to statements by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo against vaccination and mask wearing — particularly when it comes to COVID-19.

False claims that COVID-19 vaccines cause deaths and other diseases such as cancer are still prevalent despite multiple studies showing the vaccines saved lives and do not cause cancers.

Global honeybee populations have been declining for many years, due to disease, loss of habitat and poor beekeeping practices. A newly approved vaccine helps fight American Foulbrood disease.

Last school year marked a more than 10-year low for Florida’s kindergarten and seventh-grade students completing all doses of required immunizations, according to a recent report from the state Department of Health. The required shots — which do not include COVID-19 vaccinations — are designed to protect against diseases including tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza B, hepatitis B and polio.

Pfizer reported preliminary results of its pregnancy vaccine, a shot it also tested successfully in older adults. Rival GSK also has reported success with its vaccine version in seniors.

A CDC committee voted that the agency should update its recommended immunization schedules to add the COVID vaccine, including to the schedule for children. However, that doesn't mandate the vaccine for schoolchildren.

Biden's comments — made as officials try to convince Americans to get a new booster shot and the White House seeks $22 billion in new COVID funding — were "unfortunate," several epidemiologists said.