
Stanford Researchers Discover Key to Longer-Lasting Vaccines
Researchers at Stanford Medicine, led by Bali Pulendran, have uncovered an exciting discovery about how some vaccines provide longer-lasting immunity than others. Their study found that megakaryocytes, cells in bone marrow responsible for producing platelets, also play a critical role in immune response. These cells help create an environment that supports B-cells, which are essential for gener…

Kentucky Bill Could Threaten Blood Supply Over Unfounded COVID-19 Vaccine Concerns
A Kentucky bill aiming to restrict blood transfusions from COVID-19 vaccinated individuals, citing concerns about antibodies and synthetic mRNA, could severely impact the state’s blood supply. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Candy Massaroni, acknowledged Thursday that the restriction on blood donations was “an error” and intends to change it if the bill moves forward in the legislature.
Experts, inc…

U.S. Pays $590 Million to Moderna to Speed up Development of Bird Flu Vaccine
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has committed $590 million to Moderna to accelerate the development of a bird flu vaccine. This effort builds on $176 million awarded last year and aims to advance late-stage development, clinical studies, and licensure of a "pandemic influenza vaccine" targeting H5N1 and other influenza subtypes.
With bird flu rapidly spreading among l…

FDA Bans Cancer-Linked Red Dye No. 3 After Decades of Advocacy
After more than 30 years of advocacy, the FDA has banned red dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, citing its link to cancer in animal studies. The decision aligns with the Delaney Clause, which prohibits additives found to cause cancer in humans or animals. Used in over 3,000 products, red dye No. 3 will be phased out by 2027 for foods and 2028 for drugs.
While advocates celebrate this miles…

Rising Vaccine Exemptions Threaten Public Health Progress
Childhood vaccination rates, long a public health success in states like Tennessee and Mississippi, are declining as vaccine skepticism rises. Once boasting high immunization rates, these states are now experiencing increases in vaccine exemptions, driven by growing anti-vaccine sentiment and policy changes allowing nonmedical exemptions.
Experts warn this shift could lead to outbreak…

Raging California Wildfires May Spread Toxic Asbestos
As wildfires ravage Southern California, thousands are at risk of exposure to toxic asbestos. Older buildings, particularly those built before 1980, often contain asbestos, which can be released into the air as fires destroy structures. The dry conditions and high winds exacerbate the spread of these dangerous fibers, potentially affecting people far from the flames.
Asbestos exposure…

Discover Arclet: A Time-Saving Tool for Public Health Communicators
Arclet, a new platform designed by and for health communicators, is revolutionizing public health messaging. Developed with input from NPHIC members and supported by partnerships with organizations like WNC Health Network and the National Science Foundation, Arclet streamlines the process of finding, customizing, sharing, and evaluating health messages.
This tool not only saves valuable time…

New NIH Tool Empowers Communities to Combat Opioid Overdoses with Evidence-Based Strategies
The National Institutes of Health’s HEALing Communities Study has released a free, web-based decision tool designed to support evidence-based decision-making for public health leaders tackling opioid-related overdoses. The Overdose Crisis Community Decision Tool helps communities select effective strategies by guiding users through multiple-choice questions, resulting in a customized list of op…

CDC / NPHIC Member Call Recap and Slides – January 2025
The 2025 CDC/NPHIC Monthly Communications Calls, which began on January 15, offer valuable updates from CDC staff and a platform for sharing effective strategies. The January call featured Dr. Elizabeth Green from the Big Cities Health Coalition, who shared insights on public perceptions of public health issues like drug use, homelessness, and structural racism.
Key findings from surveys reve…