Policy

The 2026 Ebola outbreak has now spread to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the WHO reporting more than 513 cases and over 130 suspected deaths linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. This article examines the outbreak through both a global health and infection prevention lens, highlighting concerns over weakened public health infrastructure, CDC staffing cuts, reduced USAID funding, and lessons still unlearned from prior Ebola and COVID-19 responses. Experts warn that while widespread US transmission remains unlikely, early investment in global outbreak response is critical to preventing future public health emergencies.

Johns Hopkins experts warn malaria remains a global threat despite vaccine progress. Drug resistance, climate change, and funding cuts could reverse gains, highlighting the need for sustained investment, surveillance, and layered prevention strategies.

A new global study reveals meningitis caused 259,000 deaths in 2023, with children most affected, highlighting stalled progress, vaccine gaps, and the need for stronger surveillance and prevention strategies.

Antimicrobial resistance threatens all of modern medicine. Infectious disease expert Amesh Adalja, MD, FIDSA, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, warns that health care workers face occupational exposure to drug-resistant bacteria. Judicious antibiotic use and policy reforms like the PASTEUR Act are critical solutions.

Tuberculosis affects 10.7 million annually. IPC professionals prevent health care-associated TB through respiratory isolation, staff screening, and contact investigation. World TB Day 2026 affirms TB elimination is achievable through dedicated infection prevention.

Federal court halts vaccine schedule changes, upholding evidence-based immunization practices. ICT reached out to key opinion leaders to find out their thoughts

Lawmakers are pressing HHS to release a CDC study on reusable health care textiles and PPE. Industry leaders say reusable gowns and linens could strengthen supply chains, reduce waste, and protect health care workers during emergencies, but the report remains unpublished.

As her 2025 APIC presidency concludes, Carol McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, discusses public health funding cuts, science advocacy, global partnerships, workforce development, and why infection preventionists must speak up. In this exclusive ICT interview, she shares lessons from a tumultuous year and her vision for strengthening the infection prevention profession worldwide.

Infection prevention professionals are weighing in on the CDC’s updated vaccine schedule. An ICT survey reveals mixed familiarity, rising patient questions, and a strong call for clearer guidance and communication tools. Here’s what IPC leaders say about implementation, confidence, and the real-world impact of vaccine policy changes.

At FDA Rare Disease Day 2026, leaders highlighted new regulatory pathways, faster review programs, and patient-centered innovations accelerating treatments for rare diseases, including NF1 and pediatric cancers. From the Plausible Mechanism Framework to expanded real-world evidence use, the message was clear: Urgency, flexibility, and patient voice are driving rare disease drug development forward.

As debate over COVID-19 origins continues, critics warn that reductions in NIH and CDC biodefense efforts could weaken US pandemic preparedness. From halted CDC databases to shifting NIH priorities, experts question whether scaling back federal response capacity leaves the nation vulnerable to future biological threats and emerging infectious diseases.

IPC professionals are on the front lines of translating vaccine policy into practice. Share your perspective on how recent CDC vaccine schedule updates are affecting communication, confidence, and infection prevention efforts in your facility. This brief, anonymous survey will help highlight gaps, needs, and opportunities to better support the IPC community.

In this physician-authored analysis, a December 2025 CMS policy change ending mandatory childhood vaccine reporting is examined through a clinical and public health lens. The article warns that reduced surveillance, weakened federal recommendations, and increased reliance on shared decision making without clinical equipoise could accelerate declining vaccination rates, undermine outbreak response, and leave families without clear, evidence-based guidance.

A recent CMS policy change means states will no longer be required to report childhood vaccination data, raising serious concerns for infection prevention and control professionals. Without reliable immunization reporting, IPC teams may lose critical visibility into vaccine coverage, complicating outbreak prevention, policy decisions, and public trust at a time of rising vaccine hesitancy and declining community immunity.

A broad coalition of medical, public health, and infection prevention organizations is urging federal leaders to reaffirm a transparent, evidence-based US childhood immunization policy. The joint letter warns that reducing recommended vaccines, especially during a severe flu and RSV season, could increase preventable illness, hospitalization, and death among children.

The revision maintains insurance coverage for all vaccines but moves several doses into high-risk or shared decision-making categories as HHS commits to new clinical trials.

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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has revised its long-standing recommendation for universal infant hepatitis B vaccination, shifting to an individualized, parent–provider decision-making model for babies born to hepatitis B–negative mothers. The change sparked intense debate among committee members.

Infection prevention has outgrown the idea that only bedside nurses belong in the role. Today’s IP work is epidemiology, data science, quality, and systems leadership—yet non-RN experts are still told they “don’t belong.” It is time to broaden the pipeline and value competence over a single professional credential and experience.

Whooping cough is surging across West Virginia just as vaccine misinformation and new exemption policies erode one of the state’s most reliable defenses against the disease, leaving infants and other high-risk residents increasingly vulnerable.

“We believe it is essential to reaffirm what decades of rigorous research have already demonstrated. Vaccines do not cause autism," a statement from SIDP, APIC, and HOPA stated, released this morning (Nov 21, 2025).

As the days get colder, with CDC’s school guidance, now is the time for schools to double down on air quality, hygiene, and infection prevention to protect students and staff.

In a historic Senate hearing, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced bipartisan fury over vaccine misinformation, as public health leaders demanded his resignation to protect science and safety.

A joint statement from leading medical and public health groups calling for HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation underscores the urgent need for infection preventionists to defend science-driven care and safeguard community health.