
Feature|Slideshows|February 26, 2026
CDC Vaccine Schedule Update Sparks Concern Among Infection Prevention Professionals, Survey Finds Communication and Confidence Gaps
Author(s)Tori Whitacre Martonicz, MA
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.
Advertisement
Advertisement
When the CDC released its updated vaccine schedule, Infection Control Today® (ICT®) conducted a survey to understand how infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals are interpreting the change and how it is affecting operations on the ground. The results reveal a community that is engaged, thoughtful, and seeking clarity. Many are also deeply unsettled.
Related to this article

As US measles cases climb into the thousands, immigration has become part of the political debate over the cause. Outbreak data point to a more complex picture involving international travel, declining vaccination coverage, pockets of susceptible populations, and highly efficient measles transmission. CDC reported 3,294 confirmed cases as of September 10.

"You can't underinvest in public health and then expect it to have a fast and swift response."
Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, discusses Cyclospora, surveillance, workforce capacity, misinformation, and rebuilding public trust.
Read the Q&A and watch the full ICT interview.

An unexplained death at a Russian plague research institute has prompted international scrutiny. The incident raises questions about laboratory safety, transparent reporting, and infection prevention preparedness while the cause remains unconfirmed.

Missing instruments and processing delays can strain OR–SPD relationships. At AORN 2026, John Kimsey, vice president of processing optimization and customer success for STERIS, discusses understanding root causes, exploring off-site reprocessing for ambulatory surgical centers, and using hands-on simulation to help surgical teams see sterile processing from a different perspective.

What might infection prevention rounds miss when visible conditions dominate the conversation? Tommy Davis, PhD, CMIP, a member of ICT's executive advisory board, makes the case for structured observations of clinical workflows, shared accountability, and greater attention to environmental services staff’s insights.

A proposed $27.7 million reduction in AHRQ funding raises questions about support for infection prevention research and implementation. Here is what the September 25 announcement identifies, as well as what remains unknown about specific IPC programs.

A followed procedure can still leave patients at risk if it no longer matches validated requirements. Annetta L. McKnight, MHA, BSN, CRCST, CER, examines how infection prevention and sterile processing can identify process drift, assess disruptions, and strengthen shared oversight of medical device reprocessing.
Advertisement
Advertisement

