COVID-19 vaccines

France's pharmacists' union is warning about an early resurgence of Covid-19 and is calling on the government to move forward the vaccination campaign scheduled for mid-October. Hospitals are already feeling the strain: emergency room visits are reported to have jumped 67% among adults and 16% among children. The union's appeal puts pressure on health authorities to speed up autumn booster plans as infections climb sooner than expected.

Reports say the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, marking a new application of the technology widely used in COVID-19 vaccines. The trending term reflects news headlines about the decision. Beyond the headline itself, the available posts contain no further details on the vaccine's maker, availability, or public reaction, so what people are saying beyond sharing the news is not clear from the posts.

A new survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases finds that most US adults support vaccines, yet many remain unclear about current recommendations for respiratory vaccines, such as those for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. The findings highlight a gap between general trust in vaccination and public understanding of which shots are advised and when.

The Berlin Buyers Club has published an open letter calling on Germany's Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), the Federal Joint Committee and Federal Health Minister Nina Warken's predecessor office, currently led by Linnemann, to make adapted COVID-19 vaccines accessible now. The group is demanding science-based vaccination recommendations and faster availability of updated shots for those who want them.

Public health officials are telling people to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines before the end of October, so protection builds up before respiratory virus season peaks in the winter months. The advice applies broadly as both viruses circulate at the same time each year, and officials stress vaccination remains the best way to reduce severe illness and hospital stays.

The updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccine has rolled out in the United States, with people booking Moderna booster appointments at pharmacies such as Walgreens. The news comes as a COVID update reports a 13th wave underway, with outbreaks in 40 states and territories and an estimated 3.8 million new infections, prompting renewed calls to get the latest shot.

The New Jersey Department of Health has issued executive directives aimed at guaranteeing residents' access to influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and routine childhood vaccines. The move is intended to remove barriers to immunisation and maintain vaccination coverage across the state. The directives underline the state's push to keep seasonal and childhood immunisations available despite shifting federal guidance.

New data show that older adults hospitalized with Covid-19 face a 23% increased risk of stroke. Vaccination appears to reduce this risk. The findings highlight ongoing severe consequences of Covid infections among the elderly, even years after the pandemic's peak, and are prompting renewed discussion about the protective value of booster shots for high-risk groups.

Health commentators are reiterating that each COVID-19 infection carries risk, and that repeated infections can compound that risk over time. They are urging people to reduce how often they get infected through layered precautions, including cleaner indoor air, well-fitting masks, vaccination, testing, and staying home when sick.

The health and care working group of Germany's Pirate Party is calling on the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) to revise its recommendation on COVID-19 vaccination. It wants broad vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 to be reinstated in the catalogue of recommended immunisations, arguing the current guidance no longer reflects the need for widespread protection.

The McHenry County Department of Health has dropped its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees, according to Shaw Local reporting. The move means unvaccinated staff will no longer need shots as a condition of employment. It follows a broader trend of government and health agencies rolling back pandemic-era workplace rules as the emergency phase of the pandemic has faded.

Researchers at WashU Medicine say influenza, like COVID-19, can produce lasting symptoms that persist for months after infection, a condition being called 'long flu'. They are advising people on ways to lower their risk, including vaccination and prompt treatment. The findings add flu to the growing list of viruses linked to prolonged illness.

After weeks of uncertainty and delays, the federal government has begun distributing COVID-19 vaccines for children from low-income families. The move ends a limbo that had left many families and clinics waiting for doses, and it raises questions about what caused the holdup and whether supply will now reach providers reliably.

The Cattaraugus County Health Department in western New York will begin running influenza and Covid-19 vaccination clinics for residents. The announcement signals the start of the respiratory illness season vaccination push, giving residents local access to both seasonal flu shots and updated Covid vaccines as health officials prepare for fall and winter illness.