Talking points for influenza and COVID-19
Looking for some new talking points this fall? The way we share information is just as important as the content we share. Check out the Public Health Communications Collaborative's (PHCC's) new fall tools to help with communicating about flu and COVID-19 vaccination this fall. The tools include information about the diseases and vaccines and highlight important principles to consider when communicating, including:
- Understand your audience. Getting specific about your audience ensures you share information that is useful and relevant to their needs.
- Encourage people to make informed choices. Trust in vaccines is built on having engaging conversations, gathering and sharing resources, and using consistent language.
- Showcase the scientific rigor behind vaccines. Share resources, use plain language, and ensure you have different resources for different age groups.
- Highlight vaccines’ ability to reduce disease spread and serious illness. Communicate about the safety and effectiveness with a combination of data and personal stories.
Check out their resources for more details.
Impact map of federal funding cuts
A team composed of researchers from five different universities has created “The Impact Map” which shows county-level information related to how cuts to grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are affecting local funding and jobs.
A second version of the map outlines the potential impacts of the FY26 budget. Viewers can click on different congressional districts to see their elected officials and the projected job and economic losses, including the affected types of research and which local institutions are experiencing the losses. Reports can be used to support advocacy efforts and raise local awareness of the tangible impact of federal funding cuts.
Find out more about the project or check how your district has been, or may be, impacted.
Hepatitis B resources in multiple languages
The Migration Health Initiative (MHI) is offering a health education campaign to support organizations that serve immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Campaign materials focus on hepatitis B and aim to educate about the infection and treatment options, promote vaccination of adults, and encourage testing. Materials, including posters, fact sheets, social media posts and more, are available in multiple languages.
ICYMI: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
There has been a significant slowdown in publishing of articles in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) journal. However, three recently published articles are worth attention. Review the summaries, or complete articles, below.
- Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025–26 Influenza Season
- Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During a High Severity Season — Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season
- Use of Clesrovimab for Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025
Talking points for influenza and COVID-19
Looking for some new talking points this fall? The way we share information is just as important as the content we share. Check out the Public Health Communications Collaborative's (PHCC's) new fall tools to help with communicating about flu and COVID-19 vaccination this fall. The tools include information about the diseases and vaccines and highlight important principles to consider when communicating, including:
- Understand your audience. Getting specific about your audience ensures you share information that is useful and relevant to their needs.
- Encourage people to make informed choices. Trust in vaccines is built on having engaging conversations, gathering and sharing resources, and using consistent language.
- Showcase the scientific rigor behind vaccines. Share resources, use plain language, and ensure you have different resources for different age groups.
- Highlight vaccines’ ability to reduce disease spread and serious illness. Communicate about the safety and effectiveness with a combination of data and personal stories.
Check out their resources for more details.
Impact map of federal funding cuts
A team composed of researchers from five different universities has created “The Impact Map” which shows county-level information related to how cuts to grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are affecting local funding and jobs.
A second version of the map outlines the potential impacts of the FY26 budget. Viewers can click on different congressional districts to see their elected officials and the projected job and economic losses, including the affected types of research and which local institutions are experiencing the losses. Reports can be used to support advocacy efforts and raise local awareness of the tangible impact of federal funding cuts.
Find out more about the project or check how your district has been, or may be, impacted.
Hepatitis B resources in multiple languages
The Migration Health Initiative (MHI) is offering a health education campaign to support organizations that serve immigrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Campaign materials focus on hepatitis B and aim to educate about the infection and treatment options, promote vaccination of adults, and encourage testing. Materials, including posters, fact sheets, social media posts and more, are available in multiple languages.
ICYMI: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
There has been a significant slowdown in publishing of articles in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) journal. However, three recently published articles are worth attention. Review the summaries, or complete articles, below.
- Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025–26 Influenza Season
- Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During a High Severity Season — Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season
- Use of Clesrovimab for Prevention of Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus–Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Infants: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2025