Vaccination Policy & Exemption Trends - West Virginia's governor issued an executive order to change the state's vaccine exemptions, introducing religious and conscientious exemptions [3] - Previously, West Virginia only allowed medical exemptions and had a high vaccination rate of 98% among kindergarteners in 2023 [4] - Following the governor's announcement, at least 463 non-medical exemptions were issued for the 2025-26 school year [4] - A nationwide trend shows 53% of US counties more than doubled exemption rates, and 77% have seen a decline in vaccination rates since 2019 [5] Legal & Regulatory Landscape - The executive order conflicts with the state code, leading to court battles to determine applicable rules for parents, teachers, and school boards [8] - Lawmakers rejected a bill to put non-medical exemptions into state law, but the governor is backed by the Trump administration [7] - The Department of Health and Human Services requires the state to recognize religious exemptions to receive funding for a childhood vaccine program [7] - Two competing lawsuits are in court, later consolidated, challenging the executive order and seeking to allow non-medical exemptions [7][8][9] Exemption Process & School Board Stance - Obtaining a religious exemption in West Virginia is a simple email process, while medical exemptions require a rigorous two-page form reviewed by a physician and state immunization officer [11][12] - The West Virginia Board of Education is currently not accepting the exemptions because the governor's executive order did not change state law [13] Impact on Children & Education - Children with conditions like Fox G1 syndrome, such as Maxwell, are more vulnerable to illnesses, making vaccination rates a concern [2] - Homeschooling is a safer but isolating option, while public education is considered a constitutional right critical for a child's development [10]

Tonight, new concerns over the West Nile virus, a disease spread through mosquitoes, infecting more than 770 people in 39 states. According to the Associated Press, citing CDC data, cases are 40% higher than they typically are this time of year. Scientists say warmer temperatures and higher rainfall could be leading to more mosquitoes carrying the virus.I had a lot of fatigue, uh 103°ree fever, muscle aches. I had brain damage. I couldn't speak well. I couldn't move my body well.Sarah Haynes, a volunteer fi ...

Public Health Governance & State Initiatives - Several states are independently addressing public health concerns due to perceived federal government shortcomings [1][2] - States are exploring options like bulk purchasing COVID-19 vaccines directly from manufacturers [1] - Some states are forming coalitions to coordinate on vaccine purchase and distribution [2][4] - States are implementing their own requirements for health insurers to cover recommended vaccines [2] Criticism of Federal Health Agencies - Governors argue that the CDC has become politicized, promoting ideology over science [3] - The Trump administration is accused of dismantling elements of the CDC [2] Regional Public Health Alliances - A West Coast public health alliance includes Oregon, California, Washington, and Hawaii [2] - States are taking action to ensure their residents have access to COVID-19 vaccines [4] Potential Consequences - Concerns are raised about the emergence of "red state science" versus "blue state science" and the implications for managing infectious diseases [5]

Can naming and shaming fix what might seem like impossible problems in England's public health service? https://t.co/P4rmMCXebt ...

Right now, health officials out in LA County in California are telling people, "Please, please go get the measles shot after a child there recently died after complications from the virus." It's just one case out of more than 1,450 across the country, according to the CDC. Of course, for that family, it is not just a statistic. It is a living nightmare here.And these numbers are growing as the outbreaks of measles spread in nearly every state, 41 states. talking fever, runny nose, this blotchy rash that can ...

What happens to US public health without a fully functioning CDC? Americans will get a taste this upcoming cold and flu season https://t.co/b0jkW73vew ...

In a key move for the administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. . has released his report on childhood health from his Make America Healthy Again commission.Yet, its core findings that kids in the US spend too much time on screens, are stressed, unhealthy, and eat far too many ultrarocessed foods are hardly revoly. And while it calls for access to healthier food, better nutrition labels, and greater oversight of food additives, 128 ideas in all, it is short on how to accomplish or pay for the recommendations. O ...

Policy & Leadership - The report highlights Trump's support for RFK Jr, the health and human services secretary [1] - The report mentions potential dismantling of public health institutions [1] - The report suggests an overhaul of U S vaccine policy [1]

Kush, a potent mix of synthetic opioids and cannabinoids, is wrecking lives in west Africa. Many users first try it as students and end up dropping out of school or university https://t.co/sNEUsNt6d3 ...

Do you think CDC is sort of broken beyond repair. Like how do how are you going to understand the guidance and official pronouncements of this institution you worked at that's just so central that so many people depend on god forbid if we have another pandemic which is not totally a crazy idea. How are you going to parse what comes out of that institution now.So there's still thousands of you know wonderful scientists and you know on the ground responders at CDC. I think the things I would have more um hesi ...