Infectious Diseases

Navigate back-to-school vaccine requirements, evidence, and FAQs—plus the latest measles data and new pneumococcal options for pediatric practice.

Executive order seeks to trim routine childhood vaccines, split combination shots, and push parent-doctor decisions—sparking debate as measles surges.

FDA accepted Merck's sBLA extending ENFLONSIA (clesrovimab-cfor) to high-risk children under 2 in their second RSV season.

Ensitrelvir adds an FDA-approved COVID-19 postexposure prophylaxis option for adults and adolescents aged 12 years or older.

US measles cases have climbed to 2,318 in 2026, already exceeding all of 2025 and marking the country's highest annual total since 1991, as CDC data show falling MMR coverage continuing to fuel outbreaks.

The PECOS study found 20 post-COVID symptoms in children; Roberta L. DeBiasi, MD, discusses evaluation and follow-up.

Alesia McKeown, PhD, of Roche Diagnostics discusses why pertussis is missed in children and adolescents and how PCR testing can help.

With a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak underway this summer, pediatric providers should maintain a low threshold to consider Cyclospora cayetanensis in children with protracted or relapsing watery diarrhea.

A 10-year King County study found MMRV was the first vaccine for 15% of children who were disproportionately Hispanic, Black, or VFC eligible.

A matched cohort study found no meaningful difference in serious or outpatient infection risk between infliximab and adalimumab in pediatric IBD.

FDA approved the first generic rifapentine for active and latent tuberculosis, expanding treatment options for eligible pediatric patients.

Baloxavir marboxil is a first-in-class cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor that functions as a prodrug.

The approval is based on data from the phase 3 STRIDE-13 trial.

A CHOP-led study identified IL-6 and IFN-γ immune activation tied to worse recovery in children with sepsis or organ failure.

The FDA has approved expanded indications for tocilizumab-bavi (TOFIDENCE), adding severe or life-threatening CAR T-cell–induced CRS and hospitalized COVID-19 in patients aged 2 years and older.

New research using a natural experiment design found consistent reductions in diagnosed influenza among vaccinated young children in every season studied from 2016 to 2023.

Common pediatric skin infections are often managed in primary care, but some presentations require dermatology referral and further evaluation.

FDA approved ensitrelvir for COVID-19 post-exposure prophylaxis in patients aged 12 years and older after positive phase 3 trial results.

French data suggest dual RSV immunization with RSVpreF and nirsevimab was associated with low infant RSV hospitalization rates.

National pediatric and infectious disease groups convened a measles summit as US cases reached the highest level in 35 years.

Modeling data suggest removing universal hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination could increase neonatal and chronic HBV infections in US infants.

Raising pediatric flu vaccination to 70% could significantly reduce outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths, easing strain on US systems.

Maternal RSV vaccination and nirsevimab were linked to lower infection rates and reduced severity in infants younger than 6 months.

MMR coverage remained below herd immunity 20 months after an Ohio outbreak, with minimal gains and persistent disparities in children.

An analysis found nirsevimab was associated with substantial reductions in RSV-related hospitalizations among preterm infants and those with congenital heart disease.