Top Health Stories
- CDC Immunization Schedule Update Takes Effect The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is scheduled to finalize and publish its updated adult and child immunization schedules on its website today. The key changes are:
- COVID-19 Vaccination: The recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination for individuals under 65 years old shifts to an individual-based decision-making model, moving away from a blanket recommendation for perpetual boosters. The decision is now based on a shared clinical decision-making process, considering individual patient risk factors.
- Chickenpox Vaccine: The child and adolescent schedule now recommends that toddlers through age three receive the standalone varicella (chickenpox) immunization instead of the combination measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMRV). This change follows evidence suggesting the standalone vaccine has a lower risk of febrile seizures in this age group.
Source: CDC Immunization Schedule Adopts Individual-Based Decision-Making for COVID-19 and Standalone Vaccination for Chickenpox in Toddlers (CDC Newsroom / HHS.gov)
- FDA Advisory Committee to Discuss Heated Tobacco Products The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products will host a virtual meeting of the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) today. The committee will meet in an open session to discuss the renewal of modified risk granted orders issued to Philip Morris Products S.A. for several heated tobacco products, including:
- Marlboro Amber, Green Menthol, and Blue Menthol HeatSticks.
- IQOS 2.4 and IQOS 3.0 System Holders and Chargers.
Source: October 7, 2025: Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting (FDA Advisory Committees Calendar)
- New Jersey Finalizes Application for Rural Health Funding Today marks the deadline for stakeholders to provide final input to the New Jersey Departments of Health and Human Services as they prepare their formal application for the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT Program). The RHT Program is a new $50 billion fund over five years intended to strengthen rural health care nationwide. New Jersey is seeking a share of this funding, which could amount to at least $500 million for the state.
Source: New Jersey To Apply For Critical Rural Health Funding, Seeks Stakeholder Input by October 7 (New Jersey Department of Health)
Global and Research
Clinton Global Initiative 2025 on the Sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly and New York City Climate Week
At the Clinton Global Initiative 2025 Meeting, leaders focused on action-oriented climate resilience, especially for women in the Global South. Discussions highlighted expanding microfinance, health hubs, and adaptation centers to strengthen communities. Three priorities will advance to COP30: a global water fund, climate adaptation hubs across the tropics, and markets for regenerative farming—emphasizing inclusive, locally led solutions for global resilience.
Source: Leah Werner – https://leahwerner.substack.com/p/clinton-global-initiative-2025-on?r=dv91x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
WHO Event: Rapid Diagnostic Test Accessibility The World Health Organization (WHO) is scheduled to hold the virtual “Launch of the WHO Rapid diagnostic test accessibility considerations” at 14:00 – 15:00 Central European Time (CET) today.
Source: Events – World Health Organization (WHO)
NIH Meeting The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has scheduled a virtual meeting of the Office of the Director, which is open to the public today.
Source: Health Care Week in Review | October 3, 2025 (Alston & Bird / NIH Meeting Announcement)
Observances and Awareness
Today is recognized as:
- National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day
- National Inner Beauty Day (A day with a health focus to raise awareness and mobilize support for victims and survivors of human trafficking).
Source: OCTOBER 7, 2025 National Day Calendar (National Day Calendar)
Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT): The National Network of Public Health Institutes begins its week-long event today in Pittsburgh, PA, with the annual Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT). This session focuses on workshops and skill-building for strengthening public health systems.
Source: Council on Linkages Update (August 2025) | PHF – Public Health Foundation
