MESSAGE FROM HEADQUARTERS | | We are in a season of constant change. Policy shifts, legal challenges, a changing regulatory environment, and the approach of midterm elections all add to a sense of uncertainty and confusion. In moments like this, the question is not whether change is coming, it’s when. Most important is how we respond. At NFID, our answer is to stay focused on where we can have the greatest impact, look for signs of progress, and help build the future we want to see. | | | |
As we officially close out respiratory season, NFID is wrapping up a national public awareness campaign that has been running since September. This year, our campaign generated nearly 16 billion impressions with evidence-based messages about the prevention of influenza (flu), COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and pneumococcal disease. That represents significant growth over the previous year. At a time when broad national public health messaging has not always been visible or consistent, we leaned in harder. We are proud of that reach and the role it plays in keeping prevention on the public agenda.
At the same time, even amid funding pressures and regulatory uncertainty, the future remains full of promise. Science and technology continue to move quickly, opening new possibilities in both prevention and treatment. But one of the clearest lessons of recent years is that innovation alone is not enough. We cannot assume people will follow where science leads unless we invest in communication. Communication is not ancillary to science or healthcare. It is essential, and it belongs in every clinician’s and scientist’s toolbox.
That is one reason I am especially excited about the upcoming Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (ACVR), June 15–17. This year’s meeting will highlight innovation in vaccine science while also emphasizing critical issues in implementation and communication. Our keynote speaker will be Brinda Adhikari, co-host of the podcast Why Should I Trust You? ACVR is fully virtual and free to attend, and abstract submission is now open. I hope you will join us.
This spring, NFID will also support a major working group convening on measles, bringing together more than 14 partner organizations. Healthcare professionals, public health leaders, and others on the front lines are grappling with a disease that many have never encountered in practice. That reality is sobering. We are deeply grateful to the volunteers and organizations that stepped forward so readily to be part of this important effort, and we look forward to sharing more as this work progresses.
This is not an easy time. But it is a meaningful one. We will keep looking for the wins, refining how we work, strengthening our messages, and creating space for collective progress. That is how we move forward.
Best regards,
Rebecca Alvania, PhD, MA, MPH
NFID CEO
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NFID hosts a complimentary webinar series on a variety of infectious disease topics, from communication strategies to vaccine updates to diseases like cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Live webinars are recorded for access on your schedule. Many webinars also include complimentary continuing education credits.
| | VACCINE SCIENCE AND SAFETY RESOURCES | | NFID has new resources to provide clear, science-based answers to common questions about vaccines. The new Healthy Skepticism video encourages thoughtful questions while reinforcing trust in vaccines, complemented by social media graphics and updated web content on vaccine safety and science. Explore and share these tools to support informed conversations and promote vaccine confidence: | | NFID BLOG: RESOURCES AND INSIGHTS | | |
The Hidden Cost of a Sick Week: Flu's Economic Impact
Flu disrupts daily life in ways that can linger long after symptoms fade. And nationally, those disruptions add up to a staggering economic impact. Special thanks to Families Fighting Flu for this guest blog post on flu's impact on parents, kids, work, and the nation's economy.
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Other recent posts featuring NFID partners and thought-leaders include:
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Collaboration is a core value of NFID and partnerships help sustain our important work in the fight against infectious diseases.
Join the growing list of 320+ partner organizations that share the NFID vision of healthier lives for all through effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. Learn more at: www.nfid.org/partner-organizations.
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Should I Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and other partners have developed a decision aid to help healthcare professionals talk with patients about the risks and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, including personal considerations that may impact an individual's decision about whether or not to get vaccinated.
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State Immunization Recommendations
Immunize.org has added a new web page on state public health immunization recommendations, with links to immunization recommendations from US states and the District of Columbia. Color-coding highlights state alliances formed to promote evidence-based decision-making and vaccine access.
| | | | NFID Director Sean T. O'Leary, MD, MPH, was honored with the National Association of Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Henry K. Silver Advocate Award for his leadership in advancing pediatric care through collaboration, research, and a commitment to equity. NAPNAP recognized his work in transforming vaccine communication and clinical practice, and amplifying frontline voices, ensuring nurse practitioner representation during immunization policy deliberations. From mentoring future leaders to expanding access through innovative approaches, including school-based clinics, his impact continues to strengthen child health in communities nationwide. (Pictured with NAPNAP Immediate Past President Daniel Crawford, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAANP) | | | | NFID mourns the loss of William H. Foege, MD, MPH, a giant in public health whose life’s work transformed the health of millions around the world. Dr. Foege was a visionary physician and leader whose contributions to global health and infectious diseases helped change the course of history. His pivotal role in the eradication of smallpox stands as one of the greatest achievements in public health—a reminder of what science, collaboration, and moral leadership can accomplish together. In 2007, NFID honored Dr. Foege with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Humanitarian Award for his extraordinary humanitarian efforts and lasting impact on global public health. | | | | NFID mourns the loss of George C. Hill, PhD, a pioneering microbiologist, educator, and champion of inclusive excellence. A professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, he helped transform medical education by recruiting and mentoring students from underrepresented communities. His groundbreaking research at Colorado State University led to the first successful culture of Trypanosoma rhodesiense, advancing treatment of African sleeping sickness. A former NFID president (2008–2010) and John P. Utz Leadership Award recipient, he leaves a lasting legacy in science, leadership, and equity. | | | | Alan R. Hinman, MD, MPH, a visionary public health leader and global champion of immunization, died in January 2026. He advanced vaccine policy and practice worldwide, including serving as director of the Immunization Division and National Center for Prevention Services at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NFID honored him with the 2011 Charles Mérieux Award for his enduring contributions to vaccinology. A gifted communicator and mentor, he emphasized collaboration and practical impact, underscoring the importance of turning scientific knowledge into action to protect communities throughout the world. | | |
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