#Vaccination

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its Global Polio Alert, issuing Level 2 “Practice Enhanced Precautions” travel notices for five widely visited European countries after environmental surveillance found poliovirus in wastewater. The move does not close borders but urges travellers and health systems to check and update polio vaccination before travel, and highlights how wastewater surveillance is revealing silent spread of vaccine-derived polioviruses in places previously thought low-risk (CDC Travel Health Notices).

Polio safety guidance for Thai travellers has been updated. Health authorities now categorize five popular European destinations under Level 2 precautions after poliovirus was detected in wastewater. The message is clear: borders stay open, but travellers should review and update polio vaccination before leaving Thailand, and health systems should bolster immunity checks.

Polio remains a highly contagious disease that can cause permanent paralysis and, in severe cases, death. The current detections involve circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) found through wastewater monitoring in major European cities. Countries affected are ramping up vaccination campaigns and strengthening disease surveillance to prevent transmission. The goal is to reduce travellers’ risk of acquiring or exporting poliovirus and to prompt clinics and immunisation programs to close immunity gaps. Environmental signals are increasingly used as early warnings.

A sharp look at vaccination challenges abroad offers valuable lessons for Thai families, healthcare workers, and policymakers. While Thailand has achieved high immunization coverage, experts say vigilance is essential to prevent backsliding and safeguard children’s health.

Lead with impact: vaccination remains one of public health’s most effective tools. In the United States, declines in kindergarten immunization rates have raised concerns about outbreaks. Data indicate that protection gaps can emerge quickly when communities lose confidence or face access barriers. Thailand’s health system must stay ahead by reinforcing trust, ensuring access, and countering misinformation with clear, evidence-based information.

Alarming trends in American childhood vaccination rates serve as a critical warning for Thailand’s public health system, as declining immunization coverage and soaring parental exemptions threaten to unravel decades of disease prevention success. Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a dangerous erosion of herd immunity that carries profound implications for Thailand’s own vaccination programs, particularly as the kingdom balances traditional values with modern medical science while confronting rising vaccine hesitancy in certain communities.

Vaccination rates among U.S. kindergarteners have fallen while exemption rates have soared to unprecedented levels, sparking renewed concerns about resurgent vaccine-preventable diseases—a trend with implications far beyond American borders. New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released in early August 2025, show that inoculation coverage for key childhood diseases has declined again. At the same time, exemptions—parents opting out of required vaccines for their children—have reached an all-time high. The latest snapshot underscores potential threats to herd immunity, with infectious diseases like measles re-emerging at levels not seen in more than 30 years in the United States. The findings highlight not only the direct health risks but also wider social and policy challenges as vaccine hesitancy grows worldwide, including in Thailand.

Frequent childhood illness is a major concern for parents and educators alike across Thailand, with new research shedding light on everyday parenting mistakes that can undermine a child’s immunity. According to a recent report by the Times of India, many children fall ill repeatedly due to avoidable errors in care and hygiene, signalling the need for greater awareness among caregivers. These findings are particularly significant for Thai families striving to balance traditional approaches to child-rearing with modern health recommendations, as the nation continues its post-pandemic efforts to safeguard student health.

A growing number of Thai parents and teachers are concerned about frequent childhood illnesses. New research points to everyday parenting choices that can weaken a child’s immunity. Studies summarized by major outlets emphasize ten common mistakes, urging caregivers to adapt traditional practices to modern health guidance. The findings align with Thailand’s post-pandemic push to protect student health and well-being.

In Thai communities, extended families and community care mean children encounter infectious agents more often. Yet experts say simple home changes can significantly reduce illness. The core message centers on routine habits—handwashing, nutrition, vaccination, and cautious exposure to crowded spaces—that influence a child’s disease risk. In Thailand, crowded markets, busy transport, school lunch vendors, and regular rainy-season gatherings heighten exposure, making practical, culturally sensitive adjustments especially relevant.

A landmark study published in The Lancet warns that after five decades of steady gains, childhood vaccination coverage is stalling or declining worldwide. The analysis draws on 50 years of country-level data and highlights a troubling rise in “zero-dose” children—those missing even the most basic vaccines. Inequalities, lingering COVID-19 disruptions, and increasing vaccine misinformation are contributing to uneven progress, according to the study led by researchers at the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and supported by the Gates Foundation and Gavi.

A new comprehensive study published in The Lancet has sounded a worldwide alarm: after five decades of progress, childhood vaccination coverage is stagnating or even retreating, leaving millions of children increasingly vulnerable to deadly yet preventable diseases. The analysis, released this week and drawing on 50 years of country-level data, warns that the number of “zero-dose” children—those missing even the most basic vaccines—remains distressingly high, with global immunisation efforts hampered by growing inequalities, the lasting shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an upsurge in vaccine hesitancy and misinformation (Washington Post; The Lancet).

A renewed surge in measles cases worldwide has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a heightened health advisory, urging travelers to ensure measles vaccination before international travel. The advisory, published at the end of May, underscores an “ongoing risk” that leaves individuals vulnerable to infection in airports, train stations, on public transport such as airplanes and trains, and at crowded tourist attractions, highlighting a wake-up call for travelers everywhere, including those from Thailand.

A global rise in measles cases has prompted health authorities to issue renewed warnings for travelers. The advisory stresses an ongoing risk of infection in airports, transit hubs, and crowded tourist sites, including for readers in Thailand. The reminder comes as countries report rising measles activity and travel-related exposures.

Data from the United States shows more than 1,000 measles cases confirmed in 2025, with the majority among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Health officials say a significant portion of cases have been linked to international travel, underscoring the importance of vaccination before any trip. Transmission remains a concern in transit settings due to the virus’s high contagiousness.

Recent decades show a dramatic decline in early childhood deaths in wealthy nations, a public health achievement not always acknowledged in headlines. The trend reflects sustained investments in health systems, disease prevention, and social supports that have dramatically lowered a child’s risk of dying before age five. Data from international research underscores how vaccines, better prenatal and neonatal care, access to antibiotics, nutrition, and safer living conditions have reshaped child survival.

In recent decades, children born in wealthy countries are far less likely to die in early childhood than at any point in modern history—a fact highlighted by a wave of new research but rarely celebrated in global headlines. This profound decline in child mortality is among the most significant public health achievements of our time, yet its story is often overshadowed by other health challenges, leaving many unaware of the progress made and the factors driving these improvements Our World in Data.

In a sobering assessment this week, a leading US infectious disease expert declared that the world may have moved into a “post-herd immunity” era for measles, as vaccination gaps spark resurgent outbreaks across multiple countries. The statement comes as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year alone—a harbinger that the protective barrier of community immunity is crumbling (The Guardian, MSN).

A leading US infectious disease expert warns the world may have entered a “post-herd immunity” era for measles as vaccination gaps spark renewed outbreaks. The United States is contending with its worst measles surge in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year. The warning underscores how gaps in vaccination can erode community protection and fuel transmission even in previously controlled regions.

For Thai readers, this development matters because declining vaccine coverage worldwide raises the risk of measles returning to countries that had long controlled the disease. Measles had been declared eliminated in many regions thanks to sustained vaccination campaigns, but recent disruptions and misinformation have dented uptake. In the United States and parts of Europe, vaccination rates have fallen below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity, raising concerns about localized outbreaks and spillover to other regions, including Southeast Asia.

The alarming drop in childhood vaccination rates is raising fresh fears of infectious disease resurgence in Thailand and around the world. According to recent research highlighted by international health experts, the downward trend in routine immunizations is leaving populations increasingly vulnerable to outbreaks of preventable illnesses such as measles and polio, marking a pivotal moment for public health systems globally, including Thailand (WIRED).

This issue is especially crucial for Thai families and policymakers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which disrupted health services and shifted public attention away from routine childhood immunizations. Historically, Thailand has celebrated strong immunization coverage, credited with eradicating diseases such as polio within its borders and sharply reducing cases of measles and diphtheria. However, the latest developments suggest these hard-won gains may now be at risk should the pattern mirror the global decline.

A worrying drop in childhood vaccination rates is fueling concerns about preventable disease outbreaks in Thailand and globally. Research highlighted by health experts shows routine immunizations slipping, leaving more children vulnerable to illnesses such as measles and polio. This moment calls for decisive public health action in Thailand and beyond.

The issue matters especially for Thai families and policymakers in the wake of the Covid-19 disruption to health services. Thailand has long boasted strong immunization coverage, helping erase polio within its borders and dramatically reduce measles and diphtheria cases. Yet recent trends hint that these hard-won gains could be at risk if the global decline persists.

A leading Mayo Clinic physician has outlined three straightforward actions everyone can take to lower their risk of developing head and neck cancers, a group of potentially life-threatening diseases affecting the mouth, throat, and voice box. The recommendations underscore the importance of prevention at a time when incidence rates for certain types of these cancers are rising globally, including in Thailand. Public health experts emphasize that adopting these strategies could dramatically reduce the burden of cancer in both individuals and communities.

A respected Mayo Clinic physician outlines three practical steps people can take to lower the risk of head and neck cancers, a group of diseases affecting the mouth, throat, and voice box. The guidance emphasizes prevention at a time when global rates are rising, including in Thailand. Public health experts say adopting these strategies could significantly lessen the cancer burden for individuals and communities.

Head and neck cancers contribute to a substantial share of cancer cases each year. In Thailand, oral cancer remains a particular challenge due to behavioral and environmental factors. The Mayo Clinic guidance aligns with international research that links lifestyle choices to cancer risk, making it highly relevant for readers seeking credible, actionable health information.

A new analysis of cancer prevention in the United States shows both progress and new challenges. Smoking rates are at historic lows, but HPV vaccination among teens has stalled. The findings offer timely lessons for Thailand, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and prevention campaigns must address both established and emerging risks.

The continued fall in smoking is a public health success. Decades of awareness campaigns, policy measures, and higher prices have driven adults away from tobacco. The World Health Organization notes similar downward trends in many countries, though progress is not uniform. In Thailand, smoking rates have eased—particularly among women and urban youths—but a sizable portion of men still use tobacco. Data from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health indicates about 17% of Thais over 15 are smokers, a figure higher than the current U.S. rate of around 11%. This places Thai policymakers on watch as tobacco-related cancers continue to burden the healthcare system.

A recent report on cancer prevention trends in the United States has delivered both hopeful and concerning findings: while smoking rates continue their historic decline, vaccination rates against human papillomavirus (HPV)—a leading cause of cervical and other cancers—have stalled. This research carries important lessons for Thailand, where cancer remains a leading cause of death and where public health campaigns must juggle both familiar and emerging risks (CNN, 2025).

The continued drop in smoking rates is seen as a major victory for US public health. Decades of anti-smoking campaigns, policy changes, and increased public awareness have pushed adult smoking rates in the US to all-time lows. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) points to similar downward trends in high- and some middle-income countries, though progress is uneven. In Thailand, while smoking rates have decreased somewhat—especially among women and urban youth—a significant portion of the male population still uses tobacco products. According to the Ministry of Public Health, about 17% of Thais over 15 are smokers, higher than the current US adult smoking rate of around 11% (Thai National Statistics Office, 2023; CDC, 2024). This positions the new US numbers as benchmarks for Thai policymakers, especially as tobacco-related cancers continue to challenge the country’s healthcare system.

For 16-year-old Molly from Weymouth, every day presents a battle—one that began four years ago when she first developed long Covid. From severe fatigue and heart palpitations to fainting spells, seizures, and even allergic reactions, Molly describes her experience as “horrible”, with basic activities now requiring a wheelchair and “two good days a week, maybe three”. With dedicated NHS long Covid support for young people in Dorset shuttered, Molly is preparing to journey 300 miles to Liverpool for private treatment, illuminating a broader crisis faced by young long Covid patients and raising urgent questions about national and global responses to this lingering pandemic (BBC).

Molly, a 16-year-old from Weymouth, wakes each day to fatigue, heart palpitations, and episodes that include fainting and seizures. Once she could walk through a school day, now basic activities require a wheelchair on many days, with “two good days a week, maybe three.” With local NHS long Covid support for young people shuttered, Molly’s family plans a 300-mile journey to Liverpool for private treatment. Her story reflects a broader crisis: young patients navigating a blurred landscape of limited services and uncertain futures.

A first measles case in Virginia for 2025 has drawn renewed attention to the return of a vaccine-preventable disease. Health officials in Virginia announced the case on 19 April 2025, underscoring the need to keep immunization rates high. This development is relevant for Thai families and healthcare providers amid global travel, vaccine hesitancy, and evolving infectious disease risks.

Measles remains one of the most contagious viruses, spreading through the air and causing fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash. Complications can be severe, including pneumonia and brain inflammation, particularly for young children and those with weakened immune systems. Global health authorities warn that declining vaccination rates and disruptions to routine immunizations during the COVID-19 era have contributed to pockets of outbreaks across multiple regions. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that most recent measles cases in the United States were unvaccinated or under-immunized, highlighting a persistent risk where gaps exist.