Vaccine-preventable diseases are surging across the United States, but science has given us the tools to turn this moment of warning into an opportunity for action.
Joseph Bresee, M.D.
Director, Partnership for International Vaccine Initiatives
Across the United States, vaccine-preventable infectious diseases have surged. Large outbreaks of measles and increases in whooping cough cases offer clear evidence of the risks created by declining vaccination rates, as Americans face a steady stream of misinformation. In addition, this season serves as a reminder of the dangers influenza poses, as a new mutation of the virus is currently spreading quickly throughout the country.
But this moment is not just a warning; it is an opportunity. We are not powerless. For all of these diseases and many more, we have safe, effective tools to prevent illness, protect families, and strengthen our communities.
What the research tells us
New research published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet offers both clarity and hope. In a study tracking more than one million adults in England, researchers found that many who initially described themselves as vaccine-hesitant ultimately chose to get vaccinated. What changed? Access to credible information, visible evidence that vaccines were working, and growing confidence over time.
Hesitancy, the research suggests, is often temporary and responds to transparency and trust. That insight also matters here at home. Vaccines remain one of the most proven public health tools in modern history. They reduce severe illness, ease pressure on hospitals, and protect our most vulnerable groups, including children, older adults, and those with health conditions that put them at risk. But vaccines only work if people receive them.
What we can do
Turning innovation into immunity requires more than scientific breakthroughs. It requires strong systems, trusted partnerships, and consistent community engagement. At the Partnership for International Vaccine Initiatives (PIVI), a program of The Task Force for Global Health, we have long worked alongside governments and health leaders around the world to strengthen vaccination programs and ensure that life-saving innovations reach people efficiently and equitably. By focusing on practical solutions and long-term resilience, PIVI is helping communities stay protected not only from seasonal threats like influenza but from future pandemics as well.
Encouragingly, we know what works: transparent and honest communication, accessible vaccination services, and trusted medical voices. When communities come together around evidence, health outcomes improve.
Each of us has a role to play. Stay informed through reliable medical sources. Speak with your healthcare provider. Keep recommended vaccinations up to date for yourself and your family. From innovation to immunity, progress is within reach. Science has done its part. With informed action and strong leadership, we can do ours — protecting ourselves and the communities where we live. Together.
