Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Last Flu Season Came In With Highest Severity in 14 Years

The cumulative influenza-associated hospitalization rate for the 2024–2025 season was the highest since 2010–2011, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which classified the season overall as “high severity.” Hospital admissions from October 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025, reached 127.1 per 100,000 population and were highest among Americans aged 75 years and older (598.8). Across age groups, hospitalization rates during last season were 1.8 to 2.8 times higher …

COVID Vaccines Approved For 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week approved 3 COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming flu season. However, key restrictions that differ from years past include: fewer vaccine options for the youngest pediatric population; and generally no eligibility for those ages 5-64 who are healthy and not high-risk. In addition, FDA revoked emergency use authorizations for the vaccines, which had included a lower-dose option for children ages 6 months to 4 years. Announcements were posted …

Chronic Infant Mortality Leads Miss. To Declare Unusual Public Health Emergency

Mississippi health officials this week declared a public health emergency after new data showed the state’s infant mortality rate has soared. In 2024, 9.7 infants died for every 1,000 live births, up from 8.9 in 2023 and nearly double the national average of 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births, according to the state. Since 2014, 3,527 infants in Mississippi have died before their first birthday. Officials say the declaration will speed up efforts to expand …

AAP Recommends Kids Get COVID Vaccines

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) this week released an immunization schedule including evidence-based guidance for COVID-19 vaccines for children and adolescents. What some see as controversial, however, is the fact that the AAP schedule doesn’t align with recent government agency announcements. Specifically, AAP recommends the COVID vaccine for all children 6 months to 23 months of age as well as older children who are in several risk groups. By contrast, the latest Food and …

Legionnaires’ Outbreak Source Under Investigation in New York

New York health officials have now reported 5 deaths in connection with a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in Harlem, which has affected at least 92 people since late July, according to a health department press release. More than a dozen people have also been hospitalized as of this week. Leaders confirm that 10 buildings in the area tested positive for live Legionella bacteria, including a city-run hospital and sexual health clinic, which have now completed remediation …

AAP Stands By Flu Vaccination Without Formulation Preference

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is now recommending flu vaccination for all individuals aged 6 months and older for the 2025–2026 season, emphasizing that any age-appropriate vaccine should be delivered without preference for a certain product or formulation, as posted in a prepublication release in Pediatrics. Contrasting with recent federal moves, AAP is advising against avoiding or delaying vaccination in order to seek out specific thimerosal-free options. Although the Centers for Disease Control and …

GoHealth, UPMC Joint Venture Cuts Ribbons on Rebranded Centers

Following their announcement last fall to enter into a joint venture, GoHealth Urgent Care and UPMC health system have now cut the ribbons on a number of rebranded centers in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, bringing their network of urgent cares to a total of 81 centers across the 2 states. The partnership marked the initial entry of GoHealth in the western Pennsylvania market, and as part of the deal, UPMC’s existing urgent care centers were …

Measles Cases Keep Climbing, Exceeding Long-Term Records

This month, the United States reached a level of more confirmed measles cases for the year than in any time in the past 30 years. 1990 saw an unusual high of 27,808 measles cases reported with a series of outbreaks in large metro areas. However, subsequent improvement in vaccine policies encouraged higher vaccination rates, which helped dramatically reduce cases over the next few years. Cases dropped to 2,126 by 1992, and measles was declared eliminated …

UCA Names Steve Sellars As New CEO

Since the announcement in early 2024 anticipating the retirement of CEO Lou Ellen Horwitz, the Urgent Care Association (UCA) and its board of directors have engaged in a national candidate search and succession planning to lead the association going forward. This week, UCA named Steve Sellars as its new CEO. Well known by industry stakeholders, Sellars brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in urgent care to the table. He previously served as CEO …

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