Reinstate funding for mRNA vaccine platform development to ensure rapid response capabilities for future pandemics.
Pandemics
Pandemics Risk
Assessment for this date
Today's pandemic risk is moderate, with rising COVID-19 levels, a chikungunya outbreak in China, and multiple infectious disease threats including H5N1 and MERS.
August 7, 2025
Trend
Viewing the record for August 7, 2025 within the full trend.
Risk Drivers
What is pushing the current reading.
The current global health landscape is marked by a slight increase in COVID-19 cases in the US, a significant chikungunya outbreak in China, and ongoing concerns about H5N1 avian flu and MERS cases in the Middle East. The discontinuation of mRNA vaccine platform development by HHS could hinder rapid vaccine deployment in future outbreaks. Additionally, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, as evidenced by low COVID booster uptake in the US, continue to pose challenges to public health responsiveness. Surveillance tools like wastewater detection for COVID-19 and new variant prediction models are promising but need broader implementation to effectively mitigate risks.
Risk Reduction Actions
Priority actions generated from the current analysis.
Enhance public health campaigns to increase COVID-19 booster uptake and combat vaccine misinformation.
Strengthen surveillance and reporting systems for emerging infectious diseases like chikungunya and H5N1.
Accelerate development and deployment of advanced surveillance tools for early detection of viral outbreaks.
Engage in grassroots efforts to educate communities about the importance of vaccinations and preventive health measures.
Sources Monitored
Visible feeds used in this category's nightly run.
Selected Articles
Supporting articles referenced in the latest score.
- HHS scraps further work on life-saving mRNA vaccine platform
- KFF poll shows most Americans plan to skip fall COVID booster
- Quick Takes: US COVID uptick, new polio cases in 4 countries, measles outbreak in Michigan
- New surveillance tool can predict COVID variants of concern
- COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection for cancer patients, but uptake remains low
- Cambodia announces 15th human H5N1 infection of the year
- Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster