The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) maintains a collection of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which collects and analyzes data from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on epidemiology and public health. Each issue of the MMWR is packed with raw and analyzed public health data and scientific studies from some of the top minds in the United States. Below we highlight some of the most current and informative studies included in their weekly reports. 

Here are some important articles you may have missed from Volume 72, Issues 20-23 of the Centers for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series. 

June 9, 2023 / No. 23 Featured Article: 

“Notes from the Field: Exposures to Mpox Among Cases in Children Aged ≤12 Years — United States, September 25–December 31, 2022“

This article provides a look at cases of Mpox in children, giving researchers a greater understanding in how the virus is spread, and aiding in the development of further strategies to prevent infections.

June 2, 2023 / No. 22 Featured Article: 

“Notes from the Field: Update on Pediatric Intracranial Infections — 19 States and the District of Columbia, January 2016–March 2023“

A recent surge of intracranial infections in children prompted a CDC investigation. The article above provides a brief look at the data collected.

May 26, 2023 / No. 21 Featured Article: 

“Estimates of Bivalent mRNA Vaccine Durability in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Hospitalization and Critical Illness Among Adults with and Without Immunocompromising Conditions — VISION Network, September 2022–April 2023“

This article provides an updated look at bivalent mRNA vaccine effectiveness (VE). As expected, VE wanes over time; however, the vaccines do still appear to provide protection against critical illness. On April 19, 2023, the CDC updated recommendations to allow adults aged 65 years or older and those with immunocompromising conditions to receive optional additional bivalent doses.

May 19, 2023 / No. 20 Featured Article: 

“Estimated Effectiveness of JYNNEOS Vaccine in Preventing Mpox: A Multijurisdictional Case-Control Study — United States, August 19, 2022–March 31, 2023“

Information on vaccine effectiveness (VE) of the JYNNEOS vaccine against Mpox has thus far been very limited. This article provides a closer look at the most recently collected data.

For more information on COVID, visit HSDL’s COVID-19 Resource Archive. You can also find pandemic-related resources in HSDL’s In Focus on Pandemics and Epidemics, and search our statistical resources related to public health.