Fear of needles affects up to two thirds of children and adults to some degree. New vaccination guidance suggests practical ways to make the experience easier. Here are 17 strategies backed by evidence: bit.ly/4iHXMEC

When it comes to mounting a cholera response, timing changes everything. When vaccine supplies are scarce, doses tend to go where outbreaks are already spreading. With supply improving, countries with predictable cholera concerns can begin to vaccinate earlier, before the next expected rise in cases. Here’s how Bangladesh is using that opportunity to shift from outbreak response towards prevention: bit.ly/4rjZSwr

A catastrophic flood in Nepal has killed thousands. Now, a grave public health crisis threatens as a second wave of danger. The latest on Nepal’s growing public health emergency: bit.ly/3TGe6LS

Every outbreak puts pressure on health workers. But the effects may last long after cases fall. A new study spanning 30 years and 194 countries and territories estimates that epidemics may be linked to the loss of around 17,500 health workers from the global workforce each year, with the greatest impact falling on countries that can least afford it. Why protecting health workers needs to be part of epidemic preparedness: bit.ly/4rrqMTc

Bangladesh had once hoped to eliminate measles and rubella by 2020. Instead, the pandemic disrupted routine childhood vaccinations and left pockets of children vulnerable. Now, the country is facing a major measles outbreak, with almost 900 suspected deaths since March, most of them children. Here’s why catching up children who missed measles vaccines is critical in Bangladesh and beyond: bit.ly/4yVnN7Z via @ConversationUK

Supply chains get vaccines to communities, but what does it take to get hesitant families to open their doors? In rural Nigeria, traditional village chiefs, imams and women leaders are helping bridge that final gap, using their trusted leadership to address concerns and encourage vaccination. Read the full story: bit.ly/4jgENRB

So far in 2026, the Americas have recorded more than 51,000 confirmed measles cases, the highest number in the last 22 years, according to @pahowho. Experts say declining vaccination coverage has driven the resurgence, with the huge volume of travel around this summer’s FIFA World Cup helping the virus spread across borders. What health authorities say needs to happen next: bit.ly/46HrCBR via @SciDevNet

Nepal’s flood was the first emergency. Now comes the risk of another. Contaminated water, crowded shelters and damaged health facilities are raising concerns about infectious disease outbreaks with health teams racing to respond. Here’s a look at the current response on the ground in Nepal: bit.ly/3TGe6LS

Needles can be a real barrier to vaccination, but small changes can make the experience less stressful. From using music as distraction to comfortable positioning or applying a topical anaesthetic, new guidance identifies 17 evidence-based strategies to reduce pain, fear and distress during vaccination. Read more: bit.ly/4iHXMEC

As El Niño intensifies Indonesia’s dry season, wildfires are spreading across parts of Borneo and Sumatra, blanketing communities in smoke. In South Kalimantan, health workers diagnosed more than 36,000 cases of acute respiratory infection in just over a month. Here’s what prolonged smoke exposure can mean for children and families: bit.ly/4xwJASy

In Yobe State, Nigeria military escorts are helping health teams return to communities where years of insecurity has disrupted routine vaccination and other essential care. More than 11,000 children across 232 settlements are planned to be reached through the initiative. Here’s what it takes to bring healthcare back to communities cut off by conflict: bit.ly/4yavSG3

Global health reform is back on the agenda this week at #UNGA81. But for reform to truly make a difference, health systems must work better for the people actually delivering and relying on care. Why reaching the last mile needs to be at the centre of global health reform, and the key recommendations @gavi is bringing to the deliberations: bit.ly/4An19XN

For years, cholera vaccines have been in high demand and limited supply, meaning available doses have largely been reserved for outbreak response. That has made it difficult for countries facing a predictable cholera burden to secure enough vaccine for preventive campaigns. Now, with global supply improving, Bangladesh – known as the “cradle of cholera” – has a rare opportunity to get ahead of that persistent threat. More than 5 million doses are being deployed in high-risk areas before the next seasonal surge, offering a glimpse of what prevention can look like when supply catches up with need: Read reporting on the ground on our VaccinesWork platform: bit.ly/4rjZSwr