Dr. Monica Kharbanda M.D.

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

Something to think about !!

Measles cases have surpassed another milestone with more cases in 2025 than any year since 1991. Experts also note that cases likely are significantly undercounted, as many go unreported.

The CDC confirms that about 69% of the confirmed cases were among children and teens. About 93% of the overall confirmed measles cases were among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.

The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000, but as vaccination rates have gone down, measles cases have gone up. The AAP recommends children receive the two-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination series for the strongest protection against measles.

01/01/2026

12/25/2025

Influenza activity in the United States has spiked across the country, with 17 jurisdictions (14 states and Puerto Rico; Washington, DC; and New York City) reporting high or very high influenza-like illness (ILI) and other key indicators rising markedly, signaling the start of the flu season in earn...

12/21/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1aTWkFr4as/

Cases of the flu continue to mount, with health officials recently recording the first pediatric flu-related deaths of the season, but some states are seeing much higher activity than others. https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/bloom-health-and-wellness/map-influenza-hitting-these-states-hardest-as-super-flu-continues-to-spread/

11/27/2025

Babies are dying of whooping cough across the US... and it is largely preventable.

We’ve had more than 25,000 pertussis cases this year so far. Cases are on track to surpass 2024 (a year that already saw a fivefold jump from the year before). In the first three months of 2025 alone, the U.S. logged 6,600 cases — 4× the same period in 2024 and 25× 2023!

Deaths have occurred in several states: three unvaccinated infants in Kentucky, two infants in Louisiana (we are not sure of vaccination status), and a child under 5 in Washington state who had received some doses but had not completed the DTaP series (and had other contributing health factors).

Between 2000–2017, 84% of U.S. pertussis deaths occurred in babies under 2 months old — the window BEFORE they can get their first DTaP.

IF ONLY WE HAD A WAY TO PREVENT THIS....
We do. And yes — we’re upset. These deaths should not be happening.

When children receive the complete 5-dose DTaP series on schedule, the vaccine protects about 98% of them in the year after the final dose. When pregnant women get Tdap between 27–36 weeks, it prevents ~78% of pertussis cases in newborns and is ~91% effective at preventing hospitalization.

The problem is that people aren’t getting it...

DTaP coverage among kindergarteners has fallen to 92.1%, down from about 95% pre-pandemic. That may look like a small drop — until you understand herd immunity thresholds. And until you start counting dead babies.

Pertussis in infants is brutal. About 1 in 3 is hospitalized. About 1 in 5 develops pneumonia. Some suffer seizures or brain swelling. Around 1% die.

Adults describe coughing until they vomit or break ribs.
Infants? They turn blue. They stop breathing. They die.

Whooping cough was rare for decades after vaccination became widespread — until the 2000s, when waning immunity, natural cycles, and pockets of low coverage (fueled by misinformation) allowed it to roar back.

We had this under control. Fear and misinformation are undoing decades of progress.
Get vaccinated. Get your kids vaccinated. If you’re pregnant, get Tdap between 27–36 weeks.

https://kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/25/third-unvaccinated-kentucky-baby-dies-of-whooping-cough/
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/pertussis/cases-rise-nationally-2-infants-die-pertussis-louisiana
https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/news/two-louisiana-infants-die-of-pertussis-amid-drop-in-vaccinations/

11/27/2025

https://mmaap.mmsend.com/link.cfm?r=0QwWJOGcaDZvCWv0LLw3mQ~~&pe=Bkw5IGAVXq24cN6QrMRx0S2qdYN3FpR5cXWSs-pWYexmFfdun3AIrGQNcjkqaJq6TlHgN2yrYGqq9fguuT0LPg~~&t=IX2aJ9ubdKtU5_kLGcfKSg~~

11/12/2025

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsmv.com%2F2025%2F11%2F11%2Fadhd-medication-recalled-nationwide-because-users-arent-getting-full-effect%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWlFXVmJJbGdYdDR4R2U5M3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4EPtM1r4jwG_m353Ay5l3LXYx24kCnyhNAZv_tyKDGKzdR9da3SDDcdgU2wg_aem_VmnEdhiJmliwfGW8MNjZWA&h=AT3kqB1JEXX2chshs5vchVXr_i6TNv8GORaiwUEIvbdNCwTRMesElFWXyT25emS2mfzjZRPTN-upiEy8BxjrdwK4EcdS_lnlTUaMRk80ul6XGaNq926uwsIIsAwHX6eIRyp9rMklAX_g5A&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT0DGFedCICKhX2pkW04gcbQpdq8HQi9P1w2bX6xq79PlNVoDX4MHyCgbUPwAQ05curPoeeauMncKJ_iNgpXn-nOSLjucA1UuSE_EuqKtjm3MryXrJOXpUI576MDAZiB73NX4V2XMaUXb6nxCIF5muWHnY5wCcH6q3eka6Ae6KU3_9jjc3WF7NurSCk1DE5D1hnX_poyP80YJNnoP1wm1BsnP8_vXZXBQ4P7od1560Uyd0iY4A8NbeHfCiDpaXfs

A popular ADHD medication is being recalled nationwide because its users won’t be able to get the full effect.

11/10/2025

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvlt.tv%2F2025%2F11%2F09%2F13-babies-hospitalized-with-cases-infant-botulism-linked-formula-under-recall%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQTFqVGxnYmpYRWRycUk5UnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6AAnOYKzjzz4L8IfTnciztto4QoSuMe6-_duhVHSExq9KpWicebP_MU016Dg_aem_3KPg-5rE2OvOTi2jeApshw&h=AT1IL4pxiV2B0gu-twPFqhRawmvkh-GmeZxcj7lRaszwPWWfAel3q9l7c94vhUfsexjLkQmr2rOxlxbOeqQzC3OMEpFAt2sdAyixUAVhow8tLaZYbRU-XApQtNCEKP3bMOFp0zxF_7WPLw&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT3FWm3e6GCadrHDcFiCMvVivRYh1tnOUk6NWN5eg-F8EY2KD0lk8dKQk-hoqDkOzgVubqo1ApgbWZN6K_pOdFfrqfiwRz6Y7NHvqW2h9_CJaCOu1jBoG8RVafbQQYfp58G3UcFX2-OjgQzL_BJ2uN5G3CXkJvV11fZc-SeN-wdMTKKk0o7kvb85kZSV_Vj9FMW8QbrVhxIf5yIpaP2ZcxKp

Federal and state health officials are investigating 13 cases in 10 U.S. states of infant botulism linked to baby formula that is being recalled.

11/01/2025

Autistic children are valued members of our communities, deserving of support driven by high-quality research. Though preliminary studies have suggested the potential benefit of leucovorin for some autistic children, the evidence base remains too limited to support a wider recommendation. Questions on its benefits, dosing, appropriate monitoring and potential long-term impacts remain unanswered. Larger trials are needed to determine whether leucovorin is a safe and effective option for the autistic pediatric population.

AAP will update its guidance as evidence is compiled and encourages pediatricians to engage in shared decision-making with families asking about leucovorin while providing clear information about the evidence available and the potential risks. Learn more at the link below.
https://bit.ly/3WupJU7

10/30/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Eom6QpwPr/