Story perspectives

Flu-Pneumonia Deaths Surge Amid Disinformation, Military Reinstates Mandates

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

Influenza and pneumonia rose to eighth leading cause of death in 2025, causing 56,511 fatalities during a season.
Geeta Sood says disinformation fuels the vaccination gap, noting HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rolled back vaccine advocacy campaigns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded a death rate of 689.2 per 100,000 in 2025, after which military reinstated vaccine mandates after an outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

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Story summary

Influenza and pneumonia rose to eighth leading cause of death in 2025, causing 56,511 fatalities during a season.
Geeta Sood says disinformation fuels the vaccination gap, noting HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rolled back vaccine advocacy campaigns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded a death rate of 689.2 per 100,000 in 2025, after which military reinstated vaccine mandates after an outbreak at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.