Topics Related to Vaccines and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death this season. An adult in the central part of the state died from flu complications early this month.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of how serious the flu can be. We encourage everyone to take steps to protect themselves and others this respiratory virus season. Getting vaccinated, staying home when sick, washing hands regularly and covering coughs and sneezes can all help reduce the spread of seasonal illnesses.”  

-NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai

Starting in early October, wildlife officials will be dropping rabies vaccine baits in western North Carolina to help protect people, pets and wildlife from rabies. NCDHHS is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on this effort.

NCDHHS has confirmed several baby goats at the Farm Adventures mobile petting zoo had rabies. People may have touched or held these goats while the animals were infected.

To keep the public informed, NCDHHS has launched a new Measles Cases and Outbreaks Dashboard. The dashboard will be updated around noon twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, with new case and exposure information. To protect privacy, no personal details about people who are sick will be shared.

Recent news releases:

North Carolina has reported its first flu-related death of the 2025-26 season. An adult in the western part of the state died from flu complications in early October.

“This is a sad reminder that flu infections can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal. We encourage everyone to take preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses like getting your yearly flu shot, regularly washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick to avoid infecting others.”

— State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore

Starting in April, wildlife officials will be dropping rabies vaccine baits in western North Carolina to help protect people, pets and wildlife from rabies. NCDHHS is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on this effort. 

Pharmacies in NC can now give COVID-19 vaccines without a prescription after a short discussion on the benefits and risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its recommendations to allow this change.

Due to this update, NCDHHS ended standing orders that allowed pharmacies to give COVID-19 vaccines without prescriptions. These orders are now not needed with the updated CDC recommendations.

As children across NC get ready to head back to school, it's a good time to make sure they are up to date on vaccines. 

Children and teens are more susceptible to certain diseases. Vaccines help protect your child and keep them healthy so they can learn and grow.