November 14, 2025 PA Dept. of Health Announces Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Formula The Pennsylvania Department of Health has issued a health alert network announcement regarding an infant botulism outbreak that is linked to infant formula. Learn More On November 11, ByHeart, Inc. recalled all lots of ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula in response to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ongoing investigation into a recent outbreak of infant botulism. According to the company’s website, the formula was sold through its website, ByHeart.com, as well as through retail stores nationwide, including Amazon, Kroger, Walmart, Whole Foods, Target, Sam’s Club, and others. Infant botulism is a rare but potentially fatal paralytic illness that affects babies less than 1 year old. Symptoms can include constipation, poor feeding, drooping eyelids, a weak cry, and progressive muscle weakness. Treatment with botulism immune globulin, BabyBIG®, obtained from the California Department of Health, is recommended for all suspected cases of the illness. Infant botulism is a reportable disease in Pennsylvania. All suspected cases must be reported to the state’s Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH or to a local health department. For more information, read the health alert network announcement on The Pennsylvania Key website.
August 11, 2025 August Is National Immunization Month National Immunization Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Learn More Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages parents to ensure that their children’s immunizations are up-to-date as part of back-to-school preparations. According to recent CDC vaccination numbers, a large majority of children – between 80% and 92% – were vaccinated for routine immunizations, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and other diseases. However, just less than 50% were vaccinated for the flu as of late April, while only 13% of children were up-to-date with the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health requested that all licensed child care providers complete the Annual Child Care Immunization Survey by Friday, Sept. 19 to meet state reporting requirements. Resources Below is a list of resources for educators and parents, including information on vaccines, immunization schedules, and answers to frequently-asked questions: American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthychildren.org Immunization Page CDC easy-to-read immunization schedules CDC’s vaccine website for parents Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program: Information
July 16, 2025 DOH Calls on Child Care Providers to Complete Annual Child Care Immunization Survey Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is requesting that all licensed child care providers complete the Annual Child Care Immunization Survey to meet state immunization reporting requirements. Learn More The DOH asks all licensed child care providers to complete and submit the survey by Friday, Sept. 19. The completion of the survey is intended to meet the state’s reporting requirements regarding immunization for children in child care group settings. A number of resource materials are available to help with reviewing immunization records and completing the survey, including: 2025 Childhood Immunization Schedule Vaccine Identification document Immunization Tracking Sheets (in PDF and Excel) The new survey is longer because of its new format. The DOH developed immunization tracking sheets that follow the survey questions. Before taking the survey this year and in future years, completing the tracking sheets will help child care providers take the survey. The DOH and county or municipal Health Department staff – mostly registered nurses – will visit selected child care providers to offer education, resource materials, and other items or activities about the importance of vaccines and to answer questions. Any questions should be sent to the DOH at RA-DHImmunize@pa.gov. The survey is available on the DOH’s website.
May 12, 2025 Pennsylvania Key Releases Resources to Prevent Measles Outbreak The Pennsylvania Key has released new resources on measles as part of its health-related trends in early childhood for May. Measles Outbreak The resources were released amid a global measles resurgence that has increased the risk of outbreaks in the United States. Outbreak cases of measles – which is the most highly contagious preventable disease – have been reported in 12 states, including Pennsylvania. As of mid-April, a total of 800 U.S. cases have been reported, which is a 180 percent increase over the number of 2024 cases. About 96 percent of people who caught the illness were unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown. Two school-aged children and one adult, all unvaccinated, have died from the disease. The Pennsylvania Key’s resources include: A short video on the 5 Things You Need to Know About Measles Three lessons learned from the current outbreak from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Vaccine Education Center Pennsylvania Department of Health’s measles fact sheet Information for caregivers or staff to prevent measles spread in school or child care settings Information on the measles vaccine Measles can be dangerous, especially for infants, young children, pregnant women, and unvaccinated people. Children and caregivers or staff could miss child care or school for long periods of time if they catch the measles. The disease can lead to severe complications that could result in hospitalization or death. For more information, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s website.
October 7, 2024 PA Department of Health Sends Immunization Survey to Providers With October Deadline The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is sending a survey regarding child care immunization records to all licensed providers. Learn More The annual reporting of immunizations by all licensed child care providers is a state requirement. In recent years, the requirement was met by the DOH and County Municipal Health Department (CMHD) staff visiting a random sample of providers to review and document the status of immunization records. However, this method did not give the DOH a complete picture of the immunization status of child care providers statewide or identify areas of the state that could benefit from additional education or vaccination services. As a result, the process to meet state reporting requirements has changed this year and involves two processes that have or will take place: The DOH and CMHD staff visited a random sample of providers over the summer but only to educate, provide resource materials, and help providers read and understand vaccination records A new Child Care Reporting survey is now required. It needs to be completed by all licensed child care providers even if they received a visit by a DOH or CMHD staff member this summer. The survey will be used to assist the DOH in identifying areas of the state that may require additional education and outreach services regarding immunizations and vaccine availability. Once a provider submits the survey, a copy of responses will be emailed to the address listed on the survey. The survey must be completed by no later than Thursday, Oct. 31.
July 24, 2024 Changes Announced for DOH Staff Visits to Child Care Providers The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will continue their collaboration regarding immunizations for children and staff at child care providers. However, there will be some changes this year regarding visits to providers and the reporting of each child’s immunization status. Learn More A letter from OCDEL to child care providers states that, beginning in July, DOH field nurses and local Municipality Department of Health field staff will visit randomly selected providers to offer immunization education and resource materials for staff and parents or caregivers. A review of child immunization records can be provided if requested by the child care provider. Providers will be able to ask questions and request specific educational resources from the field nurses and staff who visit their facilities. Additionally, the DOH will send out electronic surveys to all child care providers regarding the immunization status of every enrolled child at their facility. These surveys will serve as the mandatory reporting requirements for child care settings outlined in DOH regulations. The surveys are expected to be sent out later this summer. Child care providers who are randomly scheduled for a visit should expect a phone call or email from DOH or the local municipality. Any questions or concerns should be addressed to the DOH’s Janine Strick at 717-878-5681.
