Nearly Half of CDC Databases Are Not Being Updated, Study Finds

Nearly half of CDC databases, primarily tracking vaccines, have stopped updating, raising concerns about public health monitoring in the U.S.

CDC Databases Showing Unexplained Lapses

Research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that by the end of October 2025, 38 out of 82 CDC databases had gone stale, with 34 showing no updates for at least six months. Many of these paused systems track critical public health data, including Covid-19 vaccination rates and hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“These unexplained pauses began predominantly in March and April 2025,” the study notes, coinciding with the early months of the Trump administration and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Vaccination Data Most Affected

Nearly 90% of the paused databases relate to vaccines, according to study authors. Examples include:

• Weekly Covid-19 vaccination updates for pregnant women

• Covid vaccination rates for all U.S. adults, with demographic and regional breakdowns

• RSV-related emergency department visits and protective drug usage for infants

Researchers called the pause “curious” and noted that the halt in updates appeared to be deliberate, though the exact reasons remain unclear.

CDC Responds to Concerns

A spokesperson for HHS stated that some changes reflect routine data quality and system management decisions, rather than political influence. The agency maintains that Covid, RSV, and flu reporting continue through other surveillance systems like FluView.

Experts Raise Public Health Alarm

Former CDC scientists and public health experts emphasized that outdated databases hinder real-time monitoring of vaccine coverage and disease spread, making it more difficult to respond to outbreaks.

Dr. Lisa Lee of Virginia Tech noted, “Local health officials often rely on CDC databases to guide public health responses. Without current data, protecting communities becomes much harder.”

Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, described the lapses as “a profound disregard for human life,” citing the administration’s controversial stance on vaccines.

Possible Reasons Behind Database Lapses

The study suggests multiple potential causes:

• Workforce reductions

• Budget cuts

• Shifts in federal vaccine policies

Additionally, some experts highlighted changes to the CDC website that contradict scientific consensus, including altered messaging on vaccines and removed guidance on gender identity, HIV, and contraception.

Broader Implications for Public Health

Since Kennedy became HHS Secretary, the U.S. has revised routine Covid recommendations, reduced mRNA vaccine research funding, and modified the childhood vaccine schedule. The new advisory panels have largely expressed skepticism toward vaccines, including rolling back longstanding newborn hepatitis B vaccination recommendations.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has since reaffirmed guidance similar to previous CDC recommendations, stressing that parents should consult board-certified pediatricians for reliable vaccine advice.

Conclusion

The study underscores a significant disruption in CDC’s vaccine and disease surveillance systems, raising concerns about the nation’s ability to track and respond to public health threats. Experts warn that without timely updates, communities may face delayed interventions during outbreaks, emphasizing the critical need for reliable, real-time health data.