A new federal center focused on vaccine safety is launching as respiratory virus season gets underway, with flu activity beginning to rise, RSV posing its greatest danger to young infants and ADHD remaining frequently overlooked in women.
CLEVELAND — These are the latest health headlines for Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
Research center to focus on possible health concerns linked to vaccines
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is creating a research center to investigate potential health concerns associated with vaccines. The agency also intends to recommend changes to the federal system used to report adverse events, or health problems occurring after vaccination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk that a vaccine will cause serious injury, a severe reaction or death is extremely remote.
The initiative has drawn criticism from some medical professionals. Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, said the United States already has the world’s most sophisticated vaccine safety monitoring system.
Flu cases are showing up early
Respiratory virus season is now beginning.
Federal data indicate that COVID-19 activity is elevated in some areas, although cases are falling nationwide. Cold-like viruses are spreading more widely, and infections involving Group A strep bacteria are also increasing. Flu levels remain low across the country but are starting to climb: Of more than 33,500 specimens tested recently, 3.4% were positive for influenza.
Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, said she is seeing influenza A at higher-than-expected levels and earlier than usual. An early increase does not necessarily signal a longer or more severe season, she said. Even so, now is an ideal time to receive a flu vaccine, particularly for young children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions.
Federal health recommendations call for everyone 6 months and older to receive a flu vaccine each season, with limited exceptions. Washing hands often, staying home while sick and covering coughs and sneezes can further reduce transmission.
RSV poses the biggest risk to babies
October is RSV Awareness Month.
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Respiratory syncytial virus levels are currently very low across most of the country, yet the infection sickens millions of children and adults every year. Dr. Camille Sabella, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, said the first RSV infection is generally the most serious. Babies younger than 6 months are therefore at the highest risk for pneumonia and hospitalization.
Possible symptoms include coughing, a runny or congested nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache, fatigue and fever. Infants may become unusually fussy or irritable, or show less interest in playing. Breathing difficulty, shortness of breath or wheezing requires immediate medical care. Most mild infections can be managed at home with supportive care.
Vaccines are available for pregnant women and older adults. Infants under 8 months who are born during RSV season and whose mothers were not vaccinated during pregnancy may receive a monoclonal antibody that provides vaccine-like protection. Frequent hand washing and routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces can also help because RSV spreads readily.
ADHD often goes unnoticed in women
October also marks ADHD Awareness Month.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is among the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in children, but experts say it is often missed in women. Jeffrey James, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, said ADHD can present differently in women than in men and children.
ADHD can affect executive functioning, including concentration, impulse control and emotional regulation. A person may have the inattentive type, the hyperactive-impulsive type or both.
Inattentive ADHD may involve regularly misplacing items, difficulty completing tasks, distractibility and forgetfulness. Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD can appear as fidgeting, interrupting, impatience and restlessness. Other possible indicators include sensitivity to rejection, procrastination, unusually intense emotional responses and repeatedly taking on additional commitments, such as extra work, volunteer duties, a second job or a small business.
Many women learn to hide their symptoms or develop strategies that help them compensate, making ADHD less apparent. James said diagnoses often come in adulthood, when a significant change in routine or shifts in hormone levels overwhelm those coping methods. ADHD is also among the most treatable diagnoses, and people who recognize possible symptoms can begin by speaking with a primary care provider or mental health professional.