The annual IDWeek conference, held in Atlanta from October 19-22, 2025, brought together thousands of professionals focused on infectious diseases. Organized by groups including the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP), the event featured updates on research, policy, and clinical care.
Dr. Mike Osterholm from the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) provided an update on the Vaccine Integrity Project (VIP). He said, “While organizations like VIP cannot fully replicate the former strengths of federal agencies, such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), they can play an important role in addressing today’s public health challenges.”
Two initiatives from VIP were highlighted. The Interactive Immunization Data Visualization Tool enables users to review real-time immunization data relevant to vaccine recommendations. Additionally, a new journal called “Public Health Alerts,” produced by CIDRAP in partnership with The New England Journal of Medicine, will soon launch as an open-access platform for timely public health information.
Vaccination guidance for transplant patients was another focus. Dr. William Werbel discussed that transplant recipients are diverse in their risk levels and need tailored vaccination strategies against respiratory infections like RSV. He noted that only about 60% of transplant patients develop adequate antibody responses to RSV vaccines compared to 100% in general clinical trials. There is uncertainty regarding optimal dosing regimens and timing for this group.
Currently, two RSV vaccines—Pfizer’s Abrysvo and Moderna’s mResvia—are approved by the FDA for adults aged 18-49 at increased risk of lower respiratory tract disease due to RSV. However, there is no specific guidance yet for use among transplant patients. Guidance is expected soon as IDSA recently released new COVID-19 vaccine guidelines and plans similar recommendations for RSV and influenza using VIP’s systematic literature review with GRADE analysis.
Pharmaceutical companies presented early data on several vaccines during IDWeek: effectiveness of a COVID-19 JN.1 vaccine in older adults; rates of asymptomatic myocarditis in teens; immune responses to MenB vaccination in infants; responses to high-dose versus standard-dose flu vaccines among adults aged 50-64; and initial results from a new adjuvant for zoster vaccines. These findings are preliminary pending peer review and regulatory assessment.
Sessions also addressed congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). Dr. Mark Schleiss from the University of Minnesota described ongoing efforts to develop a CMV vaccine after decades of research. Despite advances, Moderna recently ended its phase 3 trial of an mRNA-based CMV vaccine after it failed to meet protection goals. Dr. Megan Pesch from the National CMV Foundation stressed advocacy for continued funding into cCMV screening and prevention research.
Speakers throughout IDWeek emphasized improving communication about infectious diseases across platforms such as social media, traditional media, podcasts, newsletters, community organizations, and faith leaders to ensure accurate information reaches both healthcare providers and families.
The meeting covered additional topics including travel vaccines and maternal immunization; further updates are expected as ongoing studies conclude.
