HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania health officials are pouring new resources into infectious disease prevention as tuberculosis cases rise nationally and flu season accelerates ahead of the holidays, a dual public health push aimed at curbing transmission and protecting the most vulnerable residents.
The Department of Health announced Wednesday that it is investing $1 million to strengthen the Commonwealth’s tuberculosis prevention and treatment efforts, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing TB cases increasing across the United States. The funding, secured in Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget, represents a $126,000 increase over last year.
Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said the additional funding is intended to help Pennsylvania stay ahead of a concerning national trend by expanding early diagnosis and ensuring patients complete treatment, both of which are critical to stopping the spread of the airborne disease.
The state’s Tuberculosis Program supports clinics at 59 Department of Health state health centers and 11 county and municipal health departments. Services include diagnostic exams, laboratory testing and X-rays for uninsured patients, medications, and directly observed therapy, which helps ensure patients complete lengthy treatment regimens. The program also tracks and evaluates close contacts of people with infectious TB to prevent further transmission.
Officials said the added funding will allow the program to increase clinician hours, cover specialized diagnostic services for uninsured patients, and provide nutritional supplements to support treatment.
Two days later, state leaders broadened their public health message as flu activity continued to climb. On December 12, Bogen and Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich visited the Bucktown Center in Dunmore to urge Pennsylvanians to get vaccinated before holiday gatherings intensify the spread of respiratory viruses.
State health data show 7,125 laboratory-confirmed flu cases so far this season, along with 239 adult hospital admissions and 87 pediatric admissions. Those figures are in line with the past two flu seasons, but officials warned that older adults and people with underlying health conditions face a higher risk of severe illness.
Health experts say it takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protective antibodies, making early December a critical window for protection. The flu vaccine is updated annually and is recommended for everyone six months and older.
Kavulich said older Pennsylvanians, particularly those 65 and older, should prioritize vaccination to reduce the risk of serious complications during peak travel and family gatherings.
Most insurance plans cover the flu shot at no cost. Uninsured or underinsured residents can receive vaccines at state health centers, federally qualified health centers, or through the Vaccines for Children program. Officials also highlighted an FDA-approved nasal spray flu vaccine that eligible residents ages 2 to 49 can self-administer at home after completing an online medical screening.
The vaccination campaign follows an executive order signed earlier this year by Shapiro to protect access to evidence-based vaccines and combat misinformation. The order directs state agencies to align with medical guidance, establish a centralized vaccine information portal, and strengthen public education.
As respiratory illnesses circulate and TB cases rise nationally, state officials said the message is clear: prevention, early detection, and vaccination remain the strongest tools to protect Pennsylvanians and keep communities healthy through the winter months.
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