Topics Related to Public Health

NCDHHS Announces First Pediatric Flu Death of 2025-26 Season, Urges Vaccination for Children 6 Months and Older

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2025-2026 flu season. A child in the western region of the state recently died due to complications of influenza. To protect the family’s privacy, additional information will not be released.

Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses Increase In North Carolina

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase in flu activity and flu-related deaths. Three flu-related deaths were reported during the past week, bringing the total number of deaths this season to nine. This is a greater number of flu-related deaths so far compared to this time last season. North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season which was the highest number of statewide flu deaths recorded since reporting began in 2009. No flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North

NCDHHS Releases 2025-2030 Action Plan to Reduce Cancer Burden for North Carolinians

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has released A Statewide Call to Action to Reduce Cancer in North Carolina: 2025-2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan to address the complex factors and impacts of cancer that affect North Carolinians. It emphasizes reducing disparities among underserved and rural communities that experience higher rates of cancer, disability and death.

NCDHHS urges North Carolinians to “Be Antibiotic Aware” to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance

PRESS RELEASE — To recognize and raise awareness of safe antibiotic use, Governor Josh Stein has proclaimed the week of November 18-24, 2025, as North Carolina Antibiotic Awareness Week. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is calling attention to the importance of correct use of antibiotics, and the threat antibiotic resistance poses to people, animals, plants and their shared environment.

NCDHHS Celebrates 20 Years of Helping North Carolinians Quit Tobacco, Vaping with QuitlineNC

PRESS RELEASE — This week, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is celebrating 20 years of QuitlineNC – the state’s free, confidential quit-tobacco service that has helped tens of thousands of North Carolinians quit tobacco for good. Since its launch in 2005 as a telephone helpline, QuitlineNC has expanded to offer support by phone, text, and online video coaching, along with free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches and gum for eligible participants.

NCDHHS Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall: Defend Yourself: Reduce Your Risk of Respiratory Illnesses

MEDIA ADVISORY — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Wednesday, Nov. 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss ways to defend your family from respiratory illness; who should get updated flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines; and how to find testing and treatment.

NCDHHS Announces First Flu Death of 2025-2026 Season, Encourages Residents to Get Annual Vaccines and Use Other Preventive Measures

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season. An adult in the western part of the state died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released.

NCDHHS to Rescind COVID-19 Standing Orders Following CDC’s Updated Recommendations that Do Not Require a Prescription

PRESS RELEASE — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will rescind the State Health Director’s standing orders that allowed people to receive COVID-19 vaccines in pharmacies following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s approval of updated recommendations that allow for vaccination without a prescription. The standing orders will be rescinded on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to give North Carolina pharmacies time to adopt protocols that align with the approved recommendations.

Governor Stein and NCDHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai Get Annual Flu Vaccines

PRESS RELEASE — Governor Josh Stein and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai got their annual flu shots today at Walgreens in Raleigh, North Carolina and encourage North Carolinians to get vaccinated against seasonal viruses to best protect themselves from serious illness and hospitalization. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines are available at a variety of locations including pharmacies, where many North Carolinians choose to receive their vaccines. October is a great time to get vaccinated to have the strongest protection during peak respiratory virus season through winter.

Update: Postponed — Annual Wildlife Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Begins Mid-October to Help Protect North Carolinians and Their Pets

PRESS RELEASE — Update: As of Nov. 13, 2025, the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program bait distribution over western North Carolina has been postponed to spring 2026. NCDHHS will provide updates as they become available in the coming months.