LPHA INFO HUB
DHSS Updates
► CDC Revised Immunization Recommendations (Jan 5 press release) (fact sheet) (CDC revised schedule). Updated bullets
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Missouri school and child care/preschool immunization requirements have NOT changed.
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Missouri school immunization requirements are established by Missouri regulations, and those regulations remain unchanged at this time.
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The CDC/ACIP provides recommendations, but they do not set or require school or child care/preschool immunization mandates.
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For school-age children, schools should continue to follow Missouri's immunization requirements.
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Requirements for Missouri child care and preschool children.
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The changes will not affect VFC eligibility at this time.
► Flu Increase: Missouri health officials urge flu prevention amid seasonal uptick, 12/31/2025 (press release) (CDC talking points for internal use only) NEW!
► BEHS Moving: DHSS' Bureau of Environmental Health Services will be moving in mid-January 2026 under Licensing & Regulations. Contact information and BEHS services to LPHAs will remain the same. NEW!
► Alpha-Gal Syndrome: DHSS has created a new webpage on Alpha-Gal (link) NEW!
► Cannabis Update: DHSS publishes annual report from the Chief Equity Officer detailing cannabis microbusiness activity in 2025. (link)
► Overdose Discussion: DHSS Overdose Data to Action in States (OD2A-S) team will host a free virtual panel discussion for LPHAs on February 4 from 1:30 - 3:00 pm.
► FPHS Model Training: New training on how to use Missouri's Foundational Public Health Services model is being developed by DHSS and Ozarks Public Health Institute. Input from LPHAs is invited. Join one of three Office Hours sessions to share your suggestions. See the Hub calendar for Zoom connection information.
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Wed, Jan 7, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
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Tues, Jan 13, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
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Thurs, Jan 22, 9:00 – 10:00 am
Upcoming Due Dates
► Jan 15: PHIG Monitoring Assessment for RP6 due
► Jan 15: PHEP semi-annual report due to DHSS
► Feb 13: CHIP H.S.I. Net expenditure report for Quarter Ending 12-25 (October 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025)
► Feb 27: MCH mid-year progress report due to District Nurse Consultant (DNC)
► Mar 31: MCH FFY2026 contract work plan amendments due to DNC
► Cannabis: Unregulated psychoactive cannabis product enforcement (FAQ) (Report a Retailer form)
► FPHS Costing Gap Analysis opens for FY25 in January. Training available 1:00 - 2:00 pm on Jan 12 - 15, Jan 26 - 29, Feb 9 - 11, Mar 16 - 18. See calendar for details.
► Hep C Testing: Free Hepatitis C testing through the State Public Health Lab (10/20/2025 letter) (instructions)
► Radon text kits available free to the public and videos on how to use the test kit (also in Spanish). (link)
► Sexual Assault Response: SAFEvT, Sexual Assault Forensic Exams via Telehealth Network (sites map)
► Smoke-free Housing: Missouri Smoke-free Housing Directory
► Wastewater Surveillance: Program Update
Vaccines
► COVID-19 vaccine available for VFC providers to order via ShowMeVax. (details)
► Docket® vaccination portal (smartphone app and web platform)
► Shared Clinical Decision-Making Guidance
► Show Me Vax, Missouri Immunization Registry
National News
► 1/7/2026: Federal leaders release updated U.S. nutrition policy and revised dietary guidelines. (link)
► 1/7/2026: Medical groups respond to new federal food pyramid guidance. (link)
► 1/7/2026: A new study shows patients who stop taking obesity drugs regain weight almost four times faster than people coming off a diet, returning to their original weight in less than two years. (link)
► 1/7/2026: New report suggests this year's flu vaccine is showing protection against the subclade K strain. (link)
► 1/7/2026: OpenAI releases ChatGPT Health, which allows users to analyze their medical test results, prepare for doctors appointments, and seek guidance on diets and workout routines. (link)
► 1/5/2026: CDC revises childhood immunizations recommendations based on a study of peer countries. (link)
► 12/29/2025: Missouri to receive $216,276,818 in Rural Health Transformation funding. (link)
Missouri in the News
► 1/6/2026: KC’s largest safety-net clinics push back as city takes hard look at health levy. (link)
► 1/6/2026: Planned Parenthood in Rolla closes its physical office and shifts to only serving clients online. (link)
► 1/4/2026: Flu numbers surging in Columbia/Boone County; significant increase also reported in Missouri. Eagle 93.9 (link)
► 1/2/2026: DHSS is reporting a six- percent increase in emergency room visits as the state heads into peak flu season. ABC, Columbia. (link)
► 1/2/2026: Missouri DHSS launches new website for tobbacco prevention. News Press Now, St. Joseph (link)
This program aims to strengthen the public health workforce by creating a pipeline program that supports students’ interest in public health and provides a pathway to permanent positions. DHSS has partnered with Missouri State University's MPH program to match interested students from across Missouri with DHSS and LPHA internships.
Students receive a stipend of $20 per hour up to $6,400 for completing an internship of up to 320 hours depending on academic program requirements and agency projects. Students and recent graduates in nursing, environmental health, undergraduate or graduate public health programs, and other disciplines interested in pursuing a public health career are encouraged to apply by the following deadlines:
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Summer 2026 Semester: March 14, 2026
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Fall 2026 Semester: May 16, 2026
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Spring 2027 Semester: October 17, 2026
Agencies interested in hosting a student should also apply.
Interns are randomly selected and matched to DHSS or LPHA hosts. Hybrid models are acceptable, but fully remote internships are not supported. Selection announcements will be made on the following schedule:
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Summer 2026 Semester: March 17, 2026
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Fall 2026 Semester: May 19, 2026
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Spring 2027 Semester: October 20, 2026
Direct questions to Rebecca Damron at MSU.
► Subrecipient Training (slide deck), M Mahaney, DHSS OA, 5/14/2023
► FDA Training and Continuing Education
► CIFOR (foodborne disease investigation and control), APHL
*Note: Requires an APHL account.
► Intro to MO HNS, DHSS
► Learning Connection, CDC
► Roots of Health Inequity, NACCHO
► Public Health Communications Collaborative Academy
► Community Water Fluoridation video training series NEW!
► Grants Management and Compliance Training (eligible for incentive funds) NEW!
► Sexual Assault Forensic Exams, training courses NEW!
► VFC 411 training sessions in 2026 NEW!
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.