CDC Data Pauses: Impact on Surveillance & Evidence

CDC Data Gaps Raise Concerns Over Public Health Evidence

Nearly half of the Centers for Disease control and Prevention’s routinely updated surveillance databases experienced unexplained pauses in data reporting as of late 2025, potentially weakening the evidence base relied upon by medical professionals and policymakers. A new audit reveals significant gaps in critical public health data, especially concerning vaccination tracking.

A team of researchers undertook a extensive review of the CDC’s public data catalog to investigate reports of these disruptions in real-time federal surveillance. On October 28,2025,the team examined 1,359 catalog records,focusing on 82 databases that were previously updated on at least a monthly basis. Databases were classified as “current” or “paused” based on their stated update schedule, allowing for a 30-day grace period.

Did you know? – The CDC relies on a network of data sources, including state and local health departments, to compile national surveillance statistics. Data quality depends on consistent reporting from these partners.

Troubling Trend of Paused Databases

The audit found that 38 of the 82 routinely updated databases – 46% – were paused as of the October 28th assessment. This means that just over half,44 databases (54%),remained current. Worryingly, the researchers found that prolonged gaps, rather than short delays, were the norm. According to the study, 34 of the paused databases (89%) had no data entries within six months of the analysis.

“These unexplained pauses erode the public evidence base,” one analyst noted. “When routinely updated datasets go quiet, it becomes harder to track trends and evaluate prevention strategies.”

Pro tip – When evaluating public health information, always check the date of the data. Outdated information may not reflect current conditions or trends.

Vaccination Data Most Affected

the disruptions were not evenly distributed across all surveillance areas. A significant majority of the paused databases – 33 out of 38, or 87% – focused on vaccination-related surveillance. In stark contrast, none of the 44 current databases addressed vaccination topics. The remaining paused databases covered areas such as respiratory diseases and a single public health measure related to drug overdose deaths.

Researchers revisited the paused databases on December 2, 2025, to determine if the issues were temporary. The results were concerning: only one of the 38 paused databases had been updated, indicating that the majority of the pauses persisted for weeks, and in many cases, months.

Reader question – How might these data gaps impact the ability to respond to future public health emergencies? What are your thoughts?

Implications for Public Health Decision-Making

The study highlights the critical importance of consistent and clear data reporting for effective public health management. Unexplained pauses in surveillance data can hinder the ability of clinicians, health system leaders, professional organizations, and policymakers to make informed decisions.

The authors advocate for the implementation of minimum transparency standards for all federal databases. These standards should include a clearly visible update status, a publicly available rationale for any pauses in updates, and a defined timeline for the next expected update, along with clear criteria for resuming data collection.

Without these measures, the researchers warn, unexplained pauses risk undermining evidence-based medicine and eroding public trust in vital public health institutions. The study underscores the need for a proactive approach to data management and transparency to ensure the continued reliability of the nation’s public health surveillance systems.

Reference: Jacobs JW et al. Unexplained Pauses in Centers for Disease