Infectious Disease

Vaccine uptake this respiratory virus season is lagging compared to previous years, says Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Vaccination was associated with lower risks of infection, COVID-19-related illnesses, and hospitalizations due to COVID-19-related illnesses in children.

How many Americans report having long COVID symptoms? Which demographics is long COVID more prevalent in? A new analysis sheds light.

Distinguishing between influenza, COVID-19, and RSV and persuading vaccine-weary patients to get vaccinated are some of the challenges this season, says William Schaffner, MD.

The FDA and CDC must adopt the VRBPAC recommendation before it can be considered for implementation.

The FDA wants clinicians to avoid using the neutralizing antibody as it appears to be less effective against newer circulating strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

AAFP president Tochi Iroku-Malize, MD, MPH, MBA, urges gentle but persistent efforts among all clinicians to get school-aged children back on vaccination track.

The Kaiser Family Foundation survey found a 10% drop in the proportion of adults who say MMR vaccination should be required for school attendance, and other "halo" effects.

Preliminary estimates showed relative bivalent booster dose vaccine effectiveness against XBB/XBB.1.5 for at least the first 3 months after vaccination.

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The mRNA vaccine returned efficacy of 83.7% against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease defined by ≥2 symptoms and of 82.4% against disease defined by ≥3 symptoms.

Overall dyspnea was the most common symptom of long COVID in the first year after infection, according to the nationwide retrospective cohort study.

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Direct-acting antiviral treatment was independently associated with a lower risk of mortality and liver and nonliver outcomes in a large study of adults with chronic hepatitis C.

Among the CDC vaccine advisory group's recommendations are adding COVID-19 vaccines to the Vaccine for Children program and allowing PCV20 shots for those who previously received PCV13.

Lenacapavir is the first of a new class of antiretrovirals, and it is indicated for persons with multidrug resistance, intolerance, or safety considerations.

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One study showed the boosters provide significant protection against hospitalization and ED care and the other found vaccine effectiveness of 84% in older adults.

Physiatrist Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, MD, highlights the state of long COVID management in the US and says primary care is crucial in diagnosing and treating the new condition.

The vaccination campaign in the US also has prevented more than 18 million hospitalizations and saved $1 trillion in medical costs, according to a modeling study.

The FDA amended Pfizer and Moderna EUAs for updated COVID-19 vaccines to include children as young as age 6 months as holidays and winter weather approach.

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The inpatient flu census doubled after Thanksgiving travel and gatherings and ICU beds are full. More at-a-glance stats on Flu in the USA, here.

She reports cough and persistent escalating fever x2 weeks, headache but no neck stiffness. Tachycardia and mild skin pallor seen on PE. What do the lab tests tell you?

Pfizer and BioNTech submitted an application to the FDA for emergency use authorization of their omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in children aged 6 months to 4 years.