Influenza

Influenza rates were higher in Australia during the April-October season this year than they have been in 5 years. Should we be preparing now?

Pfizer announced that the first participants have been dosed in a novel phase 3 efficacy clinical trial of its quadrivalent modified RNA influenza vaccine candidate.

Preventing viral infections with vaccination can keep the most vulnerable out of the hospital, reducing the risk of bacterial superinfections.

Widespread antibiotic prescribing in the first year of the pandemic set back US progress on the fight against antimicrobial resistance, says Anne Meneghetti, MD.

Influenza season in the southern hemisphere is "substantial," says Dr William Schaffner. To prepare: "Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!"

The patients on the vaccine fence are the ones that take the extra time and, over time, an added measure of patience for the clinician.

Vaccine fatigue in the US, says Vanderbilt University's William Schaffner, MD, is plentiful for vaccines that are are good—but not perfect.

Let's call the next round of COVID-19 shots "updated vaccines," and help the public understand the true role of this vaccination, says NFID's Schaffner.

Respiratory virus season is top of mind for Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, and he says it's going to be a challenge.

Adult vaccine awareness in the US is historically low and complicated this year by booster fatigue and lots of catch-up, says family physician Gretchen LaSalle, MD.