December 4th 2024
Many unvaccinated adults reported intent to get vaccinated, according to early season estimates released in MMWR.
November 12th 2024
The FDA cleared Novavax to start enrolling the planned phase 3 trial after a safety concern was found to be unrelated to the combination vaccine.
November 11th 2024
Find details on the surge in US pertussis cases, the first self-administered flu vaccine, and study findings underscoring the evolving nature of long COVID.
Insights on how to manage the "triple threat" of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 this season.
October 31st 2024
Your daily dose of the clinical news you may have missed.
Vaccine-preventable Viruses Associated with Increased Risk for Neurodegenerative Disease: NIH Findings
The large biobank-based study found 22 pairings of a neurodegenerative disorder and a previous viral infection. Vaccines exist against several of those viruses.
It's Still Flu Season, Don't Let Patients Drop Their Guard, Says Expert
Medical director of the NFID William Schaffner, MD, shares his messages to primary care clinicians as the final months of this year's flu season near.
Changes to the ACIP 2023 Adult Immunization Schedule
Get a quick topline look at specific revisions and additions included in the ACIP's recommendations for routine immunization of those aged ≥19 years in the US.
Changes to the ACIP 2023 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedule
Get a quick topline look at specific revisions and additions included in the ACIP's recommendations for routine immunization of those aged ≤18 years in the US.
Immunization Levels Disheartening This Flu Season, Says William Schaffner, MD
Vaccine uptake this respiratory virus season is lagging compared to previous years, says Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Respiratory Tripledemic 2022-23: Expert Update, Top Challenges
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.
ACIP 2023 Vaccination Schedule Update, At-a-Glance
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.
FDA Authorizes Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines as Booster Dose in Children Aged 6 Months to 5 Years
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.
Respiratory Virus Season Update: By the Numbers
Daily Dose: Statin Prescribing in Primary Care
Your daily dose of clinical news you may have missed.
Influenza Update: Hospital Admissions Double During post-Thanksgiving Week
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.
Tripledemic Virus Spread Could Jeopardize Holiday Season 2022, says CDC Director Walensky
Flu rates are up after the Thanksgiving holiday week, COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing, and RSV may or may not be on the wane as Christmas approaches.
Brush up on RSV: Symptoms, Risks, and Treatment
Respiratory syncytial virus is an age-old winter foe that could affect many of your patients this year. Take a minute and scan these facts for a refresher.
CDC Reports Flu Activity at 10-year High as COVID-19 and RSV Fill Hospital Beds
Overall flu activity is at a 10-year high, according to the CDC's most recent influenza surveillance report, while US hospitals are already overwhelmed.
Daily Dose: Early Oseltamivir in Hospitalized Children with Influenza
Large Analysis of Hospitalized Children with Influenza Supports Early Oseltamivir Treatment
Early oseltamivir use reduced the length of hospitalization and risk for hospital readmission in children hospitalized with influenza, according to new research.
Daily Dose: High-dose Flu Vaccine Consistently More Effective vs Standard-dose
High-dose Influenza Vaccine Consistently More Effective vs Standard-dose in Older Adults: Meta-analysis
The high-dose influenza vaccines provided greater relative vaccine effectiveness/efficacy vs standard dose in a cohort of more than 45 million.
Primary Care is the Likely "Home" for Long COVID Care: A Conversation with AAFP Board Chair Sterling Ransone, Jr, MD
AAFP Board Chair Ransone points to recent data that show two-thirds of long COVID patients are already treated in primary care settings.
We Can't Predict a COVID-19 Surge, But We Can Prepare Patients for It: AAFP Board Chair Dr Sterling Ransone, Jr
It is clear that COVID-19 comes in waves, but it's too soon in the life of the virus to predict patterns, Ransone says. Strategy? Get shots in arms.
How to Talk to Patients about Coadministration of Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccines This Year
AAFP Board Chair Sterling Ransone, Jr, MD, encourages patients to get both shots at one visit; if they don't, he has strategies to bring them back for the one they didn't get.
AAFP Tips on Getting Shots into Arms this Flu Season with Sterling Ransone, Jr, MD
AAFP Board Chair Sterling Ransone, Jr, MD, offers an Academy refresher on the annual push-back from patients that is so familiar to family medicine clinicians.
Will This be the Year of the Twindemic? AAFP Board Chair Ransone Thinks Out Loud with Patient Care
About half of American adults plan not to get a flu shot this year; everyone is tired of COVID talk and prevention; but flu is brewing in the southern hemisphere, Ransone says.
AAFP Board Chair Sterling Ransone, Jr, MD, Has Concerns About Flu Season 2022-2023
Ransone hasn't had a case of influenza in his practice in 2 years, but with mitigation measures all but over and COVID-19 in the wings, this year could be different.
Are the Southern Hemisphere's High Influenza Rates a Warning for the North This Year?
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?
Antivirals Recommended for Influenza Treatment & Chemoprophylaxis: Basics, Notes, Cautions
This influenza antiviral brush-up slide show reminds you of key features of the 4 FDA-recommended medications, at-a-glance.
Phase 3 Trial Now Underway of Investigational mRNA-based Influenza Vaccine
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.
Primary Care Can Help Restore US Antibiotic Stewardship, Starting with Flu Shots
Preventing viral infections with vaccination can keep the most vulnerable out of the hospital, reducing the risk of bacterial superinfections.
Antimicrobial Resistance During COVID-19 Gained New Ground: Expert Perspective
Widespread antibiotic prescribing in the first year of the pandemic set back US progress on the fight against antimicrobial resistance, says Anne Meneghetti, MD.
Three Flu Season Imperatives: Vaccinate the Young, the Old, and Everyone in Between
Influenza season in the southern hemisphere is "substantial," says Dr William Schaffner. To prepare: "Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate!"