October 30th 2024
Your daily dose of the clinical news you may have missed.
October 24th 2024
The expanded recommendation includes shots from Merck (PCV21) and Pfizer (PCV20), and could be a "practice-changing milestone," one executive said.
September 20th 2024
New report includes data on the safety and immunogenicity of the recently-approved PCV21 vaccine.
July 1st 2024
The novel vaccination is recommended as an option for adults aged 65 years and older who have not received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
June 18th 2024
Capvaxive is the only pneumococcal vaccine formulated specifically to protect adults 50 years and older from IPD and elicited robust immune responses in both vaccine-naïve and vaccine-experienced adults.
7 Drugs Approved for Primary Care: Q2 2024
ICYMI: A quick look at 7 key drugs FDA-approved in the second quarter for conditions commonly seen in primary care.
Older, Mentally Altered Adults at Greatest Risk for Inappropriate Diagnosis of CAP
More than 1 in 10 older adults were misdiagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and nearly all were treated with a full course of antibiotics, a new study found.
Merck's 21-Valent Adult-Specific Pneumococcal Vaccine Accrues New Phase 3 and Real World Data
The novel 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine remains on track for the FDA PDUFA date of June 17, 2024; Merck adds this new data to the body of positive evidence.
FDA Grants Priority Review to Merck BLA for Investigational 21-Valent Pneumococcal Vaccine
If approved the 21-valent shot would be the first pneumococcal conjugate vaccine indicated specifically for adults.
Hydrocortisone Bests Other Corticosteroids for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in New Analysis
Data presented at CHEST 2023 shows treatment with hydrocortisone is associated with a decrease in morality among patients with community-acquired pneumonia.
Merck's 21-Valent Adult Pneumococcal Vaccine Meets Key Endpoints in Pair of Phase 3 Trials
Statistically significant positive immune responses were observed in both vaccine-naive adults and those previously vaccinated, including for the vaccine's 8 unique serotypes.
Pneumococcal Vaccines for Adults: The Devil is Still in the Details
New CDC recommendations for pneumococcal vaccination for persons aged 19 to 64 years could require some extra thought. This 4-question quiz tests your knowledge.
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.
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.
Influenza, PPSV23 Vaccines May Reduce Risk for COPD Exacerbations, Hospitalizations
In persons with COPD, seasonal influenza and PPSV23 vaccines, separately or together, reduced the risk for COPD- and pneumonia-related hospitalizations.
Merck & Co 21-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Ready for Phase III
The 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine targets 85% of invasive pneumococcal disease in adults aged ≥65 years; 8 serotypes are exclusive to this vaccine, says Merck.
Diphtheria First Choice for Pediatric Immunization: A Short Quiz
How much do you know about diphtheria and the vaccine? Answer these 2 questions to find out.
4 Pediatric Pneumococcal Vaccine Conundrums
SAMPLE: A 7-year-old child newly immigrated to the US has not received any previous pneumococcal vaccines. What does the CDC recommend for this child?
New Choices in Pneumococcal Vaccines: A 4-question Quiz
How much do you know about the latest adult pneumococcal vaccine recommendations from the ACIP? Try your hand at these 4 questions to find out.
Adult Vaccination Against Preventable Diseases Now Urgent, says NAIIS
Low rates of routine adult vaccination, reduced further during the 2020-21 pandemic months, threaten a surge in these conditions as the US reopens, says the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit.
ACP: Ensure Adult Routine Vaccinations are Up to Date as Flu and COVID Meet Again
The American College of Physicians urges clinicians to make sure adult patients, especially the most vulnerable, are protected against preventable diseases as COVID spreads and flu is imminent.
Study Finds Persistent Racial/Ethnic, Socioeconomic Disparities in Adult Vaccination Coverage 2010 - 2019
Rates of routine ACIP-recommended vaccination have been persistently and significantly lower among racial and ethnic minorities over the past decade, according to new research.
6 New Drugs Approved for Primary Care: Q2 2021
From obesity to pneumococcal disease, we have picked the top 6 FDA-approved drugs every primary care physician should know about from the second quarter.
FDA-approved: Pneumococcal 20-Valent Conjugate Vaccine for Adults
The vaccine is indicated for prevention of invasive disease and pneumonia caused by 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes.
ACP Guidance on Antibiotic Use: 4 Conditions Ideal for Short-course Treatment
Longer antibiotic treatment courses can often be safely and effectively shortened, according to the ACP guidance; 4 common conditions serve as examples.
Routine Adult Vaccination Rates Still Low: Slow Post-lockdown Rebound
Routine adult vaccination rates have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels, according to a report in MMWR this week. Which vaccines are most affected and which groups are lagging?
ACIP 2021 Adult Immunization Schedule Changes: A Quick Take
Review changes to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' 2021 recommended vaccination schedule for adults with this short slide-show review.
Influenza, Pneumococcal Disease, and COVID-19: What do Americans Think?
A new survey from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases found key insights into what Americans believe about flu, pneumococcal disease, and COVID-19.
USPSTF (Still) Recommends Against Screening for COPD
Once again, the USPSTF finds no net benefit to screening asymptomatic persons for COPD. Draft recommendation is available for comment.
Corticosteroids Improved Outcomes, Recovery from Community Acquired Pneumonia
Reductions in mortality, need for life support, hospital stays, and other measures should win this drug class serious consideration, study authors say.
Risk Factors Identified for 30-day Mortality in Patients with Pneumonia
Targeting these risk factors with adjunctive therapy may help improve outcomes, say authors of a new study.
Viruses Found Responsible for Burden of Hospitalizations from CAP
A new CDC study also found that older adults are more likely to be hospitalized for a severe respiratory virus than those aged 18 to 49 years.
Pneumonia Hits Older Adults Hardest
Infections with pneumonia send a substantial number of older adults to the hospital, much more than younger adults. Researchers are calling for new rapid diagnostic tests.
PPI Use Upped Risk for Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Proposed mechanisms for the association include PPI-induced acute pH dysregulation and alteration of the gut microbiome.
Pneumonia Significantly Increased Costs of ICU Stays
The price tag for an ICU stay was more than 5 times higher for pneumonia patients. Can we find an ounce of prevention?