Author: Kate Smith

Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers

Posted on by Kate Smith

Medscape Education is pleased to announce the release of an education curriculum featuring expert perspectives on the prevention and management of viral hepatitis. This educational curriculum is intended for a US audience of infectious disease specialists, primary care physicians, obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician’s assistants. This curriculum is available free of charge. Please visit the homepage for more information. Targeting Viral Hepatitis: A Road Map for Providers CME / ABIM MOC / CE are all available Three activities are part of the curriculum To earn credit, please visit: https://www.medscape.org/viewcollection

National Trends in Immunization Coverage – Teens

Posted on by Kate Smith

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine vaccination of children aged 11–12 years with tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap); quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY); and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (which may begin at age 9 years). At age 16 years, adolescents should receive a booster dose of MenACWY. In addition, persons aged 16–23 years may receive serogroup B meningococcal vaccine (MenB) on the basis of shared clinical decision-making. Adolescents should also catch up on missed childhood vaccines, stay current with COVID-19 vaccinations, and receive an annual influenza vaccine. CDC analyzed data from the 2023 National Immunization Read More …

FDA Approves and Authorizes 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccines

Posted on by Kate Smith

FDA Approves and Authorizes Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Better Protect Against Currently Circulating Variants August 22, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved and granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (2024-2025 formula) to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2. The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been updated with this formula to more closely target currently circulating variants and provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today’s actions relate to updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Read More …

Donald Trump vs. Vaccines

Posted on by Kate Smith

In Dr. Paul Offit’s latest post on his substack, Beyond the Noise, he states: At a campaign rally on June 22, 2024, former president Donald Trump told a crowd of cheering fans, “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate.” Given that every public school in the United States has vaccine mandates, this would mean eliminating all federal funding for public schools. Will Trump’s statement pressure schools to eliminate mandates? More to the point, why are school vaccine mandates important? The best way to understand school vaccine mandates is through the lens of measles virus, the Read More …

Call for Abstracts – HPV Conference

Posted on by Kate Smith

Call for abstracts for the inaugural National HPV conference (April 15-17, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN). This conference is aimed towards those working in HPV prevention, screening, and control (more info on the conference found here: https://nhpvc.org/). Timelines for abstract submissions and conference registration can be found below (2025 National HPV Conference_Call for Abstracts). Call for abstracts submissions open: June 15, 2024 Deadline for abstract submission: September 15, 2024, 8:00 pm EST Deadline for review of abstracts: October 15, 2024, 8:00 pm EST Program decision: November 15, 2024 Conference registration & reservations: November 15, 2024

Posted in HPV

RSV Guidance Updated

Posted on by Kate Smith

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its RSV vaccine guidance for seniors for this upcoming respiratory viral season, saying the new recommendations are meant to simplify decision-making for patients and clinicians. The new guidance recommends that everyone over the age of 75 get the RSV vaccine, as well as anyone aged 60 to 74 who is “at increased risk of severe RSV.” Read more

Posted in RSV

Delaware Division of Public Health notifies of rise in pertussis cases in New Castle County

Posted on by Kate Smith

DOVER, DEL. (June 14, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is currently investigating a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in New Castle County. Pertussis is a serious respiratory illness that can lead to severe health complications including pneumonia, syncope (passing out), seizures, apnea (stopping breathing) and death, particularly in very young children. It begins with cold-like symptoms and develops into a bad cough. Coughing spells can be severe, and sometimes the individual might suffer from gagging or vomiting as a result. Some people also may have a high-pitched “whoop” after they cough, which is how the disease Read More …