Category: News

Florida Measles Outbreak

Posted on by Kate Smith

From Katelyn Jetelina and Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD (Your Local Epidemiologist) The measles outbreak at a Florida elementary school has grown to 8 cases and counting. We have measles outbreaks all the time (although the rate is increasing due to vaccine hesitancy), but this one came with a new controversy. The Florida State Health Department released a letter with a surprising new recommendation that contradicts standard of practice guidelines for measles outbreaks in two big ways: Isolation. It stated that unvaccinated kids who were exposed to measles could continue to attend school. This is unprecedented. Those with no prior immunity Read More …

DPH Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure

Posted on by Kate Smith

The Delaware Division of Public Health Issues Notification About Potential Measles Exposure DOVER, Del. (Jan. 8, 2024) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting a potential measles exposure in a Delaware health care facility. On January 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health identified a confirmed case of measles in an unvaccinated individual. While infectious, the individual sought care at a healthcare facility in Delaware on December 29, 2023. In response to this exposure, DPH is acting to quickly identify and prevent the spread of disease. Officials are working to identify anyone who may have been Read More …

FDA Approves Maternal RSV Vaccine

Posted on by Kate Smith

August 21, 2023. Fenit Nirappil, Washington Post Federal regulators on Monday approved a maternal RSV vaccine administered during pregnancy to protect infants from severe illness. It’s the latest in a new arsenal of immunizations against the common respiratory virus that is the leading cause of hospitalization in young children and kills thousands of seniors annually. Read more.

ACIP Votes Unanimously to Recommend Nirsevimab

Posted on by Kate Smith

Today, ACIP voted unanimously (10 YES – 0 NO for all votes) to recommend nirsevimab for use in infants <8 months born or entering their first RSV season, and for children aged 8-19 months who are at increased risk of RSV disease entering their second RSV season (agenda and slides). The Committee also voted for the inclusion of nirsevimab in VFC: Infants aged <8 months born during or entering their first RSV reason are recommended to receive one dose of nirsevimab (50 mg for infants <5 kg and 100 mg for infants ≥5kg) Children aged 8-19 months who are at Read More …