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CDC delay holds up children's COVID vaccine orders, WSJ reports

CDC delay holds up children's COVID vaccine orders, WSJ reports

Sept 16 (Reuters) - U.S. states are facing delays in obtaining COVID-19 vaccines for children through a federal immunization program, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The U.S.

Rhode Island Department of Health Issues Vaccination Recommendations for Respiratory Virus Season

Rhode Island Department of Health Issues Vaccination Recommendations for Respiratory Virus Season

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has released its vaccination recommendations for the upcoming respiratory virus season, urging residents to get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Director of Health Jerry Larkin, MD, emphasized that vaccination is the best protection against serious illness. For the flu, everyone aged 6 months and older should receive an annual shot, with particular importance for older adults, young children, individuals with underlying medical conditions, and healthcare workers. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended annually for children aged 6 months to 2 years, individuals aged 19 and older, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Children aged 2 to 18 at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should also be vaccinated, and adults aged 65 and older are advised to get a second dose six months after their first to boost protection. RSV vaccination is recommended for many infants, young children, and older adults, as well as ...

FDA Approves Moderna's mFLUSIVA, First mRNA Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older

FDA Approves Moderna's mFLUSIVA, First mRNA Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved mFLUSIVA (mRNA-1010), Moderna's mRNA-based influenza vaccine, for adults aged 50 years and older. This marks the first mRNA flu vaccine to receive FDA approval. The approval for adults aged 50 through 64 years is traditional, while for those 65 and older, it was granted through an accelerated pathway, requiring further confirmatory evidence of clinical benefit. The pivotal FLUENT phase 3 trial, which involved over 40,000 adults aged 50 and above, demonstrated that mFLUSIVA had a 26.6% greater relative efficacy against confirmed influenza-like illness compared to a licensed standard-dose influenza vaccine. The mRNA technology instructs cells to train the immune system, and its manufacturing process does not require the propagation of vaccine viruses in eggs, potentially allowing for faster production closer to the flu season. Side effects reported for mFLUSIVA are similar to other vaccines, including mild reactions such as fatigue, muscle and joint ac...

FDA Approves Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older

FDA Approves Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine for Adults 50 and Older

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Moderna’s mFLUSIVA, the first influenza vaccine utilizing mRNA technology, for individuals aged 50 and older. This approval introduces a new option for older Americans, a demographic that accounts for the vast majority of the tens of thousands of annual flu-related deaths. The mRNA vaccine platform delivers a genetic script that instructs the body's cells to produce a piece of the flu virus, thereby training the immune system. This method allows for quicker adaptation to evolving virus strains compared to traditional egg-based vaccines, which have been in use for 80 years and require months to produce. Clinical trials demonstrated that mFLUSIVA (mRNA-1010) was approximately 26.6% more effective at preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza illness than a traditional flu vaccine and elicited a stronger immune response in adults 65 and older, with similar rates of rare severe side effects. The vaccine's safety has been evaluated in roughly 70,000 people...

COVID-19 Surges Prompt Renewed Emphasis on At-Home Testing for Public Health

COVID-19 Surges Prompt Renewed Emphasis on At-Home Testing for Public Health

Infectious disease experts are highlighting the continued utility of at-home COVID-19 tests amidst recent surges in cases. While the severity of the disease has decreased, these tests remain valuable tools for preventing serious illness and protecting vulnerable populations. Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF, notes that testing is most beneficial when it informs action. Although home test kits were crucial early in the pandemic, their use has declined as the virus has become more familiar. Experts acknowledge that tests can be expensive and may not be necessary for healthy individuals without symptoms, even after exposure. However, if symptoms like fever, sore throat, body aches, and headache are present, individuals should stay home regardless of test results. A positive test, according to Chin-Hong, can reinforce the importance of isolation. Masking guidelines for COVID-19 differ from other respiratory illnesses, with recommendations to stay home until symptoms improve and then ma...

Dr. Anne Zink Reflects on COVID-19 Pandemic's Emotional Toll and Societal Impact in Alaska

Dr. Anne Zink Reflects on COVID-19 Pandemic's Emotional Toll and Societal Impact in Alaska

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, recently reflected on the challenging period, highlighting the emotional and social tolls experienced by individuals and the state. She described the frustration of witnessing patients struggle with COVID-19, feeling that protective tools were not utilized, and the difficulty of alleviating suffering. Dr. Zink also expressed her disappointment regarding the inability to prioritize children's in-person schooling, noting that most schools in Alaska, including Anchorage, switched to online learning. She emphasized the ongoing societal grief, anger, and healing stemming from the pandemic's impact. Dr. Zink advocated for greater compassion and understanding among people, suggesting that differing decisions, such as those regarding vaccination, often stem from different information sets, and that assuming good intent is crucial for fostering deeper understanding rather than division.

China Approves Walvax's Third mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting Omicron JN.1 Strain

China Approves Walvax's Third mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Targeting Omicron JN.1 Strain

China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted approval for a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine developed by Yuxi Watson Biotechnology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Walvax Biotechnology Co., Ltd. This vaccine is intended for adults aged 18 and above and specifically targets the Omicron JN.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2. This marks the third mRNA COVID-19 vaccine iteration from Walvax's proprietary platform. The vaccine is administered as a 0.15 mL injection containing 30 µg of mRNA encoding the Omicron JN.1 spike (S) protein, delivered via a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) system. The molecular design, manufacturing process, and formulation remain consistent with previous versions, with the only change being the antigen-encoding mRNA sequence. The LNP-formulated mRNA instructs host cells to produce the JN.1 S protein antigen, stimulating neutralizing antibody and T cell responses without introducing a live virus. This approval introduces a domestically developed mRNA option into China's vaccine landscape, which has...

U.S. Appeals Court Revives Dr. Scott Jensen's Free Speech Lawsuit Against Minnesota Medical Board

U.S. Appeals Court Revives Dr. Scott Jensen's Free Speech Lawsuit Against Minnesota Medical Board

A U.S. Court of Appeals has revived a lawsuit filed by Dr. Scott Jensen against the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Jensen, a Republican candidate for state auditor, alleges that the board targeted him with investigations over his views on COVID-19, leading him to self-censor his campaign messaging. The lawsuit, which had been previously dismissed by federal judges, centers on First Amendment grounds, arguing that the board's actions infringed upon his right to free speech. Court of Appeals judge David Stras stated that the years of investigations caused Jensen to speak less and spend more, which is sufficient reason for a court to hear his case. Jensen had filed the lawsuit in 2023 after an unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign, claiming the board received numerous complaints about him spreading misinformation regarding the coronavirus.

Trust in measles vaccines falls in US, Reuters Ipsos poll finds

Trust in measles vaccines falls in US, Reuters Ipsos poll finds

By Jason Lange and Yasmeen Abutaleb WASHINGTON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Americans' trust in vaccines for deadly childhood diseases including measles has fallen in recent years, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found, a troubling sign for the country as it experiences its worst measles outbreaks in decades.

Missouri Health Department Issues Alert as Measles Vaccination Rates Decline Below Outbreak Threshold

Missouri Health Department Issues Alert as Measles Vaccination Rates Decline Below Outbreak Threshold

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has issued a health alert following reports of measles outbreaks in neighboring states and declining vaccination rates within Missouri. The state's measles vaccination rate for children entering school is currently 85%, which is significantly below the 95% threshold recommended by health officials to prevent disease outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations. Seven measles cases have been reported in Missouri this year. Neighboring states have seen higher numbers, with 22 cases in Iowa, 11 in Illinois, and 45 in Kentucky. The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is preparing for a potential increase in cases by developing educational materials, communication strategies, and a surge staffing plan. Vaccination rates in Boone County began to decline during the 2021-2022 school year, a trend attributed to growing skepticism regarding vaccine efficacy and necessity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the most...

New Research Uncovers Broader Health Impacts of Sickle Cell Trait

New Research Uncovers Broader Health Impacts of Sickle Cell Trait

Recent research has identified previously unreported associations between sickle cell trait and various health conditions, expanding the understanding of its potential health impacts. The study confirmed known links with chronic kidney disease, pulmonary embolism, and anemia. Additionally, new associations were found with enlarged spleen, gout, acute kidney inflammation, and anemia of pregnancy. The analysis also revealed novel connections between sickle cell trait and higher serum electrolytes, bilirubin levels, and immature red blood cell counts, alongside lower blood urea nitrogen and platelet counts. The research, which included a PheWAS and LabWAS analysis, also highlighted sex-based differences in these associations, with females showing a stronger link to kidney-related disorders and males to lower platelets and certain immune cell counts. This comprehensive investigation aims to provide a more complete picture of how sickle cell trait might influence an individual's health.

HPV Vaccination Prevents Over 90% of Cancers and Reduces Deaths, Health Department Reports

HPV Vaccination Prevents Over 90% of Cancers and Reduces Deaths, Health Department Reports

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department highlights that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is highly effective, preventing over 90% of HPV-caused cancers and significantly reducing cancer deaths. HPV is a common infection, with about 4 in 5 people contracting it at some point. While most infections clear on their own, some can become chronic and lead to various cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, and mouth or throat cancers. Annually, over 4,000 people in the U.S. die from cervical cancer alone. The HPV vaccine protects against the most common cancer-causing strains. Studies, such as one from England with high HPV vaccine uptake, have shown major decreases in cervical cancer mortality. The vaccine is routinely recommended for individuals aged 9-12, as earlier vaccination provides better protection. Everyone up to 26 years old should get vaccinated, and those aged 27-45 should consult their healthcare provider.