Significant predictors of pandemic weight gain were psychological distress, prepandemic weight, and children at home
U.S. Insurers Could Spend Millions for Ivermectin Rx for COVID-19
Claims data for private insurance and Medicare Advantage plans show spike in inappropriate ivermectin prescriptions for COVID-19
Fourth Vaccine Dose May Up COVID-19 Immunity in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Fourth dose of mRNA vaccine increased antispike IgG titers in some kidney transplant recipients with weak serologic response after three doses
COVID-19 Proning Teams Benefit From Wound Care Specialist Nurse
Findings show inclusion significantly cuts odds of pressure injuries in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19
Health Care Utilization Highest in First 30 Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis
Previously hospitalized patients had twice the health care utilization of nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients
Racial, Ethnic Disparities Seen in mAb Treatment for COVID-19
Monoclonal antibody treatment used infrequently among all racial, ethnic groups; Hispanics received mAbs less often than non-Hispanics
Cardiac Outcomes Good for Children With COVID-19-Related MIS-C
All deformation parameters on echocardiogram recovered within first week, including LV global longitudinal strain, peak left atrial strain
AI Model May Predict COVID-19 Outcomes for Critically Ill
Machine learning model incorporates data from 14 proteins derived from a single blood sample to predict survival in patients with COVID-19
BNT162b2 Vaccine Effective Against Severe COVID-19 in Adolescents
Two doses highly effective against COVID-19-related hospitalization and critical illness for those aged 12 to 18 years
WHO Says Worst of Pandemic Could Ease This Year if Vaccine Inequities Erased
Fewer than 10 percent of people in lower-income countries have received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Influenza Vaccination Failed to Reduce COVID-19 Risk
In a new study from the University of Copenhagen, vaccination against influenza was found to not change the risk of hospitalization or symptoms due to COVID-19.
And influenza vaccination was not associated with the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection as assessed by the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
This study focused on the working population and subgroup analyses of outcomes related to the severity of disease included a sparse number of HCW aged ≥65 who had contracted SARS-CoV-2.
Reduced Flu Shot Rates Raise Concerns at the U.S. CDC
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced initial estimates for influenza vaccine uptake among children and pregnant women for the 2021-2020 flu season are lower compared to the same time last season.
The reported 15% point drop in influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women and a 6% decrease in children could put many people at risk this flu season.
The CDC stated on October 27, 2021, this trend ‘could be dangerous for many of the people in these groups who may be at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications.’
Novel Influenza A Virus Confirmed in the U.S.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported two previous human infections with novel influenza A viruses.
One infection with an influenza A(H1N1) variant (A(H1N1)v) virus was reported by North Dakota that occurred during the 2020-21 influenza season.
And one infection with influenza (A(H3N2)v) virus was reported by Ohio that occurred during the current 2021-22 influenza season.
Both patients are younger than 18 years of age, were not hospitalized, and have recovered or are recovering from their illness.
Pneumonia & COVID-19 Far Exceed Influenza Fatalities
The latest data indicates the 2021 flu season has not arrived in America from the Southern Hemisphere, and neither have influenza-related fatalities.
Of the 15,625 samples tested by U.S. Public Health Laboratories last week, only two were positive for influenza viruses as of October 1, 2021.
Updated Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announced recommendations for the routine use of influenza vaccine and antiviral medications to prevent and treat influenza in children during the 2021–2022 influenza season.
The AAP stated on September 7, 2021, it recommends annual influenza immunization of all children without medical contraindications, starting at six months of age.
Excerpts from the AAP statement are discussed below:
Flu Vaccine Candidate Demonstrated Multi-Seasonal, Seven-Year Drifted Influenza Strain Protection
Influenza H3N2 virus continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially for the older age groups, stated researchers in a new study published by The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Although seasonal influenza vaccines are evaluated annually for the need to update the immunization with antigenically contemporary strains, H3N2 vaccine efficacy (VE) with currently licensed vaccines continues to be lower than for H1N1 or B viruses.
When Should We Get Flu Shots This Year?
Since flu vaccines are most protective when the influenza season is intense, the timing of getting the annual vaccination is essential.
Unlike most flu seasons, predicting when the 2021-2022 flu season will reach the USA from the Southern Hemisphere is unknown, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) vaccine committee on June 24, 2021. The CDC recently reported influenza cases were lower this year than any flu season since 2005.
Flu Shots and COVID-19 Vaccine Mix Very Well
A global leader in influenza prevention announced that the company co-authored the first study to demonstrate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy profile of a COVID-19 vaccine when co-administered with a seasonal influenza vaccine.
Maryland-based Novavax, Inc. conducted the sub-study as part of a Phase 3 clinical trial of NVX-CoV2373, its recombinant protein COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
Maternal Influenza Vaccination Delivers Life-Long Benefits
Every year, influenza viruses cause substantial morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and neonates, stated an editorial published by The Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA).
To reduce influenza incidence in these vulnerable populations, the World Health Organization recommended in 2012 that countries prioritize pregnant women for influenza vaccination annually.
Pediatric Influenza Cases Increased Last Week
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today, the 2020-2021 influenza season has begun to accelerate in the pediatric population.
The CDC confirmed on May 14, 2021, the percentages of provider visits in Week #18 continued to increase for one age group (0–4 years) and remained stable for the remaining age groups compared with Week #17.
About 6% of provider visits for children were related to the seasonal flu.
U.S. Discourages Visiting Caribbean Beaches this Winter
The U.S Department of State issued various high-level travel advisories on January 18, 2022, for several Caribbean countries.
These countries include but are not limited to the following: Bermuda, Jamaica, Saint Kitts/Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Maarten.
These Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisories are focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the latest SARS-CoV-2 virus variant known as Omicron.
Additionally, the State Department issued Level 3 ‘Reconsider Travel’ Advisories for countries such as Fiji, French West Indies, and Costa Rica.
Visiting China Comes With Risks
The U.S. Department of State today issued a Reconsider Travel Advisory for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
With the Winter Olympics and Paralympics 2022 scheduled to start in early February, this State Department Advisory presents various challenges for international travelers.
Dengue Vaccination Enters a New Age
A Viewpoint published by the JAMA Network on December 15, 2021, highlights how dengue disease has become an increasing risk in various countries.
Furthermore, as the Aedes species mosquito vector reaches into new areas, the risk for large outbreaks in U.S. territories and gateway states increases daily as international travelers return from endemic regions.
These researchers say, ‘Clinicians should become familiar with practical dengue prevention tools such as vaccines.’
Who is the CDC Searching For at These Airports
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky recently confirmed the agency is ramping up traveler testing and surveillance at four key U.S airports.
Under the extended CDC program, any traveler arriving at John F. Kennedy International, Liberty International, San Francisco International, and Hartsfield-Jackson International airports are being monitored for SARS-CoV-2 virus infections, including the new Omicron variant.
Testing Requirement Tightened for International Visitors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today the Global Testing Order had been shortened the required testing timeline for all international air travelers visiting the U.S.
Effective on December 6, 2021, prospective visitors must from any foreign country complete an approved COVID-19 test one day before departure to the U.S.
This revision strengthens already robust protocols for international travel, including requirements for foreign travelers to be fully vaccinated.
Omicron Variant Travel Advice Issued
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed today an increasing number of countries are introducing temporary travel measures, including temporarily prohibiting the arrival of international travelers from South African countries and others.
These travel bans are related to the variant of concern (VOC) named Omicron.
The WHO calls on all countries to follow the IHR (2005) and show global solidarity in rapid and transparent information sharing in response to Omicron.
Brazil’s Yellow Fever Challenges Continue Regardless of Weather
Although yellow fever is not a contagious disease, the diffusion pattern described by Brazilian researchers in a new study is known as “spread by contagion.’
This term refers to the virus transmission through contiguous and nearby areas.
Yellow fever is a non-contagious viral disease with two transmission cycles, sylvatic (in wild animals) and urban, between people.
Sylvatic yellow fever circulates among monkeys, and in Brazil, it is also transmitted by mosquitoes that bite an infected monkey who then infect others.
Thanksgiving Holiday Plans Include International Visitors
Airports and roads may be jam-packed for the Thanksgiving holiday as AAA predicts about 53 million people will travel this year.
This forecast represents an increase of 13% from 2020.
With 6.4 million more people traveling this Thanksgiving coupled with the recent opening of the U.S. borders to fully vaccinated international travelers—people should prepare for airports to be noticeably more crowded.
As travel restrictions continue to lift and consumer confidence builds, AAA urges travelers to be proactive when making their plans this holiday season.
Yellow Fever Testing Partners With Preventive Vaccines
A team of technical officers in the National Public Health Laboratory has been building extra capacity in South Sudan to control yellow fever outbreaks, reported the WHO Africa.
Strengthening national capacities for case detection, investigation, and testing is critical for effective yellow fever control.
This effort is essential since South Sudan lies in the yellow fever belt and has reported 187 cases, including 27 deaths in three separate outbreaks in 2003, 2018, and 2020.
Australia Accepts China and India COVID-19 Vaccinated Travelers
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) determined that Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India) and BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China) vaccines would be 'recognized' to establish a traveler’s vaccination status.
This recognition announced on November 1, 2021, is for travelers aged 12 and over who have been vaccinated with Covaxin and those 18 to 60 who have been immunized with BBIBP-CorV.