For adults with two or more chronic conditions, booster dose of BNT162b2 or CoronaVac linked to reduction in mortality
Childhood Polio Eradication Focuses on Seven Countries
This year, 2023, is when the worldwide community is positioned to entirely interrupt polio transmission in children, per the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Strategy 2022-2026.
The GPEI stated on January 24, 2023, a unique epidemiological window of opportunity has presented itself this year that 'we must capitalize on.'
It is the nature of a highly infectious disease that spreads easily with population movements that outbreaks will continue to occur until polio is gone from all areas.
Updated Booster Shots, Not Original COVID-19 Vaccines, Should Be Standard: FDA Panel
Committee members also weighed a proposal to streamline the dosing schedule for COVID-19 vaccines by turning them into annual shots
Odds of Severe COVID-19 Disease Lower for Children During Omicron Predominance
Omicron cases had the highest hospital admission frequency; however, odds of severe illness lower than with delta and alpha variants
$21.6 Million Funds New York's Expanding Polio Investigations
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recently announced new investments to expand the State's wastewater surveillance program, furthering New York's (NY) preparedness to combat the spread of infectious diseases.
Announced on January 23, 2023, the new $21.6 million funding includes a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alongside NY Governor Hochul's investments.
Established in August 2021 to support the State's COVID-19 pandemic response, NYSDOH's Wastewater Surveillance Network reaches all 62 NY counties.
UK Confirms COVID-19 Vaccination Plans for 2023
UK Health Security Agency press office today announced that in its interim advice to the UK government on the COVID-19 vaccination program for 2023, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that plans should be made for those at higher risk of severe COVID-19 to be offered a booster vaccination during the autumn of 2023.
Pediatric SARS-CoV-2, MIS-C Differed in Delta, Omicron Waves
Clinical severity was lower during omicron wave, and rate of incidental diagnoses was higher than during delta
Bivalent Vaccine Provides Added Protection Against BA.5, XBB/XBB.1.5
Additional protection against symptomatic infection provided for people who had previously received monovalent vaccine doses
Caribbean Mosquitoes Carry a Seldom Discussed Travel Disease
While approximately 500 million people in the Americas are at risk of dengue in 2023, most Caribbean visitors are unaware of this mosquito-transmitted disease.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently confirmed the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the primary source of dengue transmission in infants, young children, and adults.
Once infected, dengue symptoms range from mild to incapacitating high fever and related fatalities.
Placental Lesions ID’d on Prenatal MRI After SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Globular placenta identified in prenatal MRI examination among women infected with pre-omicron, omicron variants