Updated review of the evidence shows small reduction in risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection with mask use versus no mask use
Pharmacies Reduced COVID-19 Under-Vaccinations
With locations near most intersections, recent data show that more than two-thirds of adult COVID-19 vaccinations were administered at pharmacies during the pandemic.
And a recent study found these pharmacists were very good at enabling their patients to protect themselves from severe COVID-19.
This peer-reviewed study was published by the journal Vaccines on May 11, 2023, and examined trends in primary series and multi-dose completion rates with Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine administered at retail pharmacies in the U.S.
Is Masking Useful While Traveling
Respiratory infections are a leading cause of seeking medical care among returning travelers from abroad. Common respiratory infections include measles, influenza, and coronaviruses that cause the common cold.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reconfirmed masking is a critical public health tool for preventing the spread of respiratory diseases.
When people correctly wear a high-quality mask, they trap fluid droplets and help keep travel safer for everyone.
Decrease Seen in Mental Health Emergency Visits for Teens by Fall 2022
Decreases observed in weekly emergency department visits for mental health conditions, suicide-related behaviors, drug overdoses by fall 2022 versus 2021
Northern South America Travel Advisories Reissued
The recent travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State indicates several countries in northern South America are confronting various levels of civil unrest.
On May 11, 2023, the State Department reissued a Do Not Travel advisory for specific areas with the Republic of Columbia regarding civil unrest.
The highlighted areas in Columbia are as follows:
Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), Norte de Santander departments, and the Colombia-Venezuela border region.
Mpox Vax Flops in Chicago
When the global mpox outbreak began in May 2022, various health agencies quickly authorized a vaccine to be administered based on historical clinical data.
However, those vaccine effectiveness decisions may have been premature compared to new real-world data.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed a cluster of mpox cases in greater Chicago, Illinois.
And more than 50% of the new mpox cases in Chicago were in previously vaccinated people.
Prevalence of Certain Bacterial Coinfections Low for Young COVID-19-Positive Febrile Infants
Febrile infants testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, especially those aged 29 to 60 days, have low prevalence of UTI, bacteremia, bacterial meningitis
Texas Confirmed Locally-acquired Dengue Case
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently confirmed Dengue viruses are a risk in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean, the state of Texas could be added to the list.
As of early May 2023, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported its initial locally-acquired Dengue patient.
Jamaica Advisories Include 'Do Not Travel' Areas
A leading Caribbean Island destination to about 4 million travelers has recently been the focus of high-level travel advisories by the U.S. and U.K. governments.
Over 225,000 British nationals visited Jamaica annually before the recent pandemic.
On May 10, 2023, Jamaica, a member of the British Commonwealth, was issued a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory by the U.S. Department of State, which included numerous Do Not Travel notices for sections of Jamaica, including the capital city of Kingston, home to over 1.2 million people.
A Different Type of RSV Vaccine
A clinical-stage synthetic biology company with a rational virus design platform for viral vaccines and immuno-oncology therapeutics today announced that it has initiated dosing in a pediatric Phase 1 study evaluating CodaVax™-RSV, a live-attenuated, intranasal vaccine candidate for the prevention of disease caused by the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).