John Parkinson

Toronto, Canada-based Bluedot offers surveillance tracking information to identify trends for viruses and syndromes efficiently to aid public health officials and other key stakeholders to assess situations and make decisions around this data.

The subject is one where it does not garner the attention of other serious health topics, but key stakeholders say it should.

Earlier this year, the company announced its first foray into these types of infections in developing vaccines for the tickborne infection utilizing its mRNA vaccine platform.

In this week's news, learn about a nurse practitioner's experience as both someone who has battled C diff herself and treated patients with the bacterial infection; a new investigational platform for COVID-19 vaccines; and how chronic hepatitis D is identified as the most severe and progressive form of viral hepatitis.

The federal agency says the data shows immunization reduces hospitalizations by more than 57 percent in first 6 months after birth.

This action paves the way for this long-acting injectable to be used in several countries on the European continent.

Sam Aitken, PharmD, president-elect of the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists (SIDP), discusses how this strategy is one significant part of a complex puzzle to decrease antimicrobial resistance.

The company’s well-known Singles cheese brand is the focus of the recall.

Vaccitech is using a novel approach to address the virus and create a functional cure.

Mollie Lauck, NP, has both battled C diff herself and treated patients with the bacterial infection. In the second installment of our interview, she talks about her clinical approach to patients who might be considered candidates for C diff and specific strategies for infection prevention.

These novel vaccines are utilizing a self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA) vaccine platform. Study data was reported at the ESWI Influenza Conference in Spain.

A study found variations in treatment initiation, especially showing differences within certain populations, ages, and those with a background of injection drug use.

In this week's news: A CDC committee recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccines; the cost of misinformation during the pandemic; and India is dealing with a Nipah virus outbreak.

The zoonotic virus has claimed 2 lives as Indian officials work to identify potential contacts and get the virus under control.

The federal agency says infants of a certain age should receive this monoclonal antibody to protect against the virus.

In our continuing series with members of the Peggy Lillis Foundation, here is an opportunity to hear about people’s experiences, lessons learned, and the new treatments that can lead to hope and not the hopelessness people have been living with during their ordeals.

The interim analysis of its phase 3 study shows the company’s mRNA-1010 vaccine was efficacious against all 4 A and B influenza strains.

The federal agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation was to authorize and approve the updated 2023-2024 (monovalent, XBB containing) COVID-19 vaccines for persons 6 months of age and older.

Misinformation created unnecessary hospitalizations and mortality and demonstrated the chasm in public health communication.

The agency specified which age groups the vaccine is approved for and which are authorized to use them, paving the way for fall vaccinations to take place.

The federal agency’s reports shows decreases in both hepatitis A and B, but hepatitis C saw a significant increase during 2021. However, the investigators note the pandemic may have impacted statistics and progress towards goals.

Learn more about how hospitalizations due to alcohol-associated hepatitis increased during the pandemic; the next installment in our ongoing RSV series; developing a product for a potential functional cure of hepatitis B; and an investigational vaccine being studied in a challenge trial for norovirus.

Through policy and fostering innovation, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) is working towards reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The investigational vaccine was studied in a challenge trial and has a novel modality in that it is delivered as a monovalent oral tablet.

Patient advocate Ella Balasa has been living with cystic fibrosis her whole life. She experienced a multidrug resistant infection in 2019 and is speaking about her personal experiences at the World AMR Congress reminding people about the need to improve the antibiotic development paradigm.

Biotech company is developing a product for a potential functional cure of the virus.

The Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain is linked to leafy greens–associated outbreaks over a multi-year period.

The company says its vaccine protects against the BA286 strain.

From baby formula to ground beef to Trader Joe’s tamales, here are some recent foods to be aware of for recalls and warnings.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) based its decision on preclinical data showing that the Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine generates an improved response against multiple XBB-related sublineages, including XBB15, XBB116, XBB23, and EG51.