Top 5 Infectious Disease Stories of the Week: August 5, 2022

This week has brought some important news in the specialty including the Biden Administration declaring monkeypox a national public health emergency, looking at variant-specific boosters, Novavax beginning its trial for its vaccine for the pediatric population, and a virologist talks about why patients and clinicians should not be concerned over the Paxlovid rebound.

Contagion has compiled 5 highlights of our coverage in infectious disease news including video interviews, podcasts, and significant stories from the week ending August 5, 2022.

Here are Contagion’s highlights from the week:

1. US Declares Monkeypox a National Public Health Emergency
Declaration allows mobilization of funding, resources to address the virus.

2. Novavax Begins COVID-19 Vaccine Trial for Children 6 Months Through 11 Years
This study looks to identify safety, efficacy of the vaccine in the youngest pediatric populations.

3. The Case for Variant-Specific Boosters
Omicron-specific vaccine boosters are coming, but just how necessary are they?

4. Infectious Disease Virologist: “Nobody Should be Scared of Paxlovid Rebound”
The benefits outweigh the possible rebound of symptoms, according to an investigator who studied the antiviral.

5. Longer Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccine Doses May Cut Risk of Myocarditis or Pericarditis
The highest rate of myocarditis or pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination occurred among young men ages 18 to 24 after receiving a second dose of the Moderna vaccine.