Influenza

The composition of the latest flu vaccine has changed. Here’s what pharmacists need to know.

The CDC issued a report on the state of the avian influenza, or bird flu, at the end of last week.

“Adding this technology to our pandemic flu toolkit enhances our ability to be nimble and quick against the circulating strains and their potential variants,” said Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the HSS.

The updates follow the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practice meeting held June 26 to 28, 2024.

In a webinar conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), experts gathered to publicly address the ongoing bird flu outbreak across many US states.

The vaccine, mRNA-1083, elicited noninferior responses vs individual COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

The SpeedySwab COVID + FLU A&B Self-Test from Watmind is intended for at-home and point-of-care use and can simultaneously detect COVID-19, influenza A, and influenza B in 15 minutes.

As the H5N1 bird flu virus continues to spread across dairy cattle in the US, researchers and government health officials are ramping up testing to stop the spread.

The CDC addressed an HPAI A(H5N1) virus infection reported by a commercial dairy farmer in Texas.

Moderna, Merck, and Pfizer-BioNTech are leading the charge with new vaccines for respiratory viruses in development.

See what's trending in pharmacy with a preview the Drug Topics March issue.

Since changes in vaccine composition can sometimes lead to confusion or misinformation, effective communication is crucial to promote vaccine uptake.

In order to provide the best care, it’s crucial that pharmacists stay up-to-date on the latest guidance and data for flu, COVID-19, and RSV—even when that information is constantly changing.

These OTC products are recommended to address a variety of symptoms that occur during cold and flu seasons.

Drug Topics talked with Gregg Sylvester, MD, chief health officer and vice president of medical affairs at CSL Seqirus, about what we can learn from this unique situation to improve future vaccine development and distribution.

In response to a surge in cases of COVID-19, flu, and RSV, hospitals are reinstating mask guidelines to avoid adverse capacity outcomes and staffing shortages seen in prior years.

Patients hospitalized for either virus had an increased risk of death, hospital readmission, and health problems in multiple organ systems over 18 months of follow-up.

Immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV are lower than they were this time last year, and hospitalizations have increased across all age groups.

While either vaccine offers some protection, having both vaccines offers the strongest level of protection against hospitalization and severe complications like MIS-C, and death.

This season marks the fourth to be classified as high severity since the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic.

Study authors recommend that healthcare personnel consider prioritizing influenza vaccination for patients with recent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in light of new evidence.

Moderna plans to begin a phase 3 trial of the combination vaccine this year.

As the Southern Hemisphere sees a mixed flu season, uncertainty looms for those in the North.

Standout updates include a relaxed recommendation for patients with a history of egg allergies, and that all available influenza vaccines for the 2023 to 2023 flu season are quadrivalent.

The mRNA-1010 vaccine generated a powerful response against 4 influenza virus strains compared to traditional flu shots.

A 510(k) clearance, or a Premarket Notification, requires device manufacturers to notify the FDA at least 90 days ahead of registration with their intent to market a medical device.

Leading health organizations are urging those with diabetes and other chronic conditions to get the influenza vaccine.

In a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was shown that symptoms and hospitalizations associated with influenza this season are higher among children than adults.

With the respiratory season in full swing and COVID-19 continuing to infect, knowing the basics of the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus can help ensure patients get the right care.

Research on last season’s influenza vaccine efficacy bodes well for patients who have gotten their flu shot this season.