Immunization

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.

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Pfizer's RSV vaccine received FDA approval on May 31, 2023.

With over 3% of the world’s population affected by chronic hepatitis B, TherVacB has the potential to address a critical unmet need for a cure.

Innovation in the vaccine area continues. In 2023, the FDA approved six vaccines, including several important firsts. But they face a difficult landscape where federal policies dictate coverage.

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.

Patients with SCD are more vulnerable to hospitalization due, in part, to SCD’s impact on the spleen, which filters infections in the blood and is a crucial organ for the immune system.

The vaccine showed an overall efficacy of 80% in the per-protocol analysis, with a risk reduction of 6.1 typhoid infections per 1000 vaccinated children.

Approximately 330,000 cases of precancerous cervical dysplasia and 12,000 cases of cervical cancer in the United States per year are attributed to HPV.

Investigators noted that findings data should inform public health policy and reassure providers and expectant mothers.

Findings from a recent study showed that participants who watched a video discussing COVID-19 vaccination had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to those who did not watch it.

A new study found that switching from a primary national plan of egg-based vaccines to cell-based vaccines for the flu would significantly reduce the impact of the seasonal virus at a lesser production and distribution cost.

Study results found that maternal COVID-19 vaccination was safe from the perspective of infant neurodevelopment up to 18 months of age, addressing concerns about in utero vaccine exposure.

In 2023, the FDA approved six vaccines, including 2 for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the first vaccine to prevent the mosquito-borne virus chikungunya.

A panel of clinicians gathered to address concerns and report preliminary findings around rates of RSV incidence, hospitalization, and vaccination.

Data has indicated a potential association between COVID-19 vaccination and menstruation, but there is little evidence about this association based on chart-reviewed medical record data.

The estimated efficacy of the vaccine against documented infection for children and adolescents during the Omicron wave was 74.3% and 85.5%, respectively.

Study authors noted that intranasal vaccine delivery could offer benefits such as needle-free administration and induction of mucosal immunity.

A model showed that if a vaccine coverage of 66% were achieved—similar to flu vaccination coverage—it could have a budget impact of $6.48 to $6.78 billion over the first RSV season.

The vaccine, called mRNA-1345, demonstrated an efficacy of 83.7% against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease with at least 2 signs or symptoms and 82.4% against the disease with at least 3 signs or symptoms.

Study authors theorized that the reduced effect could be due to disease-related or immunosuppressive treatment factors.

Check out our recap of last year's advancements made in the vaccine, biosimilar, and therapeutic spaces.

Vaccine approvals included two immunizations for RSV and a new pentavalent meningococcal shot.

In January 2024, Sanofi and AstraZenenca will release 230,000 additional doses of nirsevimab-alip, heeding guidance from the CDC to leverage all tools to increase immunizations against RSV.

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

A Q&A with Robert Walker, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Novavax.

Study results outlined in a poster at ASHP Midyear 2023 revealed that virtual delivery education programs could contribute to a more inclusive and accessible health care information landscape for Black older adults.

Vaccinated study participants experienced fewer and less persistent symptoms, as well as fewer work hours lost, compared to unvaccinated participants.

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