The CDC has recommended a new injectable drug, Beyfortus, to protect infants from the respiratory virus RSV. It is a lab-made antibody that helps the immune system fight off the virus and is the first of its kind to be approved by the CDC. It is recommended for babies up to 8 months old born during or entering their first RSV season, and infants between 8 and 19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. It is expected to be available in the fall and will be given as a single shot.
Posts tagged as “the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated that he would consider appointing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a position in his administration if he wins the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. DeSantis made the comments on Wednesday, citing agreement with Kennedy on medical issues and corruption in health bureaucracies. Kennedy is a prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, and DeSantis has yet to comment further on the possibility of appointing him to a position in his administration.
CDC Warns of Risk of Locally Acquired Malaria in the U.S. After Documenting Five Cases in Two Months
CDC Warns of Risk of Locally Acquired Malaria in the U.S. After Documenting Five Cases in Two Months
The CDC issued a health alert after documenting five cases of malaria acquired within the United States over the last two months, the first locally acquired cases in 20 years. The agency warned that the risk of malaria throughout the country remains extremely low, but urged those suspected of having the disease to be urgently evaluated. They are also reminding people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.
This article discusses the FDA's recommendation that drugmakers update their Covid booster shots to target the predominant coronavirus strain in the US, XBB.1.5. The current vaccines still contain the original coronavirus strain, but the FDA is encouraging drugmakers to update their vaccines to ensure the best protection against the virus. The agency is also working with the CDC to ensure that the vaccines are distributed to those who need them.
The CDC reported that the number of babies born in the U.S. in 2022 was lower than in 2021, indicating that the rebound from the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic has ended. The teen birthrate also reached a record low, with a 3% decrease from the previous year. This is a smaller decrease than in previous years, suggesting that the nation is reaching a plateau due to years of progress.
The CDC released a report showing that the rate of new HIV infections in the US has decreased by 12% between 2017 and 2021, despite a sharp drop in HIV testing in 2020. Other wealthy Western nations have seen even greater success, with annual infection rates dropping by more than 70% in the Netherlands, 68% in Italy and 44% in Australia. The CDC report is a positive sign of progress, but there is still much work to be done to ensure all Americans have access to HIV testing, treatment, and prevention.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has announced her resignation, effective June 30. President Biden praised her work, saying she has saved lives with her focus on the health of every American. Walensky has been a key figure in the administration's pandemic response, helping to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States. It is unclear who will take over the role and what the future of the agency will be.
The CDC has announced that older adults aged 65 and up, as well as those with weakened immune systems, can now receive a second dose of the updated versions of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid booster shots. The agency has recommended that people wait at least two weeks after their first dose before getting the second dose, and that those immunocompromised should wait at least two months. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the virus, but it is not 100% effective, so people should still take precautions such as wearing a mask and social distancing.