Life Sciences by PointClickCare’s Post

Influenza is responsible for significant mortality and hospitalization rates in the United States, ranging from 4,900 to 51,000 deaths and 100,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations annually between 2010 and 2023, according to the CDC. A and B viruses are the predominant influenza types that circulate during influenza seasons, which typically begin in October, peak between December and February, but can last longer than that. People aged 65 years or older are at a particularly high risk for severe complications from influenza, accounting for 70% to 85% of annual influenza-related deaths and 50% to 70% of influenza-related hospitalizations. There are several FDA-approved methods to administer influenza vaccines, including intramuscular injection, nasal spray and jet. In summary, annual influenza vaccinations for all folks but more so for susceptible patients between September and October. Patients who are willing and able can consider receiving the influenza, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines together or separately, based on their preferences and scheduling convenience. had the opportunity to talk to Abc27 and yahoo news on this topic. Talk to your healthcare providers about flu vaccine

Vaccination coverage for the 2023-2024 flu season remains low across all age groups vs the same period in 2022-2023. The CDC suggests that health care providers “leverage all available tools to increase immunizations against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV.” The agency has developed communication tools and templates to help providers begin the vaccination conversation with patients. Read more and find communication tools below. https://bit.ly/48ke9hW #independentpharmacy #vaccines #vaccineswork #influenza #communityhealth Bob Pessel Adam Salus Tyler Woods PharmD Erica Fett

Authors' conclusions and recommendation: - Despite the low influenza vaccination coverage, those vaccinated were protected against hospitalization. The 34.5% vaccine efficiency against all influenza-associated hospitalizations was within historical ranges of 34%–53% against A(H3N2) and 18%–56% against A(H1N1)pdm09. Vaccination likely prevented 36.5% of influenza A(H3N2)–associated and 37.1% of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09–associated hospitalizations. - If these clades predominate during the Northern Hemisphere influenza season and the updated A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)–like virus antigen provides similar protection against clade 2a.3a.1, health authorities might anticipate similar levels of protection from the 2024–25 vaccine. And most importantly *** To enhance this year's modest influenza vaccine protection against hospitalization, providers should treat patients with suspected or confirmed influenza with antivirals as soon as possible.

🌞 Summer's in full swing, but it's time to start preparing for the fall. The CDC updated its recommendations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines for the 2024-2025 Fall/Winter Respiratory Virus Season. Updates include: 🛡️ Everyone 6 months+ should get the new COVID-19 vaccine 💉 Get your flu shot in September or October 👵 Seniors should get the RSV vaccine (if not taken last year). Check out the details and how to get started. #GetVaccinated

It’s #WorldImmunizationWeek! Vaccines are more than just lifesavers; they're superheroes with a multitude of benefits! A recent report by the Office of Health Economics (OHE) shows that vaccines targeting influenza, pneumococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpes zoster (shingles) provided benefits 19 times the cost of vaccination itself! Prof. Lotte Steuten, PhD, deputy CEO of the Office of Health Economics, co-authored this report. To commemorate World Immunization Week, tune in to this week's One World, One Health #podcast, where Prof. Steuten discusses how #Vaccines not only save lives but also promote health and economic equity, combat #AntimicrobialResistance, and boost productivity. Listen here: https://ow.ly/plEC50RnIVc #Vaccineswork #Immunizationweek #HealthEconomics

October 11, 2024 Latest on Long Covid and Reinfections & Vaccine Reminder Results from an international patient-centered online survey, published as a preprint, shows that people who had two COVID-19 infections were more than twice as likely—and those who had three or more COVID-19 infections were almost four times more likely—to report long COVID as those with one infection. Reinfections were associated with increased likelihood of severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, decreased physical function, poorer immune health, symptom exacerbation before menstruation, and multiple other Long COVID symptoms. While vaccinations and boosters prior to infection are associated with lower likelihood of Long COVID, reinfections diminish their protective effect. COVID-19 reinfection ups risk of long COVID, new data show https://lnkd.in/eaar694y Long COVID and associated outcomes following COVID-19 reinfections: Insights from an International Patient-Led Survey https://lnkd.in/epcurceR https://lnkd.in/eGXkuzN9 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License &&&&&&&& Dr. Katelyn Jetelina MPH, PhD just updated her easy-to-understand Vaccine Guidance chart, indicating the flu vaccine may not be as effective this year than last year, based on southern hemisphere data, offering 34% efficacy against hospitalization (vs. last year’s 50%). Nevertheless, this is the ideal time to get the flu vaccine to prevent severe disease. Everyone should get vaccinated before you take your little goblins out trick or treating! 

CDC’s MMWR: Interim Estimates of 2023-24 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness The CDC has released a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) regarding the 2023-2024 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) in the United States. Vaccine effectiveness was measured in both adult and pediatric patients for outpatient settings and influenza-associated hospitalization. Among children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years, VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits ranged from 59% to 67%, and against influenza-associated hospitalization ranged from 52% to 61%. Among adults aged 18 years and older, VE against influenza-associated outpatient visits ranged from 33% to 49%, and against influenza-associated hospitalization ranged from 41% to 44%. These findings demonstrate that the 2023-2024 seasonal influenza vaccine effectively reduces the risk of influenza-associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations. All eligible persons aged 6 months and older are recommended to receive an annual influenza vaccination. View the CDC’s MMWR here: https://lnkd.in/gm8vZ_b8

As we approach the respiratory virus season, Albertsons Companies’ pharmacies are here to protect our communities. Our pharmacies are now offering the latest monovalent mRNA COVID vaccines along with the annual flu vaccines in anticipation of a challenging flu and COVID-19 season, as forecasted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Appointments can be made online today via our grocery store apps or websites. (https://lnkd.in/gacGqNmT)   This year, the CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older receive updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines, with rare exceptions. The CDC says that the concurrent administration of both vaccines is considered safe.   Our experienced pharmacy teams are ready to make the vaccination experience smooth and seamless. They're also on hand to answer any clinical questions and help with healthcare decisions. With a comprehensive vaccination program in place, we’re also offering vaccines for shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, HPV and RSV for eligible adults.   Save 10% on groceries (up to $20) for every vaccine. (Terms apply.)   #FluSeason #VaccinationAwareness #AlbertsonsCompaniesPharmacy #CommunityHealth 

Calling all immunising #pharmacists, doctors and nurses- to support your clinical decision making in preparation for the upcoming #influenza season, CSL-Seqirus are sponsoring an independent webinar event - Influenza Vaccination in 2024 Enhancing protection across age groups and at-risk patient.   This forum will explain everything you need to know about: 💉 The fall in influenza vaccination rates and the emergence of vaccination fatigue which became evident in the 2023 influenza season. 💉 Changes to the National Immunisation Program (NIP) in 2024. 💉 The characteristics of the different types of influenza vaccines, including the first cell-based influenza vaccine. 💉 How to identify at-risk patients who are eligible for vaccination. 💉 Strategies to improve vaccination rates in at-risk populations.   A great line up of presenters on the evening: Angela Newbound (Chair and representing Practice Nurses), Chris Campbell (representing Pharmacists), Sarah Chu (representing GPs) and infectious disease expert Patrick Charles. 📅 21st March from 7pm-8:30pm Register 👇 https://lnkd.in/gXvJDNKa #communitypharmacy

📚 A brief recap of 2023 CiaoLapo publications. 06/10 📄 Title: "Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness During the 2021-2022 Season in Europe: Results from the DRIVE Network" - Stuurman AL, et al. 🔍 Summary: The DRIVE Project study, a multi-country initiative in Europe, examined the effectiveness of influenza vaccines during the 2021-2022 season. Key findings relevant to Italy include: - Vaccine Effectiveness (VE): Significant brand-specific influenza vaccine effectiveness was observed, particularly in older adults in primary care settings. Vaxigrip Tetra, for instance, showed a VE of 81% against influenza. - Children’s Vaccination: For children aged 6 months to 6 years, Fluenz Tetra showed a VE of 64% against influenza. - Overall Effectiveness: A significant overall IVE estimate was obtained for children aged 6 months to 6 years against laboratory-confirmed influenza A [38% (95% CI 1–62)]. 💡 Comment: The DRIVE study underscores the preventive role of the flu vaccine, particularly in vulnerable populations like children and older adults. This evidence is crucial for public health strategies, especially during influenza seasons and potential pandemics. 👉 Explore more about the study's findings and implications for influenza vaccination: [Stuurman et al., 2023](https://lnkd.in/d9NpxhQR) #CiaoLapo #InfluenzaVaccine #PublicHealth #Europe #VaccineEffectiveness