The year in ID: New vaccines, workforce shortages, AI and more

Each cover of Healio | Infectious Disease News is topped by a feature story on an emerging topic in the field of ID.

Often, the stories are suggested by members of our editorial board. Below is a selection of nine feature stories we pulled to provide an overview of some of the issues that were on our minds this year.

Is the US prepared for the next pandemic?

In January, we ended our award-winning “Life during COVID” series with a report about the United States’ preparedness for the next pandemic. Read more.

‘There aren’t many of us’: The challenges of delivering rural ID care

Nearly 80% of U.S. counties did not have a single ID physician. In February, we checked in with experts to ask how ID care is delivered in rural America and how facilities are working to close the gap in coverage. Read more.

Fungal infections can turn deadly — improving awareness is ‘vital’

In March, we asked around to get a sense of the landscape of fungal diseases in the U.S. and get an update on the antifungal pipeline. Read more.

ID is having a ‘Wild West moment’ with AI

AI has emerged as a potentially important tool for patient care, including in ID. The specialty is currently having a “Wild West moment” with the technology, one expert told us for this April story. Read more.

As Lyme disease cases increase, so does promise of a new vaccine

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S., and although cases have steadily increased, there is no vaccine to prevent it. Could that change? Read more.

Will new approvals, stronger recommendations improve RSV vaccine uptake?

A flurry of development has produced numerous vaccines and other additions to the armamentarium for respiratory syncytial virus. Will uptake improve? We asked around for this July story. Read more.

Should US consider risk-based recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines?

The U.S. is one of only a few remaining countries with universal COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. Other countries have recommendations that are based on risk factors or age. Should the U.S. change its recommendations? Experts weighed in for this August story. Read more.

US has 'embarrassment of riches' to protect children from RSV

This is the second respiratory disease season with two new powerful tools to protect infants from severe RSV. This October story specifically explored the topic of RSV immunization of children. Read more.

Does the world still need an HIV vaccine? Experts say yes

Long-acting injectables are poised to change the landscape of HIV prevention, allowing people to go months in between doses of PrEP. In the era of lenacapavir and cabotegravir, does the world still need an HIV vaccine? We asked around for this December feature and got one answer. Read more.