Influenza News

WASHINGTON — An investigational combination hexavalent vaccine for protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae type b and hepatitis B was found noninferior to the current protection regimen when concomitantly administered with RotaTeq and Prevnar 13, according to data presented at the 2015 AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

WASHINGTON — Global climate change has a direct impact on the health of children worldwide — adding risks such as heat stress, diminished air quality and increased infections — and requires a joint effort by pediatricians and politicians, according to a policy released by the AAP.

Children and adults admitted to the hospital with influenza-related pneumonia were less likely to have received an influenza vaccination than those with pneumonia not associated with influenza in a recent study.

SAN DIEGO — Severe pneumonia in pediatric patients was caused most commonly by Streptococcus pneumoniae, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A virus in developing countries, according to data presented at ICAAC 2015.

At least 40 million doses of the influenza vaccine have been distributed this season, and early diseases indicate that the vaccine formula is in close correspondence with circulating viruses, according to the CDC.

SAN DIEGO — The use of quaternary ammonium spray disinfectant and disinfecting wipes at child care centers significantly reduced the amount of antibiotic use in these children, according to data presented at ICAAC 2015.

Unlike the 2009 pandemic influenza season when influenza A(H1N1) pmd09 was last predominant, the 2013-2014 season’s mortality risk factors shifted to those of a more typical epidemic influenza season, according to data recently published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices published updated influenza vaccination recommendations for the 2015-2016 influenza season in a recent MMWR.

Rapid multiplex PCR was the most costly, yet effective strategy for detecting influenza among a cohort of children aged 3 months to 18 years presenting to an ED with influenza-like illness, according to results of a decision analytic model.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to accept recommendation proposals concerning the interval between receipt of pneumococcal vaccinations, as well as changes to the viral strains and pediatric dosage of the seasonal influenza vaccine.