Top in ID: CDC shake-up; agency expands monkeypox vaccine supply

Last week, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, criticized how the agency responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in an email to CDC staff, which was obtained by Healio.

Walensky also wrote about internal changes that will help improve its operation and create “a new, public health action-oriented culture at CDC that emphasizes accountability, collaboration, communication and timeliness.” It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was about a press briefing in which White House national monkeypox response coordinator Robert Fenton said the United States will release 1.8 million more doses of the Jynneos vaccine. At the briefing, Walensky mentioned that large LGBTQ events can request doses, and Fenton said that up to 50,000 doses have been set aside for jurisdictions hosting these events. The outbreak has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men, according to health officials.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

Walensky criticizes COVID-19 response, announces plan to transform CDC

In an email to staff, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, was critical of the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and announced internal changes aimed at improving how it operates. Read more.

US to release 1.8 million more doses of monkeypox vaccine

The United States will release an additional 1.8 million doses of monkeypox vaccine starting Monday and will make up to 50,000 doses available upon request for large LGBTQ events, health officials announced. Read more.

Novavax asks FDA to authorize COVID-19 booster

Novavax said Monday that it has asked the FDA to authorize a booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine. Read more.

Jill Biden tests positive for COVID-19, is experiencing mild symptoms

First Lady Jill Biden, EdD, tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing mild symptoms, the White House said. She was prescribed Paxlovid. Read more.

Study: ‘Ultrashort’ antibiotic course OK for pneumonia with normal oxygenation

Patients with normal oxygenation levels who were treated for possible pneumonia experienced similar outcomes with an “ultrashort” course of antibiotics compared with a longer course, researchers reported recently. Read more.