Top in ID: Bivalent boosters’ effectiveness; Hooked on ID with Anthony S. Fauci, MD

CDC researchers found that vaccination with a bivalent messenger RNA booster was effective against the XBB.1.5 subvariant of SARS-CoV-2.

The relative effectiveness of the bivalent booster against symptomatic infection related to XBB or XBB.1.5 was 49%, 40%, and 43% among people aged 18 to 49 years, 50 to 64 years and 65 years or older, respectively. It was the top story in infectious disease last week.

Another top story was by Anthony S. Fauci, MD, about what drew him to the field of infectious disease.

Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:

CDC publishes first estimates of bivalent boosters’ effectiveness against XBB.1.5

The CDC for the first time has estimated how effective the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines have been against the newest dominant omicron subvariant of SARS-CoV-2. Read more.

Hooked on ID with Anthony S. Fauci, MD

What drew me to infectious diseases was the potentially enormous impact it has — not only on individuals but on societies. Read more.

FDA committee recommends approval of rezafungin for candidemia and invasive candidiasis

The FDA Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted 14-1 in favor of the use of rezafungin for the treatment of candidemia and invasive candidiasis. Read more.

Real-world impact of nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir on SARS-CoV-2 infection

As the COVID-19 pandemic heads into its 4th year, it is a good time to reflect on strides made for those with mild-to-moderate disease not requiring hospitalization. Read more.

FDA committee endorses plan to simplify COVID-19 vaccines

An FDA advisory committee voted unanimously in favor of a plan to streamline and simplify COVID-19 vaccine compositions in the United States by replacing initial, primary doses with the bivalent vaccines currently used as boosters. Read more.