Top in ID: FDA reviews self-administered flu vaccine; new CDC test for Cache Valley virus
The FDA accepted a supplemental biologics license application for FluMist, AstraZeneca’s nasal spray influenza vaccine, which could be the country’s first self-administered influenza vaccine.
“The ability for individuals and parents to choose where to administer an injection-free flu vaccine could help increase access and, subsequently, vaccination rates, and greatly benefit those most impacted by this serious and contagious respiratory illness,” Ravi Jhaveri, MD, professor of infectious diseases and pediatric infectious diseases at Northwestern University School of Medicine, said in a press release.
It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
In another top story, the CDC developed an IgM-antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that can detect recent infections of Cache Valley virus, which is spread by infected mosquitoes.
“This new test could help better identify cases to provide a more complete picture of how many people are getting infected and how the virus affects humans,” Amanda Calvert, MSc, PhD, research microbiologist with CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, told Healio.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
FDA will review self-administered flu vaccine for approval
The FDA is set to review what could be the country’s first self-administered influenza vaccine. Read more.
CDC develops test for Cache Valley virus, other uncommon mosquito-borne diseases
A test created to detect Cache Valley virus and other similar and uncommon viruses yielded fast and accurate results, which could make testing for these viruses easier in the future. Read more.
Q&A: Changes to SEP-1 sepsis management bundle spark concern among experts
In 2015, the CMS introduced the Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Management Bundle, or SEP-1, as an all-or-nothing, pay-for-reporting measure. Read more.
Updated COVID-19 vaccines receive mixed support among health care professionals online
An analysis of online conversations among health care professionals on social media during September revealed mixed reactions toward newly updated messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines. Read more.
Race, rurality can increase risk for hospital infections, study finds
White and Black patients in rural areas face an increased risk for hospital-associated infections, and Black rural patients experience the highest risks for ICU admission an in-hospital death, researchers reported at IDWeek. Read more.