Vaccination and Immunization

This week, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr signed the ACIP's recommendation to remove the mercury-based preservative from all influenza vaccines.

A newly-published study identified specific groups of higher-risk children that could benefit most from monoclonal antibodies.

The final recommendation sign off decision will go to HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The American Academy of Pediatrics will continue to hold its own childhood vaccine schedule, as it has since the 1930s.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, shares her thoughts on how PNPs can implement evidence-based strategies to encourage parents to vaccinate their children.

Currently, Vimkunya is FDA-approved for use among individuals aged 12 years and older.

The BLA for clesrovimab was based on results demonstrated in the phase 2b/3 CLEVER trial among healthy pre-term and full-term infants.

In this article, we recap a timeline of recent federal agency changes to routine COVID-19 vaccination intended for the pediatric population.

Federal health agencies have adjusted COVID vaccine guidance, potentially changing eligibility and access for pediatric patients. Experts respond in this article.

New phase 3b durability data revealed nirsevimab reduced RSV hospitalizations in infants by 82.7% through 180 days vs no intervention.

RFK Jr. stated he "couldn't be more pleased" to announce that COVID-19 vaccination among healthy children and pregnant women has been removed from CDC's immunization schedule.

A look ahead to 5 key regulatory decisions scheduled to take place during the second quarter of 2025, from a monoclonal antibody to topical psoriasis treatments.

"The measles outbreak that is currently happening in Texas and New Mexico is occurring in an area of the states that have very high anti-vaccine sentiments," Tan said.

"Vaccines are our absolute best defense for protecting people of all ages against many serious infectious diseases," Tan said in a statement as president of IDSA.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, breaks down key highlights of the latest double issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Amin Barakat, MD, FAAP, details meningococcal disease vaccines and highlights the recently FDA-approved MenABCWY vaccine from GSK.

Study findings underscore the effectiveness of a dual approach to RSV prevention.

Nurse practitioner Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN offers her thoughts on the recent FDA approval of GSK's meningococcal ABCWY vaccine.

The combination vaccine targets 5 groups of the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (A,B,C,W, AND Y) that cause the most invasive meningococcal disease cases (IMD) globally.

Robert Frenck, MD, offers several practical tips to use when discussing pediatric vaccination among vaccine-hesitant parents.

Of those with a minimum age or minimum interval vaccine dose, 44.9% ended up receiving extra doses to complete a vaccination series.

The initiation of a phase 2 study of the investigational 31-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is expected by the end of January 2025.

The study outcomes were estimated IMD cases and deaths averted by MenACWY vaccination in adolescents and adults aged 11 to 23 years.

"The novel RSV prevention strategies may reduce ICU morbidity and mortality for children," the study authors concluded.

Donna Hallas, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, highlights key takeaways from our October Vaccine issue of Contemporary Pediatrics.

The CDC committee has set new recommendations based on children's age, vaccination status, and overall immunity health, for the 2024 - 2025 period.

A CDC report reviews HPV vaccination trends in US Pacific Islands, revealing mixed progress towards the 2030 goal of 90% completion among girls by age 15.

Among children born in 2020, vaccination coverage was 4 to 14 percentage points lower among those who were eligible for VFC versus non-eligible children.

According to the report authors, girls were more likely to receive 1 or more HPV vaccine doses compared to boys (42.9% vs 34.6%).

The 5-in-1 vaccine candidate has the potential to reduce shots and simplify the immunization process.