Influenza

Facebook joins the fight against the flu. The FDA approves an influenza vaccine for adults age 65 years or older. What’s new in flu news this week?

Overall deaths of young children attributable to lower respiratory infections have dropped by more than half in the past 3 decades. However, the rate of death remains far too high considering that most of these deaths are preventable.

A new study from ECDC investigators highlights mortality and risk factors associated with seasonal influenza.

Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is given to people 65 years of age and older to help prevent influenza disease caused by influenza A and B strains contained in the vaccine.

While most influenza vaccines target the binding protein hemagglutinin, a new study shows cross-strain results for treatment and prevention focused on the glycoprotein neuraminidase.

A study by Shikha Garg, MD, MPH, and her team with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention boosts the evidence base for the benefit of influenza vaccination.

H3N2, a particularly virulent strain of influenza, blew through Australia. Is it coming to the United States this fall and winter?

Using a unique approach of targeting the stalk of the hemagglutinin, investigators are taking steps toward developing a universal influenza vaccine candidate.

Angela Campbell, MD, MPH, details a study on influenza vaccine effectiveness in children with respiratory illness.

The approval marks the first and only antiviral medicine indicated specifically for patients at high risk of developing serious complications from the flu.

Millions of women and infants remain vulnerable to influenza and pertussis despite recommendations for vaccinations in pregnancy, according to a CDC report.

Helen Chu, MD, MPH, discussed the "Seattle Flu Study" with Contagion at IDWeek 2019.

The NFID released data revealing that only 52% of adults in the United States plan to get vaccinated against the flu this season.

A National Influenza Vaccine Task Force has been established, which will develop a 5-year plan to promote new vaccine manufacturing technology and to accelerate the development of a universal flu vaccine.

“We want the readers to know that there is room for improvement in current hand hygiene regimen,” the study authors said.

A nationwide cohort study in Denmark examined hypertensive populations and the protective effects awarded by the influenza vaccination.

Infection with pertussis or influenza can be serious, and in some cases deadly, in newborn babies, therefore it is critical for pregnant women to receive the Tdap and influenza vaccines.

A NIAID-sponsored study found that most participants who received a 5-day course of broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to a season flu shot had reduced levels of gut bacteria.

A new study delves into the debate of N95 respirators versus surgical masks for seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

A total of 130 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported during the 2018-19 flu season.

The MINISTONE-2 study enrolled pediatric patients and the BLOCKSTONE study looked at preventive treatment for individuals living with someone with an influenza infection.

Investigators with Seqirus presented findings from a handful of studies on a MF59 adjuvanted influenza vaccine at the Options for the Control of Influenza (OPTIONS X) Conference in Singapore.

The crux of new information centers around the vaccine virus composition for the 2019-2020 season, and recent labeling changes for previously licensed vaccines.

Three children in US Customs and Border Protection custody have died since December 2018, partially due to influenza. Now, the infectious disease community is rallying for vaccination for migrants in detention facilities.

The NIH-funded study will evaluate experimental adjuvants AF03 and Advax-CpG55.2 over an 18-month study period.

Leslie Tari, PhD, discusses the treatment and prevention of influenza.

In the wake of prior findings that influenza A viruses exhibited reduced susceptibility to single-dose baloxavir, a new study indicates that the antiviral medication inhibits all 4 types of flu, including viruses with pandemic potential.

A recent 3-part series details the inevitability of another global influenza pandemic and how better surveillance and new vaccines may protect us in time for the next pandemic.

As injectable influenza vaccine doses from the 2018-19 season are set to expire on June 30, 2019, CDC investigators detail 192 cases of expired vaccine administration over the last year.

The 2018-19 US flu season lasted 21 weeks, marking the longest season in a decade.