Coronavirus

The CDC emphasized the need for protein-based vaccine options in endorsing a vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the universal recommendation of the 2023-2024 monovalent, XBB containing COVID-19 vaccines.

Failing to protect the elderly from disease has consequences beyond nursing homes.

Senate Bill 219 will also allow pharmacists to independently administer influenza and COVID-19 tests waived by the clinical laboratory improvement amendments.

FDA grants updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines with emergency use authorization to target currently circulating variants of the virus.

With the emergence of BA.2.86, and the growing prevalence of EG.5 and FL1.5.1, there is a need for updated vaccines against COVID-19 to help decrease severe disease and hospitalizations.

Understanding the virus protein’s insertion mechanisms can be useful in creating new COVID-19 vaccine targets.

AI is revolutionizing pharmacy practice by improving medication management, streamlining workflow, and enhancing patient safety and outcomes.

Although the pandemic has negatively influenced the care that patients with cardiovascular conditions receive, the study authors found that there were not significant inequities regarding patients’ race.

In a previous trial, DARE-19, investigators reported that the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin did not benefit patients with COVID-19 who had cardiometabolic risk factors.

The pharmacy is no longer considered to offer full service (or to be financially sustainable) without a robust vaccination practice.

Despite study findings showing that 1 in 5 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 developed persistent high blood pressure, many had underlying risk factors.

Technology and regulations can revolutionize drug manufacturing and ensure a stable supply of medications.

This technique may be applied to transdermal applications, such as shot-free vaccines.

Investigators determined that there needs to be an evaluation of harm caused by pharmacy professionals who are in unique positions on social media, propagating misinformation about COVID-19, vaccines, treatment, masks, and other conspiracy theories.

The drug is the first approved antiviral COVID-19 treatment that could be used across all stages of liver disease.

The approach allows investigators to assess post-vaccine response in immunocompromised patients who have received antibody prophylaxis.

A COVID-19 booster dose increased both maternal and cord blood binding and neutralizing antibody levels against virus strains, including Omicron BA.1.

Unexpectedly, the highest increases in delirium compared to projections were in the 66 to 74 years of age group, which could have important personal and societal repercussions, such as earlier development of dementia.

The findings suggest that varying precautions and factors affected the transmission rates in schools in different periods of the pandemic.

A bit of preparation can set children up for success and reduce the stress of this busy time.

Study results showed no significant association between those who bite their nails and SARS-CoV-2 infection, in addition to a lower rate of infection for those who wear glasses compared to those who don’t wear glasses.

Compared to the BNT162b2 vaccine, the mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with a lower risk of adverse events, which investigators speculate was due to interrelated safety and efficacy.

Wastewater surveillance could be the most consistent way to measure COVID-19 across US counties, a recent study indicates.

Study investigators observed no significant differences in oxygen supplementation, hospitalization, or COVID-19 related death between initiators and non-initiators, though they cautioned more research was needed.

The approved assay can differentiate between infection of COVID-19, influenza, or respiratory syncytial virus, minimizing the need for multiple tests or physician visits.

The health care industry must cultivate volunteer support to maintain a positive impact on vaccination rates.

The common diabetes drug could mediate hyperglycemia, which is caused when SARS-CoV-2 infects hepatocytes.

Investigators found that age and the presence of RNAemia in blood were predictors of mortality in patients with severe COVID-19.

Community-based pharmacy services are reaching new heights as pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are able to have a larger impact on patient care than ever before.

Rates of hospitalizations and mortality from COVID-19 were more than 4 times lower in 2022 compared to 2021, as the virus become less severe with new mutations, a recent study found.