Vaccines

Samantha Olson, MPH, explains the important role of a strong recommendation for maternal influenza vaccination.

Samantha Olson, MPH, breaks down a study highlighting the effectiveness of maternal influenza vaccination and its respective association with influenza-related hospitalizations in infants.

Nirsevimab was approved by the FDA on July 17, 2023, ahead of the traditional RSV season, though in October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended it be prioritized for the highest-risk infants amid limited availability.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, tells Contemporary Pediatrics, “This is not new and demonstrates what is known, in that if vaccination rates do not stay at a level that is protective, outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases will occur.”

Investigators of a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics concluded that maternal vaccination was safe with regard to neurodevelopment of the child at ages 12 months and 18 months.

Todd Wolynn, MD, stresses the need for effective communication within the pediatric physician community to combat misinformation, particularly about influenza vaccination.

An expert pediatrician reviews vaccine coverage rates within the pediatric population, and addresses parents’ and guardians concerns when it comes to vaccinating children against influenza.

Investigators of a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated efficacy against the Delta and Omicron variants of COVID-19 in children and adolescents, offering new, extended follow-up period data.

Todd Wolynn, MD, continues the discussion on egg-based vs cell-based influenza vaccines in pediatric populations, commenting on the limitations and concerns with traditional egg-based formulations.

Todd Wolynn, MD, reviews influenza vaccination recommendations for pediatric populations, highlighting the egg-based and cell-based formulations.

The estimated efficacy of the vaccine against documented infection for children and adolescents during the Omicron wave was 74.3% and 85.5%, respectively.

An expert pediatrician discusses the complications that arise from pediatric influenza, such as pneumonia and exacerbation of chronic illness.

Todd Wolynn, MD, talks about the spread of influenza among children and their communities.

Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, discusses vaccine hesitancy and hopes to increase vaccination for preventable diseases in 2024.

A recently published study on 17 million children found combined flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered superior protection against hospitalization, MIS-C, and death during the pandemic.

Overall, the study authors concluded that the immunogenicity of QIV and TIV was similar for common influenza ingredients for children aged 6 to 35 months.

The US approval makes VLA1553 (Ixchiq; Valneva) the world’s first licensed chikungunya vaccine.

The FDA was made aware some health care providers had administered the full single dose vial of the vaccine, which contains “notably more” volume than the 0.25 mL volume indicated for children aged 6 months to 11 years.

Donna Hallas, PhD, PPCNP-BC, CPNP, PMHS, FAANP, FAAN, shares her thoughts on the Contemporary Pediatrics' October 2023 vaccine issue.

The combination vaccine candidates demonstrated a safety profile consistent with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. A phase 3 trial is anticipated to commence in the coming months, according to a press release from Pfizer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising providers to prioritize 100 mg doses of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody FDA-approved to prevent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for infants at the highest risk of severe RSV disease.

The FDA approval could simplify meningococcal vaccine schedules while providing broad serogroup coverage.

Parents who reported the stigmatizing belief “My child is not having sex” were much more likely to rely on health care providers as a source of information than parents who did not report this belief.

At IDweek 2023, Flor Munoz, MD, MSc, provided an update on maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS).

At IDWeek 2023, several authors share a study on mother-infant pairs, evaluating for differences in rates of influenza infections in infants.

A look at recent approvals and promising clinical trials for future vaccines.

Individuals 12 years and older can now receive the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2023-2024 Formula) (NVX-CoV2601) to protect against variants that are currently circulating, after receiving an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA.

*Co-first authorship was earned, as each equally contributed to the methodical and rigorous review of the literature, writing, and editing of this article.

In collaboration with Contemporary Pediatrics, Contemporary OB/GYN, and Contagion, Tina Tan, MD, FAAP, FIDSA, FPIDS, discusses the benefits of having new tools to fight RSV in infants, potential vaccine hesitancy, and RSV trends currently being observed.

Standout updates include a relaxed recommendation for patients with a history of egg allergies, and that all available influenza vaccines for the 2023 to 2024 flu season are quadrivalent.