Krystal Scinto, PharmD candidate

As outbreaks occur nationwide, pharmacists should bolster their knowledge about the MMR vaccine and treatment recommendations.

Canakinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody, targets interleukin-1β, has anti-inflammatory effects, and is FDA-approved for rheumatologic disorders. Interleukein-1β is a cytokine that drives the interleukin(IL)-6 signaling pathway in inflammatory response.

Pharmacists can administer the MMR vaccine without a prescription in most states and US territories.

Since 2006, the CDC has tracked increases in cases and outbreaks about every 5 years.

NDMA contamination in medications has caused concern among consumers, and health care professionals after WHO recalled 1159 lots of ARBs including valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan.

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia reported mumps infections in 3252 people, from January 1 to December 6, 2019, according to the CDC.