Infectious Disease

Pharmacists enhance food safety by identifying foodborne illness symptoms, especially as FoodNet narrows its focus on E coli and Salmonella.

New research raises questions regarding the efficacy of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir in preventing long COVID, with limited protection found among older adults and high-risk individuals.

Pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV21) was found to be immunogenic and safe in individuals living with HIV, providing significant indications of efficacy in immunocompromised patients.

Older adults face heightened risks from RSV due to declining immunity and chronic conditions, making vaccination crucial for prevention and health.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that COVID-19 vaccines be administered through individual-based decision-making.

A multicenter registry analysis reveals that high-risk cardiovascular patients often miss opportunities to receive pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations, showcasing gaps that could be filled by pharmacists.

Members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to restrict the combined measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine for certain age groups.

Travelers face rising infectious disease risks, including measles, chikungunya, chagas disease, and others.

A recent study highlights the AOV dual-chamber system as a faster, safer option for RSV vaccine reconstitution, enhancing efficiency for health care providers.

Pharmacists face challenges as recent federal policy changes threaten their expanded roles in vaccination and public health, impacting patient access to care.

Use of educational resources at a gastrointestinal office improved pneumococcal vaccine uptake in patients with celiac disease.

In STRIDE-13, the pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV21) induced robust immunogenicity in young, high-risk individuals against invasive pneumococcal disease.

A fatal pediatric measles case in Los Angeles highlights the urgent need for MMR vaccination to protect vulnerable children from severe complications.

According to phase 3 trial results, Pfizer-BioNTech’s LP.8.1-adapted COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated significant immune responses in older adults and individuals at high risk for severe COVID-19.

Florida's Surgeon General's plan to eliminate school vaccine mandates raises concerns about measles outbreaks and declining vaccination rates.

The 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) elicited favorable immunogenicity and safety in infants and toddlers who were coadministered common pediatric vaccines, such as the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.

RSV vaccination shows promise in reducing cardiorespiratory hospitalizations among older adults, highlighting potential heart and lung health benefits.

Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE, CEO of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP), warns that politicizing the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) could undermine vaccine trust.

A single dose of an RSV vaccine significantly reduces hospitalization risk for older adults, offering protection for 2 seasons against severe infections.

Allison Hill, PharmD, RPh, highlights the need for pharmacists to leverage resources, collaborate with other providers, advocate on social media, and support rural communities with limited access to care.

Susan Cantrell, RPh, MHL, CAE, highlights the Equitable Community Access to Pharmacy Services (ECAPS) Act as the top federal priority to preserve pharmacists’ authority in testing, treatment, and immunization services.

Vaccination is vital for adults with heart disease to prevent severe respiratory illnesses like RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, enhancing overall health outcomes.

Allison Hill, PharmD, RPh, discusses how rapid changes in vaccine schedules and state-level authority highlight the importance of the American Pharmacists Association's advocacy.

Patients with severe COVID-19 who tested positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae had higher mortality rates.

The FDA's approvals follow new COVID-19 guidance announced by the commissioner of the agency in May 2025, focusing future approvals on older adults.