Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Read recent news of interest from the world of infectious diseases, with a focus on COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and additional doses for those who are immunocompromised …

On May 12, 2021, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine be used in children age 12-15 years and provided new guidance on co-administration of COVID-19 vaccines with other recommended vaccines, including influenza. In this episode of the Schaffner Report, NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD, talks with NFID Executive Director and CEO Marla Dalton about these important new developments …

Following a thorough safety review, FDA and CDC have determined that the recommended pause regarding the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the US should be lifted and use of the vaccine should resume. In this episode of the Schaffner Report, NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD, talks with NFID Executive Director and CEO Marla Dalton about the decision and how it may impact confidence in COVID-19 vaccines …

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently held two important meetings to review data on vaccines for influenza, hepatitis, pneumococcal disease, shingles, and other diseases, and to approve the new Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Marla Dalton, executive director and CEO of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), talks with NFID Medical Director William Schaffner, MD, about the significance of these meetings for healthcare professionals and the public …

Read recent vaccine-related news of interest from the world of infectious diseases

While overall US teen vaccine coverage has increased, more education and stronger provider recommendations are needed to boost human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates…

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended several changes to US immunization schedules during the June 2019 meeting including updates to pneumococcal, hepatitis A, HPV, and meningococcal B vaccine recommendations…

Nine important updates on shingles (herpes zoster) vaccination…

2017 featured continued activity in the world of infectious diseases – from hepatitis A outbreaks nationally, to an increased focus on antibiotic resistance across the globe. Read the top 5 infectious disease stories of 2017…

In the US, an estimated 850,000-2.2 million individuals are chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus and each year, approximately 30,000-50,000 cases of hepatitis A occur. New cases of hepatitis B infection in the US had been decreasing until recently; however, in recent years, acute cases of hepatitis B have increased and there have been several outbreaks of hepatitis A.

Through our collective efforts we can help routinize using the 16-year-old visit to include recommended and catch-up vaccines. Together, we can help healthcare professionals and the public become more aware of, and motivated to comply with, US vaccine recommendations and, ultimately, help protect older teens against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and is often caused by a virus. There are several types of hepatitis viruses but in the US, the most common types are Hepatitis A, B, and C. Millions are living with viral hepatitis but most do not know they are infected. People can live with chronic hepatitis for decades without having symptoms. Two vaccines are currently available to help prevent viral hepatitis in adolescents…