US Health Officials Plan to Produce 4.8 Million H5N1 Vaccine Doses
In response to the ongoing threat of the H5N1 avian flu, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking proactive steps to produce 4.8 million doses of the vaccine. Dawn O’Connell, JD, from the HHS, announced that officials have identified a manufacturing line for fill-and-finish steps without disrupting the production of seasonal flu vaccine. The vaccine is currently in bulk form and will be produced in multidose vials, saving time in case of an emergency. Discussions are ongoing with vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna to determine their involvement in the development process. Federal health officials are closely monitoring triggers that would prompt the deployment of the vaccine, including changes in transmission propensity and illness severity.
Surveillance Study Reveals Incidence of Multidrug-Resistant Infections in US Children
A recent surveillance study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections occur less frequently than extended-spectrum beta-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) infections in US children. The study analyzed CRE and ESBL-E incidence rates in children across multiple states from 2016 through 2020. The results showed that most CRE cases were identified in urine samples, with the most common infection being lower urinary tract infections. The study also highlighted a rise in community-associated ESBL-E infections, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and prevention efforts in pediatric populations.
Key Triggers Identified for Deploying H5N1 Vaccine Doses
Health officials are actively discussing key triggers for deploying H5N1 vaccine doses in response to the ongoing threat of the avian flu. Potential triggers include changes in transmission propensity, increased illness severity, and the emergence of cases with no epidemiologic links to affected dairy farms. Discussions are ongoing with vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna to determine their role in vaccine development. The study authors stress the importance of monitoring and preventing multidrug-resistant infections in pediatric populations to combat the rise in community-associated cases.
