Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This fall and winter, here’s what you need to know about the updated COVID-19 vaccine. ➡️ Vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. Vaccination also reduces your risk of developing Long COVID.   If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past 2 months, get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect yourself this fall and winter. https://bit.ly/3XBO2Q7

A new CDC study in ferrets shows the H5 vaccines made using mRNA technology elicited antibodies against influenza A(H5) virus in ferrets. Vaccinated ferrets were protected from death when exposed to A(H5) virus. You can dig into the science here: https://bit.ly/4ftVALF

HCPs: All Medicare patients are eligible for Paxlovid at no cost, through February 28, 2025. In addition, certain patients who are uninsured or covered by Medicaid, Tricare, or the Veterans Affairs Community Care Network can get Paxlovid through a patient assistance program if they cannot afford the medication. Help your patients become aware of these programs if you think they may qualify. To find out more, visit https://bit.ly/3VRiFAP

HCPs: Engage families in tracking their child’s development by directing them to CDC’s free milestone checklists with parenting tips, now available in 12 languages! Find checklists and other family-friendly resources here: https://bit.ly/4hTL8Q3

CDC has the latest cancer resources, research, and information for healthcare providers, patients, survivors, and caregivers. Subscribe to our Cancer Prevention Works newsletter: https://bit.ly/3KaOQVG

Healthcare Providers: Barbados has been added to the Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Oropouche in the Americas. Travelers to affected areas should take steps to prevent bug bites during travel to protect themselves from infection. They should also prevent bug bites for 3 weeks after travel to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others in the United States. If your pregnant patients are planning travel to affected areas, discuss travel plans, reasons for travel, steps to prevent bug bites, and potential risks with your patients. Counsel patients on possible sexual transmission and ways to prevent possibly spreading Oropouche through sex. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3ZzaD28

New CDC MMWR found significant limitations to daily activities associated with Long COVID varied by U.S. state and, with some states having a high prevalence of both Long COVID and activity limitations. Millions of U.S. adults have been affected by Long COVID. Policymakers and public health professionals can consider these estimates to help guide policies or programs that support U.S. adults experiencing Long COVID. Read the full report: bit.ly/mm7350a2

Environmental health professionals must leverage the core competencies of environmental public health—education, communication, conflict resolution, and marketing—to share information with their communities. Enroll in this training to learn these skills and more for effective environmental public health communication: bit.ly/3UKdT7P

Today, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) led by GHSD, the The Global Fund, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a coordinated effort that will rapidly provide affordable and equitable access to twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), contingent upon regulatory approval from FDA, relevant national pharmaceutical regulators, and a recommendation from the World Health Organization. The journal Science named lenacapavir the 2024 Breakthrough of the Year after late-stage trials showed great potential for preventing new HIV infections and accelerating progress toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  HIV prevention options are particularly important for populations who face an increased vulnerability to HIV infection. GHSD supports innovative approaches for HIV prevention and treatment. We stand ready to work with partners around the world to ensure populations most in need have access to interventions approved by FDA and other regulatory bodies. https://lnkd.in/e7EXJHWx

A new CDC study shows that flu vaccines reduced flu-related hospitalizations by nearly 60% for children and 40% for adults. They also reduced flu-related emergency department and urgent care visits by nearly 60% for children and 50% for adults. Read more: https://bit.ly/4iF4I2P