Kathryn Raaker’s Post

https://lnkd.in/ea5QYCjZ Vaccines Beat NON TYPEABLE H. INFLUENZAE DISEASE OUTBREAK!!! Most U.S. cases of invasive Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) disease are caused by nontypeable strains. No vaccines against nontypeable or non–type b Hi strains are currently available. What is added by this report? Four invasive non typeable Hi disease cases occurred among young children in an elementary school in Detroit, Michigan. Three patients were hospitalized, and one died. Chemoprophylaxis was recommended for the patients’ household contacts and for students and staff members in the school wing where cases occurred. Only 11% of students for whom chemoprophylaxis was recommended took it; misinformation among caregivers and health care providers and difficulty obtaining chemoprophylaxis contributed to low coverage. What are the implications for public health practice? Nontypeable Hi can cause outbreaks among young children; therefore, chemoprophylaxis guidance is needed. Achieving high chemoprophylaxis coverage requires education, communication, and coordination with community and health care partners.

As we age, our immune system naturally weakens, a process known as immunosenescence, paired with chronic inflammation, or inflammaging. This makes older adults especially vulnerable to infections like pneumonia and UTIs, which can become severe quickly. Coupled with rising antibiotic resistance and the complex medication needs of older adults, managing infections effectively is more challenging than ever. To address this, we need targeted strategies: better vaccination programs, careful antibiotic use, and integrated healthcare models focused on early detection and personalized care for older persons. Our latest work just published. https://lnkd.in/d3qmSd4N

🌍 Pneumococcal disease is a significant health threat and one of the leading causes of mortality from infectious diseases. It disproportionately impacts older adults and those with underlying health conditions. Yet, despite the availability of effective vaccines, too many at-risk individuals remain unprotected. 🔍 EHMA’s new report, 'Give our health systems some room to breathe: The impact of invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumococcal pneumonia,' highlights the urgent need to address this challenge. Based on insights from over 200 healthcare professionals and health managers across Europe, the report reveals key reasons why action is critical: - Pneumococcal pneumonia infection rates among adults 65+ are as high as 14 per 1000, with 12.7% of patients dying within 30 days of infection. - Vaccines can dramatically reduce this burden, but only 12 EU countries currently have comprehensive vaccination programmes for older adults. This leaves many vulnerable individuals without protection. - Europe’s aging population is set to further strain health systems. With the number of older adults rising rapidly, the demand for intensive care and long-term respiratory care will only increase. - The report also highlights the danger of concurrent outbreaks of influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. These seasonal surges stretch our health systems to breaking point, and pneumococcal disease adds an additional burden. - Pneumococcal disease contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global crisis. Reducing vaccine-preventable infections is one of the most effective ways to combat the overuse of antibiotics. - Europe’s surveillance systems for pneumococcal disease are currently inadequate. We need harmonised, robust monitoring systems to track outbreaks, improve vaccination uptake, and develop effective response plans. 📢 The message is clear: investing in pneumococcal vaccination programmes and improving surveillance systems is not just a health priority—it’s an urgent need for the sustainability of our health systems. Every €1 invested in vaccines leads to an estimated €33 return through reduced healthcare costs, making this a cost-effective strategy that benefits patients, healthcare workers, and society. 👉 Read our new report to learn more about how we can strengthen health systems and protect at-risk populations: https://lnkd.in/dMG_g-gG #PneumococcalDisease #HealthManagement #VaccinationMatters #PublicHealth #HealthSystemResilience #AMR MSD Europe MSD PneumoCare Health Pvt. Ltd. WHO Regional Office for Europe European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Euro-Vaccines Congress AMR Industry Alliance European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) EU Health Coalition EU Health and Food Safety UHC2030 - Taking action for universal health coverage IFPMA International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations

ASCP Daily Diagnosis 09/16 CST Monovalent XBB.1.5, the updated COVID-19 vaccine for the 2023 to 2024 season, provides protection against XBB and JN lineage hospitalization; however, protection against the JN lineage may be attenuated by immune escape. Given the potential for continued SARS-CoV-2 evolution, our results highlight the value of monitoring lineage-specific vaccine effectiveness and clinical severity of emerging lineages to guide public health action. https://lnkd.in/gC834VJN

Pneumonia is the third leading cause of death across all ages and is the most common cause of death among children under five years of age in the Philippines. In 2023, pneumonia was the fifth leading cause of death in the country. People at risk for pneumonia also include adults over the age of 65; people with preexisting health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes; smokers; and people with a weakened immune system due to a chronic condition, chemotherapy, or an organ transplant. The World Health Organization (WHO) offers tips to reduce the risk of pneumonia for people of all ages. One is to get vaccinated. Pneumonia puts a heavy economic burden on patients and their families, in terms of out-of-pocket payments for medical consultations, medicines, and hospitalization, as well as lost productivity due to sick leaves at work and disruption of school attendance. Getting the right vaccines against pneumonia can prevent or minimize the socioeconomic impact of the disease. Read more on how vaccination helps protect children and adults against pneumonia. #wearePHAP https://lnkd.in/gdza-qB2

Europe witnessed a concerning surge in pertussis cases during the first quarter of 2024, surpassing the total count for the entire previous year and totaling 32,037 cases. The overall tally for pertussis during 2023-2024 soared to nearly 60,000 cases, marking a tenfold increase from 2021-2022. This resurgence signals an alarming trend toward explosive epidemics, particularly affecting infants under 6 months old, who are at the highest risk. Notably, the cyclical pattern of pertussis outbreaks in Europe, with significant incidents in 2016 and 2019, has seen the number of cases surpass previous years by March 2024. Infants under 1 year old, especially those under 6 months, face the highest rates of both contraction and mortality. Moreover, a concerning uptick in cases among 10-14 and 15-19-year-olds has been observed during 2023-2024, alongside an increase in cases among adults. Given this resurgence, healthcare providers are likely to encounter more suspected pertussis cases. Point-of-care nucleic acid amplification testing (POC NAAT) emerges as a critical diagnostic tool, particularly for infants and young children, with its availability increasingly widespread. To combat the spread of pertussis, it's essential for individuals to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, especially for vulnerable populations. Ensuring that children are up to date on their pertussis vaccinations and considering booster shots for adolescents and adults can help maintain immunity and limit transmission. Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in diagnosing and managing pertussis cases. Early detection through POC NAAT and prompt treatment are crucial in preventing complications and reducing transmission. Additionally, practicing good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, can aid in preventing the spread of the disease. In conclusion, remaining vigilant, following vaccination recommendations, and implementing preventive measures are essential strategies in combating the resurgence of pertussis and safeguarding public health. Ustar #BP assays ,with #IVDR certification, #POC molecular solution will help the early and accurate screening on pertussis cases. https://lnkd.in/gX6Jkvbq

“Fostering a culture that values and prioritizes vaccination as a cornerstone of public health is crucial in preventing future outbreaks.” Christi Wojewoda, MD, FCAP, of The University of Vermont Medical Center and The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont. On March 28, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published new data showing that more cases of measles had been confirmed in the first three months of 2024 in the United States than in all of 2023. While this outbreak is concerning, there are public health and clinical tools and strategies that can help bring it to heel, and quickly, including: ⚕️ Vaccinating everyone who’s eligible. ⚕️ Identifying and isolating new cases. ⚕️ Communicating the facts. ⚕️ Traveling mindfully. ⚕️ Taking a community-minded approach to personal responsibility. Learn more about what public health officials are saying and why vaccination is critical in the latest from #VaccineVoices: https://ow.ly/A3eE50R8NyV.

Today, November 12th, marks World Pneumonia Day, a crucial opportunity to raise awareness about one of the leading causes of death among children under five and adults worldwide. Pneumonia is a preventable and treatable disease, yet it claims over 700,000 children’s lives annually and affects millions of adults globally. Key Facts About Pneumonia 1.Impact on Children: Pneumonia accounts for 14% of deaths in children under 5—more than any other infectious disease. 2. Global Burden: It remains a major public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to limited access to vaccines and healthcare. 3.Vaccination: Vaccines against pneumococcal disease, Hib, measles, and influenza play a critical role in prevention. 4.Malnutrition and Air Quality: Malnutrition, indoor air pollution, and lack of breastfeeding are key risk factors. 5. Healthcare Access: Early diagnosis and access to antibiotics or oxygen therapy can save lives, but many in LMICs face delays in receiving care.

As Comagine Health wraps up the final weeks of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services QIN-QIO 12th Scope of Work, we are celebrating by sharing some of the program’s impact over the past five years. Our long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) team worked with nearly 650 facilities across our six-state region of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. With hard work, determination and collaboration, we achieved some notable improvements for these facilities: • More nursing home residents are protected from pneumonia. Over the past three years, 464 more long-stay residents received the pneumonia vaccine in Idaho, improving the statewide rate by 5%. Meanwhile, 710 more long-stay residents received the pneumonia vaccine in Utah, improving the statewide rate by 7%. • Nursing home residents are less likely to be rehospitalized (return trips to the hospital within 30 days of hospitalization). Since October 2020, at least 247 fewer residents were rehospitalized while staying in Nevada nursing homes. • LTPAC facilities excelled in infection control and prevention. Comagine Health’s COVID Mitigation Medal recognized these efforts, based on resident and staff vaccination rates as well as other criteria. In less than two years, 29 New Mexico facilities earned the award. • Fewer patients were hospitalized because of infections typically acquired in health care settings. We eliminated hospitalizations due to Clostridioides difficile for long-stay residents in Oregon. For short-stay residents, we reduced the number of hospitalizations by 59% since September 2021. • About 4.5% fewer residents in Washington were prescribed opioids. Partly due to this effort, 91 fewer residents were hospitalized due to opioid-related adverse drug events — a 28.5% improvement since September 2020. We thank every one of our LTPAC facilities for their partnership and dedication to improving care for their residents! For more about Comagine Health’s QIN-QIO work, visit https://lnkd.in/d3kiSnnE. #LongTermCare #InfectionPrevention #Immunization #QIO #Opioids