News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – The largest study so far exploring gaps in acellular pertussis vaccine protection in kids found that their risk of getting sick increased as time passed after the final dose, according to researchers who examined the role of the vaccine during California's 2010 pertussis epidemic.

(CIDRAP News) – Saying that infection control in outpatient settings is often inadequate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new guide and checklist to improve infection prevention in primary care offices, surgery centers, and other outpatient facilities.

(CIDRAP News) – North Carolina health officials have reported a number of influenza B isolates with reduced sensitivity to oseltamivir (Tamiflu), a rare finding, but they say antivirals remain effective and there is no reason for clinicians to change their prescribing practices.

(CIDRAP News) – A new large-scale study of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections shows that infection rates have dropped in hospitalized people and those recently exposed to healthcare settings, but experts aren't sure what factors are driving the decline.

(CIDRAP News) – Because of reports of increased fever and seizures in Australian and New Zealand children, the US government's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended today that a seasonal influenza vaccine made by CSL Ltd. should generally not be used in children from 6 months through 8 years old this fall and winter.

(CIDRAP News) – In the biggest and most detailed look yet at pandemic flu infections in pregnant women, researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported today that early antiviral treatment was linked to fewer intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and that severe illnesses and deaths are more likely to occur during the third trimester.