Datasets
Due to its retrospective nature, informed consent was waived, and all data were anonymized. This project was approved by the human research ethics committee of the Chulabhorn Research Institute (research project code 167/2564) and complied with the Declaration of Helsinki. These COVID-19 patients were confirmed by RT-PCR acquired from Chulabhorn Hospital who underwent non-contrast enhanced axial chest CT as a part of routine clinical care throughout the pandemic.
In this study, we randomly selected 124 cases from the database. The selection contained 28 cases without lung lesions and 96 cases with lung lesions. According to TSS, experienced radiologists classified the cases with lung lesions as mild, moderate, and severe. We divided the selection into 3 groups, i.e., training set, test set 1, and test set 2. The training set was used in model training and validation for lung segmentation and lesion segmentation; test set 1 was for segmentation performance evaluation; and test set 2 was for TSS prediction evaluation. We also randomly selected these cases for each group. In addition, for the training set and test set 1, the numbers of cases across different severity types were set to be equal to prevent class imbalance in the training set (the class imbalance causing a potential bias in the trained model) and for a fair comparison in test set 1. The number of CT slices in these cases ranged from 92 to 208. This information was described in Table 1.
The lung CT data were saved in JPEG format with a resolution of 512512 pixels and labeled by a program called LabelME41 (version 4.5.12). The resulting labels were in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format. All labeled data were validated by four radiologists and then converted into matrices for model training and evaluation.
In the data preprocessing phase, CT scan images (JPEG format) and labeled data (JSON format) were resized using the cv2.resize function from 512512 pixels to 256256 pixels to minimize the required memory resources (RAM). The interpolation parameter was set to INTER_AREA for the CT scan images and INTER_NEAREST" for the label data because this solution prevented any alteration of the values specified in each pixel. In addition, our model input shape was fixed at a size of 128256256. The CT volumes were adjusted to 128 images per patient according to the following three conditions (Fig.1).
The first condition, if the CT volume comprised 128 or fewer images, a 256256 zero-padding matrix was added to increase the volume to 128 images.
The second condition, if the CT volume had between 129 and 175 CT images, 128 images from the CT volume's middle range were selected to train the model because both the lung parenchyma and lesions appear in this range.
The third condition, if the CT volume contained more than 175 CT images, we skipped the CT slice by selecting only odd-numbered images and adding a 256256 zero-padding matrix to reach a total of 128 images.
Overall pipeline of the data preprocessing.
A color adjustment method was applied to improve image contrast by using the contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) technique42, which is available in the OpenCV library43. The CLAHE parameters were set to a clipLimit of 3 and a tileGridSize of (8, 8). Models were trained/tested in two experiments: the first with original images (no color adjustment) and the second with CLAHE-adjusted images.
A 256-slice dual-energy CT scanner (Revolution CT with Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) Xtream, GE Healthcare) at Chulabhorn Hospital was used in this study. An axial chest CT scan without contrast agent was applied. The protocol started with a scout view from lung apices to lung bases in anteriorposterior (AP) and lateral views, and followed by an axial chest scan covering lung apices through bases from inferior to superior. The parameters were quiet breath inspiration, 1.25mm thickness, 0.28s/rotation, 0.992 pitch, GSI calculated kVp, 190mA, lung window of (1550, 700), soft tissue window of (400, 40), and postprocessing multiplanar reconstruction. The scan time was less than 1.6s.
Two models were used in this study: (1) a lung lobe segmentation model and (2) a lesion segmentation model. Training set: 32 cases were split into 24 cases (75%) for model training and 8 cases (25%) for validation, where the dataset was divided equally at each severity type to prevent overfitting. According to related studies, a model that combines a 3D-UNet structure with a DenseNet or ResNet is effective in segmenting parts of the image precisely. Therefore, pre-trained DenseNet121, DenseNet169, DenseNet201, ResNet18, ResNet34, ResNet50, ResNet101, and ResNet152 models were obtained through a segmentation-models-3D package from Solovyev et al.44.
Lung lobe segmentation. A multiclass semantic segmentation model was used to segment the five lung lobes. Annotated labels consisted of six categories: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, which indicate the background, right upper lobe (RUL), right lower lobe (RLL), right middle lobe (RML), left upper lobe (LUL), and left lower lobe (LLL), respectively.
Lesion segmentation. The lesion model was developed from a binary semantic segmentation model that outputs the value 1 for lesion areas and 0 for background areas. Images without extrapulmonary regions are preferred for lesion model training. The dataset used for model training was preprocessed as described in the data preparation section.
In the model training process, lung lobe and lesions segmentation models were trained on servers equipped with an Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6126 CPU at 2.60GHz, 40GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA Tesla V100 SXM2 GPU. Figure2 shows the overall workflow. The models output is the predicted classfor each pixel, which is then used to compute the percentage area of lesions in each lung lobe for the CT score. This score is then used to calculate the TSS value for diagnosing the severity of the current pathology. For both models, Adam optimization was used, the loss function was a hybrid loss function (focal loss+Dice loss), the learning rate was set to 0.0001, a regularizer that applies L2 regularization was used with a value of 0.01, the batch size was set to 1, and the maximum number of epochs was 200. The lesion model activation function was set to sigmoid with a dropout rate of 0.4, whereas the pulmonary lobe model activation function was set to SoftMax with a dropout rate of 0.2. The hybrid loss technique45, which combined focal loss and Dice loss, was used to improve model performance.
Segmentation Model Workflow and Total Severity Score Calculation Protocol for Lung CT Scans.
The PI in each lung lobe was calculated by dividing the number of predicted lesion pixels by the total number of lung lobe pixels in the CT volume. The predicted lesion pixels were obtained from the output of the lesion segmentation model, whereas the predicted lung lobe pixels were derived from the output of the lung lobe segmentation model, in which the value of each pixel identifies the lobar type in the lung CT image. Therefore, the PI was calculated by performing the following equation.
$$Percentage, of{, Infection}_{lobe}= frac{Lesion, Area, (pixels)}{Lung ,Lobe, Area, (pixels)}times 100$$
The TSS proposed by Chung et al.20 was calculated from the sum of the five-lobe CT score, which was calculated from PI based on the criteria listed in Table 2. The severity of COVID-19 patients can be classified from the TSS value based on the severity criteria in Table 3 and the following equation:
$$TSS =CT ,Scor{e}_{RUL}+CT ,Scor{e}_{RML}+CT ,Scor{e}_{RLL}+CT, Scor{e}_{LUL}+CT, Scor{e}_{LLL}$$
The most commonly utilized measurement to evaluate image segmentation is the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The DSC calculated the relative overlap between the predicted area and ground truth, and it was used to choose the most appropriate model. The DSC was defined as follows:
$$DSC = frac{2TP}{2TP + FP + FN}$$
where the term true positive (TP) refers to an outcome such that the model correctly predicts the positive class, false positive (FP) is an outcome such that the model incorrectly predicts the positive class, and false negative (FN) is an outcome such that the model incorrectly predicts the negative class.
Hausdorff distance was proposed by Felix Hausdorff in 191446,47. The measure was applied to evaluate the models performance by measuring the distance between two images in pixels. The distance is defined as
$$Hleft(A,Bright)=mathrm{max}left(hleft(A,Bright), hleft(B,Aright)right)$$
$$hleft(A,Bright)={mathrm{max}}_{mathit{aepsilon A}}{mathrm{min}}_{bin B}||a-b||,$$
where A is a set containing p points (pixels on image A): ({{a}_{1},{a}_{2},dots ,{a}_{p}}) and B is a set containing q points (pixels on image B): ({{b}_{1},{b}_{2},dots ,{b}_{q}}). For implementation, we applied the function implemented in SciPy package48. Since the images used in this research were 256256 pixels, the Hausdorff distance range was ([0, 256sqrt{2}]).
(WXYZ) The arrival of snow and cold weather often brings an increase in colds and other illnesses. Protecting yourself and your loved ones by keeping your vaccines up to date is important. But how safe is it to get both the flu and the COVID vaccine at the same time?
I often get asked that same question by my patients. Especially since a recent study found that older people getting the flu and COVID-19 shots together might face a small increase in stroke risk.
Here's what I can tell you: the study analyzed Medicare claims and found only three cases of strokes per 100,000 doses administered. These cases occurred in adults aged 85 and older who received a high-dose flu shot at the same time as a bivalent COVID booster. So, based on that research, the risk is very rare. Plus, its also worth noting that the updated COVID-19 vaccines now focus on fighting just one virus type, unlike last year's bi-valent shot.
Furthermore, there have been other studies that have not found the same stroke risk. Overall, research from the past three years shows that getting a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same appointment is safe. This is why the CDC and the FDA have not changed their vaccine advice.
A recent small study presented at a vaccine conference made an interesting discovery. It found that healthcare workers who received both their flu and bivalent COVID-19 shots on the same day had stronger antibody responses. These stronger responses were observed right after vaccination and continued for up to six months, compared to those who received their shots on different days.
However, it's not all straightforward. Other studies have come to different conclusions, some even showing a slight decrease or no difference at all in antibody levels.
So, what does this mean for protection? Well, a recent large study by Pfizer looked into the health outcomes of people who received flu and COVID-19 vaccines together or separately. The results showed little difference. Both groups had similar rates of hospitalization, emergency room visits, and doctor's appointments. Interestingly, the group that received both shots at the same time tended to seek medical care for COVID-19 a bit more, but they were less likely to need medical attention for the flu.
Ultimately, the choice of how to get your vaccines largely depends on personal preference. What's most important is getting vaccinated now, especially with rising respiratory illnesses. While receiving both flu and COVID shots on the same day is safe, it's a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider to determine what's best for your health.
It is not too late to get a flu shot.
The stress on the health care system by a very active flu season, persistent COVID-19 and an increase in RSV patients is palpable but the biggest concern is your health and well being.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says September and October are generally the best times to take the flu vaccine, it is not too late to get one now.
Here are the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control for flu shots:
CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
While there are many different flu viruses, a flu vaccine protects against the viruses that research suggests will be most common.
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors visits and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every year before flu activity begins in their community.
Vaccination of high-risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness.
People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
Vaccination also is important for health care workers and other people who live with or care for high-risk people to keep from spreading flu to them.
Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for infants should be vaccinated instead.
Both for those who have and those who have not gotten the flu vaccine this season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these recommendations to reduce your chances of getting sick and to manage your sickness if you do:
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs such as the flu.
It should also be remembered that the hospital emergency room is not the first line of defense for battling the flu. A visit to a primary health care physician or after-hours clinic may be necessary if symptoms warrant but the emergency room should be reserved for emergencies.
Fortunately, many of the same practices we used to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 will also help prevent the spread of the flu that is if we simply follow the guidelines. And while we're on the subject: COVID-19 hasn't gone away. Consider getting a vaccination against it along with your flu shot.
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio Cold and flu season is here again.
According to the World Health Organization, there are around a billion cases of seasonal influenza annually. Symptoms typically present within four days after infection and usually last about a week.
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection while common colds are usually minor infections of the nose and throat caused by more than 200 viruses, the American Lung Association reports. Some key flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue and vomiting.
The single most important way to prevent the spread of infection is washing your hands, especially when visibly soiled. If unable to wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Hand-washing with soap and water for about 20 seconds will remove any germs and help prevent infection.
Remember to follow these five steps:
Cover your mouth and avoid close contact, when possible. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose as the flu can be spread through the air and enter your body through the mouth or nose from infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. Clean common spaces and supplies regularly to protect yourself and those around you.
While many of us still telework, its important to practice these habits while at home and in person. Learn more about your employers safety procedures if an outbreak of flu or other illness occurs. If you begin to feel sick while at work, go home as soon as possible.
The best way to protect against the flu virus is by getting vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu vaccine may prevent you from getting sick, reduce the severity of illness (for those who are vaccinated but still experience symptoms) and be lifesaving to individuals you encounter such as children or those who may be considered high risk.
Despite the vaccines numerous benefits, only about half of Americans get their annual flu vaccination. As the flu virus is constantly changing, vaccines may be updated from one season to the next to protect against the most recent strain. As your protection from the vaccine declines over time, it is important to stay up to date with the most recent version.
Civilian Health Promotion Services offers a wide variety of health education topics both in person and virtually such as colds and flu, nutrition, physical activity and stress management. Classes can be presented in all types of settings at your workplace, including commander/director calls, wingman day events and lunch-n-learns.
For more information, visit www.USAFwellness.com or contact CHPSsupport@us.af.mil to connect with your local CHPS team.
November 27, 2023 For Immediate Release
Roll Up Your Sleeves and Stay Healthy This Holiday Season COVID-19, influenza, and RSV immunizations lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
DuPage County - To protect yourself and your family against COVID-19 and influenza (flu) this holiday season, the DuPage County Health Department strongly recommends everyone six months and older, especially people with chronic health conditions or who are pregnant, get their updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines this winter.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also spreads in the winter months. Like COVID-19 and flu, RSV causes a respiratory infection that can lead to severe illness and death. Infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV and need hospitalization. This year, CDC has recommended multiple, new immunizations to protect those most at risk of getting very sick with RSV: infants, young children, and adults 60 years and older.
COVID-19 is still a health threat for many people, and last winter, COVID-19, flu and RSV spread widely at the same time," said Adam Forker, Executive Director, DuPage County Health Department. Immunizations are the most powerful tools we have to prevent serious illness and death from COVID-19, flu, and RSV. They are especially important for those at higher risk of complications. In addition, research suggests that people who get a COVID-19 infection after vaccination are less likely to report Long COVID, compared to people who are unvaccinated.
Since October, six influenza intensive-care unit (ICU) hospitalizations among DuPage County adult residents have been reported, including two deaths. There have been no pediatric ICU hospitalizations or deaths reported yet this season.
Updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be safely administered together. The RSV vaccine is available for people 60 years of age and older, and it can be combined at the same visit by getting flu and COVID-19 vaccines. CDC recommends discussing RSV immunization with your doctor to determine if it is appropriate for you and your medical situation. Whether you choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that you get all vaccines recommended for you to protect yourself against these three potentially serious illnesses this fall and winter.
DCHD offers the updated COVID-19 vaccine to eligible children through the Vaccine for Children (VFC) program. Call DCHD for questions about the availability of specific childhood vaccines or clinic schedules at (630) 682-7400.
Updated COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines are available through retail pharmacies and most doctors offices visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Remember to keep respiratory illnesses in check this season:
The holiday season can be stressful with all the hustle and bustle, responsibilities, and obligations. Good eating, sleeping, and exercise habits can help keep you healthy also. Be sure to make time to take care of yourself!
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So far, CDC estimates that there have been at least 780,000 flu cases, 8,000 hospitalizations, and 490 deaths this flu season. No pediatric flu deaths have been reported.
In addition to COVID-19 and the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is also on the rise. With three viruses circulating, there will be more disruptions to schools, work, and holidays, and hospitals will likely experience more strain.
"There's a social burden to having emergency rooms fill up with coughing and sneezing people," said Kizzmekia Corbett-Helaire, an immunologist and infectious disease expert at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "Adding another virus to that pool can make that worse."
According to CDC, hospitalizations from these respiratory viruses will likely be similar to last year, but they are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels. Jason Asher, who directs a CDC forecasting department, said that even a milder season with the three viruses would likely result in more hospitalizations than a severe season of flu and RSV alone.
"There's one more virus out there for you to get," said Justin Lessler, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina. "Your risk of getting sick has probably gone up."
According to a new study presented at the annual Vaccines Summit in Boston, getting a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time may be better than getting them separately.
The study followed two groups of healthcare workers in Massachusetts. In the first group, 12 healthcare workers received a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot at the same time. In the second group, 30 healthcare workers received the two vaccines on different days during the same month.
After measuring the antibodies of both groups, researchers found that the group that received the two shots at the same time had higher levels of immunoglobulin G1, or antibodies that protect against COVID-19 and a strain of influenza.
Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said the findings interesting. The higher antibodies in the first group are "possibly due to enhanced stimulation of the immune system by both vaccines being present at the same time," Adalja said. "The key thing is to see if this has any kind of meaningful clinical benefit do the higher levels of antibody translate into more protection against infection or disease?"
Although the study has not yet been peer-reviewed, CDC also recommends "getting a flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine at the same visit." According to a CDC study, there are more side effects associated with getting both vaccines at the same time, but they are not as bad as only getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
RSV vaccines are also available, and health experts have recommended eligible individuals, which include infants and adults ages 60 and older, receive the vaccine as soon as possible. According to CDC, it is safe for patients to get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time if they so wish. (Salam, The Guardian, 11/15; Choi, The Hill, 11/21; Abbott/Kamp, Wall Street Journal, 11/25; CDC COVID Data Tracker, accessed 11/27; CDC Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, 11/17; "What to Know About Getting Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines at the Same Time," CDC, 11/2)
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When influenza (or flu) reaches the critical stage, there are no specific treatments available for patients. Now new research has identified a key to this sometimes fatal condition, and opened the door to possible cures.
The influenza virus attacks the person's respiratory system, causing symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, and fatigue. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, can lead to hospitalization or even death.
In severe cases of flu, the body's immune system overacts, leading to hyperinflammation and damage to the lungs. There are currently no effective treatments for severe influenza in the clinic.
The latest research by Associate Professor Michelle Tate and her team at Hudson Institute of Medical Research, published in the journal Cell Death and Disease, is working to understand exactly how the virus induces inflammation and lung damage.
Ph.D. student Sarah Rosli explains, "The influenza virus primarily infects the epithelial cells lining our airways and damage to this layer of cells leads to life-threatening disease."
"We have made significant advances in understanding how the influenza virus induces inflammation," she said. "However, the pathways which promote epithelial cell death and their role in promoting hyper-inflammation and severe influenza disease are not fully understood."
"But now we have identified a protein in lung epithelial cells which promotes hyper-inflammation and cell death opening avenues for the development of new drugs that target this protein.
The protein in question is Gasdermin D, which forms pores or holes on the membranes of cells, causing the cells to swell. The cell then explodes, releasing cellular contents, and this amplifies the inflammatory response.
"To develop new drugs, we first need to understand how influenza infections become fatal," Rosli said. "So, this latest research has identified an exciting new opportunity to target those host responses, rather than the virus itself."
Influenza infections can become fatal when the virus causes severe damage to the respiratory system, making it difficult for the body to get enough oxygen. This can lead to respiratory failure, which is the most common cause of death.
In some cases, the virus can also cause secondary bacterial infections, which can further weaken the body and be potentially deadly.
While most people recover from flu without any complications, certain groups of people are at a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. These include young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
In these individuals, the influenza virus can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, edema or fluid in the lungs, and even death.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing, making it difficult for our bodies to build immunity against them. This is why flu vaccines are updated every year to protect against the most prevalent strains of the virus.
The best way to prevent influenza infections from becoming fatal is to take preventive measures. The most effective way to do this is by getting a flu vaccine every year. The flu vaccine not only protects you from getting the flu but also reduces the severity of symptoms if you do get infected. It also helps prevent the spread of the virus to others.
Other preventive measures include washing your hands frequently, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and staying home when you are sick.
It is important to recognize the symptoms of flu and seek medical attention if they become severe. If you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe vomiting, or confusion, seek medical help immediately. These symptoms could indicate a more serious complication of the flu and require immediate treatment.
More information: Sarah Rosli et al, Gasdermin D promotes hyperinflammation and immunopathology during severe influenza A virus infection, Cell Death & Disease (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06258-1
Journal information: Cell Death and Disease
NASOVAC-S4 is administered through the nasal route, offering a non-invasive and painless alternative to traditional injections
Pune-based startup Mylab hasannounced a strategic partnership with Ekincare, a corporate wellness and health benefits platform. This collaboration aims to promote NASOVAC-S4, a pioneering influenza nasal vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), among corporate entities.
The joint effort between Mylab and Ekincare will enable businesses to incorporate NASOVAC-S4 into their employee wellness programmes. By making this innovative influenza vaccine accessible to their employees, corporations can take proactive measures to safeguard their workforce's health.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, poses a significant health risk to employees, impacting workforce productivity and overall well-being. The NASOVAC-S4 vaccine offers an advanced and convenient solution to protect employees from influenza and reduce its potential impact on business operations.
NASOVAC-S4 is administered through the nasal route, offering a non-invasive and painless alternative to traditional injections. It includes two influenza Type A virus strains (A/H1N1 and A/H3N2) and two influenza Type B virus strains (Victoria and Yamagata lineage). Its efficacy and ease of administration make it an attractive option for corporate flu vaccination drives.
Through this partnership, Mylab and Ekincare aim to foster a culture of proactive health management within corporate organisations and contribute to reducing the impact of influenza on the workplace.
The last date to book a COVID-19 seasonal vaccine on the NBS is anticipated to be Thursday 14 December. Eligible people in Warrington who havent yet had their vaccine are being encouraged to come forward now, to protect themselves, their family and friends this winter.
If you are eligible for the vaccine, you should have received a letter or text to remind you to book your appointment. To check if you are eligible, you can also visit nhs.uk/covid-19 for the full list of people who can book their vaccine appointment.
Over the next three weeks, more than 400,000 bookable appointments will be available for those eligible in the North West, to receive the latest dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the flu vaccine.
When booking the COVID booster, people should make sure their appointment takes place at least three months since their last dose.
Cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: Getting vaccinated is our best protection against serious illness from COVID-19 and flu. The vaccine not only gives you extra protection to help avoid a nasty illness but also helps to reduce the risk of passing on the virus to someone else.
No one wants to be ill at this time of year, and we all want to do all we can to keep our communities healthy throughout the winter months particularly our most vulnerable residents.
The vaccine is there to protect you, so if you are eligible for a booster vaccine with the NBS programme or a flu vaccine, please make an appointment as soon as possible dont put it off!
All eligible adults can book their vaccinations by visitingnhs.uk/seasonalvaccinations, on theNHS Appor by calling 119. Some pharmacies and other vaccine services offer walk-in clinics and people can search for their nearest location on theNHS website.
Although the last NBS booked appointments will be on 15 December, some COVID vaccinations may continue to be offered through walk-in and outreach clinics after that date and may also be offered to people who become newly immunosuppressed after the programme ends.
Visit nhs.uk/covid-19 to find out more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including if you're eligible and how to get it.
The surge had initially raised concerns that it may be a covid-like novel pathogen. Other news is on low flu vaccine rates among Florida kids.
Stat: WHO: Fears About Respiratory Infections In China Appear Overblown Reports this week that China is experiencing a surge in respiratory infections in young children triggered flashbacks of the start of the Covid-19 pandemic among infectious disease watchers. But a rapidly organized meeting Thursday between the World Health Organization and health officials in China assuaged much of that concern. (Branswell, 11/24)
Axios: Respiratory Virus In China Not Thought To Be Novel Pathogen, Officials Say China's government has provided evidence that a cluster of respiratory infections that has sent scores of kids to hospitals in northern China is not from a "novel pathogen," according to World Health Organization officials. Earlier this week, WHO released a statement saying it made an official request to China for detailed information including laboratory results about an increase in reported clusters of respiratory illness in children. (Reed, 11/24)
Reuters: China's Respiratory Illness Surge Not As High As Pre-Pandemic - WHO Official Maria Van Kerkhove, acting director of the WHO's department of epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention, said the increase appeared to be driven by a rise in the number of children contracting pathogens that two years of COVID restrictions have kept them away from. "We asked about comparisons prior to the pandemic. And the waves that theyre seeing now, the peak is not as high as what they saw in 2018-2019," Van Kerkhove told health news outlet STAT in an interview on Friday. (Silver, 11/27)
In related news about flu and other outbreaks
WMFE: Florida Kids Aren't Getting Their Flu Vaccines, CDC Data Shows As families gather for the Thanksgiving holiday, North America is seeing the beginnings of increased flu activity. However, in Florida, childrens vaccine levels are lagging behind the rest of the nation. The Sunshine State's pediatric vaccine levels (ages 6 months to 17 years) are about 22%, lagging behind the national average of 56% for children overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Pedersen, 11/24)
CIDRAP: Mucinex Launches Campaign To Raise Awareness About Antibiotic Misuse The maker of a popular over-the-counter cold and flu medicine this week launched a new campaign to help counter inappropriate antibiotic use. The "Flip the Scrip" campaign from Reckitt, maker of Mucinex, aims to educate consumers about antibiotic misuse and the role it plays in promoting antibiotic resistance. The company will provide posters, educational materials, educational videos, and audio public service announcements to urgent care clinics and primary care centers that explain why products like Mucinex, rather than antibiotics, are the best option for treating cold and flu symptoms. (Dall, 11/22)
The New York Times: Unvaccinated And Vulnerable: Children Drive Surge In Deadly Outbreaks Large outbreaks of diseases that primarily kill children are spreading around the world, a grim legacy of disruptions to health systems during the Covid-19 pandemic that have left more than 60 million children without a single dose of standard childhood vaccines. By midway through this year, 47 countries were reporting serious measles outbreaks, compared with 16 countries in June 2020. Nigeria is currently facing the largest diphtheria outbreak in its history, with more than 17,000 suspected cases and nearly 600 deaths so far. Twelve countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, are reporting circulating polio virus. (Nolen, 11/25)
