The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended rationing nirsevimab, the new monoclonal antibody immunization product designed to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), due to strained supply nationwide. Because the supply challenges are occurring during the RSV season, CDC suggested on Monday in a health alert that providers should prioritize available nirsevimab 100 mg doses for infants of less than 6 months of age and infants with underlying conditions that place …
Read MoreGuidelines Push for More Patients to Receive Shingles Vaccinations
Patients in the 50- to 59-year-old age range should receive vaccination against shingles, according to the latest recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). That guidance accompanied a rare—and nearly evenly split—nod to one vaccine over another. In an 8-7 vote, ACIP recommended the recently approved Shingrix (GlaxoSmithKline) over Zostavex (Merck). Both vaccines are FDA-approved for use in patients 50 and over, but ACIP recommends Zostavex only in patients over the age of …
Read MoreCDC Recommends Two Flu Shots for Kids 6 Months to 8-Years-Old
In addition to reminding clinicians that all patients 6 months of age and older should receive flu shots by the end of this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is trying to get the word out that children between 6 months and 8 years of age should receive their vaccinations twice, approximately 28 days apart. Like last year, the CDC also recommends against using the nasal pump spray because it’s been deemed inefficient …
Read MoreWhy Offer Immunizations and Vaccinations at Your Urgent Care Clinic?
URGENT MESSAGE: Every patient needs vaccinations at one point or another. Yet, some urgent care operators shy away from immunization campaigns for fear that they’re financially risky or are simply too much of a hassle. However, risk can be greatly diminished—or even eliminated—with proper planning, basic understanding of storage requirements, and ensuring your clinic is offering what the community you serve needs. Jack Roberts is an expert marketer who specializes in promoting and growing physician …
Read MoreNew Vaccines Recommended for Adults and Children in 2016
Urgent care practices that focus on helping patients stay up to date on immunization—such as occupational medicine and travel medicine providers, or those that cater to seniors and families with children—take note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a few changes in its recommendations this year. For adults, a recently licensed meningococcal serogroup B vaccine and human papillomavirus vaccine have been added, and the recommendation for pneumococcal vaccination has been revised from …
Read MoreEarly Flu Deaths May Stoke Vaccinations
As reports of deaths due to seasonal flu start to trickle in—eg, Iowa and California just announced their first flu-related fatalities of the season—patients on the fence about getting vaccinated may be moved to head to the urgent care center for a shot. Not coincidentally, some clinics are already expanding their hours to meet what is expected to be increased demand. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention views the flu “season” as lasting from …
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