Immunization News and Research

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Roundup: Calif. malpractice cap ballot measure; Colo. immunizations bill; Fla. cash-only clinic loophole

A selection of health policy stories from California, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.

26 Mar 2014

Viewpoints: Mcconnell, Wasserman Schultz, Barasso on Obamacare's 4th anniversary; defending surgeon general nominee

The promises that were made to sell Obamacare -; that it wouldn't disrupt people's previous health care arrangements and that premiums would go down -; are now being exposed for the cheap and deceptive sales pitch they were. It may be tempting for some to brush all this aside as standard politics.

25 Mar 2014

Study suggests that self-administration of influenza vaccine may be feasible with microneedle patch

There are many reasons some people may not get a flu shot, but would they be more likely to do so if there was a simple device that could be mailed directly to them, was easy enough to use by themselves, and provided at least the same level of protection as a traditional flu shot without the pain of a needle jab? A recent NIBIB-funded study, published online February 2014 in the journal Vaccine, suggests the answer is yes.

25 Mar 2014

Highlights: N.Y. veterans' benefits; Ga. rural hospital deal; Ga. anti-Obamacare bill

A selection of health policy stories from New York, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota and Colorado.

21 Mar 2014

New treatment could halt progression of dementia

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have discovered a way to potentially halt the progression of dementia caused by accumulation of a protein known as tau.

21 Mar 2014

Study: Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on rise in U.S. children

Infections caused by a concerning type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in U.S. children, according to a new study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society and available online.

20 Mar 2014

UC baby health innovation wins Gates award

An innovative, colourful and accessible design to improve child health records worldwide has earned a University of Canberra graphic design lecturer a prestigious international award.

17 Mar 2014

Researchers find 69% rise in pertussis vaccination rate among new mothers

Changing the hospital orders for women who have just delivered a child led to a 69% increase in the new mothers' pertussis vaccination rate, providing protection for themselves and their newborns against the disease, commonly known as whooping cough, according to a study in the March issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

6 Mar 2014

Study: Self-administration of flu vaccines with microneedle patches may one day be feasible

The annual ritual of visiting a doctor's office or health clinic to receive a flu shot may soon be outdated, thanks to the findings of a new study published in the journal Vaccine.

4 Mar 2014

FDA approves sNDA to include radiographic data updating label of Pfizer XELJANZ for treatment of RA

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to update the current label of XELJANZ® (tofacitinib citrate) 5 mg tablets to include radiographic data from two Phase 3 studies, ORAL Scan (A3921044) and ORAL Start.

25 Feb 2014

Research roundup: Examining readmissions; easing doctor burnout

Despite massive early IT problems, exchange enrollment is accelerating rapidly. While enrollment may not reach 7 million by the end of March, we expect at least 5 million to have enrolled by the close of the initial open-enrollment period. If enrollment falls far short, HHS could extend open enrollment for a fixed period to reach its 7 million target. ... We project that 5 million new beneficiaries will be covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program by the end of 2014. Medicaid managed-care enrollment of non-dual beneficiaries will increase by 20 percent from 2013 to 2014 and by 38 percent from 2013 to 2016. We expect that 75 percent of non-dual Medicaid beneficiaries will be covered by Managed Care Organizations starting in 2015, up from 63 percent in 2012 (Feb. 2014).

14 Feb 2014

Highlights: Vaccine exemption bills rarely become law; Ariz. group urges public hospital changes; Florida foster kids care

Legislation to change whether parents may refuse school vaccinations for their children appears to be common in some states, according to a new analysis. However, those bills are rarely passed into law. Researchers identified 36 bills that were introduced in 18 state legislatures between 2009 and 2012 to change school immunization requirements. Most of those bills aimed to allow more parents the ability to refuse vaccinations for their children (Seaman, 2/12).

14 Feb 2014

State highlights: More states gearing up to combine Medicare, Medicaid; vaccination exemptions still considered by many states; likely Texas democratic Gov. Candidate backs 20-week abortion ban

A selection of health policy stories from California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut.

13 Feb 2014

First Edition: February 12, 2014

Today's headlines include reports about President Barack Obama's comments yesterday on his administration's decision to decision to give mid-sized businesses more time to comply with the health law's employer mandate.

12 Feb 2014

Zoetis reports revenue of $1.25 billion for Q4 2013

Zoetis Inc. today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2013. The company reported revenue of $1.25 billion for the fourth quarter of 2013, an increase of 7% from the fourth quarter of 2012. Revenue reflected an operational increase of 9%, with foreign currency having a negative impact of 2 percentage points.

11 Feb 2014

WageWorks announces new partnership with Summit Health

WageWorks, Inc., a leader in administering Consumer-Directed Benefits, today announced a partnership with Summit Health, a leading provider of on-site wellness, health screening and immunization programs. In this partnership, WageWorks will offer Summit Health's wellness services to its clients. Additionally, Summit Health clients will have access to WageWorks' Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).

10 Feb 2014

TSRI scientists design artificial proteins as a candidate vaccine against RSV

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have invented a new method for designing artificial proteins, and have used it to make key ingredients for a candidate vaccine against a dangerous virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a significant cause of infant mortality.

6 Feb 2014

95% of adults die annually from vaccine preventable diseases

While adults make up 95 percent of those who die annually from vaccine preventable diseases, a new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine shows their vaccination rates remain stubbornly low, representing a growing public health concern.

5 Feb 2014

Teen girls' beliefs regarding HPV vaccine not linked to subsequent sexual behaviors

A new study may alleviate concerns that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine leads to either the initiation of sex or unsafe sexual behaviors among teenage girls and young women.

3 Feb 2014

Researchers discover potential treatment for viral infection that causes illnesses in children

Researchers have discovered a potential treatment for a viral infection that causes potentially fatal brain swelling and paralysis in children. The findings also point to possible treatments for related viruses including those that cause "common cold" symptoms.

29 Jan 2014