Melissa Jenco

Apr 11, 2024 | publications.aap.org | Melissa Jenco

A safe and effective dengue vaccine given to children in Puerto Rico is being discontinued due to low global demand. The AAP Puerto Rico Chapter and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say they remain committed to vaccinating children with Dengvaxia from Sanofi while the vaccine remains available for the next two years. Puerto Rico recently declared dengue to be a public health emergency and so far this year there have been 664 cases with 394 hospitalizations.

Jan 23, 2024 | publications.aap.org | Melissa Jenco

Clinicians should be prepared to identify a possible case of measles and take infection-control measures as cases have been reported in at least six states. Measles is a highly contagious disease and can be especially dangerous in young children. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes followed by a maculopapular rash that begins on the head and face and spreads downward. The disease can result in complications like pneumonia, brain damage and deafness, and can be fatal.

Oct 30, 2023 | publications.aap.org | Melissa Jenco

The benefits of a new therapy for severe sickle cell disease seem to outweigh theoretical risks associated with gene editing, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers said Tuesday. While the group discussed further research that could be done on exagamglogene autotemcel (exa-cel) from Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., it did not recommend holding up approval of the product to do so. “It’s really exciting to see how many patients have been treated and how positive the results have been,” said Scot A.

Aug 23, 2023 | homelandsecuritynewswire.com | Melissa Jenco

GUNSNumber of U.S. Children Killed by Guns Hit Record High in 2021Published 23 August 2023Firearm death rates among children and teens rose almost 9% from 2020 to 2021, while disparities worsened, according to a new study. The increasing rates meant firearms remained the leading cause of death for youths. In 2021, 4,752 children and teens were killed by firearms, a rate of almost 6 per 100,000 youths. The rate is up 9% from 2020 and 42% from 2018.

Jul 16, 2023 | publications.aap.org | Melissa Jenco

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new product to protect infants and toddlers from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The monoclonal antibody nirsevimab (brand name Beyfortus) was approved as a single injection for infants born during or entering their first RSV season and young children up to 24 months who remain at risk of severe disease in their second RSV season.