Stephen Feller

Hollywood

Online Manage Editor at Healio

Online Managing Editor for infectious diseases at @GoHealio and @InfectDisNews. Former @UPI. Opinions are my own. #GoGators #HeatLifer

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Articles

US stops recommending chikungunya vaccine for people 60 and older

1 day ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

This pause parallels another live arboviral vaccine, yellow fever, where there is a precaution for people aged 60 years or older. No other live-attenuated vaccines are currently in routine use in this age cohort in the United States. Immunosenescence affects older persons’ ability to adequately control replication of all live attenuated vaccine viruses.
Trump signs executive order meant to bring down drug prices

2 days ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

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Combination vaccine for COVID-19, flu shows promise in trial

5 days ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:Moderna has developed a messenger RNA vaccine that protects against SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza. The ongoing phase 3 trial is expected to conclude later this year. A combination messenger RNA vaccine against COVID-19 and seasonal influenza stacked up well against currently recommended vaccines in a phase 3 trial, according to findings published in JAMA. The vaccine, mRNA-1083, “met all pre-specified primary immunogenicity objectives in adults 50 years and older,” Amanda K.
CDC terminates infection control advisory committee

1 week ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee issued guidance on the prevention and control of health care-associated infections. In a statement, HHS said HICPAC was terminated because it was “unnecessary.”The CDC has terminated an advisory committee responsible for issuing federal guidance on the prevention and control of health care-associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance, HHS confirmed to Healio.
Los Angeles declares hepatitis A outbreak

1 week ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Read more Key takeaways: There have been 29 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in Los Angeles this year, following 165 in 2024. Although homelessness is a risk factor, most cases this year have been among people without housing issues. Los Angeles has declared an outbreak of hepatitis A virus based on “elevated virus levels” in wastewater surveillance and a “sustained increase” in cases over the last year, health officials announced.
CAUTI ‘should be retired’ as hospital metric, expert says

1 week ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:An expert at SHEA suggested using catheter-associated bacteria as a metric for measuring hospital safety instead of CAUTI. Bacteria detected in urine often is not the cause of symptoms in a patient, she said. ORLANDO — Using catheter-associated urinary tract infections as a metric for care quality misidentifies some infections, according to an expert who argued that using catheter-associated bacteria instead is more accurate.
Legionella in medical facilities can spread through ice, study shows

2 weeks ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:A patient in an oncology unit was infected with Legionella after aspirating and choking while consuming ice chips. The hospital determined that several of its ice machines were contaminated with the bacteria. ORLANDO — Legionella can survive and spread through ice machines, potentially infecting ill patients depending on their condition, according to a study presented at SHEA Spring.
Hospital wastewater epidemiology may be useful but comes with challenges

2 weeks ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:Hospital wastewater analysis showed that clinical respiratory viruses and other pathogens appear to be accurate. The accuracy of antimicrobial resistance genes did not align with clinical cases in the hospital. ORLANDO — Wastewater surveillance is generally conducted at local, state and national population levels, but a study presented at SHEA Spring suggested it could be useful for health care facilities to conduct themselves.
Patient education can help prevent unnecessary antibiotic prescribing

2 weeks ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

Key takeaways:Reviewing physical exams and making clear diagnoses can help avoid unneeded antibiotics prescriptions. Tools for how to speak with and educate patients on antibiotic stewardship are available online. ORLANDO — Patient education and more effective communication can help doctors from feeling forced to prescribe antibiotics for patients who do not need them, SHEA Spring attendees heard at a session during the conference’s first day.
SHEA Spring will explore sustainability in infection prevention and stewardship

2 weeks ago | healio.com | Stephen Feller

April 25, 2025 1 min read SHEA Spring will explore sustainability in infection prevention and stewardship Add topic to email alerts Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on Nosocomial Infections. Subscribe You've successfully added Nosocomial Infections to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published. Click Here to Manage Email AlertsBack to Healio We were unable to process your request.