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CDC greenlights COVID vaccines for vulnerable children after nearly 1-month delay
News briefToday at 2:40 p.m.
Liz Szabo, MA
Topics
COVID-19
Childhood Vaccines
After a nearly a month-long delay, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now allowing states to order updated COVID-19 shots for a program that serves most US children.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program offers free immunizations to more than half of US children, including those who are covered by Medicaid, the uninsured or underinsured, and Native Americans and Alaska Natives.
Children whose families have private insurance have had access to the new COVID shots for weeks. The Food and Drug Administration approved the updated vaccines August 27, and companies began shipping doses to medical offices and pharmacies as early as September 27.
Although overall hospitalization rates for COVID-19 are low, they have been rising since mid-June, and public health advocates say the delay in providing vaccines to the VFC program has left low-income children at higher risk.
Along with adults over 65, hospitalization rates are highest for babies under 1 year old, according to the CDC. The news that vaccines for the VFC program are available was first reported by the Washington Post.
States now able to order COVID vaccines
Public health officials from multiple states confirmed that they are now able to order the free vaccines.South Carolina’s health department “was alerted yesterday afternoon by the CDC that COVID vaccines would be available for order today,” Casey White, a department spokeswoman, told CIDRAP News. “Announcements will be shared with VFC providers and health departments to communicate the opening of ordering for all respiratory immunizations.”
10 more sickened in Salmonella outbreak tied to broccoli sprouts
News briefToday at 12:35 p.m.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Foodborne Disease
Salmonella
Ten more people have fallen ill in a multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to broccoli sprouts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in an update today.
The outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans has now sickened 32 people in six states, with three hospitalized. Illness-onset dates range from July 7 to September 3. Of the 27 people who’ve been interviewed, 26 reported eating sprouts or microgreens.
Packaged broccoli sprouts grown by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC, and sold to grocery stores, restaurants, and foodservice customers in Idaho, Montana, and Washington have been recalled, the Food and Drug Administration said in its update on the investigation. Sprout samples collected by officials in Washington state tested positive for Salmonella Bovismorbificans, and whole-genome sequencing indicated the samples matched the outbreak strain.
“If you have recalled broccoli sprouts in your home, throw them out or return them,” the CDC said.
More
The CDC also recently provided an update on a Salmonella outbreak tied to pet turtles, which has now grown to 20 illnesses in 12 states—12 new cases and six newly affected states since July 27. Half of the illnesses are in children under age 5.The outbreak is caused by a strain of Salmonella Paratyphi B Variant L (+) Tartrate +. Of the 14 people who’ve been interviewed, 11 said they’d had contact with pet turtles before getting sick. The turtles were bought from pet stores, flea markets, and a reptile expo, the CDC said.
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