Routine annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a specific contraindication.1

EFFECTIVENESS — The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza illness depends on the match between the vaccine and circulating strains. Vaccine effectiveness is highest (40-60%) when the match is close, but even when the match is poor, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from influenza.2-4 For the 2016-2017 influenza season, the adjusted overall effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine against influenza A and B viruses was 42%.5

COMPOSITION — All seasonal influenza vaccines available in the US contain the same two influenza A virus antigens. Trivalent vaccines contain only one influenza B virus...  Continue reading

The FDA has approved Mavyret (Abbvie) and Vosevi (Gilead), two new fixed-dose combinations of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection caused by any of the six major HCV genotypes in patients without cirrhosis or with compensated cirrhosis. Both are approved for use in treatment-experienced patients. Mavyret is also approved for treatment-naive patients.

HCV GENOTYPES — HCV genotype 1 accounts for about 75% of HCV infections in the US, genotypes 2 and 3 account for about ... Continue reading