Routine annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old.1 Recommendations for the current season for specific patient populations are listed in Tables 2 and 4.
TIMING — In the US, influenza vaccine should be offered by the end of October and continue to be offered as long as influenza is circulating in the community. In most adults, serum antibody levels peak about two weeks after vaccination.1
COMPOSITION — All seasonal influenza vaccines available in the US contain the same two influenza A virus antigens. Influenza A viruses are responsible for the majority of influenza-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in infants and older adults; influenza A(H3N2) has been associated with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality in older adults.
The FDA has approved the fixed-dose combination of tezacaftor and ivacaftor (Symdeko – Vertex) for oral treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients ≥12 years old who are homozygous for the F508del (also called Phe508del or ΔF508) mutation or have at least one mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene that is responsive to the combination. About 50% of CF patients in the US are homozygous for the F508del mutation. This is the first approved indication for tezacaftor. Ivacaftor is also available in combination with lumacaftor as Orkambi for treatment of CF in F508del-homozygous patients ≥2 years old and alone as Kalydeco for treatment of CF in patients ≥12 months old with other sensitive mutations.1,2
MECHANISM OF ACTION — The CFTR ...
