Antiviral drugs are important tools to help treat COVID-19 and flu that can help lessen symptoms and lower the risk of hospitalization—especially for people at higher risk for serious illness. Antivirals are prescription-only treatments that must be given early in illness, after the first symptoms begin
COVID-19 Today: Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook
Last Updated03/11/2024
In the more than four years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus has impacted nearly every aspect of our daily lives. It has both magnified and exacerbated health inequities, highlighting the critical importance of access to reliable and digestible information for individuals and communities across the country.
Today, COVID-19 remains a threat to our health and to those around us. Fortunately, access to COVID-19 vaccines has improved outcomes and saved millions of lives. However, as updated vaccines become available in response to new variants, vaccinations for COVID-19 are low, and children and adults are falling behind on even routine vaccinations. With this context in mind, it’s important to understand and examine the current state of COVID-19 vaccination trends and vaccination challenges more broadly.
Ashley Z. Ritter, APRN, PhD, Founding Member of Those Nerdy Girls, Director of Clinical Research at NewCourtland Philadelphia
Amanda Simanek, PhD, MPH, Founding Member of Those Nerdy Girls, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Rosalind Franklin University
Andrea Harmony, NP-C, PMHS, Contributing Writer at Those Nerdy Girls, Pediatric-Focused Family Nurse Practitioner at PM Pediatric Care Philadelphia
The discussion was moderated by Beth Battaglino, RN-C, President and CEO of HealthyWomen, and convening member of CVEEP.
Vaccines | COVID-19
What to Know About mRNA and Vaccines
For over 20 years, mRNA technology has been researched, developed, tested, and used in vaccines for infectious diseases such as Ebola, Zika, and now, COVID-19.
COVID-19 | CDC Guidance | Cost and Coverage | Vaccines
CVEEP Presents: A Conversation on Updated COVID-19 Vaccines and the Bridge Access Program with CDC Director, Dr. Mandy Cohen
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen sat down with Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, to discuss how underinsured and uninsured adults are covered and can receive a free COVID-19 vaccine through CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
Last Updated12/13/2023
Vaccines | Childhood | Cost and Coverage | COVID-19
Examining the Vaccines for Children Program and Its Role in Providing Kids with COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage
Last Updated11/11/2023
Vaccines are among the most effective ways to help protect children from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. Unfortunately, the number of children in the U.S. who are up to date on routine vaccinations has declined in recent years, putting them at increased risk for infection. This continued backslide in childhood immunizations and low rates of COVID-19 vaccination is especially alarming as we approach winter months when cases of respiratory illness typically increase. With updated COVID-19 vaccines now available, there is an opportunity to reinforce the importance of pediatric vaccination and answer parents’ questions about recommended vaccines, coadministration, and coverage when administering annual flu vaccines or during well-child visits.
To help address these and other questions, the CVEEP and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) co-hosted an online event to examine how the federally funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program covers payment of COVID-19 vaccines for children. During the 60-minute webinar, panelists discussed the importance of VFC, including eligibility and how the program covers updated COVID-19 vaccines, and proven strategies for combatting disparities in childhood immunization rates.
Panelists included:
Peter Marks, MD, PhD, Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, Acting Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Michelle Fiscus, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Association of Immunization Managers
The discussion was moderated by Patricia (Patsy) A. Stinchfield, RN, MS, CPNP, NFID President, past voting member and current liaison to the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) representing the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP).
