The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a slight rise in test positivity rates from 8.6% to 8.9% over the past week, with higher rates in some regions such as the Southwest, Texas, and Northwest. Emergency department visits for COVID-19 increased by 12.4% compared to the previous week.
Meanwhile, AstraZeneca launched its inhaled flu vaccine, FluMist Home, which can now be self-administered at home by adults aged 18-49 or children aged 2-17 with parental consent. The vaccine is available online and requires a medical screening questionnaire before being shipped to the consumer’s home.
Four countries reported more polio cases this week, including Pakistan with another wild poliovirus type 1 case. Ethiopia confirmed six cases, Nigeria one case in Sokoto, and Yemen recorded 46 cases in 10 governorates.
Additionally, CDC data showed that uptake of two teen vaccines increased last year, while coverage with another recommended shot remained flat. Coverage with the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine rose from 89.0% to 91.3%, while coverage with one or more dose of the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) increased from 88.4% to 90.1%.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/quick-takes-us-covid-rise-home-flumist-launch-polio-4-countries