Monday, January 15, 2024

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates the birthday of civil rights leader the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was assassinated four years later. The holiday always falls on the third Monday in January. This year, it occurs on Monday, January 15. It's a federal holiday, which means government agencies, banks and many corporate offices will be closed for the day. The United States Postal Service will be closed Monday, so there will be no regular mail deliveries. Other delivery services - including United Parcel Service and FedEx will be operating - though FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy will have modified services. MSD offices are open this day.

House, Senate Convene 2nd Session of 152nd General Assembly

On Tuesday, January 9th, the Delaware General Assembly began the second leg of the 152nd legislative session for 2024. Chamber proceedings in the State Senate and State House of Representatives are livestreamed on the General Assembly website. Legislative session runs from January 9th to June 30th. View the legislative calendar here. 

If you are interested in advocacy or attending legislative hall, please contact Lisa Gruss, External Affairs and Development Officer at Lisa.Gruss@medsocdel.org or (302) 893-3907.

DPH Issued Health Advisory and New Additional Details

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory on Monday, January 8th to notify clinicians of potential exposures to a confirmed measles case in a Delaware health care facility.

Today, DPH reported that there was a potential measles exposure at the Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington on December 29, 2023. An extensive contact tracing investigation identified between 20-30 people exposed to the individual who was not symptomatic but was infectious at the time of their visit to the facility. DPH communicated with the identified potential exposures confirming vaccination status, providing educational resources and issuing quarantine and exclusion orders when necessary. After thorough review and analysis following the contact tracing investigation, DPH is issuing a public notification to any persons who visited the facility on December 29, 2023, from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. that there is the potential for measles exposure.  

Any individual who was exposed to measles and displaying symptoms should contact the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology to coordinate testing, receive guidance, and limit any further exposures. Those who are ill should seek immediate health care by contacting their primary care professional. If symptoms are severe, they should seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department. Prior to going to any health care facility, the individual should notify the office and medical transport that they or their child were exposed to measles. 

CDC recommends that clinicians be on alert for cases of measles that meet the case definition. DPH has issued a notice to health care professionals about measles symptoms and what to do if they see a potential case and is strongly recommending that people who have not received both doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine do so. If a Delaware resident is unsure of their vaccination status, they can visit the DelVAX Public Portal and view their personal profile. Individuals may also contact their primary health care professional for additional details or if they are unable to obtain their records on DelVAX. In order to ensure all proper protocols are in place prior to their arrival, any individual displaying symptoms of measles infection should contact the health care facility they plan to visit in advance. Delaware physicians, laboratories, and other health care professionals are required by regulations to report patients with Measles to the Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE). Cases can be reported to the OIDE by calling 302-744-4990 (normal business hours) or 1-888-295-5156 (outside of normal business hours). You may also complete a Notifiable Disease Report PDF Form and fax the form to DPH at 302-622-4149 or email to mailto:reportdisease@delaware.gov, The form can be found online at: https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/rptdisease.html

The Importance of Accuracy of Death Certificates

Join MSD on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. for a virtual-only “Hot Topic” education session. Robert N. Anderson, PhD from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention will address the importance of accuracy of death certificates, including for patients diagnosed with cancer. This is an opportunity for health care professionals to enhance their skills in accurately documenting and certifying the cause of death, to include the context of cancer diagnoses. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. This event has been changed from an in-person event to a virtual-only event.

Bringing the Physician Community Together, Enhancing Health Care

Join MSD, the American College of Physicians Delaware Chapter, and the Delaware Academy of Family Physicians in a live, virtual session on Tuesday, February 6th from 6:00-7:30 p.m. for a town-hall style event with key Delaware legislators. To date, legislators scheduled for the panel discussion are State Senator Laura Sturgeon, State Senator Kyle Evans Gay, and State Representative Michael Smith. You are invited for robust discussion to share your thoughts and ask questions on the focus issues of prior authorization reform, educational transparency, physician workforce shortage in Delaware, and primary care reform. All specialties are welcome! There is no charge to participate, but registration is required. Register here.

Partnering with NFL - Donors Entered to Win a Trip to the Super Bowl

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood through the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Additional challenges lie ahead as winter weather and seasonal respiratory illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 may affect future donor turnout compounding the dire blood supply situation that the nation currently faces. The Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals to kick off 2024 with a blood or platelet donation. Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information. Contact the Blood Bank of Delmarva to schedule your donation!

Facilitates Importation of Certain Prescription Drugs from Canada

Last Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration’s drug importation program under section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). This is the first step on this pathway toward Florida facilitating importation of certain prescription drugs from Canada. Through this pathway, the FDA may authorize section 804 importation program (SIP) proposals from states or Indian tribes to import certain prescription drugs from Canada if the SIP will significantly reduce the cost to the American consumer without imposing additional risk to public health and safety. Florida estimates that it could save up to $150 million in the first year of the program, importing medicines to treat H.I.V., AIDS, diabetes, hepatitis C, and other conditions. Until now, Americans could buy drugs from Canadian pharmacies, but states could not purchase them in bulk for Medicaid programs, government clinics, or prisons. Florida is the first state to change that. But challenges exist. The pharmaceutical industry objects to the plan and is expected to file a lawsuit to prevent it from going into effect in Florida. And, the Canadian government has taken steps to block the export of prescription drugs that are in short supply.

Protection for Young Children from Severe RSV

On October 23, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory 499 to provide guidance for prioritization of nirsevimab given limited supply. Nirsevimab (Beyfortus, Sanofi and AstraZeneca) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody immunization recommended for preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in young children. Given the recent increase in nirsevimab supply and the manufacturers’ plan to release an additional 230,000 doses in January, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises health care professionals to return to recommendations put forward by CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on use of nirsevimab in young children. Infants and children recommended to receive nirsevimab should be immunized as quickly as possible. Physicians should not reserve nirsevimab doses for infants born later in the season when RSV circulation and risk for exposure to RSV may be lower. RSV activity remains elevated nationwide and is continuing to increase in many parts of the country, though decreased activity has been observed in the Southeast. 

Digital Media Exposure Might Be Potential Risk Factor

According to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics, television screen time for children under the age of two is associated with sensory differences later in toddlerhood, including those seen in autism spectrum disorder. Notably, children who watched any television or DVDs at 12 months of age were twice as likely by 36 months to experience "atypical sensory processing" compared to others at that age. The research indicates that, after 18 months of age, each extra hour of screen exposure per day was associated with around a 20% increased likelihood of sensory processing differences.

Potential Chromium Exposure

Lead Exposure - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as state and local officials are investigating a link between blood lead levels (BLLs) ≥3.5 µg/dL and children consuming certain apple purée and applesauce products containing cinnamon. WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis brands have voluntarily recalled certain lots of the following products that were tested and found to contain high levels of lead:

• WanaBana brand apple cinnamon fruit purée pouches
• Schnucks brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches
• Weis brand cinnamon applesauce pouches

CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) and FDA’s Coordinated Outbreak Response & Evaluation (CORE) Network continue investigations to identify individuals across the United States who may have consumed these products with high levels of lead.

Chromium Exposure - FDA product testing has also identified high levels of chromium in cinnamon samples and recalled apple cinnamon puree pouches. Chromium is a naturally occurring element with trace levels normally found in the diet. The most common forms of chromium found in chromium compounds are trivalent chromium (chromium(III)) and hexavalent chromium (chromium(VI)). Chromium(III) is considered an essential nutrient and can be found in dietary supplements. Chromium(VI), however, is a known carcinogen. Chronic, prolonged inhalational and skin exposure to chromium(VI) has been associated with chronic lung disease and ulceration of skin and mucous membranes. Lead chromate, which contains chromium(VI), has been used to adulterate turmeric and other spices. While harm resulting from ingesting lead-contaminated food is relatively well researched, the effects of eating food contaminated with chromium(VI), as a constituent of lead chromate, are not well understood. Chromium(VI) compounds may be converted to chromium(III) in acidic environments. Currently, FDA testing cannot identify whether the chromium in the cinnamon and recalled apple cinnamon puree pouches is chromium(III) or chromium(VI).

Read more about recommendations for clinicians.

Subcommittee Public Meetings Addressed Health Care Benefits

The General Assembly established the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee (RHBAS) via Senate Bill 29 in January 2023 in response to concerns about retiree healthcare benefits for current and retired state workers and how to address a growing unfunded liability for those benefits. A 2022 attempt to transition from a publicly managed Special Medicfill Supplement Plan to a Delaware-specific Medicare Advantage plan generated strong opposition from state retirees and an ensuing court challenge to the plan by RISE Delaware. 

Chaired by Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, PhD, RN, the subcommittee, comprised of elected and state officials, retirees and state union representatives, met more than 20 times during a nine-month period to collect public testimony and review information about other states’ Medicare supplemental coverage, individual marketplace and Medicare plans, funding options, and actuarial and financial data. 

As a result of those meetings, the subcommittee made more than a dozen recommendations to the governor, the State Employee Benefits Committee and the General Assembly to ensure that current and future retirees have quality health care without restricting coverage or eligibility, and to reduce the unfunded liability. Included was a recommendation that Delaware neither request nor consider a Medicare Advantage plan going forward. Read more.

City to Consider Subsidizing One-Year Contract with St. Francis

According to Wilmington Mayer Mike Purzycki, emergency ambulance transports for Wilmington had always been provided without cost to the City by St. Francis Hospital. The St. Francis EMS program was available without cost to the City due to billing the patient's health insurance program. However, St. Francis has indicated that the billing process was no longer covering the true cost of the service and, therefore, would not be able to provide ambulance services in 2024. City Administration and St. Francis explored alternative funding options in order to continue ambulance services for City residents and businesses for at least another year. The City also looked into other options, including an EMS transport unit within the City's Fire Department. For the time being, the most feasible solution is to enable the City to subsidize the already-established St. Francis EMS system. Wilmington City Council is to consider approving a $3.5 million budget amendment from the City's budget reserve. Should the budget amendment be approved, the City will sign with St. Francis under a one-year agreement. St. Francis would continue to bill transported individuals to reduce the need for the City's subsidy. The City of Wilmington and St. Francis Hospital would jointly audit the billing process. Wilmington City Council could vote on the budget amendment as early as January 18.

FDA Continues to EtO Sterilization Alternatives

On Monday this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it considers vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) to be an established method of sterilization for medical devices, recognizing VHP’s long history of safety and effectiveness. The FDA has revised the final guidance, Submission and Review of Sterility Information in Premarket Notification (510(k)) Submissions for Devices Labeled as Sterile, to list VHP as an example of an Established Category A method of sterilization. This update will facilitate broader adoption of VHP as a sterilization method for the medical device industry, is part of the agency’s multi-pronged approach to reducing the use of ethylene oxide (EtO) where possible and further supports the agency’s efforts to advance medical device supply chain resiliency. EtO is the most commonly used sterilization method for medical devices in the U.S., with more than 20 billion devices sold in the U.S. every year sterilized with EtO, accounting for approximately 50% of devices that require sterilization. Methods with a long history of safe and effective use on medical devices are considered Established Category A sterilization methods and include moist heat, dry heat, EtO and radiation. With the recent FDA recognition of the ISO standard 22441:2022, the FDA is adding VHP to Established Category A, which the agency expects will strengthen industry’s capacity to adopt alternative sterilization processes that pose less potential risk to the environment and communities in which they operate. 

Have You Adapted Your Prescribing Approach for Telemedicine?

Is your practice interested in improving appropriate use of antibiotics in telemedicine? The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is currently recruiting practices for a no-cost, 18-month program beginning in June 2024 to promote appropriate antibiotic use while maintaining patient satisfaction and reducing potential side effects in patients seen via telemedicine. Practices will receive training and one-on-one expert coaching to implement sustainable improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of infections in the telemedicine environment. Practices will learn how to improve workflow efficiencies and participants will be eligible for continuing education units (CEUs), continuing medical education (CME) credits, and American Board of Internal Medicine maintenance of certification (MOC) points. Learn more and sign up for an informational webinar on the program website: safetyprogram4telemedicine.org.

March 15th Deadline for Consideration of Appointment for January 2025

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) welcomes nominations for new members to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Each year, new members are appointed to replace those who will be completing their service.

Qualified candidates must demonstrate expertise and national leadership in:

• Critical evaluation of research
• Clinical preventive services
• Implementation of evidence-based recommendations in clinical practice

To maintain balance in the expertise among members, strongest consideration will be given to individuals in the areas of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology. To obtain a diversity of perspectives, AHRQ particularly encourages nominations of women, members of underrepresented populations, and persons with disabilities. In addition, AHRQ seeks candidates who have experience in public health; health equity and the reduction of health disparities; the application of science to health policy; decision modeling; and the communication of findings to various audiences. Nominations are welcome at any time during the year, but must be received by March 15, 2024, to be considered for appointment with an anticipated start date of January 2025. Individuals nominated prior to March 15, 2023, who continue to have interest in serving on the Task Force should be re-nominated. Learn more about the nomination process, how to nominate an individual for consideration, or how to self-nominate on AHRQ’s website.

The Hidden Patient

Today, Governor John Carney joined the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council and local advocates to sign a proclamation for Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This event serves to bring attention to human trafficking and to celebrate the work of survivors and advocates. MSD's 2017 Annual Meeting Education program, "The Hidden Patient," presented on the topic of human trafficking to raise awareness of the issue and the need for the health care community to respond. Local Delaware cases were also described.

Annual Address Will be Livestreamed

At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, Governor Carney will deliver his 2024 State of the State Address from the House of Representatives Chamber in Legislative Hall. The event will be livestreamed on de.gov/sots and on the Governor's YouTube channel.

At 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 25, Governor Carney will present his budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025 at the Delaware Public Archives building. The event will be livestreamed on de.gov/budget and on the Governor's YouTube channel.

Americans Encouraged to Sign Up Through January 16 Deadline

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that as of January 10, over 20 million people have selected an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace plan since the 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period launched on November 1 - a record number of enrollments. The data represents activity through December 23 (week 8) for the 32 states using HealthCare.gov and for the 18 states and District of Columbia with State-based Marketplaces. Total plan selections include 18% who are new to the Marketplace for 2024 and 82% who had active 2023 coverage and selected a plan for 2024 or were automatically re-enrolled. The 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2023, to January 16, 2024, for states using the HealthCare.gov platform. Consumers who enroll by midnight on January 16 can get coverage that starts February 1, 2024. State-based Marketplace enrollment deadlines vary.

ID Theft Puts Employers, Employees at Significant Risk

In spite of heightened levels of awareness and implementation of improved technologies aimed at prevention and protection, identity theft continues to increase at an alarming rate, putting both employees and employers at significant risk. The issue has become serious enough that many employers are including an identity theft protection program in their employee benefit package. A quality ID protection program will include credit monitoring and credit change notifications, unauthorized account access alerts, compromised password warnings and communication regarding address changes, fund transfers, public record alerts and more.

The Medical Society of Delaware Insurance Services offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at www.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Sharon Ruth at (302) 397-0173.

More Talking, Less EHR Messaging

Your organization can reduce the volume of EHR messages by thoughtfully choosing where team members sit. Consider co-locating team members such as triage nurses, rooming team members, and schedulers to help colleagues confer on issues as they arise. Physical co-location is a principle of team-based care that emphasizes verbal communication within the team, reducing the amount of electronic communication that clutters the inbox.

LEARN MORE:

Toolkits:

• EHR Inbox Management
• Optimizing Space

Resource:

• EHR Inbox Reduction Checklist for Health Care Organizations

Success Story:

• Teamwork Tames the In-Basket

AMA STEPS Forward^® offers a collection of engaging and interactive educational content designed to help put the joy back into medicine.

Which Programs to Train in Comes Down to a Rank-Order List

What factors do medical students consider most—and least—when choosing residency programs? Recent data released by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) shed some light on that question. Read more.

Information on Recent Product Recalls

Megadyne Medical Products, Inc.

Megadyne Medical Product, Inc. is initiating a recall to update the Instructions for Use and product labeling to restrict use of the device to patients 12 years and older. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.

Monoject Disposable Syringes by Cardinal Health - Class I Recall

In June 2023, Cardinal Health began distributing Monoject syringes branded as “Cardinal Health Monoject syringes.” These new syringes differ from the previously branded “Covidien Monoject syringes” as they have different dimensions. The affected Cardinal Health Monoject syringes should not be used with syringe pumps. The dimensional changes made to the affected Cardinal Health Monoject syringes when used with syringe pumps may result in pump performance issues such as overdose, underdose, delay in therapy, and delays in occlusion alarms. Cardinal Health has received 15 reports of delayed therapy due to syringe infusion pumps not recognizing syringes, and 13 reports of inaccurate volume/rate dispensing, including some injuries. Cardinal Health has not received any reports of patient death. 

Vancomycin IV Bags, Phenylephrine IV Bags, Fentanyl IV Bags

Leiters Health is recalling 33 lots of vancomycin IV bags, phenylephrine IV bags, and fentanyl IV bags due to the potential for superpotency because they may contain twice the labeled amount of drug. The semi-automated IV bag filling equipment used to fill the recalled batches may not eject the IV bags properly when compressed air tanks become low or a leak was detected, causing the recalled IV bags to be dosed twice. There is a reasonable probability that the use of the defective vancomycin and fentanyl IV bags will be associated with life-threatening adverse events. The products were distributed nationwide to hospitals for administration in the hospital. To date, Leiters Health has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

GE HealthCare EVair, EVair03 Compressors with Certain Ventilators

The FDA issued a Letter to Health Care Providers to alert physicians and other health care professionals and facilities about the potential for exposure to certain chemicals that may be released when General Electric (GE) Healthcare accessory components called the EVair or Evair03 compressor are used with certain ventilators, and to help ensure physicians and others are aware of the manufacturer’s recall notice and recommended actions.

FDA Drug Safety Communication Update - Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been evaluating reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients treated with a class of medicines called glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs). These medicines are used to treat people with type 2 diabetes or to help those with obesity or overweight to lose weight. FDA preliminary evaluation has not found evidence that use of these medicines causes suicidal thoughts or actions.

ResMed, Ltd. AirFit and AirTouch Masks

ResMed Ltd. is recalling all their Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) masks with magnets due to possible magnetic interference with certain medical devices. Under certain circumstances, close magnet proximity can harm implants and medical devices. Labels are being updated for safety guidelines. Please be aware, this recall is a voluntary correction, not a product removal. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.

Busse Hospital Kits/Trays Containing Sterile Water Based Products

Busse Hospital Disposables is recalling their Tracheostomy Care Tray, Dressing Change Tray, and Tracheostomy Care Set in direct response to Nurse Assist LLC’s, November 6, 2023, recall of 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation USP and sterile water for irrigation USP, over sterility concerns. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.   

"Outrageous Oat Cookies" - Sold by Wegman's

Wegmans is recalling oat cookies bought from its in-store bakeries because they may contain wheat that is not declared on the label. The voluntary recall involves "Outrageous Oat Cookies" bought from the supermarket chain from January 3 onwards. Those who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. The cookies were sold in 5-packs and by the pound at Wegmans locations in Washington D.C, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. There have been no reported injuries or illnesses associated with the recall. Customers can return the cookies to a Wegmans service desk for a full refund.

Kendal G. Schaetzle, DO - Family Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare

Please join MSD in welcoming the newest member of the Medical Society of Delaware. As the third oldest medical society in the country, MSD has an amazing history. Thank you for taking part in our continued success!

Bayhealth

Beebe Healthcare

January 17 - Evidence-Based Opportunities to Improve Hypertension Control and Prevention, 12:00-1:00 p.m., virtual. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

January 17 - MSD Hot Topic CME Death Certificate Diagnosis, 6:00-7:00 p.m., MSD Office, 651 N. Broad St., Middletown. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

January 26 - Delaware Academy of Dermatology Winter Meeting, Dermatology Tips for the General Dermatologist, 6:00-8:00 p.m., Harry's Savoy Grill, Wilmington. DAD member and non-member pricing applied. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

February 2-4 - American Diabetes Association 2024 Clinical Update Conference, virtual and in-person at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate, Orlando, FL

February 11-13 - Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health 7th Annual Meeting, presented virtually and in person in Arlington, VA on February 11-12, with in-person Congressional visits on February 13.

April 13 - SAVE THE DATE! Delaware Academy of Family Physicians Annual Meeting, Bayhealth SIM Center, Dover.

April 17 - SAVE THE DATE! 18th Annual Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium Summit, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Chase Center on the Riverfront. Check DEThrives.com for updates.

The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world.

• 2024 Adult Immunization Schedule (for ages 19 years or older) - www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html (includes new recommendations for RSV vaccine, Mpox vaccine, and pentavalent meningococcal vaccine)

• 2024 Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule (for ages 18 years or younger) -https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html (includes new recommendations for RSV vaccine, RSV monoclonal antibody, Mpox vaccine, 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, and pentavalent meningococcal vaccine)

• Information for Delaware Medical Professionals - https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/mpox/

• Updates to Clinical Testing Guidance Algorithms - CDC has updated several testing guidance pages for patients with acute respiratory illness (1) not being hospitalized, (2) being hospitalized, and (3) hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients when SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are co-circulating. Clinicians can use these updated resources to inform clinical decision making. (12/8/2023)
• Ellume tests available for those who are blind or have low vision (free at-home COVID-19 tests) https://acl.gov/accessibletests
• Find COVID-19 Vaccines: https://www.vaccines.gov/
• No Cost COVID-19 Testing Locator can help people find current community and pharmacy partners participating in the Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program.
• FDA At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests provides a list of all FDA-authorized at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests
• Federal website for information on navigating COVID: COVID.gov
• CDC Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
• COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator
• CDC COVID Data Tracker
• CDC will report regional-level test positivity data from the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS)
• COVID-19 by County Community Level Check (# hospital admissions and beds used and total number of new cases)
• (Delaware) General Questions: call 211 or email DPHCall@delaware.gov or Vaccine@delaware.gov for vaccine-specific questions.
• Latest information on Delaware's response (testing, treatment, vaccination): de.gov/coronavirus (Updated 2/2023)