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The article presents a study that assessed the effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) against COVID-19–associated hospitalization among U.S. veterans aged ≥18 years at five Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) from February to August 2021. The findings showed that the mRNA vaccines were highly effective in preventing COVID-19 hospitalization in this population, including during the period when the Delta variant was predominant.

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended to prevent new HPV infections and HPV-associated diseases, including some cancers. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)* routinely recommends HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years; vaccination can be given starting at age 9 years. Catch-up vaccination has been recommended since 2006 for females through age 26 years, and since 2011 for males through age 21 years and certain special populations through age 26 years. This report updates ACIP catch-up HPV vaccination recommendations and guidance published in 2014, 2015, and 2016 (1-3). Routine recommendations for vaccination of adolescents have not changed. In June 2019, ACIP recommended catch-up HPV vaccination for all persons through age 26 years. ACIP did not recommend catch-up vaccination for all adults aged 27 through 45 years, but recognized that some persons who are not adequately vaccinated might be at risk for new HPV infection and might benefit from vaccination in this age range; therefore, ACIP recommended shared clinical decision-making regarding potential HPV vaccination for these persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) is recommended to prevent HPV infections and HPV-associated diseases, including cancers. Routine vaccination at age 11 or 12 years has been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since 2006 for females and since 2011 for males (1,2). This report provides recommendations and guidance regarding use of HPV vaccines and updates ACIP HPV vaccination recommendations previously published in 2014 and 2015 (1,2). This report includes new recommendations for use of a 2-dose schedule for girls and boys who initiate the vaccination series at ages 9 through 14 years. Three doses remain recommended for persons who initiate the vaccination series at ages 15 through 26 years and for immunocompromised persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2014–2015 Ebola virus disease (Ebola) epidemic is the largest in history and represents the first time Ebola has been diagnosed in the United States. On July 9, 2014, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center and established an Ebola clinical consultation service to assist U.S. state and local public health officials and health care providers with the evaluation of suspected cases. CDC reviewed all 89 inquiries received by the consultation service during July 9, 2014– January 4, 2015, about children (persons aged ≤18 years). Most (56 [63%]) children had no identifiable epidemiologic risk factors for Ebola; among the 33 (37%) who did have an epidemiologic risk factor, in every case this was travel from an Ebola-affected country. Thirty-two of these children met criteria for a person under investigation (PUI) because of clinical signs or symptoms. Fifteen PUIs had blood samples tested for Ebola virus RNA by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction; all tested negative. Febrile children who have recently traveled from an Ebola-affected country can be expected to have other common diagnoses, such as malaria and influenza, and in the absence of epidemiologic risk factors for Ebola, the likelihood of Ebola is extremely low. Delaying evaluation and treatment for these other more common illnesses might lead to poorer clinical outcomes. Additionally, many health care providers expressed concerns about whether and how parents should be allowed in the isolation room. While maintaining an appropriate level of vigilance for Ebola, public health officials and health care providers should ensure that pediatric PUIs receive timely triage, diagnosis, and treatment of other more common illnesses, and care reflecting best practices in supporting children’s psychosocial needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the Ebola virus disease clinical inquiries received by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 49 U.S. states between July 9 and November 15, 2014. Topics include activation of the CDC Ebola outbreak response Emergency Operations Center (EOC), inquiries about Ebola symptoms as to 650 persons reported to be at risk and persons under investigation (PUIs). Also mentioned are laboratory testing of PUIs as to epidemiological risk factors and clinical symptoms.

The article discusses the progress toward the implementation of human papilomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the Americas from 2006 to 2010. It describes several countries that have implemented HPV vaccine in immunization programs. The mechanism of action and effectiveness of two HPV vaccine brands are also provided. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reportedly issued a position statement which recommended the inclusion of routine HPV vaccination of females in national immunization programs.