The fall virus season is approaching. Which vaccines should you get?

| 9/5/2023

The fall virus season is approaching. Which vaccines should you get?

A new COVID variant is circulating. Flu season is about to begin. Respiratory syncytial virus (known as RSV) is becoming a greater cause of hospitalizations. But this fall, something is different. The country has new vaccines for COVID, influenza and RSV, the three fall respiratory viruses that hospitalize and kill hundreds of thousands annually. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Another twist in Florida's quest for Canada drug imports: FDA's port demand

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expected to decide this fall whether Florida can import prescription drugs from Canada, the state lashed out after federal officials raised issues such as a requirement for a secured warehouse in Michigan. The issues are detailed in court filings in two lawsuits Florida has filed against the FDA amid a long-running effort to get approval to import cheaper drugs from Canada for state programs such as Medicaid, the prison system and facilities run by the Department of Children and Families. [Source: News Service of Florida]

There's a COVID surge in Florida. Here's what the numbers show, and how to protect yourself

COVID cases have again been spreading in Florida. Though winter is more traditionally known as the season of respiratory viruses, the past three summers have all seen increased rates of COVID-19 transmission. This year is no different, with wastewater data, hospitalizations and deaths showing the United States has seen a rise in cases since at least two months ago. [Source: Florida Today]

The death of a Florida journalist becomes a catalyst for organ donation

Ron Sachs spent his career creating narratives, first as a journalist, then a gubernatorial spokesman, then a public relations strategist. Now, he’s trying to create a new narrative -- as a grieving father. Sachs lost his middle daughter, 38-year-old Aimee Sachs, on May 31. One stroke did a little damage, then another soon after was catastrophic. In the end, the most she could do was blink her wishes -- to be removed from life support and donate her organs. [Source: WUSF]

Judge won't block trans treatment law

A federal judge on Friday refused to block a new Florida law making it more difficult for transgender adults to access hormone therapy and surgeries. But U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle said he could issue a narrowly tailored injunction to ensure care for individual plaintiffs if they provide detailed medical records. [Source: News Service of Florida]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› ‘Their love is here': South Florida extended care center helps kids with complex medical needs [NBC Miami]
For 20 years, Janet Horn says she and her staff at PediPEC have given kids with complex medical needs a place to address those needs in a nurturing, therapeutic and educational environment. Its two locations in North Miami and Lauderhill provide up to 12 hours a day of medical day-care for dozens of children who, through age 20, need nursing intervention. PediPEC and other facilities known as P-PECs -- prescribed pediatric extended care centers – may be in more demand, now that a federal judge has ordered the state to do more to transition children out of nursing homes and into the community.

› Orlando Health to debut region's first orthopedic hospital [Orlando Business Journal]
Orlando Health this month will debut its first-ever orthopedic hospital, one it says is a first for the Southeastern U.S. The nonprofit health system on Aug. 29 will open a 75-bed hospital with 10 operating rooms as part of its $300 million, 375,000-square-foot Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Downtown Complex. The hospital is the second part of the complex to open, as a medical pavilion with a combination of services including imaging, physical therapy areas, exam rooms and 12 operating rooms opened in March.

› Tampa Bay medical training school acquires Northeastern campuses [Business Observer]
UMA Education Inc., the organization that operates Ultimate Medical Academy, says it acquired American Institute, a career education school focused largely on health care training, with five campus locations in Connecticut and New Jersey. Ultimate Medical Academy, headquartered in Tampa, is a nonprofit higher education institution that helps students succeed in health care careers, with much instruction done online.

› A UCF expert says historically warm water may fuel 'flesh-eating' bacteria [Health News Florida]
Health experts are urging caution as people dip into Florida waters this weekend after reports of 31 cases of humans contracting flesh-eating" bacteria in coastal waters this year, according to the Florida Department of Health. Six patients died. The bacteria known as Vibrio vulnificus is endemic to Florida’s brackish waters and has lived there for many years. The bacteria can cause skin tissue to deteriorate, but infection is rare in humans.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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