CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage Rates for 2019
The finalized 2019 Medicare Advantage plan rates will rise an average of 3.4 percent, with other changes being implemented as well.
Cognitive, Behavioral and Neuroinflammatory Parameters Improve in Autistic Children Treated with Intravenous Immune Globulin
A pilot study conducted by U.S. investigators observed improvements in cognitive and behavioral function in 14 children with autism spectrum disorder and evidence of immune dysfunction who were administered high-dose intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) treatment over a period of 30 weeks.
Work Requirements Can Be Used as a Basis for Medicaid Eligibility
New guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allows work requirements to be used as a basis for eligibility for certain Medicaid beneficiaries.
Grifols’ Higher-Potency Rabies Immune Globulin Is Now Available
Grifols’ higher-potency rabies immune globulin (RIG), HyperRAB S/D, was made available to healthcare providers
Updated C. Diff Guidelines Reflect New Treatment Options and Recommendations
The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have updated guidelines for diagnosis and management of Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
FDA Chooses Influenza Vaccine Strains for the 2018-19 Seasons
FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee chose the Northern Hemisphere’s 2018-19 influenza (flu) vaccine strains based on the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
Study Finds Mumps Vaccine Protection Wanes Over Time
A recent meta-analysis of six studies of mumps vaccine effectiveness conducted in the U.S. found protection against mumps lasts an average of 27 years after the last dose of the vaccine.
CDC OKs FluMist for 2018-19 Influenza Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory committee has voted 12-2 to recommend FluMist, the nasal spray version of the influenza vaccine, be used during the 2018-19 influenza (flu) season.
CSL Behring Will Discontinue Carimune NF in Third Quarter 2018
Discontinuation of the product is due to the preference among healthcare professionals and patients for newer, more advanced immune globulin options.
Study Finds Vaccines Don’t Weaken Babies’ Immune Systems
A study examined whether the vaccine schedule was associated with an increased risk of infections not targeted by vaccines and found no statistically significant differences in estimated cumulative vaccine antigen exposure through the first 23 months of life.