Vaccine protocol info site

The Georgia Composite Medical Board has a website with information for pharmacists on the vaccine protocol agreements you need to have with physicians if you’re planning to give vaccines. It includes a checklist, sample agreements, and an affidavit — as well as basic instructions.

11

That’s the latest number of cases of Legionnaires’ Disease cases coming from the Atlanta Sheraton.

Flu shot delay

Sanofi says its going to be at least a month behind shipping flu vaccine this year. Not a good thing, considering how bad the season is supposed to be.

Vitamin D and diabetes

We’ll let the headline speak for itself: “Vitamin D supplementation may slow the progression of type 2 diabetes in newly diagnosed patients (PDF).” It appears to improve glucose metabolism, but researchers aren’t yet clear how it works. Here’s a link to a more-detailed news story.

Behind the names

You can imagine the pharma marketing departments coming up with names like “Levitra” and, after a few drinks, “Xeljanz.” But what about the generic names — vardenafil and tofacitinib? Who comes up with those?

Answer: Stephanie Shubat and Gail Karet.

New HIV prevention strategy

Rather than taking daily doses of preexposure prophylaxis — aka PreP — meds (e.g., Truvada), a new protocol used in Europe is gaining traction here. It requires only four pills per sexual encounter, rather than a daily regimen.

[Health officials] believe this approach will make PrEP more palatable to people who are ambivalent about the medication because of the cost, fear of potential side effects, mistrust of pharmaceutical companies or a general dislike of taking drugs.

Useful info if you’re going swimming

“How to protect yourself from flesh-eating bacteria this summer.”

Are bananas good for weight loss?

Meh. They make you feel fuller quickly, so … sort of?

Elsewhere

New York expanded its existing decriminalization* of recreational marijuana, and expunged the records of people who had been convicted of possessing small amounts.

Washington State removed the ‘personal or philosophical objection’ — aka the “I don’t want to” exemption — for the MMR vaccine. Christian Scientists, the only major religious group that forbids vaccinations, can still receive a religious exemption, as can members of the handful of smaller sects that also prohibit vaccination.

New Hampshire became the latest state to have its Medicaid work requirements struck down by a federal judge.

* It had already been decriminalized there; the new law reduces the fines and expunges those records.