Novavax COVID vaccine: Effectiveness, booster uptake, and avian flu updates

An observational study in Italy found that Novavax's COVID vaccine had an estimated effectiveness of 31% in all notified cases and 50% against symptomatic disease. In the US, about 4 million Americans received updated COVID vaccines in September, with higher uptake compared to previous booster campaigns. Idaho and South Dakota have detected highly pathogenic avian flu in poultry flocks. Additionally, a study at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that robust infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant decreases in healthcare-associated infections, including Clostridioides difficile infection and respiratory viral infections. However, the incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms was higher in COVID-19 wards.