Hepatitis A, B, C and D sit at different points along the vaccine story this series has traced since 1777. One has a vaccine the Army itself invented.
The Geography of Disease and the Need for a Growing Vaccine Arsenal
A military confined to one continent faces one disease environment. A force that deploys anywhere on short notice faces all of them at once.
Vaccines Recommended for Veterans
The VA offers a broad vaccine menu, reflecting a population that skews older, often has multiple comorbidities and carries exposure risks specific to military service.
The Military’s Long War on a Quick Killer, Meningococcal Disease
Few pathogens move with the speed of Neisseria meningitidis. Even with prompt antibiotic treatment, meningococcal disease still kills 10% to 15% of the people it infects, and a 2019 analysis of invasive cases in England found that 85% of disease-related deaths occurred within a single day of diagnosis.
The Longest Battle: U.S. Military vs. Infectious Disease
This year marks the 250th anniversary of our nation—and of U.S. military efforts to protect troops from infectious disease. Surprised? Far from a recent and controversial development, the need to require actions that reduced the risk of an incapacitated fighting force was recognized by George Washington as early as 1776. Building on that, the first mandatory vaccination for all new recruits rolled out 180 years ago.
Higher Early Cytokine Levels Linked to Greater COVID-19 Severity in Veterans
U.S. veterans experience a high burden of COVID-19; characterizing immune responses associated with COVID-19 outcomes could help improve treatment of U.S. veterans, who experience a high burden of COVID-19, according to a recent study.
New CDC Director Confirmed as Childhood Vaccine Executive Order Sparks Controversy
Last month, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Erica Schwartz, MD, MPH, JD, a former Navy physician and chief medical officer of the Coast Guard, as director of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) despite fears from both Republicans and Democrats that she will fail to push back against the anti-vaccine agenda of the Trump administration.
Vancomycin Taper-and-Pulse Strategy Shows Promise for Recurrent C. difficile Infection
Recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most difficult challenges facing clinicians. Although vancomycin taper-and-pulse regimens have been used for decades to reduce the risk of recurrence, high-quality randomized evidence supporting the approach has been limited.
Pediatric Acute Respiratory Infections Lead to Lost Workdays for Active-Duty Servicemembers
Pediatric acute respiratory infections result in absenteeism for both children and their caregivers who are active-duty servicemembers, leading to lost duty days and reduced military readiness, according to a recent study.
RSV Vaccines Protect Veterans Well But Repeat Jabs Might Be Needed
Because of an older population of veteran patients, many with numerous co-morbidities, the VA recognizes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as a serious threat. Three RSV vaccines are currently approved for adults in the United States; the latest is an mRNA-based vaccine. While all three have demonstrated meaningful protection against RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD), concerns have been raised about the durability of some of them and whether repeat shots might be required.
RSV Vaccine Durability Waned Over Two Years, Especially for Immunocompromised Veterans and Those 80 and Older
A new veteran study raised questions on the long-term effectiveness of a single respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine dose against RSV illness and associated healthcare use, especially among those who were immunocompromised or older.
COVID-19 Infection Linked to Metabolic Disease Risk in U.S. Active-Duty Military, Study Finds
In U.S. active-duty servicemembers, COVID-19 infection was associated with significantly increased risk of developing hypertension, hyperlipidemia and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, according to a recent study.
Low Rates of Testing for STIs in Male Military Trainees
Trainees entering U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) have a high burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). And, while women entering training are universally screened for STIs, men are rarely tested.
Hepatitis B Treatment Gaps Leave Many Patients at Risk
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the United States, even though effective antiviral treatments are available and known to slow disease progression, prevent liver failure and reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
What Are the Key Drivers of Increased Cases of Post-COVID-19 Dysautonomia in Active-Duty Servicemembers?
Because a significant proportion of patients presenting with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) have met diagnostic criteria for certain disorders of the autonomic nervous system, a study team set out to evaluate demographic and medical factors associated with PASC dysautonomia in active-duty U.S. servicemembers (ADSM).
Cause of Unusual Bacterial Conjunctivitis Outbreak in Military Trainees Remains Unknown
Even though bacterial conjunctivitis is uncommon in immunocompetent adults and Neisseria meningitidis is an unusual bacterial cause of conjunctivitis, 41 cases of the infection were recently recognized in young, healthy military trainees here.
More Testing Needed for hMPV Infection, the Newcomer in Serious Respiratory Infections
Older adults living in nursing homes have a similar likelihood of hospitalization and death from human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection compared to an infection with influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), according to a recent study.
Hospitalized Veterans With RSV, Influenza—But Not COVID-19—Face a Higher Risk for S. pneumoniae Infection
Hospitalized veterans with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza infections but not COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae infections, according to a recent study.
What Is the Relative Severity of Respiratory Viral Illnesses?
Respiratory viral illnesses (RVIs) such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
RSV Infection Can Lead to Serious Risks, Including Cardiac Events
During the 2022 to 2023 season, infection with SARS-CoV-2 was associated with more severe disease outcomes than influenza or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), although differences were less significant during the 2023 to 2024 season, according to a VA study.
Difficult Decision: When Should Suppressive Antibiotic Therapy Be Used for VA Patients With Prosthetic-Joint Infections?
Clinical decisions in the VA about whether to administer suppressive antibiotic therapy for patients with prosthetic-joint infections are often emotionally charged due to limited evidence about benefits and risks and potential consequences such as reinfection or amputation, according to a recent study.
Deaths From Bacterial Bloodstream Infections Significant in MHS Patients
The mortality burden associated with bacterial bloodstream infections is substantial in the MHS, with about 1 in 4 patients dying within 1 year of a bacterial bloodstream infection diagnosis, according to a recent study.
2023-to-2024 XBB.1.5 COVID-19 Vaccines Weren’t Effective Over Long Term
Serious concerns were raised in a new VA study about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines targeting the XBB.1.5 Omicron variant, which were introduced in September 2023.
High Plantar Fasciopathy Rates in U.S. Military
U. S. armed forces have high rates of ankle and foot injuries and mean medical and personnel costs for the DoD.
Concerns Raised About Severe Allergic Reactions in Outdoor Military Personnel
Tick bites in U.S. military personnel are leading to the development of antibodies to alpha-gal, a molecule found in most mammals, and possibly alpha-gal syndrome, a serious, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
Melatonin Appears to Have Some Effect Enhancing Flu Vaccine
Noting that vaccine immunogenicity is affected by a variety of factors, melatonin has been reported to affect immune responses to vaccines and infection, according to a new study.
Older White Veterans Most Likely to Get Flu Vaccines
How do race, ethnicity, sex and rurality affect influenza vaccination adherence in a VHA cohort?
House Coronavirus Committee Held Its Last Meeting in November
Next month marks the 5-year anniversary of the first case of COVID-19 reported in the United States. Since then, more than 110 million Americans have been infected, and 1.2 million have died.
Federal Medicine’s Role in Uncovering How the Epstein-Barr Virus Relates to MS
We interviewed Lynn Levin, MD, formerly of the Department of Epidemiology, Division of Preventive Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, about the research that led to the discovery of the crucial role of the Epstein-Barr virus in the development of multiple sclerosis and several other autoimmune disorders.
DHA Releases Flyer to Educate Servicemembers About Mpox Risk, Protection
In response to the August 2024 upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other Africa countries, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has produced a new flyer: Mpox—What Servicemembers SHOULD KNOW.