BQ Journal Vol 52 - Q3 2023 - 4

A Letter to
HENRY SCHEIN'S VALUED CUSTOMERS
As summer wanes and autumn draws near, the BioTherapeutics Quarterly journal aspires to bring you the latest information on topics that are
of interest to you, the health care practitioner. The BioTherapeutics Quarterly's objective is to provide our loyal customers current, relative
information on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.
School and childcare immunization requirements are central to efforts to ensure high vaccination rates for our nation's children.
Having a highly vaccinated population protects not only the children who receive vaccines, but also infants who are too young to be vaccinated,
other children who cannot be vaccinated due to certain medical conditions, and other people in the community at risk of severe illness if exposed
to vaccine-preventable infections. Leading Medical Organizations Endorse Strong School and Childcare Vaccination Requirements and
Elimination of Non-Medical Exemptions on page 14 discusses how allowing exemptions to school- and childcare-required vaccinations that are
non-medical erodes vaccination rates and increases the risk of community outbreaks.
From 2001 to 2020, diabetes prevalence significantly increased among U.S. adults 18 or older. 37.3 million people have diabetes - that's 11.3%
of the U.S. population. 28.7 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes and 8.5 million people who have diabetes have not been diagnosed
and do not know they have it. Proceed to By the Numbers-Diabetes in America on page 16 to learn more.
In the United States, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections cause an estimated 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations among children aged
<5 years and 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations among adults aged ≥65 years each year. U.S. RSV epidemics typically follow seasonal patterns,
peaking in December or January, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted RSV seasonality during 2020-2022. Seasonality of Respiratory
Syncytial Virus -United States, 2017-2023 beginning on page 22 discusses how ongoing monitoring of RSV seasonality can guide the timing
of immunoprophylaxis and evaluation of new immunization products. Although an eventual return to pre-pandemic RSV seasonality is expected,
clinicians should be aware that off-season RSV circulation might continue.
Authorizations to collect certain public health data expired at the end of the U.S. public health emergency declaration on May 11, 2023.
COVID-19 Surveillance After Expiration of the Public Health Emergency Declaration-United States, May 11, 2023 starting on page 31
explains how changes to the national COVID-19 monitoring strategy and COVID Data Tracker capitalize on marked improvements in multiple
surveillance systems. Weekly COVID-19 hospital admission levels and the percentage of all COVID-19-associated deaths will be primary
surveillance indicators. Emergency department visits and percentage of positive SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test results will help detect early changes
in trends. Genomic surveillance will continue to help identify and monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants.
Update on Pediatric Intracranial Infections-19 States and the District of Columbia, January 2016-March 2023 on page 40 states that in
May 2022, the CDC began an investigation of a possible increase in pediatric intracranial infections, particularly those caused by Streptococcus
bacteria, during the preceding year. January 2016-May 2022 data from a large, geographically diverse network of children's hospitals showed
altered patterns in pediatric intracranial infections after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this update, extended hospitalization data
through March 2023 from 37 hospitals in 19 states and the District of Columbia showed a higher-than-expected number of pediatric intracranial
infections beginning in August 2021, with a large peak during winter 2022-2023. CDC continues to track trends in pediatric intracranial
infections and recommends that all persons aged ≤18 years remain current with recommended vaccinations, including influenza and COVID-19.
We hope you find the topics featured in this volume informative. If you have suggestions for future topics, please forward these to
BQJournal@henryschein.com and we will review your request.
Sincerely,
Our Mission
Lonnie Thomas
Director of Pharmaceuticals
To provide health care professionals with a
practical and relevant source of information regarding
diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines in a quick
and easy-to-read publication that provides educational
updates and insight to assist you in prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of disease.
Diagnostics I Pharmaceuticals I DxRx Solutions I Continuing Education I News
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BQ Journal Vol 52 - Q3 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BQ Journal Vol 52 - Q3 2023