Even before the COVID-19 pandemic drowned out every other public health issue, global measles cases reached a 23-year high, according a new World Health Organization (WHO) and CDC publication released on November 13. In 2019, there were a reported 869,770 measles cases leading to 207,500 deaths. The death rate was 50% higher than it was in 2016. Now, amid a worldwide coronavirus-related decline in childhood vaccinations, the agencies warn that global immunization partners must act quickly to reverse the trend. 

Moderna's candidate coronavirus vaccine is nearly 95% effective at preventing illness, including severe cases, according to a preliminary analysis released Monday. The vaccine, co-developed with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at NIH, is being studied in 30,000 volunteers.

Medical Arts Pharmacy in Fayetteville, AR, is the only local provider in the area offering smoking cessation counseling and support to patients.

On November 10, FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to Eli Lilly for the investigational monoclonal antibody therapy bamlanivimab to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients.

HHS announced Thursday the U.S. government is partnering with large chain pharmacies and networks representing independent and chain pharmacies to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines when they are made available. The program will cover about 60% of pharmacies throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.