Interim Recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for Use of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine in Persons Aged ≥18 years - United States, July 2022.

The NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax) COVID-19 vaccine is a recombinant spike (rS) protein nanoparticle vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant to protect against infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. On July 13, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Novavax vaccine for primary COVID-19 immunization of unvaccinated adults aged ≥18 years, administered as 2 doses (5 µg rS and 50 µg Matrix-M adjuvant in each dose) 3 weeks apart (1). On July 19, 2022, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued an interim recommendation for use of the Novavax vaccine in persons aged ≥18 years for the prevention of COVID-19.* In the per-protocol† efficacy analysis, vaccine efficacy (VE) against reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 was 89.6% (95% CI = 82.4%-93.8%). The Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 was the predominant circulating variant during the period of case accrual for VE assessments. Cases of myocarditis or pericarditis were reported in temporal association with vaccination, suggesting a possible causal relationship. The ACIP recommendation for the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is interim and will be updated as additional information becomes available. The adjuvanted, protein subunit-based Novavax COVID-19 vaccine provides an additional option for unvaccinated adults, increasing flexibility for the public and for vaccine providers. Vaccination is important for protection against COVID-19.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Nigeria, January 2018-May 2019.

The number of wild poliovirus (WPV) cases in Nigeria decreased from 1,122 in 2006 to six WPV type 1 (WPV1) in 2014 (1). During August 2014-July 2016, no WPV cases were detected; during August-September 2016, four cases were reported in Borno State. An insurgency in northeastern Nigeria had resulted in 468,800 children aged <5 years deprived of health services in Borno by 2016. Military activities in mid-2016 freed isolated families to travel to camps, where the four WPV1 cases were detected. Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) campaigns were intensified during August 2016-December 2017; since October 2016, no WPV has been detected (2). Vaccination activities in insurgent-held areas are conducted by security forces; however, 60,000 unvaccinated children remain in unreached settlements. Since 2018, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) has emerged and spread from Nigeria to Niger and Cameroon; outbreak responses to date have not interrupted transmission. This report describes progress in Nigeria polio eradication activities during January 2018-May 2019 and updates the previous report (2). Interruption of cVDPV2 transmission in Nigeria will need increased efforts to improve campaign quality and include insurgent-held areas. Progress in surveillance and immunization activities will continue to be reviewed, potentially allowing certification of interruption of WPV transmission in Africa in 2020.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Nigeria, January-December 2017.

Nearly three decades after the World Health Assembly launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, four of the six World Health Organization (WHO) regions have been certified polio-free (1). Nigeria is one of three countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, where wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission has never been interrupted. In September 2015, after >1 year without any reported WPV cases, Nigeria was removed from WHO's list of countries with endemic WPV transmission (2); however, during August and September 2016, four type 1 WPV (WPV1) cases were reported from Borno State, a state in northeastern Nigeria experiencing a violent insurgency (3). The Nigerian government, in collaboration with partners, launched a large-scale coordinated response to the outbreak (3). This report describes progress in polio eradication activities in Nigeria during January-December 2017 and updates previous reports (3-5). No WPV cases have been reported in Nigeria since September 2016; the latest case had onset of paralysis on August 21, 2016 (3). However, polio surveillance has not been feasible in insurgent-controlled areas of Borno State. Implementation of new strategies has helped mitigate the challenges of reaching and vaccinating children living in security-compromised areas, and other strategies are planned. Despite these initiatives, however, approximately 130,000-210,000 (28%-45%) of the estimated 469,000 eligible children living in inaccessible areas in 2016 have not been vaccinated. Sustained efforts to optimize surveillance and improve immunization coverage, especially among children in inaccessible areas, are needed.

An outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in an elementary school in Pennsylvania.

In May 2009, one of the earliest outbreaks of 2009 pandemic influenza A virus (pH1N1) infection resulted in the closure of a semi-rural Pennsylvania elementary school. Two sequential telephone surveys were administered to 1345 students (85% of the students enrolled in the school) and household members in 313 households to collect data on influenza-like illness (ILI). A total of 167 persons (12.4%) among those in the surveyed households, including 93 (24.0%) of the School A students, reported ILI. Students were 3.1 times more likely than were other household members to develop ILI (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-4.1). Fourth-grade students were more likely to be affected than were students in other grades (relative risk, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-3.9). pH1N1 was confirmed in 26 (72.2%) of the individuals tested by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The outbreak did not resume upon the reopening of the school after the 7-day closure. This investigation found that pH1N1 outbreaks at schools can have substantial attack rates; however, grades and classrooms are affected variably. Additional study is warranted to determine the effectiveness of school closure during outbreaks.

Rapid assessment of cholera-related deaths, Artibonite Department, Haiti, 2010.

We evaluated a high (6%) cholera case-fatality rate in Haiti. Of 39 community decedents, only 23% consumed oral rehydration salts at home, and 59% did not seek care, whereas 54% of 48 health facility decedents died after overnight admission. Early in the cholera epidemic, care was inadequate or nonexistent.

Risk factors early in the 2010 cholera epidemic, Haiti.

During the early weeks of the cholera outbreak that began in Haiti in October 2010, we conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors. Drinking treated water was strongly protective against illness. Our results highlight the effectiveness of safe water in cholera control.

Epidemic cholera in a crowded urban environment, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

We conducted a case-control study to investigate factors associated with epidemic cholera. Water treatment and handwashing may have been protective, highlighting the need for personal hygiene for cholera prevention in contaminated urban environments. We also found a diverse diet, a possible proxy for improved nutrition, was protective against cholera.

Household effects of school closure during pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Pennsylvania, USA.

To determine the effects of school closure, we surveyed 214 households after a 1-week elementary school closure because of pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Students spent 77% of the closure days at home, 69% of students visited at least 1 other location, and 79% of households reported that adults missed no days of work to watch children.

Associations between hypertriglyceridemia, dietary fat intake, oxidative stress, and endothelial activation in men.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the associations between intake of different types of dietary fat and plasma levels of oxidative stress and endothelial activation markers in men. METHODS: For that purpose, a complete physical and metabolic profile was assessed. Dietary habits of subjects were determined with a 3-d food record. We also measured fasting plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations and soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and E-selectin. All these measurements were performed with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and standards. RESULTS: We found that a high total dietary fat intake was associated with high plasma sICAM-1 (r = 0.40, P < 0.005), sVCAM-1 (r = 0.31, P < 0.05), and E-selectin (r = 0.28, P < 0.05) levels. We also found that in men matched for plasma triacylglycerol levels, those consuming a diet rich in total fat (>105 g/d, n = 21) were characterized by higher circulating levels of sICAM-1 (P < 0.05) and E-selectin (P < 0.05) compared with triacylglycerol-matched individuals with a low total dietary fat intake (<105 g/d, n = 21). However, no significant difference was noted in plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels between groups. Further, we conducted multivariate analyses and found that saturated fatty acid intake was the only dietary variable after inclusion of other dietary variables that contributed to circulating sICAM-1 (P < 0.05) and sVCAM-1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that high dietary fat consumption is associated with endothelial activation in men and that this detrimental effect is likely attributable to the saturated fatty acid content of the diet.

Circulating levels of oxidative stress markers and endothelial adhesion molecules in men with abdominal obesity.

CONTEXT: It has been suggested that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction could play a role in the higher cardiovascular disease risk noted in the abdominally obese population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the associations between abdominal fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction in men. DESIGN: A complete physical and metabolic profile was assessed in a group of 56 men covering a wide range of adiposity and plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were determined. RESULTS: We found that abdominal visceral adipose tissue was positively associated with plasma OxLDL (r = 0.52; P < 0.0001) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.60; P < 0.0001) concentrations. We also found significant associations between plasma E-selectin levels and hyperinsulinemia (r = 0.39; P < 0.005) as well as with the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (r = 0.42; P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that plasma OxLDL levels and low-grade systemic inflammation are increased in men with a high visceral adipose tissue accumulation. Furthermore, our results support the notion that insulin resistance is associated with endothelial activation. Overall, our observations give us further insights on the increased cardiovascular disease risk frequently noted among viscerally obese, insulin-resistant individuals.

Variations in plasma apolipoprotein C-III levels are strong correlates of the triglyceride response to a high-monounsaturated fatty acid diet and a high-carbohydrate diet.

The objective of this study was to examine how a diet rich in carbohydrates (high-CHO) vs a diet rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (high MUFA) consumed ad libitum modulated plasma apolipoprotein C-III (apo C-III) levels and to examine the extent to which diet-induced changes in plasma apo C-III were associated with concurrent variations in plasma triglyceride (TG) levels. Forty-seven men (mean age, 35.7 +/- 11.4 years; body mass index, 29.0 +/- 5.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to either a high-CHO diet (CHO, 58%; fat, 26%; n = 23) or a high-MUFA diet (CHO, 45%; fat, 40%; MUFA, 22.5%; n = 24), which they consumed for 6 to 7 weeks. Fasting and postprandial lipemia after an oral fat load and fasting plasma apo C-III were measured at the beginning and at the end of the dietary intervention. Ad libitum consumption of the high-CHO diet induced a significant reduction in body weight (-2.6%, P < .0001), but had no impact on plasma apo C-III concentrations and on fasting and postprandial plasma TG levels. In contrast, ad libitum consumption of the high-MUFA diet also resulted in a significant reduction in body weight (-2.3%, P < .01) as well as in significant reductions in plasma apo C-III (-11%, P = .05) and fasting plasma TG (-17%, P < .01). Diet-induced variations in plasma apo C-III concentrations were correlated with changes in fasting and postprandial TG levels both in the high-CHO (r > 0.70, P < .001) and the high-MUFA groups (r > 0.42, P < .05). These results indicate that variations in plasma apo C-III levels are strong correlates of the fasting and postprandial plasma TG responses to high-MUFA and high-CHO diets.

Influences of apolipoprotein E polymorphism on the response of plasma lipids to the ad libitum consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet compared with a high-monounsaturated fatty acid diet.

The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism and factors, such as age and waist circumference, to variations in plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) response following ad libitum consumption of a diet rich in complex carbohydrates (high-CHO: 58% of energy as CHO) versus a diet rich in fat and monounsaturated fatty acids (high-MUFA: fat, 40% of energy and 22% as MUFA). Sixty-five men participated in this parallel 6- to 7-week study involving either a high-CHO or a high-MUFA diet. Fasting plasma lipid profile and anthropometry were determined at the beginning and at the end of the dietary period. The high-CHO and high-MUFA diets both induced significant (P<.01) and comparable reductions in body weight and waist circumference. These changes were associated with a significant (P<.01) and comparable decrease in LDL-C (-19% and -16%, respectively). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that 32% of the variation in the LDL-C response to the high-CHO diet was attributable to the apoE polymorphism (18.5%, P=.04) and waist circumference (13.5%, P=.03) indicating that men with a waist circumference greater than 100 cm and the E2 allele had the greatest reduction in plasma LDL-C after the high-CHO diet. On the other hand, in the high-MUFA group, waist circumference was the only significant contributing factor to the LDL-C response and accounted for 44.5% of its variance. In conclusion, the plasma LDL-C response to ad libitum comsumption of a high-CHO and a high-MUFA diets are not modulated to the same extent by the apoE polymorphism and waist circumference.

Seroepidemiologic survey of epidemic cholera in Haiti to assess spectrum of illness and risk factors for severe disease.

To assess the spectrum of illness from toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 and risk factors for severe cholera in Haiti, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in a rural commune with more than 21,000 residents. During March 22-April 6, 2011, we interviewed 2,622 residents ≥ 2 years of age and tested serum specimens from 2,527 (96%) participants for vibriocidal and antibodies against cholera toxin; 18% of participants reported a cholera diagnosis, 39% had vibriocidal titers ≥ 320, and 64% had vibriocidal titers ≥ 80, suggesting widespread infection. Among seropositive participants (vibriocidal titers ≥ 320), 74.5% reported no diarrhea and 9.0% had severe cholera (reported receiving intravenous fluids and overnight hospitalization). This high burden of severe cholera is likely explained by the lack of pre-existing immunity in this population, although the virulence of the atypical El Tor strain causing the epidemic and other factors might also play a role.

Evaluating mental health after the 2010 Haitian earthquake.

Mental health is an important aspect of public health after a disaster. This article describes what is known and what remains to be learned regarding the mental health impact of the January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti. Public health surveillance efforts in Haiti and the United States in the first 2 months after the earthquake are described. Challenges in clinical assessment and public health surveillance are explored. Potential implications for survivors and public health officials are considered.

Promising practices for the prevention and control of obesity in the worksite.

PURPOSE: To identify worksite practices that show promise for promoting employee weight loss. DATA SOURCE: The following electronic databases were searched from January 1, 1966, through December 31, 2005: CARL Uncover (via Ingenta), CDP, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Library, CRISP, Dissertation Abstracts, EMBASE, ERIC, Health Canada, INFORM (part of ABI/INFORM Proquest), LocatorPlus, New York Academy of Medicine, Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PapersFirst, PsycINFO, PubMed, and TRIP. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Included studies were published in English, conducted at a worksite, designed for adults (aged ≥ 18 years), and reported weight-related outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted using an online abstraction form. DATA SYNTHESIS: Studies were evaluated on the basis of study design suitability quality of execution, sample size, and effect size. Changes in weight-related outcomes were used to assess effectiveness. RESULTS: The following six promising practices were identified: enhanced access to opportunities for physical activity combined with health education, exercise prescriptions alone, multicomponent educational practices, weight loss competitions and incentives, behavioral practices with incentives, and behavioral practices without incentives. CONCLUSIONS: These practices will help employers and employees select programs that show promise for controlling and preventing obesity.

The effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity interventions for controlling employee overweight and obesity: a systematic review.

This report presents the results of a systematic review of the effectiveness of worksite nutrition and physical activity programs to promote healthy weight among employees. These results form the basis for the recommendation by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services on the use of these interventions. Weight-related outcomes, including weight in pounds or kilograms, BMI, and percentage body fat were used to assess effectiveness of these programs. This review found that worksite nutrition and physical activity programs achieve modest improvements in employee weight status at the 6-12-month follow-up. A pooled effect estimate of -2.8 pounds (95% CI=-4.6, -1.0) was found based on nine RCTs, and a decrease in BMI of -0.5 (95% CI=-0.8, -0.2) was found based on six RCTs. The findings appear to be applicable to both male and female employees, across a range of worksite settings. Most of the studies combined informational and behavioral strategies to influence diet and physical activity; fewer studies modified the work environment (e.g., cafeteria, exercise facilities) to promote healthy choices. Information about other effects, barriers to implementation, cost and cost effectiveness of interventions, and research gaps are also presented in this article. The findings of this systematic review can help inform decisions of employers, planners, researchers, and other public health decision makers.

Baseline plasma C-reactive protein concentrations influence lipid and lipoprotein responses to low-fat and high monounsaturated fatty acid diets in healthy men.

To date, no studies have compared the effects of consuming a low-fat diet and a high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diet, under unrestricted energy intake conditions, on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Men [n = 61; 37.5 +/- 11.5 y old (mean +/- SD), mean BMI 29.0 +/- 5.0 kg/m2] were randomly assigned to consume ad libitum a moderately low-fat diet (25.8% of energy intake from fat) or a high-fat diet rich in MUFA (40.1% of energy intake from fat, 22.5% from MUFA) for 6-7 wk. Plasma CRP concentrations were measured using a highly sensitive assay. Neither diet affected the plasma CRP concentration. However, baseline CRP concentrations predicted lipoprotein/lipid responsiveness to the experimental diets. After intake of the low-fat diet, plasma total and VLDL-triglyceride (TG) concentrations were increased in the subgroup with high CRP concentrations (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) whereas they were reduced in the subgroup with low CRP concentrations at baseline (P < 0.01 for both). The high-MUFA diet reduced plasma TG, VLDL-TG, and VLDL cholesterol only in the subgroup with low CRP at baseline (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the low-fat diet and the high-MUFA diet did not affect plasma CRP concentrations. However, baseline plasma CRP concentrations may modulate the diet-induced changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations.

Apolipoprotein A-I, A-II, and VLDL-B-100 metabolism in men: comparison of a low-fat diet and a high-monounsaturated fatty acid diet.

The impact of a low-fat diet and a high-MUFA diet on apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apoA-II, and VLDL-apoB-100 metabolism in conditions of unrestricted (ad libitum) energy intake was compared in 65 men randomly assigned to one of two predefined experimental diets. A subsample of 18 men participated in the kinetic study. Before and after the 6-7 week dietary intervention, kinetic subjects received a primed-constant infusion of [5,5,5-2H3]L-leucine for 12 h under feeding conditions. ApoA-I production rate (PR; -31.5%; P <0.001) and fractional catabolic rate (FCR; -24.3%; P <0.05) were significantly decreased after the low-fat diet. These changes in apoA-I PR and FCR with the low-fat diet were also significantly different from those observed with the high-MUFA diet (P <0.01 and P <0.05, respectively). ApoA-II FCR was significantly increased in the high-MUFA group only. No significant within- or between-diet difference was found in VLDL-apoB-100 PR or FCR. These results emphasize the differential impact of the low-fat diet and high-MUFA diet on HDL metabolism.

Variations in body composition and plasma lipids in response to a high-carbohydrate diet.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent to which variations in body composition modulate changes in the lipid profile in response to the ad libitum consumption of a diet rich in carbohydrates (CHOs) (high-CHO diet: 58% of energy as CHOs) or high in fat and in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (high-MUFA diet: 40% of energy as fat, 23% as MUFAs). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Sixty-three men were randomly assigned to one of the two diets that they consumed for 6 to 7 weeks. Body composition and fasting plasma lipid levels were measured at the beginning and the end of the dietary intervention. RESULTS: The high-CHO and high-MUFA diets induced significant and comparable reductions in body weight and waist circumference. These changes were accompanied by significant and comparable (p < 0.01) reductions in total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, the high-MUFA diet had more beneficial effects on plasma triglyceride concentrations (p < 0.01) and on plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.02) compared with the high-CHO diet. Diet-induced changes in waist circumference were significantly associated with changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the high-CHO group (r = 0.39, p = 0.03) but not in the high-MUFA group (r = 0.16, p = 0.38). DISCUSSION: Improvements in plasma lipids induced by the ad libitum consumption of a high-CHO diet seem to be partly mediated by changes in body weight, whereas lipid changes induced by the high-MUFA diet seem to be independent of changes in body weight.

High carbohydrate and high monounsaturated fatty acid diets similarly affect LDL electrophoretic characteristics in men who are losing weight.

We compared the effects of ad libitum consumption of a defined high complex carbohydrate (CHO) diet (% of energy: CHO, 58.3; fat, 25.8) vs. a defined high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) diet (% of energy: CHO, 44.7; fat, 40.1; MUFA, 22.5) on LDL electrophoretic characteristics. Healthy men [n = 65; age, 37.5 +/- 11.2 (mean +/- SD) y; BMI, 29.2 +/- 4.9 kg/m2] were randomly assigned to one of the two diets that they consumed for 6-7 wk. The high CHO diet significantly reduced body weight (-2%). The diet-induced reduction in plasma LDL cholesterol (C) levels in the high-CHO diet group was due mainly to concurrent reductions in the cholesterol content of small (<25.5 nm, P < 0.01) and medium-sized LDL (25.5-26.0 nm, P = 0.01). The high MUFA diet also reduced body weight, and LDL-C and LDL-apolipoprotein (apo)B levels, which were comparable to those in the high CHO group. The cholesterol levels of small LDL particles tended to be reduced (P = 0.24) in the high MUFA group (-12%), similar to changes in the high CHO group. These results suggest that, when associated with weight loss, ad libitum consumption of high CHO and high MUFA diets may be considered to be equally beneficial for the management of LDL-related atherogenic dyslipidemia. However, the high MUFA diet more favorably affected triglyceride levels, suggesting that it may be preferable to a high CHO diet in cardiovascular disease prevention.