Symptoms, viral loads, and rebound among COVID-19 outpatients treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir compared to propensity score matched untreated individuals.

BACKGROUND: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (N/R) reduces severe outcomes among patients with COVID-19; however, rebound after treatment has been reported. We compared symptom and viral dynamics in community-based individuals with COVID-19 who completed N/R and similar untreated individuals. METHODS: We identified symptomatic participants who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive and were N/R eligible from a COVID-19 household transmission study: index cases from ambulatory settings and their households were enrolled, collecting daily symptoms, medication use, and respiratory specimens for quantitative PCR for 10 days, March 2022-May 2023. Participants who completed N/R (treated) were propensity score matched to untreated participants. We compared symptom rebound, viral load (VL) rebound, average daily symptoms, and average daily VL by treatment status measured after N/R completion or, if untreated, seven days after symptom onset. RESULTS: Treated (n=130) and untreated participants (n=241) had similar baseline characteristics. After treatment completion, treated participants had greater occurrence of symptom rebound (32% vs 20%; p=0.009) and VL rebound (27% vs 7%; p<0.001). Average daily symptoms were lower among treated participants compared to untreated participants without symptom rebound (1.0 vs 1.6; p<0.01), but not statistically lower with symptom rebound (3.0 vs 3.4; p=0.5). Treated participants had lower average daily VLs without VL rebound (0.9 vs 2.6; p<0.01), but not statistically lower with VL rebound (4.8 vs 5.1; p=0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who completed N/R experienced fewer symptoms and lower VL but were more likely to have rebound compared to untreated individuals. Providers should still prescribe N/R, when indicated, and communicate possible increased rebound risk to patients.

Household Transmission of Influenza A Viruses in 2021-2022.

Importance: Influenza virus infections declined globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. Loss of natural immunity from lower rates of influenza infection and documented antigenic changes in circulating viruses may have resulted in increased susceptibility to influenza virus infection during the 2021-2022 influenza season. Objective: To compare the risk of influenza virus infection among household contacts of patients with influenza during the 2021-2022 influenza season with risk of influenza virus infection among household contacts during influenza seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective study of influenza transmission enrolled households in 2 states before the COVID-19 pandemic (2017-2020) and in 4 US states during the 2021-2022 influenza season. Primary cases were individuals with the earliest laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H3N2) virus infection in a household. Household contacts were people living with the primary cases who self-collected nasal swabs daily for influenza molecular testing and completed symptom diaries daily for 5 to 10 days after enrollment. Exposures: Household contacts living with a primary case. Main Outcomes and Measures: Relative risk of laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H3N2) virus infection in household contacts during the 2021-2022 season compared with prepandemic seasons. Risk estimates were adjusted for age, vaccination status, frequency of interaction with the primary case, and household density. Subgroup analyses by age, vaccination status, and frequency of interaction with the primary case were also conducted. Results: During the prepandemic seasons, 152 primary cases (median age, 13 years; 3.9% Black; 52.0% female) and 353 household contacts (median age, 33 years; 2.8% Black; 54.1% female) were included and during the 2021-2022 influenza season, 84 primary cases (median age, 10 years; 13.1% Black; 52.4% female) and 186 household contacts (median age, 28.5 years; 14.0% Black; 63.4% female) were included in the analysis. During the prepandemic influenza seasons, 20.1% (71/353) of household contacts were infected with influenza A(H3N2) viruses compared with 50.0% (93/186) of household contacts in 2021-2022. The adjusted relative risk of A(H3N2) virus infection in 2021-2022 was 2.31 (95% CI, 1.86-2.86) compared with prepandemic seasons. Conclusions and Relevance: Among cohorts in 5 US states, there was a significantly increased risk of household transmission of influenza A(H3N2) in 2021-2022 compared with prepandemic seasons. Additional research is needed to understand reasons for this association.

Respiratory Viral Infections and Infection Prevention Practices Among Women With Acute Respiratory Illness During Delivery Hospitalizations During the 2019-2020 Influenza Season.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a cross-sectional study of pregnant women with acute respiratory illness during delivery hospitalizations during influenza season to describe clinical testing for respiratory viruses and infection prevention practices. METHODS: Women had nasal swabs tested for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Among 91 enrolled women, 22 (24%) had clinical testing for influenza. RESULTS: Based on clinical and study testing combined, 41 of 91 (45%) women had samples positive for respiratory viruses. The most common virus was influenza (17 of 91, 19%); 53% (9 of 17) of influenza virus infections were identified through study testing alone. Only 16% of women were on droplet precautions. CONCLUSIONS: Peripartum respiratory infections may be underrecognized.

Five-Year Community Surveillance Study for Acute Respiratory Infections Using Text Messaging: Findings From the MoSAIC Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common infectious diseases globally. Community surveillance may provide a more comprehensive picture of disease burden than medically attended illness alone. METHODS: In this longitudinal study conducted from 2012 to 2017 in the Washington Heights/Inwood area of New York City, we enrolled 405 households with 1915 individuals. Households were sent research text messages twice weekly inquiring about ARI symptoms. Research staff confirmed symptoms by follow-up call. If ≥2 criteria for ARI were met (fever/feverish, cough, congestion, pharyngitis, myalgias), staff obtained a mid-turbinate nasal swab in participants' homes. Swabs were tested using the FilmArray reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respiratory panel. RESULTS: Among participants, 43.9% were children, and 12.8% had a chronic respiratory condition. During the 5 years, 114 724 text messages were sent; the average response rate was 78.8% ± 6.8%. Swabs were collected for 91.4% (2756/3016) of confirmed ARI; 58.7% had a pathogen detected. Rhino/enteroviruses (51.9%), human coronaviruses (13.9%), and influenza (13.2%) were most commonly detected. The overall incidence was 0.62 ARI/person-year, highest (1.73) in <2 year-olds and lowest (0.46) in 18-49 year-olds. Approximately one-fourth of those with ARI sought healthcare; percents differed by pathogen, demographic factors, and presence of a chronic respiratory condition. CONCLUSIONS: Text messaging is a novel method for community-based surveillance that could be used both seasonally as well as during outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics. The importance of community surveillance to accurately estimate disease burden is underscored by the findings of low rates of care-seeking that varied by demographic factors and pathogens.

Incidence of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Hospitalized Adults, 2017-2020.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory illness (ARI) and triggers exacerbations of cardiopulmonary disease. Estimates of incidence in hospitalized adults range widely, with few data on incidence in adults with comorbidities that increase the risk of severity. We conducted a prospective, population-based, surveillance study to estimate incidence of RSV hospitalization among adults overall and those with specific comorbidities. METHODS: Hospitalized adults aged ≥18 years residing in the surveillance area with ≥2 ARI symptoms or exacerbation of underlying cardiopulmonary disease were screened during the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 RSV seasons in 3 hospitals in Rochester, New York and New York City. Respiratory specimens were tested for RSV using polymerase chain reaction assays. RSV incidence per 100 000 was adjusted by market share. RESULTS: Active and passive surveillance identified 1099 adults hospitalized with RSV. Annual incidence during 3 seasons ranged from 44.2 to 58.9/100 000. Age-group-specific incidence ranged from 7.7 to 11.9/100 000, 33.5 to 57.5/100 000, and 136.9 to 255.6/100 000 in patients ages 18-49, 50-64, and ≥65 years, respectively. Incidence rates in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure were 3-13, 4-7, and 4-33 times, respectively, the incidence in patients without these conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high burden of RSV hospitalization in this large prospective study. Notable was the high incidence among older patients and those with cardiac conditions. These data confirm the need for effective vaccines to prevent RSV infection in older and vulnerable adults.

Incidence and Clinical Characteristics of and Risk Factors for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection Among Pregnant Individuals in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Data about the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among pregnant individuals are needed to inform infection-prevention guidance and counseling for this population. METHODS: We prospectively followed a cohort of pregnant individuals during August 2020-March 2021 at 3 US sites. The 3 primary outcomes were incidence rates of any SARS-CoV-2 infection, symptomatic infection, and asymptomatic infection, during pregnancy during periods of SARS-CoV-2 circulation. Participants self-collected weekly midturbinate nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing, completed weekly illness symptom questionnaires, and submitted additional swabs with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-like symptoms. An overall SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence rate weighted by population counts of women of reproductive age in each state was calculated. RESULTS: Among 1098 pregnant individuals followed for a mean of 10 weeks, 9% (99/1098) had SARS-CoV-2 infections during the study. Population-weighted incidence rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection were 10.0 per 1000 (95% confidence interval, 5.7-14.3) person-weeks for any infection, 5.7 per 1000 (1.7-9.7) for symptomatic infections, and 3.5 per 1000 (0-7.1) for asymptomatic infections. Among 96 participants with SARS-CoV-2 infections and symptom data, the most common symptoms were nasal congestion (72%), cough (64%), headache (59%), and change in taste or smell (54%); 28% had measured or subjective fever. Median symptom duration was 10 (interquartile range, 6-16) days. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant individuals in this study had a 1% risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection per week, underscoring the importance of COVID-19 vaccination and other prevention measures during pregnancy while SARS-CoV-2 is circulating in the community.

Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Illness and COVID-19 Vaccination among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Multicenter Study during August-December 2020.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate pregnant women's attitudes toward COVID-19 illness and vaccination and identify factors associated with vaccine acceptability. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional survey among pregnant women enrolled in a prospective COVID-19 cohort study in Salt Lake City, UT, Birmingham, AL, and New York, NY, from August 9 to December 10, 2020. Women were eligible if they were 18 to 50 years old and <28 weeks of gestation. Upon enrollment, women completed surveys regarding concerns about COVID-19 illness and likelihood of getting COVID-19 vaccine if one were available during pregnancy. Vaccine acceptability was defined as a response of "very likely" or "somewhat likely" on a 4-point Likert scale. Factors associated with vaccine acceptability were assessed with multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 939 pregnant women eligible for the main cohort study, 915 (97%) consented to participate. Among these 915 women, 39% self-identified as White, 23% Black, 33% Hispanic, and 4% Other. Sixty-two percent received an influenza vaccine last season. Seventy-two percent worried about getting sick with COVID-19. If they were to get sick, 92% worried about harm to their pregnancy and 80% about harm to themselves. Only 41% reported they would get a vaccine. Of women who were unlikely to get vaccinated, the most frequently cited concern was vaccine safety for their pregnancy (82%). Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women had lower odds of accepting a vaccine compared with non-Hispanic White women (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6 for both). Receipt of influenza vaccine during the previous season was associated with higher odds of vaccine acceptability (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.5-3.0). CONCLUSION: Although most pregnant women worried about COVID-19 illness, <50% were willing to get vaccinated during pregnancy. Racial and ethnic disparities in plans to accept COVID-19 vaccine highlight the need to prioritize strategies to address perceived barriers among groups at high risk for COVID-19. KEY POINTS: · Less than half of pregnant patients stated they would get a COVID-19 vaccine.. · Protecting their baby was the most common reason for acceptance and refusal of the COVID-19 vaccine.. · Patients of minority race/ethnicity and those without prior influenza vaccination were less likely to accept the COVID-19 vaccine..

Household transmission of influenza A and B within a prospective cohort during the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

People living within the same household as someone ill with influenza are at increased risk of infection. Here, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to partition the hazard of influenza illness within a cohort into the hazard from the community and the hazard from the household. During the 2013-2014 influenza season, 49 (4.7%) of the 1044 people enrolled in a community surveillance cohort had an acute respiratory illness (ARI) attributable to influenza. During the 2014-2015 influenza season, 50 (4.7%) of the 1063 people in the cohort had an ARI attributable to influenza. The secondary attack rate from a household member was 2.3% for influenza A (H1) during 2013-2014, 5.3% for influenza B during 2013-2014, and 7.6% for influenza A (H3) during 2014-2015. Living in a household with a person ill with influenza increased the risk of an ARI attributable to influenza up to 350%, depending on the season and the influenza virus circulating within the household.

Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in a Low-Income, Urban Community Cohort.

In this community-based cohort study of 275 primarily low-income, urban households in New York City, overall 2013-2014 influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 62.5% (95% confidence interval, 21.7%-82.0%). VE point estimates were highest against 2009 H1N1 and for those who were vaccinated in 2013-2014 but not in 2012-2013.

MoSAIC: Mobile Surveillance for Acute Respiratory Infections and Influenza-Like Illness in the Community.

Surveillance for acute respiratory infection (ARI) and influenza-like illness (ILI) relies primarily on reports of medically attended illness. Community surveillance could mitigate delays in reporting, allow for timely collection of respiratory tract samples, and characterize cases of non­medically attended ILI representing substantial personal and economic burden. Text messaging could be utilized to perform longitudinal ILI surveillance in a community-based sample but has not been assessed. We recruited 161 households (789 people) in New York City for a study of mobile ARI/ILI surveillance, and selected reporters received text messages twice weekly inquiring whether anyone in the household was ill. Home visits were conducted to obtain nasal swabs from persons with ARI/ILI. Participants were primarily female, Latino, and publicly insured. During the 44-week period from December 2012 through September 2013, 11,282 text messages were sent. In responses to 8,250 (73.1%) messages, a household reported either that someone was ill or no one was ill; 88.9% of responses were received within 4 hours. Swabs were obtained for 361 of 363 reported ARI/ILI episodes. The median time from symptom onset to nasal swab was 2 days; 65.4% of samples were positive for a respiratory pathogen by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In summary, text messaging promoted rapid ARI/ILI reporting and specimen collection and could represent a promising approach to timely, community-based surveillance.

Influenza vaccine text message reminders for urban, low-income pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the impact of influenza vaccine text message reminders in a low-income obstetric population. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial that enrolled 1187 obstetric patients from 5 community-based clinics in New York City. The intervention group received 5 weekly text messages regarding influenza vaccination starting mid-September 2011 and 2 text message appointment reminders. Both groups received standard automated telephone appointment reminders. The prespecified endpoints were receipt of either pre- or postpartum influenza vaccination calculated cumulatively at the end of each month (September-December 2011). RESULTS: After adjusting for gestational age and number of clinic visits, women who received the intervention were 30% more likely to be vaccinated as of December 2011 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.30; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.003, 1.69 end of September: AOR = 1.34; 95% CI = 0.98, 1.85; October: AOR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.05, 1.75; November: AOR = 1.27; 95% CI = 0.98, 1.65). The subgroup of women early in the third trimester at randomization showed the greatest intervention effect (December 31: 61.9% intervention vs 49.0% control; AOR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.12, 3.15). CONCLUSIONS: In this low-income obstetric population, text messaging was associated with increased influenza vaccination, especially in those who received messages early in their third trimester.

Parental and provider preferences and concerns regarding text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccinations.

OBJECTIVE: To assess parental, provider, and medical staff opinions about text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccination. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2011 among 200 parents of 6-59 month-old children, 26 providers, and 20 medical staff at four academically-affiliated pediatric practices in New York City with text messaging experience. Survey questions addressed interest in, preferences for, and concerns/barriers related to vaccine-related text message reminder/recall. RESULTS: Parents were primarily Latino, Spanish-speaking, and had a high school education or less. Most parents owned a text message-enabled cell phone (89%) and used text messaging services (97%). While 84% had never received health-related text messages, 88% were comfortable receiving them. Nearly all parents reported interest in receiving reminder/recall text messages, many endorsing them over phone calls and/or letters. Preferences included personalization, interactivity, and multiple messages. While 25% of parents had no concerns, 38% were concerned about incorrect numbers; only 6% worried about cost. Providers and staff were also supportive of vaccine-related text messages. Their biggest concerns were correct cell phone numbers, appointment availability, and increased call volume. CONCLUSION: Text message reminder/recall for early childhood vaccination was widely supported. Important barriers were identified that should be addressed to maximize their effectiveness.

Acceptability, Feasibility, and Validity of Detecting Respiratory Pathogens During Acute Respiratory Illness in Participant-Collected Swabs in a Low-Income, Community Sample.

Background: Community surveillance for acute respiratory illness (ARI) can include unsupervised participant-collected nasal swabs. Little is known about use of self-swabs in low-income populations or among households including extended family members and the validity of self-collected swabs. We assessed the acceptability, feasibility, and validity of unsupervised participant-collected nasal swabs in a low-income, community sample. Methods: This was a substudy of a larger prospective community-based ARI surveillance study in 405 households in New York City. Participating household members self-collected swabs on the day of a research home visit for an index case, and for 3-6 subsequent days. Demographics associated with agreement to participate and swab collection were assessed, and index case self-collected versus research staff-collected swab results were compared. Results: Most households (n = 292 [89.6%]) agreed to participate, including 1310 members. Being <18 years old, female, and the household reporter or member of the nuclear family (parents and children) were associated with both agreement to participate and self-swab collection. Being born in the United States or immigrating ≥10 years ago was associated with participation, and being Spanish-speaking and having less than a high school education were associated with swab collection. In all, 84.4% collected at least 1 self-swabbed specimen; self-swabbing rates were highest during the first 4 collection days. Concordance between research staff-collected swabs and self-swabs was 88.4% for negative swabs, 75.0% for influenza, and 69.4% for noninfluenza pathogens. Conclusions: Self-swabbing was acceptable, feasible, and valid in this low-income, minoritized population. Some differences in participation and swab collection were identified that could be noted by future researchers and modelers.

Neutralizing Antibody Responses to Messenger RNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccines Versus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection Among Pregnant Women and Vaccine-Induced Antibody Transfer to Infants.

Background: Early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials excluded pregnant women, resulting in limited data about immunogenicity and maternal-fetal antibody transfer, particularly by gestational timing of vaccination. Methods: In this multicenter observational immunogenicity study, pregnant and nonpregnant women receiving COVID-19 vaccines were prospectively enrolled. Participants had sera collected before vaccination, at 14-28 days after each vaccine dose, at delivery (umbilical cord and peripheral), and from their infants at 3 and 6 months. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ID50 neutralizing antibody (nAb) against D614G-like viruses were compared by participant characteristics. Results: Overall, 23 nonpregnant and 85 pregnant participants (trimester of first vaccine dose: 10 first, 47 second, 28 third) were enrolled. Ninety-three percent (76/82 with blood samples) of pregnant participants had detectable SARS-CoV-2 nAb after 2 vaccine doses, but GMTs (95% confidence intervals) were lower in pregnant participants than nonpregnant participants (1722 [1136-2612] vs 4419 [2012-9703]; P = .04). By 3 and 6 months, 28% and 74% of infants, respectively, of vaccinated participants had no detectable nAb to D614G-like viruses. Among the 71 pregnant participants without detectable nAb before vaccination, cord blood GMTs at delivery were 5-fold higher among participants vaccinated during the third versus first trimester, and cord blood nAb titers appeared inversely correlated with weeks since first vaccine dose (R2 = 0.06, P = .06). Conclusions: Though most pregnant women develop nAb after 2 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, this analysis suggests that infant protection from maternal vaccination varies by gestational timing of vaccination and wanes. Additional prevention strategies such as caregiver vaccination may warrant consideration to optimize infant protection.

Healthcare-Associated Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Children's Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks of healthcare-associated respiratory syncytial virus (HA-RSV) infections in children are well described, but less is known about sporadic HA-RSV infections. We assessed the epidemiology and clinical outcomes associated with sporadic HA-RSV infections. METHODS: We retrospectively identified hospitalized children ≤18 years old with HA-RSV infections in six children's hospitals in the United States during the respiratory viral seasons October-April in 2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 and prospectively from October 2020 through November 2021. We evaluated outcomes temporally associated with HA-RSV infections including escalation of respiratory support, transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and in-hospital mortality. We assessed demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions associated with escalation of respiratory support. RESULTS: We identified 122 children (median age 16.0 months [IQR 6, 60 months]) with HA-RSV. The median onset of HA-RSV infections was hospital day 14 (IQR 7, 34 days). Overall, 78 (63.9%) children had two or more comorbid conditions; cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurologic/neuromuscular, respiratory, and premature/ neonatal comorbidities were most common. Fifty-five (45.1%) children required escalation of respiratory support and 18 (14.8%) were transferred to the PICU. Five (4.1%) died during hospitalization. In the multivariable analysis, respiratory comorbidities (aOR: 3.36 [CI95 1.41, 8.01]) were associated with increased odds of escalation of respiratory support. CONCLUSIONS: HA-RSV infections cause preventable morbidity and increase healthcare resource utilization. Further study of effective mitigation strategies for HA-respiratory viral infections should be prioritized; this priority is further supported by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on seasonal viral infections.

Effect of a text messaging intervention on influenza vaccination in an urban, low-income pediatric and adolescent population: a randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT: Influenza infection results in substantial costs, morbidity, and mortality. Vaccination against influenza is particularly important in children and adolescents who are a significant source of transmission to other high-risk populations, yet pediatric and adolescent vaccine coverage remains low. Traditional vaccine reminders have had a limited effect on low-income populations; however, text messaging is a novel, scalable approach to promote influenza vaccination. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate targeted text message reminders for low-income, urban parents to promote receipt of influenza vaccination among children and adolescents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Randomized controlled trial of 9213 children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years receiving care at 4 community-based clinics in the United States during the 2010-2011 influenza season. Of the 9213 children and adolescents, 7574 had not received influenza vaccine prior to the intervention start date and were included in the primary analysis. INTERVENTION: Parents of children assigned to the intervention received up to 5 weekly immunization registry-linked text messages providing educational information and instructions regarding Saturday clinics. Both the intervention and usual care groups received the usual care, an automated telephone reminder, and access to informational flyers posted at the study sites. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Receipt of an influenza vaccine dose recorded in the immunization registry via an electronic health record by March 31, 2011. Receipt was secondarily assessed at an earlier fall review date prior to typical widespread influenza activity. RESULTS: Study children and adolescents were primarily minority, 88% were publicly insured, and 58% were from Spanish-speaking families. As of March 31, 2011, a higher proportion of children and adolescents in the intervention group (43.6%; n = 1653) compared with the usual care group (39.9%; n = 1509) had received influenza vaccine (difference, 3.7% [95% CI, 1.5%-5.9%]; relative rate ratio [RRR], 1.09 [95% CI, 1.04-1.15]; P = .001). At the fall review date, 27.1% (n = 1026) of the intervention group compared with 22.8% (n = 864) of the usual care group had received influenza vaccine (difference, 4.3% [95% CI, 2.3%-6.3%]; RRR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.10-1.28]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Among children and adolescents in a low-income, urban population, a text messaging intervention compared with usual care was associated with an increased rate of influenza vaccination. However, the overall influenza vaccination rate remained low. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01146912.

Clinical and socioeconomic burden of rhinoviruses/enteroviruses in the community.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology, clinical features, and socioeconomic burden associated with detection of rhinoviruses (RV)/enteroviruses (EV) from individuals in the community with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are not fully understood. METHODS: To assess the clinical and socioeconomic burden associated with RV/EV, a secondary analysis of data collected during a prospective, community-based ARI surveillance study was performed. From December 2012 to September 2017, adult and pediatric participants with ARIs had nasopharyngeal specimens obtained and tested by multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay. Characteristics and socioeconomic burden including missed school or work and/or antibiotic use among participants who did and did not seek medical care and among participants with and without co-detection of another respiratory pathogen with RV/EV were compared. RESULTS: Throughout the study period, RV/EV was detected in 54.7% (885/1617) of ARIs with a respiratory pathogen detected. Most ARI episodes associated with RV/EV occurred in females (59.1%) and children ≤17 years old (64.2%). Those ≤17 years were more likely to seek medical care. Compared to those not seeking medical care (n = 686), those seeking medical care (n = 199) had a longer duration of illness (5 vs. 7 days) and were more likely to miss work/school (16.4% vs. 47.7%) and/or use antibiotics (3.6% vs. 34.2%). Co-detection occurred in 8% of ARIs of which 81% occurred in children. Co-detection was not associated with longer illness, more missed work/or school, or antibiotic use. CONCLUSION: Non-medically attended and medically attended ARIs associated with RV/EV resulted in clinical and socioeconomic burden, regardless of co-detection of other respiratory pathogens.

The Retail Outlet Health Kiosk Hypertension Trial (ROKHYT): Pilot Results.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) control was only 43.7% in the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) survey in 2017-2018. Scalable, nonclinic-based strategies to control BP are needed. We therefore conducted a pilot trial of a text-messaging intervention in a national network of retail outlet health kiosks with BP devices. All study procedures were conducted remotely. METHODS: Eligible individuals (N = 140), based on average BP greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg at kiosks during the prior year, were randomized to intervention vs. usual care. Intervention consisted of tailored text messages providing educational information with embedded links to educational videos on topics related to BP control. BP measurements were obtained at kiosks at 3, 6, and 12 months following randomization; control was defined as BP < 140/90 mm Hg. Follow-up at 12 months was curtailed due to SARS-CoV-2. We therefore combined 12-month (N = 62) or carried forward 6-month (N = 61) data as the primary end point. RESULTS: Participants were 51.4% male, 70.7% white/Caucasian, had mean age of 52.1 years, and mean baseline BP 145.5/91.8 mm Hg. At the end point, 37.7% intervention vs. 27.4% usual care subjects achieved BP control (difference, 10.3%, 95% confidence interval -6.2%, 26.8%). In an intention-to-treat analysis with multiple imputation of missing data, 12-month BP control was 29.0% vs. 19.8% favoring intervention (difference, 9.2%. 95% confidence interval -7.3%, 25.7%); intervention vs. control differences in adjusted mean BP levels were systolic BP: -5.4 mm Hg (95% confidence interval: -13.5, 2.7) and diastolic BP: +0.6 mm Hg (95% confidence interval: -4.2, 5.4). CONCLUSIONS: These pilot results support the potential for a highly scalable text-messaging intervention to improve BP. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: Trial Number NCT03515681.

Severe Clinical Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections, New York City, 2017-2019.

OBJECTIVES: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults. We assessed severe clinical outcomes among hospitalized adults that were associated with RSV infections. METHODS: We performed a nested retrospective study in 3 New York City hospitals during 2 respiratory viral seasons, October 2017-April 2018 and October 2018-April 2019, to determine the proportion of patients with laboratory-confirmed RSV infection who experienced severe outcomes defined as intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and/or death. We assessed factors associated with these severe outcomes and explored the effect of RSV-associated hospitalizations on changes in the living situations of surviving patients. RESULTS: Of the 403 patients studied (median age, 69 years), 119 (29.5%) were aged ≥80. Severe outcomes occurred in 19.1% of patients, including ICU admissions (16.4%), mechanical ventilation (12.4%), and/or death (6.7%). Patients admitted from residential living facilities had a 4.43 times higher likelihood of severe RSV infection compared with patients who were living in the community with or without assistance from family or home health aides. At discharge, 56 (15.1%) patients required a higher level of care than at admission. CONCLUSIONS: RSV infection was associated with severe outcomes in adults. Living in a residential facility at admission was a risk factor for severe outcomes and could be a proxy for frailty rather than an independent risk factor. Our data support the development of prevention strategies for RSV infection in older populations, especially older adults living in residential living facilities.

Agreement Between Pregnant Individuals' Self-Report of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination and Medical Record Documentation.

For public health research such as vaccine uptake or effectiveness assessments, self-reported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination status may be a more efficient measure than verifying vaccination status from medical records if agreement between sources is high. We assessed agreement between self-reported and medical record-documented COVID-19 vaccination status among pregnant individuals followed in a cohort during August 2020-October 2021. At end of pregnancy, participants completed questionnaires about COVID-19 vaccine receipt during pregnancy; staff verified vaccination status using medical records. Agreement was assessed between self-reported and medical record vaccination status using Cohen's kappa. There was high agreement between self-reported and medical record vaccination status (Kappa coefficient=0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.98), suggesting that self-report may be acceptable for ascertaining COVID-19 vaccination status during pregnancy.