Respiratory virus season is here. Hoping to provide much-needed guidance to clinicians treating patients with lung disease and to promote respiratory health, the Vaccine Guidance Review Panel, a multi-medical society effort, announced its endorsement of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 recommendations for adults and children. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it bears repeating that vaccines still matter.
Justin Ortiz, MD, MS, is a physician-scientist and professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine whose research focuses on the epidemiology, prevention, and clinical investigation of respiratory viral infections. His work spans clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews, and policy analyses to address questions of vaccine development, regulatory strategy, and immunization policy for influenza and other high-consequence respiratory pathogens.
Dr. Ortiz directs the Clinical Core of the NIH-funded Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Centers (CIVICs), leading early-phase clinical trials and controlled human infection studies to accelerate next-generation influenza vaccine development.
Watch his interview on RSV in adults.
Tina Hartert, MD, MPH, is professor of medicine and pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she serves as assistant vice president for Translational Science and director of the Center for Asthma Research. Trained in pulmonary and critical care medicine and respiratory epidemiology, she is a practicing physician-scientist with clinical and translational expertise in vaccine-preventable respiratory infections, immunization and long-term respiratory health.
Dr. Hartert co-chairs the American Thoracic Society (ATS) Vaccines and Immunization Advisory Committee and has led vaccine implementation efforts through ATS, including as co-chair of the CMSS grant focused on improving uptake and delivery of immunizations in sub-specialty outpatient clinics.
Dr. Hartert shares her perspective on the vaccines episode of the ATS Breathe Easy podcast.
Karla Adams, MD, is a professor of pediatrics at the Uniformed Services University and Program Director of the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium Allergy & Immunology Fellowship in San Antonio, Texas. She is a board-certified allergist-immunologist and pediatrician with national leadership roles in vaccine safety and immunology. Dr. Adams is past Co-Chair of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Drugs, Biologics and Vaccines Committee and Chair of the AAAAI Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment Interest Section.
