Healthcare Report – March 2024

Memo: This guest blog post has been provided by William Albanese, CEO of Atracare

• www.atracare.com, in collaboration with www.delawarebeaches.online
• The information below includes important health updates relevant to the Delaware Beaches community as of March 1, 2024.

Update on Tetanus Vaccine Shortages

• MassBiologics has ceased production of TdVax, their Td vaccine.
• Sanofi’s Tenivac is available, but increased production will take time.
• The CDC is rationing the remaining Td vaccine doses.
• Tdap vaccine can be used as an alternative to Td in most cases.
• Further details are available on the CDC’s Current Vaccine Shortages and Delays page.

CDC Shortens Isolation Period for People with COVID

• Individuals with COVID-19 may resume daily activities earlier if symptoms improve and no fever is present.
• This supersedes the previous five-day isolation guideline before returning to work or school.
• A fever-free period of 24 hours without medication is required, along with symptom improvement.
• The CDC advises continued caution, including limited contact, mask wearing, and hygiene practices.
• The new guideline applies to all respiratory illnesses, streamlining compliance.

Delaware Health Advisory – Preventing Congenital Syphilis

• DPH highlights the need for timely syphilis screening and treatment in pregnant individuals.
• There’s a shortage of penicillin G benzathine, the recommended syphilis treatment during pregnancy.
• DPH confirms the availability of limited doses of this medication for pregnant patients.
• More information is available in Health Advisory Notice #510.

Snapshot Statistics: DE Key Health Indicators (sourced from CDC).