Natasha Priya Dyal, MD

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused more significant change than previously expected as the United States now has the most cases worldwide.

New evidence supports the possibility of gastrointestinal infection with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as a possible feco-oral route of transmission.

Roughly 2 years postsurgery, objective parameters for esophageal emptying via timed barium esophagram in patients who received per-oral endoscopic myotomy returned to presurgery levels, or worse.

A novel, and newly licensed hexavalent vaccine, comprising DTaP, IPV, Hib and HepB vaccines, may allow for simplification of administering and adhering to recommendations for infant vaccine series.

In conjunction with its release of the adult guidelines earlier this year, the ACIP earlier this year has issued an annual update on pediatric immunization schedules.

The United States Preventative Service Task Force has issued a statement that reaffirms its 2009 recommendations for screening pregnant women for hepatitis B virus.