What We’re Reading: Self-Administered Flu Vaccine; Expanded Infertility Definition; EPA Proposes Ban on TCE

AstraZeneca’s FluMist Quadrivalent Seeks FDA Approval for Self-Administration

The FDA has accepted AstraZeneca’s its application for review, seeking approval for patients or caregivers to administer its nasal flu vaccine, FluMist Quadrivalent, according to Reuters. If approved, this vaccine could mark the first self-administered flu vaccine that does not require a health care practitioner for administration. AstraZeneca anticipates an FDA decision in the first quarter of 2024 and, if approved, plans to make the vaccine available for self-administration during the 2024-2025 flu season in the United States. The application is supported by data from a usability study that confirmed individuals over 18 years of age could self-administer the vaccine with instructions, benefiting eligible patients aged 2 to 49 years.

Revised Definition of Infertility Broadens Inclusivity and Access to Reproductive Medicine

The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has issued a revised definition of infertility that aims to be more inclusive, according to CNN. Under the new definition, infertility includes anyone needing medical interventions to achieve a successful pregnancy, whether as an individual or with a partner. The updated definition also explicitly considers those who require medical assistance to build their families, including individuals who are single or in same-sex relationships. This change is intended to ensure equal access to infertility treatment and care for all, regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The new definition seeks to remove one of the excuses insurance companies have used to deny coverage for necessary medical care related to infertility.

EPA Proposes Ban on Trichloroethylene, a Cancer-Causing Chemical Found in Consumer Products

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed banning the use of trichloroethylene (TCE), a cancer-causing chemical found in consumer products, according to The Associated Press. TCE is known to cause sudden death or kidney cancer at high exposure levels and neurological harm even at lower exposures over an extended period. The EPA’s risk evaluation studies indicated that up to 250 million pounds of TCE are still produced in the United States each year. The move aims to address TCE’s toxic legacy in communities and protect people from exposure to this hazardous chemical. The decision comes after years of battling to ban TCE, which has been associated with contaminated drinking water in various locations, including the city of Woburn, Massachusetts.