Safety and immunogenicity of an investigational quadrivalent meningococcal tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACYW-TT) co-administered with routine pediatric vaccines in infants and toddlers: A Phase II study.

Background: The MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine is approved for prevention of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) as a single dose in individuals ≥2 years of age in the United States and ≥12 months in EU and some other countries. This Phase II study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of this vaccine and of concomitant pediatric vaccines in infants/toddlers (6 weeks-15 months of age).

Methods: Five schedules of the MenACYW-TT conjugate vaccine were evaluated in the United States: 2, 4, 6, and 12 months; 2, 4, 6, and 15 months; 2, 4, and 12 months; 6 and 12 months; and 12 months alone.

Cost savings realized by use of the PhaSeal(®) closed-system transfer device for preparation of antineoplastic agents.

Purpose: Medication cost is a major factor associated with increasing health care costs in the United States. Expenditures for prescription drugs in 2013 are estimated to be $283.7 billion.

High-deductible health plans and the new risks of consumer-driven health insurance products.

Consumer-driven health care is the most noteworthy development in health insurance since the widespread adoption of health maintenance organizations and preferred provider organizations in the 1980s. The most common consumer-driven health plan is the high-deductible health plan, which is essentially a catastrophic health insurance plan, often linked with tax-advantaged spending accounts, with very high deductibles, fewer benefits, and higher cost-sharing than conventional health maintenance organization or preferred provider organization plans. The financial risks are significant under high-deductible health plans, especially for low- to moderate-income families and for families whose children have special health care needs.