Tornado-damaged Pfizer plant could have big impacts; 1 in 10 young adults regularly use e-cigarettes; FDA approves anthrax vaccine - Morning Medical Update

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Tornado-damaged Pfizer plant could have big impacts

The tornado that hit a North Carolina Pfizer plant could have a big impact on drug distribution. The plant, located in Rocky Mount, N.C., produces nearly 30% of injectables that the company sells to hospitals. One report claims that 50,000 pallets of medicine were destroyed. All factory employees were safely accounted for.

1 in 10 young adults regularly use e-cigarettes

E-cigarette use is steadily climbing. A new study shows 1 in 10 individuals ages 18-24 years old use them most frequently. A majority have never smoked traditional cigarettes and are not using e-cigarettes for their intended purpose – to quit smoking. Older generations are still using traditional cigarettes. The long-term risks of e-cigarette use are currently unknown.

FDA approves anthrax vaccine

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Emergent BioSolutions’ anthrax vaccine for ages 18-65. The vaccine, called Cyfendus, is recommended to be used in combination with antibacterial drugs. The company has been providing the vaccine to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under pre-emergency use authorization status since 2019.