Natasha Halasa

December 11, 2025

Experts call for better adherence to guidelines for antiviral prescribing for children at higher risk of severe influenza

Researchers found a substantial gap between recommendations and real-world treatment practices in pediatric EDs (emergency departments) across the country.

By Jessica Pasley
May 8, 2025

Newer preventive options helping reduce RSV-associated hospitalization rates among infants

For decades no effective preventive options existed, and the tools now exist to prevent severe disease.

By Jessica Pasley
December 17, 2024

Study shows drop in use of antiviral medications in young children with influenza

Flu illness accounts for up to 10% of all pediatric hospitalizations during the winter season in the United States.

By Jessica Pasley
August 15, 2023

Study finds most infants receiving ICU-level care for RSV had no underlying medical condition

A Vanderbilt study found that most infants admitted to the intensive care or high acuity unit for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections during fall 2022 were previously healthy and born at term.

By Jessica Pasley
March 2, 2023

High-dose flu vaccine beneficial for pediatric stem cell transplant patients

Vanderbilt was the lead site for an influenza vaccine study in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients that may lead to a change in the current flu vaccine recommendations in this vulnerable population.

By Jessica Pasley
Pending COVID-19 samples are prepared for testing in the Diagnostic Laboratories at VUMC.
November 3, 2022

Event to spotlight VUMC’s COVID-19 research efforts

The public is invited to listen in as scientists on the forefront of COVID-19 research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center share their personal stories on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 16, in 214 Light Hall.

By Bill Snyder
July 6, 2022

Study shows two vaccine doses for mothers eases COVID complications for infants

Infants younger than 6 months were better protected from COVID-19 complications when mothers received two doses of the vaccine while pregnant, according to Vanderbilt researchers.
By Jessica Pasley
April 20, 2021

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) clinic opens at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt

Children who have experienced the rare and potentially life-threatening multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), which can develop within four weeks of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, are being followed closely in a multidisciplinary clinic at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
By Nancy Humphrey
August 27, 2020

Study to track if COVID can spread during minimally invasive surgery

Physician-scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are investigating whether SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be spread through aerosolized emissions (microscopic droplets and particles) during minimally invasive surgery in children.
By Bill Snyder
June 30, 2020

New study examines coronavirus transmission within households

Vanderbilt University Medical Center investigators are leading a new study that examines the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, within households in Nashville.
By Jake Lowary
November 14, 2019

RSV transmission in the Middle East

Understanding how RSV is transmitted, which strains dominate and how new strains emerge around the globe will guide better vaccine and anti-viral drug design.
By Laura Powell
October 9, 2019

Vaccine study seeks to halt flu’s most severe side effects

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is leading a multicenter national study to evaluate the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine for preventing the flu’s most serious side effects — admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), organ failure and death.
By Nancy Humphrey
July 13, 2017

IdeaShare initiative inspires wide variety of creative solutions

Necessity is the mother of invention, so the saying goes.
By VUMC News and Communications