• California: Dexcom G7, a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system that allows people with diabetes to track their blood sugar in real time, can now directly integrate with Apple Watches. Previously, Dexcom users could only view glucose or blood sugar information on their Apple Watches if they were within Bluetooth-range, or 33 feet, of their iPhone. The new direct-to-watch feature now allows users to access information and alerts without being in range of their phone. The feature was first rolled out in Ireland and the United Kingdom and will now be available to people in the United States. According to CNET, the new feature could make a big difference for people who don't want to take their phone on a workout or children who use a CGM. "CGMs update pretty frequently -- every 5 minutes you're getting a new reading," said Jake Leach, Dexcom's EVP and COO. "You don't want to feel like you're tethered to your phone." (Rendall, CNET, 6/5)
• Maryland: FDA last week advised drugmakers that updated COVID-19 vaccines should target the KP.2 strain, a descendent of the highly contagious JN.1 variant that circulated last winter. Previously, an FDA advisory panel unanimously recommended that COVID-19 vaccines for the fall be updated to target either the JN.1 variant or one of its descendants. Although most panel members said they preferred JN.1, FDA's top vaccine regulator, Peter Marks, preferred to select a newer strain like KP.2. Although FDA said it initially advised drugmakers to target JN.1, "based on the most current available data, along with the recent rise in Covid-19 cases in areas of the country, the agency has further determined that the preferred JN.1-lineage" is KP.2, "if feasible." Currently, CDC data shows that KP.2 makes up 22.5% of all new COVID-19 cases in the country, while KP.3, a sister variant, makes up 25% of new cases. (Lovelace, Jr., NBC News, 6/13)
• New York: Ro, a telehealth company, recently introduced a new drug supply tracker to help patients find doses of GLP-1 drugs, such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Zepbound. Recently, high demand of GLP-1 drugs has led to shortages, which has made it difficult for patients with prescriptions to access the drugs. According to Ro, its tracker uses the company's own supply data and user-generated reports to provide real-time information on the availability of GLP-1 drugs. The tracker is free, and patients can sign up for localized email alerts about pharmacies that have the drugs in stock. Aside from Ro's supply tracker, the artificial intelligence health assistant app Together by Renee has also launched a new "Find My Meds" feature that automatically calls and transfers GLP-1 prescriptions to nearby pharmacies that have the medication available for refills. (Reed, Axios, 5/29)

Develop a strong COVID-19 vaccine communication strategy that shares information, addresses patient concerns, and encourages uptake.