Schumer calls on regulators, drug makers to deal with shortage of RSV doses for local doctors

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) wants the federal government and drug makers to “get all hands-on deck” to ensure doctors across New York and the U.S. have immunization doses for respiratory syncytial virus infection, or RSV. In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the […]

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In a letter to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food &Drug Administration (FDA), Schumer said that with new doses being distributed, it is “imperative” that those vaccines get to pediatric clinics on the frontlines “ASAP,” his office said.

He discussed the letter at Upstate Medical University with local doctors who are facing shortages of the RSV doses. Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, and Dr. Seth Kronenberg, president and CEO of Crouse Health, also joined Schumer for his Monday announcement.

The majority leader said it is especially important to get these doses to pediatricians because they are the first line of defense in protecting children and most often where parents go first. Secondly, the senator said it is vital the drug manufacturers work with all levels of the federal government to ramp up supply now and fix supply chain issues, so that all those who need the vaccines are able to get them.

As an example, Syracuse Community Health (SCH) told Schumer’s office that it received 30 total doses, despite ordering hundreds of doses of the RSV vaccine over months of procurement efforts.

To date, SCH has received a delivery of just 10 doses of the 100 mg formulation, critical for many of the sickest and highest risk children.

SCH sees between 20 and 30 babies per day who are in need of the RSV immunization, but SCH’s highly limited supply prevents providers from immunizing all but a select few children, Dr. Ofrona Reid, interim president and CEO of SCH, told Schumer’s office.

“Doctors should never have to make a choice between who gets a shot and who doesn’t, or tell parents they have to wait weeks or months to protect their kid from this potentially deadly virus, which is why the feds need to take action now and release more doses ASAP,” Schumer said in a news release. “That’s why I’m calling on the CDC, FDA and drug manufacturers to get all hands-on deck and work overtime to release more doses of this vital treatment, and to ensure all new doses get where they are needed most, like our hard-hit Central NY pediatricians on the frontlines.”

ConnextCare to offer dental services to the Oswego City School District

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Breeze Airways to offer seasonal, nonstop flights from Syracuse to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Breeze Airways on Tuesday announced it plans to add a new seasonal route to Raleigh–Durham, North Carolina (RDU) from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR). The new route will offer twice-weekly, direct flights on Thursdays and Sundays,starting May 23. “We’re excited our partner Breeze Airways has elected to increase convenient, direct access to

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ANDRO lands contract to help develop B5G technologies

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ROME, N.Y. — ANDRO Computational Solutions, LLC announced a contract award from Peraton Labs, Inc. to support Peraton on a Navy initiative for advancing beyond-fifth generation (B5G) wireless-communications technologies for military tactical-edge operations. Peraton, headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., was awarded the prime contract under the National Security Technology Accelerator’s (NSTXL) Strategic and Spectrum Missions

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Bowers CPAs & Advisors acquires Rochester accounting firm

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Syracuse–based Bowers CPAs & Advisors has acquired a Rochester accounting firm that it says will help expand its office in that market. Kasperski Dinan & Rink CPAs is joining Bowers in a transaction that adds to its tax, audit, and client accounting and advisory services teams in Rochester, according to a news release from Bowers

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Binghamton University-led energy initiative wins millions in NSF Engines competition

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VESTAL, N.Y. — Binghamton University–led Upstate New York Energy Storage Engine has won millions in federal funding in the U.S. National Science Foundation’s regional “Innovation Engines” (NSF Engines) competition. The Binghamton–led project was one of only 10 projects across the country selected for the award, the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.)

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The Binghamton–led project was one of only 10 projects across the country selected for the award, the office of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.) announced on Monday.

It will bring $15 million in federal funding immediately, with up to $160 million total over the life of the program, from the NSF to spur growth and research in battery development and manufacturing in upstate New York over the next decade.

NSF Engines was created by the majority leader’s CHIPS & Science Law, his office noted.

“Up to $160 million is now on its way to supercharge Upstate NY as a booming battery research hub being led by Binghamton University,” Schumer said in a news release. “Thanks to my CHIPS & Science Law, Binghamton will be the beating electric heart of federal efforts to help bring battery innovation and development back from overseas to spark growth of this critical industry vital to our nation’s national and economic security. With the prestigious NSF Engines award, the Southern Tier and Upstate NY has officially secured its place as the next loop on America’s battery belt.”

Schumer made the announcement during a Monday appearance at Binghamton University.

Binghamton University’s NSF Regional Engines proposal will capitalize on efforts already underway and “synergize” existing resources to launch new initiatives focused on strengthening the battery supply chain, accelerating the transfer of battery technologies from lab to market, and mobilizing resources around research and development to complement battery–manufacturing initiatives and growing cross-sector partnerships per the release.

“Establishing a battery and energy storage Engine here in upstate New York is a crucial step to bringing domestic production of batteries and a secure supply chain to the U.S.,”M. Stanley Whittingham, Engine chief innovation officer, Binghamton University professor, and Nobel Laureate recipient, said. “It is critically important that battery innovations stemming from university and industry researchers can be developed, prototyped and manufactured in the U.S. in order to leap frog today’s Asian technology. With Senator Schumer’s continued support, we are confident we can transform our region, attract investment, create new jobs and fill those jobs with a skilled workforce.”

Schumer’s office noted that the Monday funding award follows the more than $113 million announced in 2022 for Binghamton to establish its battery manufacturing and innovation hub. He also secured the federal Tech Hub designation for the Southern Tier late last year.

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Guthrie recruiting nurses for Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, offering sign-on bonus

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The Guthrie Clinic on Thursday announced a major nurse-recruitment campaign for Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital (Lourdes Hospital) in Binghamton. As of Jan. 24 — and for a period of 90 days — Guthrie is offering a $50,000 sign-on bonus to new, “but experienced,” full-time direct care registered nurses (RN) for

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