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Covid vaccination in pregnancy protects infants against infection and hospital admission

A recent study published by The BMJ found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy may have benefits for both mother and baby. Two doses of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine were highly effective against delta infection, while two doses against omicron infection showed moderate effectiveness. A third dose during pregnancy also bolstered protecti...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Political leaning shapes physicians’ and laypeople’s beliefs about COVID-19 treatments

A recent study found that individuals with conservative political leanings tend to favor hydroxychloroquine and view vaccination unfavorably. Physicians also exhibit similar biases, with conservative physicians being more likely to prescribe hydroxychloroquine. The study suggests that education alone may not be enough to combat polariz...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2023

Tuberculosis vaccine does not protect elderly against COVID-19

A large Dutch study found that the BCG vaccine does not protect elderly people with co-morbidities against COVID-19 symptoms. The study analyzed 6,112 participants and showed no difference in disease manifestations or hospitalizations between those who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo.

SourceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 2, 2023

Transforming the way cancer vaccines are designed and made

Researchers developed a new way to increase vaccine potency by changing the structural location of antigens and adjuvants. This approach, called 'rational vaccinology,' allows for precise dosing and tailored presentation of vaccine components, leading to improved immune response and cancer cell targeting.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 31, 2023

90% reduction in COVID-19 deaths after booster dose: Hong Kong study

A Hong Kong study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found a 90% reduction in COVID-19 deaths among adults with multimorbidity who received a booster dose of vaccine. The study, which included over 120,000 participants, suggests that booster vaccination can significantly lower mortality rates in vulnerable populations.

SourceCanadian Medical Association Journal·JournalCanadian Medical Association Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2023

Loss of muscle mass in acute stage of COVID-19 is associated with persistent symptoms, study shows

A study by researchers in Brazil found that loss of muscle mass during COVID-19 hospitalization is associated with the development of persistent symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The study also showed that patients who lost more muscle mass had higher healthcare costs six months after discharge.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of the American Medical Directors Association·DateJan 30, 2023

Gillings study shows updated bivalent boosters are more effective at preventing hospitalization and death from Omicron

A peer-reviewed study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that updated bivalent mRNA vaccines are more effective than original monovalent boosters at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Booster effectiveness peaked at four weeks after receipt and waned afterward, with average effectiveness against severe i...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

UCalgary and WHO researchers find hybrid immunity is the best protection against COVID-19

Researchers from UCalgary and the World Health Organization found that people with hybrid immunity have the highest level of protection against severe illness and reinfection, offering a key finding for public policy makers. The study suggests vaccination should be prioritized even among those who have had COVID-19.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJan 20, 2023

Annual or biannual boosters are optimal for fighting endemic COVID-19, study shows

A study by Yale School of Public Health and University of North Carolina at Charlotte found that annual or biannual COVID-19 boosters significantly reduce the risk of future infection. Boosting every six months provides strong suppression of infection, with only one in 10 people projected to contract COVID-19 over a six-year period.

SourceYale School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateJan 11, 2023

Mathematical model predicts long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in different patient populations

A mathematical model predicts the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses in various patient populations, including those with healthy immune systems and cancer patients. The model suggests that robust antibody-based responses can be achieved through booster doses, but may wane quickly in immunosuppressed individuals.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 9, 2023

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance increased globally in 2022

A new survey of 23 countries found that global willingness to accept a COVID-19 vaccine increased from 75.2% in 2021 to 79.1% in 2022. However, eight countries experienced an increase in hesitancy, and nearly one in eight vaccinated respondents were hesitant about receiving booster doses. The survey also revealed variations in vaccine ...

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalNature Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2023

Researchers study immune response, proteins in blood of young adults who develop rare complication after COVID vaccination

A study by Mass General Brigham found elevated levels of spike protein, increased cytokines, and troponin in the blood of 16 adolescents and young adults who developed myocarditis after COVID mRNA vaccination. The researchers also discovered no differences in antibody production or auto-antibodies between cases and controls.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateJan 4, 2023

Chinese Communist Party zero-covid “volunteers” have suffered from stress and anxiety, study shows

A new study reveals that Chinese Communist Party zero-covid volunteers have suffered from stress and anxiety due to the pressure of enforcing policies. The researchers found an increasingly pressurized grassroots infrastructure, with volunteers facing high workloads and hierarchical chains of command.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalJournal of Chinese Political Science·TypeObservational study·DateDec 20, 2022

COVID-19: a respiratory vaccine effective in mice

A new respiratory vaccine has been shown to provide complete protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in mice. The vaccine uses a DNA encoding a viral protein and is delivered through the mucous membranes, targeting immune cells in the nose and lungs.

SourceCNRS·JournalBiomaterials·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2022

Large, real-world study finds COVID-19 vaccination more effective than natural immunity in protecting against all causes of death, hospitalization and emergency department visits

A large real-world study has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination is more effective than natural immunity in preventing death, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits for any cause. Vaccinated individuals had a 37% lower risk of all-cause death and hospital admission rates compared to those with natural immunity.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateDec 15, 2022

Sudden hearing loss following vaccination against COVID-19

A large Finnish study of 5.5 million residents found no evidence of an increased risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss following COVID-19 vaccination. The study controlled for previous disease and other potential confounding factors, providing reassurance about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery·DateDec 15, 2022

Long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination is unaffected by pregnancy

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM found that pregnant individuals have a similar long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination as non-pregnant individuals. The study also showed that vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to unborn babies, which is essential for their C...

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM·DateDec 13, 2022

Studies find Omicron related hospitalisations lower in severity than Delta and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine remains effective in preventing hospitalisations

Researchers found that adult hospitalisations from Omicron-related SARS-CoV-2 infections were less severe than those from Delta infections. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was effective in preventing hospitalisations and severe outcomes, even with increasing Omicron variant transmissibility.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2022