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Optimizing boosters: How COVID mRNA vaccines reshape immune memory after each dose

Researchers found that T cells can reshape their memory and maintain diversity against COVID-19 variants in response to successive mRNA vaccinations. The study revealed a shift among clonotypes, with a change from early responders to main responders after the second shot, suggesting a new dominant population of effector-memory T cells.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2024

Study: Vaccinated people had lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes

A recent study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases found that vaccinated individuals had a lower risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to unvaccinated individuals. The study also showed significant reductions in hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19, particularly among older individuals and those with compromised immune...

SourceCleveland Clinic·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·DateMar 6, 2024

Researchers investigate immune response of a man who received 217 Covid vaccinations

Researchers at FAU investigated a man who received over 200 Covid-19 vaccinations, finding that his immune system remained fully functional and even showed higher concentrations of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. No negative effects were observed on the immune response against other pathogens.

SourceFriedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeCase study·DateMar 4, 2024

COVID-19 associated with increased risk for autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases up to a year after infection

A large binational study found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an increased risk of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) extending up to 12 months after infection. Vaccination showed some protection against AIRDs, particularly among those who were vaccinated.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateMar 4, 2024

Latest booster reduces adults’ risk of moderate or severe COVID by more than half

A recent study found that the latest COVID-19 booster shot significantly reduces adults' risk of moderate or severe disease. The study analyzed data from September 2023 to January 2024 and showed that the updated vaccine provided protection against emergency department visits and hospitalizations, with a reduction of over half.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateMar 1, 2024

COVID vaccine during pregnancy improves neonatal outcomes

A recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of neonatal infections and premature birth. Vaccinated mothers' babies had lower rates of respiratory distress syndrome and days spent in the NICU compared to unvaccinated mothers.

SourceAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago·JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·DateFeb 22, 2024

Hackensack meridian health biologist-turned-med student publishes COVID-19 vaccine study

A clinical study published in Microbiology Spectrum found that COVID-19 vaccines still provide a robust immune response in immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients undergoing treatment. This finding is crucial for clinicians and patients, as it suggests vaccination can help prevent infection and disease progression.

SourceHackensack Meridian Health·JournalMicrobiology Spectrum·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 15, 2024

COVID-19 vaccination and boosting during pregnancy protects infants for six months

Research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy can provide protection to infants for at least six months. Infants born to mothers who received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine had higher antibody levels and greater protection from infection.

Effectiveness of bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in children and adolescents ages 5 to 17

A recent study published in JAMA found that bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were highly effective in protecting against SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic COVID-19 in children and adolescents aged 5 to 17. The study, involving 2,959 participants, demonstrated the significant benefit of COVID-19 vaccination in this age group.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateFeb 6, 2024

Trust in doctors, not public officials, boosts COVID-19 vaccination

A new study by NYU School of Global Public Health found that Americans who trusted their own doctors were more likely to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In contrast, trust in public officials had no significant impact on vaccination behavior. The researchers conclude that engaging the medical profession in communicating vaccine benefi...

SourceNew York University·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2024

New analysis reveals many excess deaths attributed to natural causes are actually uncounted COVID-19 deaths

A new study by Boston University School of Public Health found that many excess mortality rates from chronic illnesses were driven by COVID-19 infections, contradicting previous claims. The study estimated 1.2 million excess natural-cause deaths in US counties during the pandemic, with 163,000 uncounted COVID-19 deaths.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 6, 2024

Perceived experts as anti-vaccine influencers

A study finds that individuals with biomedical expertise are influential anti-vaccine advocates on Twitter, sharing misinformation and sowing doubt. The research highlights the need for public education, credential verification, and disciplinary actions against health professionals spreading false information.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 6, 2024

Infants born to COVID-infected mothers have triple the risk of developing respiratory distress

A new study finds that infants born full-term to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy are three times more likely to develop respiratory distress compared to uninfected infants. Vaccination prior to infection was found to be protective, reducing the risk by half.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateJan 24, 2024

New vaccine design uses immunity against influenza to offer faster protection against emerging pathogens

A new vaccine design has been developed by a UC Riverside-led research team, which uses preexisting immunity to the influenza virus to help kickstart the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine aims to speed up the immune response and provide better protection for people who still lack immunity to the coronavirus.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2024

A universal coronavirus vaccine could save billions of dollars if ready before next pandemic

A new study suggests a universal coronavirus vaccine could have saved millions of lives and prevented suffering by offering some degree of protection against a range of strains. The study found that having a universal vaccine at the start of the pandemic would have been cost-saving even with low efficacy rates.

Nasal spray with antibodies could prevent COVID-19

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed a nasal spray with IgA antibodies that can protect mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. The treatment significantly diminished virus load in infected mice and showed stronger binding to the spike protein compared to original IgG antibodies.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 10, 2024

Duke-NUS scientists discover potential nasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate that offers better and longer protection

Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered a potential intranasal vaccine candidate that provides improved, longer-lasting immunity against COVID-19. The vaccine boosts mucosal antibody response and enhances long-term immune protection through preferential induction of airway-resident T cells and central memory T cells.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalEBioMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2024

Real-world analysis: COVID-19 vaccine strongly effective for children and adolescents during delta and omicron

A real-world study found that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in protecting children and adolescents from infection, with 98% reduced risk during the delta variant phase. Vaccine effectiveness slightly declined during the omicron wave, but still provided strong protection against severe illness and cardiac complications.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2024

Predicting COVID-19 variant waves with AI

A machine-learning enabled risk assessment model detects 72.8% of variants causing over 1,000 cases per million people within a week, increasing to 80.1% after two weeks. The model identifies key factors such as variant spike mutations and early infection trajectories.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJan 2, 2024

B cell deficient patients gain protective T cell immunity following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection, study finds

Researchers found that vaccinated B cell-deficient individuals have a robust T cell response to SARS-CoV-2, despite lack of anti-spike antibodies, resulting in markedly reduced rates of hospitalization and severe COVID-19. This study provides reassuring evidence for immunocompromised patients to get vaccinated.

SourceRagon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateDec 18, 2023

Patients can interrupt treatment of immune-supressing medicines for two weeks in order to boost immunity provided by COVID-19 booster vaccine, finds major study

A major study found that patients with inflammatory conditions can boost their antibody response to a COVID-19 booster vaccination by interrupting their treatment for two weeks. The improved protection lasts for six months, and patients who interrupted treatment reported more flare-ups but most were self-managed.

SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalThe Lancet Rheumatology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 12, 2023