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Long COVID: lower risk after an Omicron infection

A recent study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that individuals infected with the Omicron variant have a significantly lower risk of developing long COVID compared to those infected with earlier variants. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 people and found that around half of all wild-type infe...

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeSurvey·DateSep 13, 2023

Immunity to COVID-19 reduces contagiousness

A study of 50,000 COVID-19 cases found that immunity following infection provides better protection against transmission than vaccination, but only for a short period. Vaccination reduces contagiousness over a longer time, making it essential to consider simple public health measures like air filtration and mask-wearing.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateSep 12, 2023

Mount Sinai receives NIH grant to develop vaccines that can protect against many different types of coronaviruses

The Mount Sinai Hospital received a $13 million NIH grant to create vaccines that can protect against various types of coronaviruses. The project aims to develop variant-proof, universal vaccines that offer broad protection against existing and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, pandemic, zoonotic, and seasonal coronaviruses.

New grasp of key COVID-19 protein may lead to a live-attenuated vaccine effective against more variants for longer

Researchers have identified a key protein in SARS-CoV-2 that, when targeted, elicits a robust immune response. A live-attenuated vaccine based on this protein shows promise in preventing disease and offering long-lasting immunity. The approach could target areas of the genome less likely to change with variants.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 28, 2023

‘You just emotionally break’: understanding COVID-19 narratives through public health humanities

A new essay highlights how news stories about healthcare workers during COVID-19 often left out crucial socioeconomic and environmental contexts, which can impact consumer thoughts and responses. By introducing a public health framework, experts aim to broaden storytelling and reframed scientific information dissemination.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalMedical Humanities·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateAug 25, 2023

COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases in children

A Murdoch Children's Research Institute-led review found COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe cases of the disease in children and adolescents. However, with most children now having caught the SARS-CoV-2 virus and building up a natural immunity, the additional benefit of vaccination in healthy children is minimal. The review...

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalBMJ Paediatrics Open·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 20, 2023

Assessment of immunological reaction to mRNA SARS CoV-2 vaccine after administration of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis

Researchers developed a new method to assess immune responses to specific antigens after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, using B cell receptor repertoire analysis. This approach enables evaluation of post-vaccination responses in immunocompromised patients with high antibody titers.

SourceKobe University·JournalBritish Journal of Haematology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 17, 2023

Transplant recipients experience limited protection with primary COVID-19 vaccination series, but third dose boosts response

A third COVID-19 vaccination dose significantly improved antibody responses in transplant recipients, offering better protection against variants. However, cross-protection was only partial, highlighting the need for multiple vaccine doses to maintain immunity in this vulnerable population.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalOpen Forum Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2023

New research shines light on how COVID-19 vaccination reduces severity and mortality after breakthrough infections

A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·DateAug 7, 2023

Moderna is safest, most effective mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 for older adults, study shows

A large head-to-head comparison study of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines found that the Moderna vaccine was associated with a slightly lower risk of adverse events for older adults. The study also showed that the Moderna vaccine was linked to a 4% lower risk of pulmonary embolism and a 15% lower risk of diagnosed COVID-19.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateAug 2, 2023

Three doses of COVID-19 vaccine leads to catch-up antibody responses among the particularly vulnerable

A study from the University of Gothenburg found that even vulnerable people with compromised immune systems achieved good antibody levels after three doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. This is particularly significant for those at risk of severe Covid-19, as they showed catch-up antibody responses and high levels of hybrid immunity.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInfectious Diseases·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2023

Use of wastewater metrics to track COVID-19

A study using wastewater metrics found accurate assessments of county SARS-CoV-2 incidence and may be the best metric for monitoring virus circulation. Home testing increases and vaccination treatment decrease disease acuity, making wastewater surveillance a reliable option.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJul 26, 2023

Low binding affinity improves vaccine efficacy

Researchers developed a novel vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by selecting antigen variants with low binding affinity, resulting in higher neutralizing antibody concentrations. This design strategy may also improve vaccine efficacy for other coronaviruses and herpes viruses.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalEuropean Journal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 26, 2023

A chance to design better vaccines?

Researchers developed a bioinformatic tool that selects parts of proteins to elicit strong immune responses. This approach, grounded in immunological theory, was four times more efficient than current methods, suggesting better vaccine protection against diseases.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBiology Methods and Protocols·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 25, 2023

How people judge anti-vaxxers who die from COVID-19

A new study suggests that people's judgments of anti-vaxxers who die from COVID-19 are complex and influenced by political party affiliation and vaccination status. Researchers found that Democrats and vaccinated individuals were more likely to view anti-vaxxers as deserving worse outcomes, while Republicans and unvaccinated individual...

SourceOhio State University·JournalNew Media & Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 24, 2023

COVID-19 case studies offer insights into what it will take to combat misleading medical information online

A team of medical leaders recommends a sustainably funded public-private partnership to combat misinformation, citing challenges faced by the TIOS-VY organization. The American College of Physicians calls for modernizing public health infrastructure, including increased funding and addressing disinformation, especially on social media.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeNews article·DateJul 17, 2023

People with more empathy more likely to support international sharing of coronavirus vaccines, study shows

A survey of 2,000 German adults found that people with higher levels of empathy and cosmopolitanism are more likely to prioritize sharing vaccine supplies internationally. The study suggests that there is substantial public support for international vaccine solidarity when infection rates are at a modest level and falling.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateJul 13, 2023

Long COVID not caused by COVID-19 immune inflammatory response, new research finds

Researchers at University of Bristol found that Long Covid is not caused by an immune inflammatory reaction to COVID-19. Instead, persistent immune activation and inflammation may persist for months after COVID-19, correlating with severe disease. The study suggests a new direction for understanding and potentially treating this debili...

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournaleLife·TypeObservational study·DateJul 4, 2023

Progressively declining immune functions in individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia revealed by prospective study of immune responses to COVID vaccines between December 2020 and June 2021

A prospective study of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines found progressively declining immune functions in individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The study, published in PLOS Medicine, showed that CLL patients experienced reduced antibody responses to the vaccines.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJun 29, 2023