Articles tagged with Flu Vaccines
A new poll from Michigan Medicine shows that nearly half of people age 50 and older plan to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. However, some older adults with high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, highlighting the need for increased encouragement from clinicians and other sources.
The seasonal influenza vaccine was found to be safe in women with successive pregnancies, regardless of the interpregnancy interval and type of vaccine used. The study's findings support recommendations for vaccinating pregnant individuals or those who may become pregnant during the influenza season.
The authors recommend short-term voluntary vaccination of farm workers at exposure risk, medium-term refreshment of vaccine stockpiles, and long-term exploration of pre-pandemic immunization strategies to build population immunity. They call on global partners and governments to address H5N1 and other pandemic influenza threats through...
A new universal flu vaccine candidate has shown strong immune response and protection against severe infection in mice. The vaccine, developed using the COBRA methodology, targets multiple strains of influenza viruses, including H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1, which pose a high risk to humans.
A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that high-dose and adjuvanted flu vaccines provided better protection against flu symptoms and hospitalization for people 65 years and older during the 2022-2023 flu season. The study included nearly half a million participants and showed significant advantages of these vac...
Scientists discovered that T follicular helper cells indirectly control the anti-influenza response, leading to less effective immunity. The study found that the current flu vaccine formulation could be improved by excluding internal proteins and targeting surface proteins.
A nasal spray flu vaccine candidate developed by UW–Madison researchers has shown safety and potential to bolster protection against seasonal and pandemic influenza in vulnerable individuals. Administered alongside the annual flu shot, the vaccine may provide better protection for seniors.
A novel two-step vaccination strategy has been developed to combat seasonal flu, pairing an intramuscular injection with a nasal spray of a weakened live-virus. The approach resulted in a strong immune response and reduced shedding of the vaccine candidate from the upper respiratory tract.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed two nasal sprays, NanoSTING and NanoSTING-SN, to prevent respiratory virus transmission. NanoSTING is an immune activator that can protect against multiple viruses, while NanoSTING-SN is a pan-coronavirus vaccine that can prevent transmission to unvaccinated individuals.
A comprehensive meta-analysis found that interventions increasing access to vaccines and providing transportation assistance tripled vaccination odds, particularly in low-income countries. Financial incentives also showed a moderate effect, but were less impactful.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.
Researchers developed a universal influenza vaccine that targets the internal structural proteins of the virus, providing lifetime immunity against evolving viruses. Six out of 11 nonhuman primates inoculated with the vaccine survived exposure to the H5N1 virus, while unvaccinated primates succumbed to the disease.
Researchers at Georgia State University developed nanoparticle vaccines that enhance cross-protection against diverse influenza virus variants. These vaccines produce potent cellular and mucosal immune responses, broadening protection against strain-specific and short-lived immunity.
Researchers found that H5N1 virus particles in unpasteurized milk can remain stable on metal and rubber components of commercial milking equipment for over an hour. This increases the potential for bird flu exposure among dairy farm workers and animal-to-animal transmission.
A new study reveals that 96% of VA hospitals and 74% of non-federal hospitals mandate influenza vaccination or waivers for staff. This surge is largely attributed to the 2020 Veterans Health Administration directive. The increased mandates aim to reduce flu transmission among patients, as health systems strive to improve patient safety.
Researchers have developed a way to classify host immunity in individuals, enabling the early identification of those who won't respond well to regular vaccines. This allows for tailored vaccine regimes to provide long-lasting immunity, reducing influenza-related illness and healthcare costs.
A new review emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing avian influenza spread among humans. The study suggests that a diverse range of vaccine platforms, including inactivated and live attenuated vaccines, as well as emerging alternatives like mRNA vaccines, will be crucial for enhancing pandemic preparedness.
The Penn researchers developed an mRNA vaccine targeting a specific subtype of the H5N1 virus, which elicited strong antibody and T cell responses in mice and ferrets. Vaccinated animals also cleared the virus more rapidly and displayed fewer symptoms than unvaccinated controls.
Public health authorities in nearly all US states and territories have the ability to monitor and test persons exposed to H5N1 virus. Despite this, jurisdictions vary in their preparedness plans, antiviral use recommendations, and potential vaccine deployment among first responders.
Researchers found that people with a fixed mindset respond better to loss-based messaging framing when discussing vaccination, highlighting the importance of tailored communication strategies. The study generalized its findings to various contagious viruses and has implications for public health messaging.
A team of scientists has developed a novel vaccine approach that induces long-lasting protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 virus in pre-clinical models. The Clec9A-RBD antibody construct targets specific dendritic cells, leading to exceptional durability of immune responses and potential to address shortcoming of current mRNA vaccines.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new vaccine strategy that targets the portion of the flu virus surface with less variability, aiming for universal and long-lasting protection. The experimental vaccine elicits an immune response focused on the stalk region, which remains consistent despite viral mutations.
A Brazilian study found that a major bivalent COVID-19 vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies against the original coronavirus strain and subvariants of omicron. The vaccine's effectiveness was confirmed, but its importance in controlling disease was limited by its focus on the original strain.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that improving metabolic health in obese mice before flu vaccination but not after, protects against influenza virus. A healthy diet improved T-cell function and a robust anti-flu response during later exposure.
Researchers at UC Riverside demonstrate a new vaccine strategy targeting a common viral genome part, eliminating the need for annual booster shots. The vaccine uses small RNA molecules to boost the immune system, making it safe for babies and those with weakened immunity.
A new study found that high-dose influenza vaccine significantly improved humoral response in patients with heart failure or prior myocardial infarction. Vaccination remains crucial in preventing influenza-related complications in high-risk populations.
Researchers found RSV was less common but similar in severity to COVID-19 and influenza among unvaccinated patients. Among vaccinated patients, RSV disease was more severe than both COVID-19 and influenza for serious outcomes.
Georgia Tech researchers have developed a trivalent vaccine that offers broad protection against not only SARS-CoV-2 variants but also other bat sarbecoviruses. The groundbreaking vaccine has shown complete protection with no trace of virus in the lungs, marking a significant step toward a universal vaccine for coronaviruses.
Researchers found a 32% vaccine uptake among patients asked about receiving the flu shot and a 41% uptake for those who received a pamphlet, watched a video, and were told about benefits. The study suggests a systematic approach to increase vaccine uptake among underserved populations.
A cluster randomized controlled trial found that patient education about flu shots during a non-life threatening emergency department visit increases vaccination rates, particularly in patients without regular primary care. The study showed that participants who received video education materials were more likely to get vaccinated, wit...
A study found that an annual vaccination campaign with a second dose for children under 2 years old and individuals aged 50 and over can significantly reduce hospitalizations, deaths, and healthcare spending. The optimal timing for the second vaccination is delivering it 5 months after initial vaccination.
A recent study found that digital reminders for flu vaccination increased vaccination rates among older adults in Denmark by one percentage point. However, it did not improve clinical outcomes, including hospitalization and death rates.
The Access to Advanced Health Institute (AAHI) has received $12.7 million to develop a novel immune-stimulating adjuvant formulation, NanoAlum, which aims to improve vaccine protection against complex diseases like tuberculosis and influenza.
Researchers at NIH have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus's neuraminidase protein head, known as the NA dark side. These antibodies could be used to develop new vaccine and therapeutic strategies, providing protection against influenza viruses with drug-resistant mutations.
Researchers at McGill University Health Centre discovered that a century-old BCG vaccine can provide cross-protection against influenza A virus and COVID-19 by inducing trained immunity. The study's findings have significant implications for developing vaccines against emerging respiratory viruses.
Researchers developed a new recombinant flu vaccine called Hexaplex, which provided superior protection against H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in animal models. The vaccine's combination of six proteins from different groups resulted in strong antibody production and T-cell activation, offering broader immunity.
A large-scale study published in the BMJ found that children born in October are most likely to be vaccinated and least likely to be diagnosed with influenza, confirming public health guidance of getting flu vaccinations in October. The study analyzed over 800,000 children's health records from 2011-2018.
A US study published in The BMJ found that children born in October are less likely to get the flu and more likely to be vaccinated. The study suggests that October is the optimal time for young children to receive an annual flu shot, aligning with current recommendations.
Flu vaccines significantly reduced the risk of both moderate and severe disease for children and adults in the US during the 2022-2023 flu season. Vaccination effectiveness was found to be around 40-45% for all age groups, with greater reductions in younger populations.
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.
Experts call for a coordinated national effort to improve health communication and build vaccine literacy, citing low trust in public health and disinformation as major concerns.
The 2024 adult immunization schedule features four new vaccines, including the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, mpox vaccine, a new MenACWY-MenB combo vaccine, and updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Clinicians stress the need for effective communication strategies to increase vaccine uptake among skeptical patients.
Researchers found that RSV vaccines would dramatically reduce disease burden, hospitalizations, and deaths if widely adopted like flu shots. At 66% coverage, the vaccines resulted in a 41-60% reduction in outpatient care, hospitalizations, and RSV-related deaths.
Researchers have identified a novel class of antibodies capable of neutralizing both certain H3 and H1 strains of the flu virus, with potential applications in developing more broadly protective flu vaccines. The findings could also contribute to reducing reliance on chicken egg-based manufacturing methods.
A new study finds that most US parents intend to vaccinate their infants and young children against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with 40% planning to vaccinate against COVID-19. The study also highlights the growing concern of vaccine hesitancy and its potential impact on public health.
Researchers at Scripps Research have designed a novel flu vaccine that utilizes nanoparticles to present the M2e protein fragment, which is relatively conserved across different influenza A strains. The vaccine showed promising results in initial animal tests, providing strong protection against both seasonal and pandemic strains.
A randomized trial found that unfiltered traffic-related air pollution caused a rapid and significant increase in blood pressure, which persisted for more than 24 hours. The study suggests that effective cabin air filtration may reduce the negative effects of air pollution on blood pressure.
The study found co-administration of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with the seasonal influenza vaccine to be effective in preventing COVID-19 and flu-related outcomes. This may improve vaccination uptake for both vaccines.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University used large phylogenetic trees to identify influenza virus sequences that are likely to circulate in the upcoming season. The study suggests that this approach can help inform vaccine strain selection, with moderate effectiveness in detecting future strains.
Novel vaccine candidates using Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigens (COBRAs) protect against multiple influenza B strains, including those from different lineages. These vaccines show long-lasting protection, potentially reducing the need for yearly updates.
The Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital has been awarded a $9 million NIH contract to develop a small molecule adjuvant to enhance the effectiveness of flu vaccines. The collaboration with Inimmune aims to increase the body's immune response to vaccines and protect vulnerable populations.
Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...
Researchers found that using electronic prompts during appointment scheduling for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines can identify willing participants for HPV and shingles vaccines. Only 30% of those booking for these vaccines were already vaccinated against HPV, presenting a significant opportunity for targeted campaigns.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and NIH Vaccine Research Center developed an animal model that more closely mimics human infection symptoms than any existing model. This model allows for rapid testing and deployment of new vaccine candidates in a crisis scenario, potentially saving lives against bird flu.
The American Thoracic Society has partnered with five new health systems to identify barriers to vaccination and find ways to improve immunization rates. The initiative aims to increase COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccine uptake among high-risk adults with respiratory diseases.
A study of over 15,000 individuals with chronic kidney disease found that young age, Black race, and low education and income were linked to lower flu vaccine uptake. The study suggests that targeted vaccination efforts could improve uptake among those with kidney disease.
A Phase 1 trial of FluMos-v2 has begun at the NIH's Clinical Center, evaluating its safety and immune response. The vaccine aims to provide protection against multiple flu strains, with the potential for less frequent dosing than traditional seasonal vaccines.
Researchers have developed a new vaccination method that induces the production of antibodies in mucus, which can disable viruses. This approach has shown promising results in monkeys, suggesting that oral vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 may be more effective and popular than traditional subcutaneous vaccinations.
A study of health care workers found that co-administering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines was not associated with reduced immune response or increased adverse events. The results support the co-administration of these vaccines, suggesting a safer and more efficient vaccination strategy.
A new adjuvanted intranasal vaccine has shown promise in protecting both young and old mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The vaccine combines an RNA-based molecule with a nanoemulsion, resulting in a strong immune response.