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State laws promoting flu vaccination for hospital workers may help prevent deaths from flu and pneum

Research suggests that state laws requiring flu vaccination for hospital workers can reduce pneumonia and influenza mortality rates, particularly among the elderly. A quasi-experimental study found a 2.5% reduction in monthly pneumonia and influenza mortality rates after law implementation, averting approximately 1,822 deaths.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateJan 4, 2021

Concerns over infecting others matter more for vaccination in sparsely populated areas

Researchers found that prosocial concerns drive higher vaccination rates in rural areas than urban ones. The study suggests emphasizing prosocial aspects of vaccination can reduce the rural-urban disparity in vaccination. Vaccination protects not only individuals but also communities, highlighting its social nature.

SourceAnnenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2020

Pre-existing flu immunity impacts antibody quality following infection and vaccination

Research at the University of Chicago found that pre-existing flu immunity shapes antibody responses to influenza infections and vaccinations. The quality of these responses differs between individuals who are vaccinated or naturally infected, with vaccinated individuals generating more adaptable antibodies that target conserved regions.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateDec 11, 2020

A step toward a universal flu vaccine

A new study describes a vaccine that triggers an immune response against an influenza protein segment rarely mutated by the virus, raising the possibility of effective protection against seasonal and pandemic strains. The vaccine uses nanoparticles coated with flu proteins to train the immune system to create desired antibodies.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalCell Systems·DateOct 7, 2020

Influenza vaccination may provide roadmap to prevent COVID-19 in CV disease patients

Influenza vaccination has shown promise in preventing cardiovascular complications from COVID-19, particularly in high-risk patients. Three ongoing trials are evaluating the cardioprotective effects of different influenza vaccine formulations and may inform future efforts to develop targeted interventions.

SourceAmerican College of Cardiology·JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology·DateOct 5, 2020

Study confirms link between influenza, heart complications

A CDC study of over 80,000 adult patients hospitalized with flu found that sudden, serious heart complications occurred in 12% of patients, or 1 in 8. The study underscores the importance of getting a flu shot early to prevent these complications. Researchers recommend that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every flu season.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateAug 27, 2020

Apixaban may be a safer and more effective than rivaroxaban for preventing stroke and blood clots

A large cohort study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that apixaban was associated with a lower risk of stroke or systemic blood clots compared to rivaroxaban in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The study also showed that apixaban was linked to a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or bleeding in the brain.

SourceAmerican College of Physicians·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateMar 9, 2020

New tool monitors real time mutations in flu

A Rutgers-led team has created a tool to monitor live influenza A virus mutations in real time, allowing for the analysis of viral RNA without killing cells. This breakthrough could aid virologists in understanding and stopping viral replication.

SourceRutgers University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateFeb 6, 2020

Influenza vaccination of children cuts hospitalization in half: Ben-Gurion U. researchers

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Disease found that fully vaccinating children reduced the risk of hospitalization for influenza complications by 54%. The research, led by Dr. Hannah Segaloff and Prof. Mark Katz, validated guidelines recommending two vaccine doses for children under 8 who have never been vaccinated or recei...

SourceAmerican Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateJan 21, 2020

Can the flu shot help fight cancer?

Researchers found that injecting influenza vaccines into tumors increases the immune system's response, changing cold tumors to hot ones. This triggers an immune-stimulating effect, reducing tumor growth and improving survival rates. The study suggests that flu shots could be repurposed as cancer treatments.

SourceRush University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 7, 2020

Immune to influence

Researchers from the University of Konstanz conducted an experimental study on how vaccination arguments propagate in online chains. The study found that existing vaccination beliefs are resilient to radicalization and do not become more extreme even when exposed to opposing views. This has significant implications for public health, h...

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalVaccine·DateDec 18, 2019

Virtual reality could help flu vaccination rates

A new study suggests that immersive virtual reality can increase the acceptance of flu vaccinations among adults aged 18-49. The research found that participants who experienced a five-minute virtual reality simulation showed increased concern about transmitting flu to others and were more confident in the effectiveness of vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalVaccine·DateDec 3, 2019

Building a better flu shot

Researchers at Michigan State University have found that cellular RNA levels change significantly following infection or vaccination. The study's findings could help identify new targets for building better flu vaccines and aid in the design of a universal vaccine.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateNov 26, 2019