Articles tagged with Flu Vaccines
The NIH has initiated a collaborative influenza vaccine research network to develop more durable and broadly protective vaccines. The CIVICs program will support the development of universal influenza vaccines with longer-lasting protection against a wider variety of influenza viruses.
Replacing seasonal vaccines with universal ones could avert over 17 million cases and 251,000 hospitalizations per year. States with high hospitalization costs and elderly populations would experience the greatest economic benefits.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $200 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop and test new influenza vaccines. The research aims to protect against emerging flu strains and improve seasonal vaccines.
A new needle-free flu vaccine patch has been developed that effectively stimulates the immune system without negative side effects. The patch uses a synthetic peptide to disrupt the skin barrier, allowing the flu vaccine virus to be delivered, and has shown promise in early human trials.
Researchers found that oral antibiotics can alter human immune responses to seasonal influenza vaccination, potentially hindering protection against infection. Antibiotics also promoted pro-inflammatory states in the body, similar to conditions seen in older adults who have received influenza vaccines.
Researchers at OHSU are developing a new flu vaccine using the CMV-based platform, which has shown promise in fighting tuberculosis and an HIV-like virus. The goal is to create a longer-lasting, universally effective vaccine that could replace annual shots.
Researchers found that flu vaccination is associated with a 18% reduced risk of death from all causes, a 16% reduced risk of cardiovascular deaths, and a 10% reduced risk of heart attacks or strokes in patients with high blood pressure.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that combining proteins from two lethal viruses can enhance their pathogenic potential. The team found that a hybrid protein pair has greater fusion capability, which could be leveraged to stop viral-cell fusion and develop more effective vaccines.
A Phase 1 clinical trial enrolls healthy adults to evaluate the safety and immune response of two licensed influenza vaccines administered with novel adjuvants. The trial aims to improve seasonal flu vaccine effectiveness, which varies from year to year.
Elderly intensive care patients who have been vaccinated against influenza have a reduced risk of dying and suffering a blood clot or bleeding in the brain. The study found an eight percent lower risk of dying during the first year following hospitalization for those who were vaccinated.
A simple pamphlet about the flu given to parents in pediatrician's waiting room increased vaccination rates among young children. The study, published in Pediatrics, found nearly 72% of vaccinated children received the handout compared to around 65% without.
A Canadian study of over 100,000 children born to vaccinated mothers during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic found no association with increased risk of health problems. However, some slight associations were observed for gastrointestinal infections and asthma, but these were small and may be due to confounding factors.
Dr. Baozhong Wang is developing a multivalent layered nanocluster vaccine that can act against multiple influenza virus strains, using conserved antigenic proteins from both A and B viruses. The goal is to induce broadly reactive immune responses providing cross-protection against both influenza A and B viruses.
A new, more effective influenza vaccine is being tested in the US, aiming to improve seasonal flu shot effectiveness. The vaccine uses adjuvants to enhance protection against infection, with a technology designed by artificial intelligence.
Researchers found no vaccine infections or disease flares in children given live-attenuated booster vaccination while on immune suppressing therapies. The study supports the use of flu vaccine and other vaccinations in patients with rheumatic diseases.
Researchers found that people with higher levels of HA stem antibodies are less likely to become infected with influenza virus. The study suggests that the level of HA stem antibodies can be used as an indicator of protection against influenza virus infection.
A study published in Nature Medicine finds that targeting the stalk of the flu virus provides protection against infection. Researchers analyzed naturally occurring influenza cases and found that individuals with higher levels of stalk antibodies had a reduced risk of getting sick, correlating with a 42% reduction in influenza infection.
A new study suggests that the Spanish influenza may have emerged in 1915-1916, rather than 1918, and that a vaccine could have been effective in treating it. The study found that the virus likely originated from aquatic geese and ducks, and that it underwent significant mutations before becoming pandemic.
Researchers will study how young children's immune systems respond to initial influenza infection and vaccination, aiming to understand immune memory and develop more effective vaccines. The studies may uncover insights into 'immunologic imprinting' and its impact on future infections.
Scientists have developed a new single vaccination approach that simultaneously protects against both influenza and pneumococcal infections, overcoming the limitations of current vaccines. The approach combines vaccines targeting different components of the virus and bacteria, inducing enhanced cross-protective immunity.
A $30 million federal grant will accelerate the search for a universal flu vaccine that can provide longer-lasting protection. The study, which involves over 2,000 sets of mothers and infants from the US and Mexico City, aims to understand how the immune system responds to first flu virus exposures.
A new AAP PROS study assesses influenza vaccine hesitancy among caregivers of children who received the first dose. Researchers found that over 90% of caregivers believed their child would be 'protected with only one flu shot,' and 12% had moderate/high vaccine hesitancy.
A new study reveals that vaccination in immunocompromised children is suboptimal due to lack of knowledge and concern for triggering a disease flare. The majority of patients received vaccines from their primary care physician or health department, but there were significant barriers to completing vaccines.
A new systematic review provides a comprehensive update on vaccine safety science, assessing 47 adverse events following immunization (AEFI). The study found that 12 AEFIs have been established to have causal relationships with at least one vaccine currently recommended in the US population.
A new vaccine approach could protect against pandemic flu by teaching the immune system to recognize the shared 'cone' portion of the flu virus, rather than just the seasonal 'scoop'. Researchers have shown early promising results in lab animals.
The article review found no risks associated with breastfeeding mothers receiving routine and standard vaccinations. In fact, there are benefits for both mothers and infants, including enhanced antibody response and reduced vaccine-related fever after infant vaccination.
A potent and safe vaccine protects against MERS, a viral infection with a 35% mortality rate in 27 countries. The new vaccine platform targets specific cells without causing lung damage, offering a promising strategy for enhancing vaccine safety and potency.
The report identified major barriers to influenza immunization among racial minorities, including older adults with low socioeconomic status and chronic health conditions. To address these gaps, Sustainable Healthy Communities launched a population health initiative, DRIVE, aiming to improve immunization rates in underserved communities.
According to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, vaccine allergies are extremely uncommon, affecting only one in 760,000 vaccinations. Most side effects from vaccines are not allergic reactions, but rather minor responses that can be managed with over-the-counter medications.
Experts discuss ongoing research on improving seasonal influenza vaccines and developing a universal vaccine for long-term protection against multiple seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. Recent scientific advances have provided unprecedented momentum toward this goal.
A study found that a common food additive, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), can hinder the immune system's ability to fight off flu viruses, making vaccines less effective. In mice exposed to tBHQ, CD4 and CD8 T cells showed reduced functionality, leading to increased inflammation and mucus production in the lungs.
The NIH has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immune response of an experimental universal influenza vaccine candidate. The vaccine, known as H1ssF_3928, is designed to induce immunity against diverse influenza subtypes by focusing on a portion of the virus that varies relatively little from strain to strain.
InDevR launches first-in-class reagent kit for rapid quantification of N9 in 'pandemic' influenza vaccines. The VaxArray assays are expected to reduce time and cost associated with vaccine production, facilitating improvement of seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines.
A study published in Cell Host & Microbe found that antibodies from previous exposures to flu viruses can enhance the immune system's response to new strains, potentially reducing the need for annual vaccinations. The researchers discovered that more than 70% of persistent antibodies targeted invariant parts of the virus.
A University of Pittsburgh analysis reveals that waiting until October to get flu shots may save thousands of lives. The study found that compressed vaccination periods starting in October can prevent up to 22,062 cases of flu and save as many as 258 lives compared to status quo vaccination timing.
Researchers discover that targeting a specific protein called neuraminidase (NA) in flu vaccines can induce a broader protective response against influenza type B viruses. This finding suggests a potential way to boost the efficacy of current vaccines and develop a universal flu vaccine.
A large study of nearly 30 million hospital records shows that people who got a flu shot while hospitalized had a 10 percent lower risk of having a heart attack compared to those who didn't get vaccinated. The findings suggest that getting a flu vaccine can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular problems.
A researcher at Georgia State University has received a $3.86 million grant to develop a universal flu vaccine using a microneedle patch that can protect against any strain of the influenza virus. The vaccine aims to induce strong cross-immune protection and overcomes seasonal flu limitations, which have been ineffective in recent years.
The elderly are more susceptible to the flu due to a lack of antibody diversity, which reduces their ability to adapt to new viral strains. Antibodies from elderly individuals target only conserved proteins and structures, making it harder for them to protect against evolving viral strains.
InDevR's new VaxArray kit offers a standardized method to measure neuraminidase in influenza vaccines, improving accuracy and precision. This assay is expected to aid in the development of more broadly protective flu vaccines by enabling manufacturers to meet current regulatory requirements.
Immunology researchers at the Babraham Institute discovered how lung tissue is remodelled to support an immune response to influenza, producing antibodies with cross-protection against multiple strains. The findings may lead to more robust seasonal influenza vaccination and new therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases.
A recent study published in CHEST reveals that influenza vaccination can reduce hospitalizations among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by up to 38%. The study found that nearly two-thirds of COPD patients were not vaccinated, highlighting the need for improved vaccination rates and timely antiviral medication...
A recent Kaiser Permanente study found that hospitalized patients who received the flu vaccine had no increased risk of outpatient visits or hospital readmission within seven days of discharge. The study also showed that vaccinating hospital patients did not increase the risk of fever or rates of laboratory evaluations for infection.
A study recommends replenishing vaccine stocks in regions where they are being used up, rather than sending them to areas with low vaccination rates. This tweak could save thousands of lives in both regular flu seasons and pandemics, reducing the spread of the flu virus and secondary infections.
A recent study by FSU researchers found significant racial disparities in flu vaccine rates among adolescents. Black teens received significantly lower vaccination rates than their white and Hispanic peers. The researchers suggest targeted interventions to improve vaccination rates and reduce disparities.
Researchers analyzed severe influenza cases in Catalan hospitals to study vaccination effectiveness in reducing ICU admissions and deaths. Vaccination showed 23% effectiveness overall, with 44% for those over 65.
The project leverages the multiplexed VaxArray platform to deliver high-quality MR vaccines faster and at lower production costs. Measles and rubella vaccines can prevent these highly contagious diseases, which have had a significant impact globally.
Researchers at Scripps Research have discovered a potential new approach to prevent influenza virus infections by tethering four antibodies together, showing cross-reactivity against all types of influenza. The therapeutic candidate has been shown to offer protection against multiple strains of the virus in mice.
A groundbreaking new study aims to understand the human immune system's response to influenza by analyzing gene regulation, microbiome influence, and other factors. Researchers will take comprehensive measurements from healthy participants who receive a standard influenza vaccination.
A new study suggests that high-dose influenza vaccine is associated with lower risk for hospitalizations in kidney failure patients on dialysis. The findings indicate a significant reduction in hospitalizations among dialysis patients who received the high-dose vaccine, while standard dose vaccine showed no difference.
Researchers developed a novel DNA vaccine that protected mice against multiple H3N2 viruses and severe illness, offering a promising approach to elicit an immune response against diverse strains. The vaccine strategy represents a step forward in eliminating the need for seasonal reformulation of influenza vaccines.
InDevR's VaxArray Influenza Pandemic HA potency assay enables rapid assessment of vaccine potency, reducing bottlenecks in vaccine production and administration. The assay demonstrates high sensitivity, accuracy, precision, and detection of a large panel of influenza viruses with pandemic potential.
The University of Montana has been awarded a $10 million contract to develop a universal flu vaccine. The project aims to improve both seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines by utilizing a synthetic dual-TLR adjuvant combination system called TRAC-478.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have demonstrated pre-clinical success for a universal flu vaccine by identifying regions of limited variability in the influenza virus. The vaccine targets these regions, which are targeted by the immune system and can induce cross-reactivity to historical strains.
Internal GlaxoSmithKline reports suggest a large discrepancy in adverse event reporting for Pandemrix compared to other GSK pandemic influenza vaccines. The BMJ investigation raises questions about the transparency of information surrounding the vaccine's safety, with significant implications for public health.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is testing the safety and immune-stimulating ability of an experimental nasal influenza vaccine in healthy children and teens. The investigational vaccine, developed by FluGen, Inc., has been designed to replicate only once in the body and prompt a robust immune response.
Researchers found vaccination rates dropped significantly throughout the day at primary care clinics from 44% to 32%. Implementing a nudge in electronic health records increased flu vaccinations by nearly 20% compared to practices with no intervention.
Researchers developed an adjuvanted intradermal flu vaccine that protected ferrets and humans against lethal pandemic flu strains. The vaccine, which can be self-administered via a microneedle, shows promise for rapid production and distribution during pandemics.
A synthetic DNA vaccine has been shown to produce broad immune responses against diverse H3N2 viruses, which have led to high morbidity and mortality in recent years. The vaccine was found to be more effective than traditional vaccines in protecting mice from lethal influenza A infection.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is underway to evaluate the immune-boosting properties of imiquimod cream in combination with an H5N1 influenza vaccine. The study aims to enhance the immune response conferred by the pre-pandemic vaccine, potentially reducing the number of doses required to achieve sufficient immunity.