Researchers identified gene signatures associated with a stronger flu vaccine response in younger adults but not in older adults, highlighting age-related differences in immune response.
A new study found that flu vaccination rates for children may have decreased due to the unavailability of a nasal spray vaccine. The study, published in Vaccine, analyzed data from 9,591 pediatric patients and found that without the option of the nasal spray, total influenza vaccination rates were 1.6% lower in 2016-17 than in 2015-16.
Researchers found that NS1 suppresses the body's immune responses to viral infection, suggesting a new approach to combat influenza A virus infection. The study proposes developing a live attenuated vaccine based on an engineered influenza A virus lacking NS1 and designing antiviral drugs targeting NS1.
Dr. Sang-Moo Kang's project aims to improve the efficacy and extent of cross protection against new influenza virus strains by incorporating M2e epitopes into HA molecules. The research will test novel approaches to boost cross protective properties of licensed seasonal influenza vaccines, with results expected to impact public health.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new way to produce the seasonal flu vaccine that could speed up production and provide better protection against infection. By keeping the human influenza virus from mutating during production, they generate a perfect match to the target vaccine in a shorter time frame.
A high-dose influenza vaccine significantly reduced the risk of respiratory and all-cause hospitalization among Medicare residents at nursing homes, with a 12.7% relative reduction in respiratory illness hospitalizations and an 8.5% reduction in all-cause hospitalizations.
A microneedle patch vaccination with an influenza fusion protein improves the effectiveness of conventional flu vaccines by boosting humoral immunity and cellular immune responses in mice. The study offers a new perspective for universal influenza vaccines.
A Kent State University researcher examines vaccine rejection and hesitancy, highlighting the importance of accurate information and promoting vaccination. Her study aims to debunk myths and provide scientifically-based arguments to encourage people to immunize themselves and their children.
A novel DNA-based strategy delivers monoclonal antibodies to protect against highly diverse strains of influenza A and B viruses. The approach holds promise as a simple and economical way to overcome current flu vaccination limitations.
A phase I clinical trial found that influenza vaccination using microneedle patches was as effective as traditional shots, generating robust immunity against influenza. The patches were well-tolerated, with no adverse events reported, and participants preferred them over traditional vaccination methods.
A phase 1 trial involving 100 people found that a dissolvable microneedle patch for the flu vaccine was safe and acceptable, with participants reporting high acceptability and preferring it over conventional injection. The patches were stable for one year at 40 degrees Celsius, reducing delivery and storage costs.
A survey of 16,510 participants from 11 countries showed that the way health information is communicated matters. Participants who read about 'horse flu' were significantly less motivated to get vaccinated compared to those who read about other names.
A new study from the University of Waterloo found that half of those who avoid flu shots do so due to concerns over vaccine effectiveness and personal immune systems. The study also revealed that moral and religious reasons, as well as past poor vaccine experiences, contribute to avoidance.
Researchers found that vaccinated obese adults are twice as likely to develop influenza and flu-like illnesses compared to those of healthy weight. The study suggests that existing blood tests may provide misleading information for obese individuals.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that targeting vaccination efforts at children and the elderly during flu season can have the greatest overall benefit, saving lives and money. The researchers developed a synthetic population model to capture indirect effects of vaccination on community transmission.
Researchers use a live imaging system to track and monitor influenza virus infection in immunized mice, providing insights into the effectiveness of candidate vaccines and treatments. The study offers a promising alternative to traditional methods, enabling real-time monitoring of disease progression.
Vaccinating pregnant mothers year-round against flu in Nepal reduced infant flu virus infection rates by an average of 30 percent, increasing birth weights by 15 percent. The study also found that expanding year-round flu vaccinations during pregnancy would benefit children in other tropical and subtropical parts of the world.
Lung cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors are at increased risk of adverse events after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination, according to a new study. The researchers observed an unusual high frequency of immune-related adverse events, including severe grade 3 or 4 irAEs, in this population.
A new analysis suggests that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendation against the inhaled flu vaccine may not be detrimental if it becomes effective. The study found that close surveillance will be needed to ensure the vaccine continues to do more good than harm.
A new flu vaccine with reduced doses could improve production capacities and increase vaccine availability. The use of whole virion vaccines and aluminium adjuvants may enable significant dose sparing without compromising safety.
The University of Miami is conducting a multi-site study to evaluate the safety, effective dosage and prevention capabilities of the NIH's experimental DNA-based vaccine. Researchers will recruit individuals from Miami-Dade County and compare the rates of confirmed cases of Zika in vaccinated and placebo groups.
A study found that healthcare workers have the highest rate of flu vaccination coverage, at 62.3%, while construction workers have the lowest rate, at 18.7%. Increasing vaccination efforts can reduce influenza spread in workplaces.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania found that a simple behavioral economics technique, known as 'active choice,' can increase flu vaccination rates by up to 37%. By programming electronic health records to alert care providers when a patient is eligible for a flu vaccine, clinics saw significant increases in vaccinations. ...
A Rutgers study found that doctors who schedule flu shots for patients are three times more likely to get vaccinated. Patients are more receptive when their physicians take a proactive stance, increasing vaccination rates.
A recent study found that UK parents' concerns about the child flu vaccine's safety and side effects reduce its uptake. The researchers recommend reinforcing public health messages to address these concerns, focusing on the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing flu and highlighting serious complications of the illness.
A large study of Medicare beneficiaries found the high-dose flu vaccine was 36% less likely to result in death following hospitalization or emergency department visits with a flu diagnosis compared to the standard-dose vaccine. However, its effectiveness varied by season and type of influenza virus.
A global vaccine injury compensation system would improve vaccine participation in low-resource countries, addressing hesitancy and economic concerns. The proposed system would provide economic certainty to manufacturers and build trust for vaccines, ultimately improving public health outcomes.
A team from the University of Pennsylvania identified circulating helper immune cells in blood after an annual flu vaccine, tracking their contribution to antibody strength. The study found that these cells play a crucial role in antibody development and could inform future vaccine design.
A study by Hyunmin Lee found that individuals tend to think the media's coverage of flu epidemics influences others more than themselves. This perception counteracts the message's intended behavior, leading to decreased vaccination intentions.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have created two new live-attenuated vaccines against canine influenza viruses, which can be transmitted to humans. These vaccines provide better immune protection and longer periods of protection than existing inactivated vaccines.
The quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) is expected to provide health benefits in most parts of the world by reducing the burden of influenza. By targeting all four circulating strains, QIV may reduce medical costs and save lives compared to the trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV).
Research by University of Maryland Professor Sandra Crouse Quinn explores how race influences flu vaccine attitudes and behaviors. African Americans exhibit lower confidence in the vaccine safety process, lower trust, and skepticism, which hinder vaccination rates despite public health efforts.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the human immune system's response to the bird flu vaccine. They found that neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, play a previously unobserved role in vaccine response and may function as antigen-presenting cells.
The Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) facilitates the rapid sharing of information during outbreaks and builds trust with countries key to global pandemic preparedness. By collating a comprehensive repository of high-quality influenza data, GISAID contributes to global health in several ways.
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have engineered a live attenuated RSV vaccine candidate that is highly effective in mice and cotton rats. The vaccine, called OE4, induces high levels of antibody production while maintaining its immunogenicity, making it a promising candidate for further clinical investigation.
A mathematical model reveals that deployment of universal vaccines across large populations can significantly reduce flu transmission, slow the emergence of new strains, and transform influenza management in the future.
Researchers developed a technology that could produce influenza B vaccines with higher efficacy, using mammalian cell culture instead of eggs. This could lead to better protection against both lineages of influenza B and improved ability to respond during an influenza pandemic.
Researchers successfully developed a vaccine against influenza using genetically modified live virus that activates the immune system but cannot replicate in healthy cells. The new vaccine proved effective in mice, guinea pigs, and ferrets, offering an antibody response comparable to existing vaccines.
A large study of over 196,000 children found no association between a mother having an influenza infection during pregnancy and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorders. While there was a suggestion of increased risk with maternal vaccination in the first trimester, this finding was not statistically significant after adjusting f...
A recent study found that pregnant women who wanted to get vaccinated were often discouraged by healthcare professionals due to misconceptions about vaccine safety. The World Health Organization and Health Canada classify pregnant women as high-risk groups for severe flu complications.
Researchers at UT Austin report that conventional flu vaccines may not be effective, and a new class of antibodies could protect against multiple strains. The study discovered a new approach to identifying and quantifying antibodies in human blood, allowing for more precise understanding of vaccine efficacy.
Researchers have identified a rare mutation in the Non-Structural 1 protein that renders the flu virus defenseless against the immune system. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective live flu vaccines.
A new trial will enroll over 9,000 participants in the US and Canada to test a high-dose flu vaccine for heart patients. The study aims to reduce hospitalizations and deaths among vulnerable individuals, with half receiving a more potent vaccine.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine has found that flu nasal sprays provide similar protection against influenza as standard flu shots. The study, conducted over three years in a Hutterite colony, shows that the nose spray had a similar effect to the standard flu shot in protecting both children and community members.
Researchers found that immunizing children with the flu nasal spray did not provide better direct or community protection against influenza than the inactivated influenza vaccine, but offered similar protection. This contradicts earlier studies suggesting the nasal spray vaccine provided better herd immunity.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that provinces allowing pharmacists to administer influenza vaccines had slightly higher vaccine uptake rates compared to those without such policies. The study analyzed data from over 481,000 people aged 12 and above across seven years.
Researchers found that flu vaccines with adjuvants do not work as well in obese mice, highlighting the urgent need to understand vaccine response in obese humans. Obesity leaves individuals at increased risk for flu-related complications, including hospitalization and death.
A recent study published in mBio found that obese mice who received influenza vaccines with and without adjuvants were not protected against the flu. Despite increased antibody responses, obese mice succumbed to infection due to a combination of factors, including increased viral load and severe disease severity.
A new study found that flu vaccination in people with type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced rates of hospital admission for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The vaccine was linked to a 19% reduction in heart attacks, 30% lower risk of stroke, and 22% decrease in heart failure hospitalizations.
A new study from Imperial College London found that the flu vaccine may significantly reduce the likelihood of hospitalization with stroke and heart failure in people with type 2 diabetes. Patients who received the influenza vaccination had a 24% lower death rate compared to those who weren't vaccinated.
Researchers have identified three types of vaccine-induced antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of influenza virus, which could guide development of a universal flu vaccine. The discovery provides clear evidence that these antibodies can be induced by a vaccine, making them a potential basis for a universal flu vaccine.
A new study found that an intranasal flu vaccine led to the production of T cells in the lungs that provided long-term protection against multiple flu strains, including those not present in the vaccine. This could provide universal protection against emerging viral strains.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have developed monoclonal antibodies that effectively neutralize the H3N2 variant virus (H3N2v) in human subjects who received an experimental vaccine. These antibodies were able to neutralize H3N2 strains circulating between 1995 and 2005, but not currently circulating human H3N2 strains.
Infants born to vaccinated mothers show high protection against influenza illness at 8 weeks, but efficacy decreases with age. The duration of this protection is limited to the first 8 weeks of life.
Researchers develop customizable RNA vaccines that can be manufactured in one week, inducing strong immune responses against various pathogens. The vaccines show 100% effectiveness in tests in mice, making them a promising alternative to traditional vaccines.
A new study suggests that an avian influenza virus vaccine can trigger broad and durable protection against multiple flu strains, offering a promising path toward a universal flu vaccine. The research identifies unique epitopes on the virus and highlights the potential of non-neutralizing antibodies in providing protection.
A new study found that vaccinating mothers against flu can significantly reduce the risk of their infants getting flu during the first four months after birth by 70 percent. This breakthrough could help reduce flu-related deaths, particularly in poor developing countries where access to healthcare is limited.
A new data visualization platform, VIEW-hub, reveals stark numbers on where shortfalls exist in vaccine introduction and coverage. Globally, 72% of child deaths from pneumonia and diarrhea occur in just 15 countries, with India and Nigeria being the worst-affected. The platform provides real-time data updates to monitor introduction an...
A study found that racial/ethnic minorities are less likely to receive flu vaccinations, with those who report discrimination being about half as likely to be vaccinated. However, after adjusting for other factors, the difference becomes nonsignificant, suggesting that perceived discrimination may not be the primary cause of the dispar...
Scientists developed a novel strategy to predict how circulating influenza viruses will evolve, which may help create better seasonal flu vaccines. The approach involves simulating mutations in lab and mapping patterns using antigenic cartography, revealing clusters of unique mutations that match natural evolution.