Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
The Delta variant is less sensitive to neutralizing antibodies compared to the Alpha variant, with serum from convalescent patients showing reduced potency. Vaccinated individuals' sera effectively neutralize the Delta variant, although efficacy is slightly lower than against the Alpha variant.
A recent study published in JAMA Oncology found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine appears to be safe and effective in patients with cancer, achieving satisfactory serologic status. Despite a lag in antibody production compared to non-cancer control groups, most patients experienced seroconversion after the second dose.
New research shows that open communication about vaccine effectiveness and side effects boosts trust in health authorities, reducing hesitancy and conspiracy theories. Vague or reassuring communication, on the other hand, lowers acceptance of vaccines.
The CoronaVac vaccine demonstrated 83.5% protection against symptomatic COVID-19 and 100% effectiveness against hospitalization in a phase 3 trial. The study involved adults aged 18-59 and showed high efficacy with a very good safety profile, but further data is needed on the vaccine's long-term effects and efficacy against new variants.
A California study suggests that partnering with black churches and medical professionals can increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake in black communities. The study found that a three-tier approach to mobile vaccination clinics, involving faith leaders and pharmacists, resulted in a significant increase in vaccine uptake among blacks.
Researchers developed a biomaterial-based infection vaccine (ciVAX) approach to combat infectious diseases. ciVAX vaccines combine two technologies that capture immunogenic antigens from pathogens and reprogram the immune system, offering potential solutions for sepsis prophylaxis, pandemic threats, and biothreats.
A new study found that patients taking immunosuppressants like methotrexate had weaker antibody responses to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine after the first dose. However, T-cell responses were preserved in these patients, suggesting potential risks and benefits of vaccinating immunocompromised individuals.
A single-center study reports a decline in COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers after vaccination, indicating the vaccine's effectiveness in preventing disease transmission. The study suggests that vaccination can reduce the risk of infection among healthcare workers, thereby protecting both patients and healthcare staff.
Experts debate whether COVID-19 vaccination should be delayed in children due to unclear benefits and risks. Vulnerable people worldwide should be prioritized instead, but some argue that children should not be disadvantaged.
Scientists successfully engineered a 'vaccine' using harmless commensal bacteria to prepare immune cells for a life-threatening disease. The approach showed promise in inducing immunity without adverse effects, paving the way for novel treatments and applications.
Researchers discovered the molecular mechanism behind vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), a rare but fatal blood clotting disorder. The findings will enable the development of rapid diagnostic tests and new strategies to prevent VITT, making vaccines safer.
The Obesity Society's new position statement confirms COVID-19 vaccines are highly efficacious in individuals with and without obesity. Trials demonstrate similar vaccine efficacy in both groups against COVID-19-associated hospitalization and death.
Researchers developed hybrid membrane nanovaccines that educate patients' immune systems to distinguish tumor components as 'non-self', preventing recurrence and metastasis. The vaccines induce robust innate and adaptive immune responses, offering a new opportunity for individualized cancer vaccines.
A nationwide study found mRNA COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of infection by up to 91% in fully vaccinated individuals. For those who develop breakthrough cases, vaccines also shorten symptom duration and severity.
A study found no detection of COVID-19 vaccine-associated messenger RNA (mRNA) in breast milk samples from vaccinated mothers. Researchers analyzed 13 human milk samples and concluded that the mRNA was not detectable.
A new study led by a University at Buffalo researcher shows that the way news media talk about science focuses too much attention on individuals, leading to inaccurate perceptions of scientific accuracy and reliability. The study suggests that contextualizing failure stories within the scientific process can help ameliorate harm to sci...
Most COVID-19 patients develop and maintain T cell memory for over 10 months, suggesting effective long-term immunity. The study provides new insights into vaccine development by revealing the self-renewal capacity and multipotency of memory T cells.
A new study found that only 20 out of 51 US states included health equity committees in their COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans, with only 8 representing minority groups. The study highlights the need for standardized processes to address existing healthcare disparities and ensure equitable access to vaccines.
A study evaluated how US states and DC planned to ensure equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution. The authors found that many plans lacked specific details on how to address health disparities, highlighting a need for improved strategies.
Recent evidence suggests diminished immune response to COVID-19 vaccines among immunosuppressed individuals. Researchers argue that developing targeted vaccination strategies is crucial to protect vulnerable populations and control new variant spread.
A recent study found that nearly all patients with cancer developed good immune responses to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, with 94% developing antibodies. However, a small subset of high-risk patients showed no response, raising concerns about future vaccination strategies.
Researchers found that vaccinated individuals have a lower viral load, shorter infection time and milder symptoms than unvaccinated people. The study also showed a significant reduction in the risk of having COVID-19 with an accompanying fever.
A new Finnish study found that healthcare workers who received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had strong antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2, with similar effectiveness against the alpha variant as the original virus. The immune response was weaker against the beta variant, but still provided relatively good protection.
The UK's official list of COVID-19 symptoms is too narrow, say experts, and expanding it could help identify more cases sooner. This would require careful implementation, but new data suggests that testing people based on combinations of unofficial and official symptoms could be used to achieve this.
A novel adjuvant developed with NIH funding has contributed to the success of COVAXIN, a highly efficacious COVID-19 vaccine. The adjuvant, Alhydroxiquim-II, has been shown to activate key immune receptors and stimulate an effective response against the virus.
A new study found that many young adult cancer survivors are reluctant to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations due to concerns about their weakened immune systems. The study suggests that cancer survivors, particularly females and those with lower education levels, may be more hesitant to receive vaccines.
Researchers found 23 men in the U.S. military developed severe chest pain and elevated cardiac troponin levels within four days of receiving a second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, but most recovered quickly. The risk of myocarditis from vaccination is low compared to COVID-19 infection.
New research shows that early testing for blood clots in AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine recipients led to successful treatment of patients. The study emphasizes the importance of increased clinical vigilance to detect symptoms among vaccinated individuals.
A recent study reports four cases of acute myocarditis following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. The condition can lead to serious heart problems, highlighting the need for cautious monitoring and research into vaccine safety.
A new paper proposes actions to increase access, speed time to market, and decrease costs of vaccines globally. Regulatory harmonization, manufacturing capacity building, and streamlined IP arrangements are key opportunities to address challenges in vaccine development and deployment.
A study found 23 cases of myocarditis in US military members following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, highlighting a potential risk factor for the condition.
The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology's third Social Perception Survey reveals that 83% of the population trusts COVID-19 vaccination, a 25-point increase from January. Attitudes towards vaccine uptake have improved significantly since July 2020, with compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures also showing a positive trend.
A study published in Cancer Cell found that multiple myeloma patients exhibited a widely variable response to COVID-19 vaccines, with some showing undetectable antibodies after mRNA vaccines. This variation underscores the importance of routine blood tests and continued precautions for these patients.
A randomised controlled trial of 550 young people found two doses of CoronaVac to be safe and provoke a strong antibody response. Most adverse reactions were mild or moderate, with pain at the injection site being the most commonly reported symptom.
Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccines induce a robust and potentially long-lasting immune response with the formation of germinal centers in lymph nodes. Vaccination led to high levels of neutralizing antibodies effective against three variants of the virus, including the Beta variant from South Africa.
A single case report describes a 65-year-old man who developed thrombocytopenia with thrombosis following COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, highlighting the need for increased awareness and vigilance. The authors conclude that while rare events may occur, the benefits of vaccination should not be dissuaded.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital found that the BCG vaccine significantly lowers blood sugar levels in type 1 diabetics, with faster response times and greater changes in HbA1c for younger patients. The vaccine also restores gene expression in regulatory T cells over three years.
A new study reveals structural changes in the Alpha and Beta SARS-CoV-2 variants, suggesting reduced effectiveness of current vaccines against the Beta variant. The research found that mutations in the Beta variant change the shape of the spike surface, making it less bind to neutralizing antibodies.
The MucoRice-CTB vaccine, a new edible cholera vaccine made from genetically modified rice, has shown no obvious side effects and a good immune response in its Phase 1 human trial. The vaccine stimulates the mucosal immune system through the gut to induce antigen-specific antibodies, producing IgG and IgA responses.
A survey of hospital employees found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines often cause skin reactions like rashes and itching after injection. The study aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of such reactions in this population.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that COVID-19 vaccine skin reactions are rare, affecting approximately 1.9% of recipients after the first dose. The majority of these reactions did not recur after a second dose, providing critical reassurance to individuals with concerns about vaccination.
A single dose of either the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine offers around 60% protection against infection from SARS-CoV-2 in residents of long-term care facilities aged 65 and over. Vaccination also reduces the risk of transmission and infectivity, with a protective effect evident from 4 weeks after vaccination.
A new study suggests that people who had COVID-19 need only one vaccine dose for protection and that boosters could be necessary for everyone in the future. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines triggered antibody levels similar to those seen after mild COVID-19 infections with one dose.
The NIH's MOMI-VAX study aims to assess antibody responses, transfer of antibodies to infants, and vaccine safety in vaccinated participants and their newborns. The study will enroll up to 750 pregnant individuals and 250 postpartum individuals, followed through the first year after delivery.
A $200,000 grant will help promote vaccine confidence and uptake among farmworkers and other marginalized populations in 8 New York counties. The project aims to address health disparities and build equity through effective vaccination partnerships.
Vaccine developers suggest that documented side effects are a byproduct of an effective immune response. The authors argue that fatigue and headache after vaccination should be viewed positively as a necessary step towards herd immunity.
Researchers have identified hotspots of undervaccinated children across Montana using spatial scan analysis. The study found that parental hesitancy on vaccination is concentrated in the western part of the state, while structural or access barriers are more prevalent on the eastern side.
A comprehensive review of literature on mRNA COVID-19 vaccine cutaneous reactions found that most reactions are harmless and transient, resolving within two to five days. Rare reactions such as herpes zoster reactivation have been reported, but the overall safety profile of the vaccines remains reassuring.
Two studies report a rare variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome characterized by prominent facial weakness following COVID-19 vaccination. The frequency of the condition was estimated to be up to 10 times greater than expected in areas where the vaccine was administered.
A multinational study published in The BMJ found significant differences in adverse event rates among over 126 million people across four continents. The study highlights the importance of considering population differences when monitoring vaccine safety.
A new study published in Cell journal suggests that COVID-19 antibodies lack the ability to enhance disease in animals. The research used mice and monkeys to test human antibodies, finding that they exert their defensive powers against SARS-CoV-2 infection, not exacerbating it.
A recent study analyzed access to COVID-19 vaccination sites in Brooklyn, finding significant racial and ethnic disparities. The research revealed that Black and Hispanic populations faced barriers to accessing vaccination sites, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
A RUDN mathematician built a COVID-19 spread model to predict the disease's behavior and forecast subsequent waves. The model accurately predicted the epidemic course in countries without mass vaccination until the vaccination effect began.
Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccines pre-prepared in syringes can be safely transported under minor precautions, with messenger RNA remaining stable for at least three hours. The study aims to streamline vaccination processes, particularly in rural and less developed areas.
Researchers report on seven patients hospitalized for acute myocarditis-like illness following COVID-19 vaccination. All symptoms resolved before hospital discharge after treatment with beta-blocker and anti-inflammatory medications.
A study found that receiving the Moderna vaccine reduced SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among health care workers, beginning eight days after the first dose. The vaccine's efficacy in preventing infections was demonstrated through this association.
A new study reveals that current vaccines may lack essential viral material to trigger a holistic immune response in humans. The researchers identified 25% of viral protein fragments that trigger the immune system, which could lead to more effective and powerful vaccines.
A $1 million grant will be used to develop fluorochemical dispersants, known as FTags, which coat proteins in vaccine liquids to stabilize them thermally. This technology aims to eliminate the need for refrigerated supply chains and ensure vaccines can be transported at elevated temperatures.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Data and Safety Monitoring Board reviewed three formal interim efficacy analyses of trials for Moderna, Janssen, and AstraZeneca. The board's goal is to assure public independence and lack of interference while operating under exceptional conditions.
Researchers have developed two COVID-19 vaccines that elicited durable neutralizing antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in pre-clinical research. The Moderna mRNA vaccine and a protein-based vaccine candidate showed strong immunity in infant rhesus macaques, with no adverse effects.