Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
The Johns Hopkins team developed a therapeutic intranasal DNA vaccine against tuberculosis that accelerated disease clearance, improved treatment outcomes, and stimulated immune responses. The vaccine combines two genes to direct the immune system to fight drug-tolerant bacterial persisters, showing promise for treating TB.
Among highly boosted patients with cancer, overall postacute sequelae risk was not elevated compared to noninfected patients; hospitalized COVID-19 patients remained at increased risk despite therapeutics. Vaccination and boosting remain important in mitigating long COVID among immunocompromised patients
A nationwide survey in Switzerland found that HPV vaccination uptake among adults was lower than among adolescents, with only 27% of those aged 18-45 vaccinated. The survey also revealed significant differences between genders, age groups, and levels of knowledge about HPV, highlighting the need for targeted information and tailored co...
Researchers reveal that skin-cell calcium channel TRPV3 is activated by plant-derived fragrant molecules, leading to enhanced immune responses and potential new vaccine adjuvants. The study provides a novel understanding of immune crosstalk and offers a safer approach to enhancing vaccine efficacy.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed lipid nanoparticles that modify immune metabolism to strengthen mRNA vaccines and reduce common side effects. The new lipid boosts the metabolism of immune cells, providing energy for the body's defenses while dialing down inflammatory signals.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) 2026 childhood vaccine schedule, which is based on evidence and better reflects current disease epidemiology. The ACP's Immunization Committee found the AAP recommendations to be more evidence-based than the CDC's recommendations, particularly i...
Severe COVID-19 and influenza infections can prime the lungs for cancer development, according to new research. Vaccination, however, largely prevents these changes, suggesting a reduced risk of lung cancer.
A new survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that Americans are more confident in career scientists at federal health agencies such as the CDC, NIH, and FDA, than in their leaders. The survey also reveals a significant gap in confidence between career scientists and agency leaders, with only 5% of Americans expressing
The American College of Physicians advises all adults aged 75 or older to receive a protein subunit Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine, reducing the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Adults aged 60-74 with comorbid conditions may also consider receiving the vaccine. The benefits outweigh the harms in this age group.
Researchers found that adding native forest litter rapidly reshaped soil microbial communities and improved their functional potential. This low-cost strategy could help accelerate ecological recovery in degraded landscapes worldwide.
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology will host a webinar highlighting recent clinical advances in breast cancer, multiple myeloma, and leukemia. Researchers will present key findings from ASH and SABCS meetings, impacting treatment outcomes.
A nationwide study in Sweden found that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of invasive cervical cancer, with sustained protection observed for 13-15 years after vaccination. The study also showed a population-level decline in cervical cancer cases over time.
A new study found that US newborn hepatitis B virus vaccination rates declined by over 10 percentage points in the last 2 years. This decline reverses 6 years of growth and is aligned with WHO and CDC coverage estimates through 2022.
A study of over 50,000 pregnant women in Norway found low vaccination rates against COVID-19 and influenza, with only 29.9% and 12.1% vaccinated respectively. The study highlights the need for targeted strategies to improve vaccination uptake among expectant mothers.
A new study of over 3 million adults found that booster vaccines reduced the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalization and death. The effectiveness was similar for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccines, but protection declined over time.
A novel vaccination approach cleared harmful gut bacterium Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) in an animal model of infection. The experimental vaccine protected against illness, death, tissue damage and infection recurrence through mucosal immunization.
A new commentary raises concerns about editorial bias in scientific publishing, particularly in relation to COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. The authors highlight the rejection of a case report and literature review that raised potential links between mRNA vaccines and rare blood cancers.
A team from UNIGE has shown that certain antibodies to seasonal flu can also target avian flu. Stimulating these antibodies could strengthen protection in the event of a pandemic. Vaccinated individuals show increased levels of cross-reactive antibodies capable of neutralizing the H5N1 virus, which may result in milder symptoms.
A survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that a strong majority of Americans view the MMR vaccine as safe relative to other vaccines. However, the number of people holding this view is below the threshold required for community immunity, which is worrisome.
According to the latest ECDC report, 7,655 measles cases were reported across 30 countries in 2025, with eight fatalities. This represents a significant decrease from 35,000 cases in 2024 but is still almost double the number of cases in 2023.
A study from Linköping University in Sweden found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and decreased childbirth rates. Researchers analyzed data on over 60,000 women and found no statistically significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.
A recent poll found that 42% of people over 50 haven't gotten either flu or COVID-19 vaccines in the past six months. The leading reason for not getting vaccinated was a lack of perceived need, despite clear evidence showing vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness and death in older adults.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute have developed an innovative HIV vaccine candidate that induces neutralizing antibodies against HIV after a single immunization in nonhuman primates. The approach could significantly shorten and simplify HIV vaccination protocols, making them more accessible worldwide.
The study found that 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against COVID-19 hospitalization and severe in-hospital outcomes. Monitoring vaccine effectiveness remains crucial to guide vaccine composition and recommendations.
The new platform developed by UVA Health scientists can produce vaccines much faster, cheaper, and more easily than traditional approaches. The platform's proof-of-concept demonstrates its ability to produce highly immunogenic vaccines that can be manufactured at extremely low cost.
The US administration's attacks on biomedical research and vaccination policies have severe consequences for healthcare protection and global public health. Certain scientific topics in infectious diseases and immunology have been deprioritized, and the US has withdrawn from major global public health programs.
According to a new study, Massachusetts is close to eliminating cervical cancer due to its low incidence rate of 4.3 cases per 100,000 in recent years. In contrast, the Southeast and Southwest regions have higher rates of 11.2 and 9.9 cases per 100,000, respectively, making it challenging for these states to reach elimination goals.
The CDC recommends RSV vaccination for pregnant women to protect their newborns, while a monoclonal antibody injection is also available for high-risk infants. Most experts agree that RSV immunizations should be recommended for these groups due to the severity of the illness they can cause.
A new study found that shingles vaccination is associated with lower inflammation, slower epigenetic aging, and overall slower biological aging in older adults. Vaccination showed benefits even four years after the initial dose.
This study reveals an increase in nonmedical childhood vaccination exemptions from 2010 to 2024, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, with wide regional disparities.
A recent study found that the RSVpreF vaccine does not pose a significant risk to pregnant women, providing reassurance for those who wish to be vaccinated. The interim report presents data from a large cohort of pregnancies with vaccine-seeking behavior, and results suggest no notable adverse effects.
A study found that maternal vaccinations against influenza and pertussis are associated with reduced hospitalization or emergency department visits in infants under 6 months. Implementing maternal vaccination campaigns can enhance infant health outcomes, addressing low vaccination coverage.
A global review of COVID-19 vaccination and infection cases found associations between the two and certain types of cancer. The study analyzed 69 publications and identified potential biological mechanisms, including immune responses and inflammation.
A study by Radboud University Medical Center found that pregnant women vaccinated against whooping cough transfer antibodies to their newborns, which provide long-lasting protection. This discovery supports the World Health Organization's recommendation to maintain whole-cell vaccines in low- and middle-income countries.
The CDC recommends shared clinical decision-making for some childhood vaccinations, allowing parents to choose or skip certain vaccines. However, a survey found that many Americans are unclear about what this means and who can be included as health care providers in the discussion.
A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds a small but significant drop in the proportion of the public that would recommend getting the MMR vaccine, citing concerns over its safety and effectiveness. The survey also shows declines in perceived safety and effectiveness for other vaccines, such as seasonal flu and Covid-19.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed the first vaccine able to protect nonhuman primates from melioidosis, a long-neglected and deadly tropical disease on the rise. The vaccine uses outer membrane vesicles to trigger a powerful immune response.
A new study found that quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is associated with a reduced risk of high-grade vulvovaginal lesions. Expanding HPV vaccination, especially at younger ages, may help prevent these lesions.
The Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K virus is a growing concern due to its antigenic variants and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Researchers emphasize the need for swift responses to protect public health.
The number of US pertussis cases has surged sixfold since the pandemic began, with over 26,600 reported in 2024. Many Americans are unaware of whooping cough symptoms or that a vaccine exists to prevent it. Despite widespread agreement on the causes and risks of the disease, vaccination rates remain low.
Researchers from MIT and Broad Institute develop temporary 'factory' in the liver to generate T-cell-stimulating signals, boosting immune response to vaccination and cancer immunotherapy treatments. Aged mice showed significant increases in T cell population size and function after treatment.
This study found that vaccination before and during COVID-19 diagnosis in pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of severe maternal illness and premature birth. The results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination plays a crucial role in protecting pregnant individuals from serious health complications associated with the virus.
A UBC-led study found that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduces hospitalization, intensive care admission, and preterm birth risks for pregnant women. Vaccination is associated with lower risks even as the virus evolved from Delta to Omicron variants.
A new white paper by biostatistician Professor Jeffrey S. Morris analyzes the multicomponent US vaccine safety monitoring system, including VAERS and other components. The study suggests improvements to enhance the system's effectiveness and sustain a robust safety monitoring infrastructure.
A study found that only 6% of FDA-approved drugs reflect the US racial and ethnic makeup, with a decline in Black and Hispanic enrollment between 2021 and 2023. The researchers recommend setting diversity goals at preclinical stages and collecting biological samples to understand how people's bodies react to medications.
Researchers identified CXCL10 and IFN-gamma as the major drivers of myocarditis in mRNA-vaccine recipients. The two proteins trigger an inflammatory response that damages heart muscle cells, leading to hospitalizations and deaths in severe cases. Most cases recover swiftly with full heart function retained.
A cohort study of adults aged 45 or older with RSV infection found a significant excess risk of cardiovascular events over 1 year, comparable in magnitude to influenza infection. This highlights the importance of RSV as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and underscores the need for vaccination to mitigate this burden.
A survey study found that US voters generally support government role in ensuring safe vaccines, with high partisan divide among Trump and Harris supporters. Vaccine requirements for schools show similar support across parties.
Revising newborn hepatitis B vaccination guidelines may lead to increased perinatal infections, according to infectious disease experts. The study estimates that revoking the policy could result in a significant number of new infections.
A survey of adults in the US found that most people prefer the American Medical Association's (AMA) guidance on vaccine safety over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC), citing concerns about the CDC's recent changes to its website. According to the survey, 35% of Americans would accept the AMA's recommendation, while...
Researchers discovered that pneumococcal vaccination reduced colonization rates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in children, while rotavirus vaccine showed inconclusive results. Factors such as environmental exposure and yogurt consumption also influenced colonization rates.
Researchers found that those who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over seven years compared to those who did not receive it. The vaccine was also shown to slow disease progression in those already diagnosed with dementia.
Researchers tested a 'mental model' approach to counter unwarranted fears about mRNA technology. The study found that exposing people to visual models of how vaccines work and/or how cells protect DNA from foreign fragments undercuts the effect of exposure to misconceptions.
Two new Cochrane reviews show that HPV vaccines are effective in preventing cervical cancer and pre-cancerous changes, especially when given to young people before they are exposed to the virus. Girls vaccinated before the age of 16 were found to be 80% less likely to develop cervical cancer.
Research published in Contemporary Economic Policy reveals that US cities' indoor vaccine mandates did not significantly increase vaccination rates or reduce COVID-19-related outcomes. The findings challenge assumptions about the effectiveness of local public health interventions.
A new approach developed by University of Waterloo researchers uses social media posts to identify early warning signs of increasing vaccine skepticism. This method can detect patterns in data much more effectively than traditional methods, providing a bigger lead time before an outbreak occurs.
Rapid rise in early measles vaccination observed in February 2025, ahead of CDC guidelines. The study suggests clinician and parental concern drove increased vaccination rates.
In response to rising RSV cases, ECDC advises policymakers and public health authorities on effective ways to mitigate the impact of RSV disease in infants. Immunisation interventions, including long-acting monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccines, can prevent severe illness and hospitalization.
Leading experts urge universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns in the US, citing a 95% decline in infant infections since 1991. The policy has prevented an estimated one million hospitalizations and 90,000 deaths.
The Phase 3 study demonstrated the safety and non-inferiority of EuTYPH-C Inj.® Multi-dose compared to a World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified comparator TCV, Typbar TCV®. The vaccine was shown to be well-tolerated across all age groups with no serious adverse events.