Articles tagged with Vaccination
Researchers propose five behavioral strategies and a national entity to promote COVID-19 vaccination, including making vaccines free and accessible, leveraging public endorsements, and transforming individual decisions into public acts. The proposed entity should bring together scientists from multiple disciplines to depoliticize pande...
For global success, vaccines must prevent all three: infection, disease progression, and transmission. The authors emphasize prioritizing vulnerable populations and healthcare workers before the wider population.
Researchers investigated COVID-19 and Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition. The study found no significant association between the two conditions, contradicting previous small case series. The researchers conclude that COVID-19 vaccination is unlikely to cause GBS.
The Oxford Covid-19 vaccine has shown a 70.4% overall efficacy rate in phase 3 human trials, with the standard dose regimen showing 62.1% efficacy and the low dose regimen demonstrating 90.0% efficacy. No hospitalizations or severe disease were observed in vaccinated groups.
The pharmaceutical industry made significant strides in 2020, developing tests, therapeutics, and vaccines to combat COVID-19. Companies like Eli Lilly and Regeneron led the way in making antibody therapies, while Moderna used messenger RNA to develop a potential vaccine with promising early trial data.
The FAPESP COVID-19 Research Webinars will address manufacturing and distribution logistics of the COVID-19 vaccine portfolio. The event features expert speakers from leading institutions, including Tiago Rocca, Margareth Dalcolmo, and Prashant Yadav.
A special report by The BMJ reveals that the UK government has kept its advisors' financial conflicts of interest unpublished, leading to calls for greater transparency. SAGE members have been accused of being unbalanced in their scientific proficiency and favoring certain types of expertise.
A new iGIST method detects pertussis toxin levels, reducing animal testing. The method is more effective and enables detection of lower toxin levels than current methods.
Vaccination uptake in children and adolescents decreased in Colorado following the COVID-19 outbreak. The study used data from the Colorado Immunization Information System to analyze vaccination trends before and after the outbreak.
A nursing researcher reflects on her experience participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial, discussing the importance of informing patients about possible side effects. The article emphasizes the need for clinicians to prepare their patients for vaccination, ensuring informed consent and minimizing adverse reactions.
Researchers at BIDMC identified the role of antibodies and T cells in protecting against COVID-19, finding that low antibody levels can still provide protection when combined with a strong T cell response. The study's findings have important implications for vaccine development and public health strategies.
The use of immunity passports is a topic of debate, as science is unsure about the duration of immunity and potential risks of reinfection. Experts argue that immunity passports could limit fundamental rights, such as freedom of movement, but also propose respecting the right to move freely for those who cannot spread COVID-19.
A study by St. Petersburg University found that vaccination against tuberculosis with the BCG vaccine can slow down the spread of COVID-19 and reduce its course. The analysis showed a correlation between BCG vaccination and lower mortality rates in countries where national immunization programs are well-established.
Researchers propose guidelines to continue placebo-controlled trials of COVID-19 vaccine candidates even after an effective vaccine is found. This approach aims to address the global pandemic while ensuring valuable data collection from low-risk participants.
Researchers at Brown University are tracking COVID-19 vaccine adverse events among nursing home residents due to the group's high risk of severe illness. The study uses electronic medical records and aims to identify potential side effects, which may be critical for protecting this vulnerable population.
A study of 173 countries found that increased testing intensity reduced COVID-19 transmission by 9%. Testing had the greatest influence among interventions, with a tenfold increase in tests to new cases reported reducing transmission. This explains why some countries, like China and Australia, achieved near elimination of COVID-19.
The 4CMenB vaccine has shown 79% effectiveness in preventing meningococcus group B disease among children and young adults. In a real-world study, nearly all vaccinated cases survived, while unvaccinated cases experienced severe outcomes, including death and long-term injuries.
A DNA-based vaccine candidate has been found to be effective in protecting cynomolgus macaques from the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. The vaccine generated protective antibodies and prevented signs of disease in infected animals, offering a promising potential treatment for human patients.
The study highlights the importance of mucosal immune responses in controlling SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in asymptomatic cases. Researchers recommend further research on SIgA antibody responses and developing a nasal vaccine that could be easier to administer and store.
The COVID-19 Peer Hub program is connecting over 4000 immunisation professionals globally to share ideas and practices to counteract vaccine avoidance. Preliminary findings show that the program has been useful for their work, with 90% of participants reporting positive outcomes.
A study of SARS-CoV-2 virus genomes from over 46,000 people with COVID-19 found that most common mutations are neutral for the virus, and do not appear to increase transmissibility. The research team identified 12,706 mutations, including one in the spike protein D614G, which is not associated with increased transmission.
Recent studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine investigate the association between ABO blood groups and SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, as well as vaccine development timelines. Additionally, research highlights the potential benefits of home health care for COVID-19 survivors after hospital discharge.
A new microneedle skin patch has been developed by UConn researchers to provide immunization against infectious diseases through a single administration. The patch triggers a high immune response and offers a long-term protection similar to multiple injections.
Vaccination of endangered tiger population against canine distemper virus could reduce extinction probability from 15.8% to 5.7%
The Canadian Partnership for Research in Immunotherapy Manufacturing Excellence (CanPRIME) provides hands-on manufacturing training to develop novel biotherapeutics, including vaccines and therapies that incorporate viruses, cells, and genes. Nearly 50 individuals will be trained over five years.
A commentary discusses the need to weigh scientific validity against social value in COVID-19 vaccine development, highlighting concerns about long-term efficacy and safety. Vaccination efforts could intensify debates around early deployment, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues.
Researchers found an inverse correlation between mumps IgG titers and COVID-19 severity in vaccinated individuals. Those with higher mumps antibody levels had lower disease severity, suggesting the MMR vaccine may be protective against COVID-19.
A team of experts recommends five principles to ensure equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution, including diverse participation in clinical trials and transparent data review. The plan aims to prioritize vulnerable populations and overcome financial barriers to vaccination.
A study published in Health Affairs highlights the crucial role of infrastructure in ensuring COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness, alongside public willingness to be immunized. Greater investment is needed to produce and distribute vaccines efficiently and promote trust in vaccination.
The article emphasizes the importance of conducting rigorous evaluation to ensure COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy. Historical experience with vaccine development informs regulatory practices, including pre-licensure monitoring for rare adverse events and post-licensure pauses if serious adverse events are detected.
A West Virginia University study suggests that local health departments are crucial in getting the hepatitis B vaccine to those who need it most, particularly individuals at risk of contracting the virus. The study found that partnerships between health departments and local drug treatment programs significantly increased vaccine compl...
Major measles outbreaks will occur globally in 2021 due to widespread vaccination delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency worsen measles severity, leading to increased deaths and blindness.
A new SARS-CoV-2 mutation, D614G, makes the virus more transmissible but not necessarily more severe, according to a recent study published in Science. The mutated strain replicates faster and is more infectious, but its effectiveness against vaccines remains unknown.
Michigan Technological University and University of Massachusetts researchers develop a way to mimic the body's environment in vaccines, keeping viruses stable through crowding. This method has potential to improve access to vaccinations against various viruses, bypassing the cold chain.
Researchers evaluated all new COVID-19 vaccines approved by FDA over last decade, analyzing premarket development time, clinical evidence, and safety database size. The study found that vaccine approvals took an average of 10 months, with varying levels of evidence and follow-up durations.
A leading ethicist suggests paying people to get the COVID-19 jab to achieve widespread coverage and stamp out infection. The proposal aims to boost vaccination uptake when voluntary schemes prove insufficient, considering financial or 'payment in kind' incentives.
New analysis shows HPV vaccines are safe for males, with similar side effects to females. The study evaluated reports of adverse events from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System between 2006 and 2018.
Despite COVID-19, Nemours Children's Health System increased patient immunizations by 4.6% through a hybrid approach combining in-person and telemedicine, with over 36,000 primary care telemedicine visits and nearly 10,000 'tele-well' visits.
Researchers have identified seven distinct groups of symptoms in mild COVID-19, including flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and loss of smell and taste. These findings suggest that the disease leaves behind significant changes in the immune system, even after recovery, and could inform the development of more effective vaccines.
Researchers stress the need for standardised methods to assess COVID-19 vaccine efficacy, highlighting challenges in determining severe disease protection and the importance of long-term follow-up. Controlled human infection studies may offer rapid assessment but predictability for older adults remains unclear.
McGill University professors have created an online COVID-19 vaccine tracker providing real-time updates on vaccine progress and characteristics. The tracker helps manage expectations about vaccine availability and promotes transparency in the regulatory process.
A study suggests that Ontario's current vaccination strategy for hepatitis B is inadequate, as many children are infected before receiving the vaccine. The authors recommend that all women be screened for HBV during pregnancy and that newborns receive the vaccine at birth.
The study found that natural immunity is only weakly protective against reinfection, leading to larger outbreaks. Vaccines capable of eliciting strong immune responses can substantially reduce future caseloads.
Local spatial clustering of non-vaccinated individuals can lead to large measles outbreaks even at high overall vaccination coverage. The study highlights the importance of fine-scale vaccination data for effective targeted interventions in high-risk areas.
Industry, government, and academic researchers propose general clinical endpoints to facilitate evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine candidates. These endpoints include asymptomatic infection as a study endpoint.
An international time trends analysis reveals that foreign disinformation social media campaigns are strongly associated with a decline in global vaccination rates. The study found a cumulative drop of 12 percentage points across the decade, with a 15% increase in negative tweets about vaccination.
Researchers found that newborns' immune systems activate soon after birth and increase key factors of innate immunity, including the complement system. This development is critical for protecting against pathogens in infancy, where infections are prevalent.
A survey study of US adults found that vaccine-related attributes and political characteristics are associated with self-reported preferences for choosing a hypothetical COVID-19 vaccine. The results may inform public health campaigns to address vaccine hesitancy when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available.
A global study led by McGill University found that 54% of UN-recognized countries have national mandatory vaccination policies, with varying penalties for non-compliance. Educational and financial penalties are the most common, ranging from small fines to jail time in some cases.
A global survey of 13,400 people in 19 countries found that 72% would likely take the vaccine, while 14% refused and 14% hesitated. Vaccine confidence was higher in countries with higher trust in government.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) and Annals of Internal Medicine hosted a virtual forum on October 16, assembling leading health experts to discuss timely information related to COVID-19 vaccines. Panelists offered current evidence-based insights into vaccine science, approval processes, and clinical recommendations.
A Phase 1/2 randomised controlled trial found the vaccine candidate BBIBP-CorV is safe and induces an immune response in healthy volunteers. The study detected antibody responses in all recipients by day 42 after vaccination, and was well-tolerated with no severe adverse reactions reported.
A US survey found that increased local case counts of a hypothetical disease led to higher vaccination rates. Older, wealthier participants and those with conservative views were more likely to get vaccinated. The study highlights the complex relationship between perceived risk and vaccine propensity.
The article explores the debate on prioritizing racial minorities for COVID-19 vaccines, highlighting conflicts between public health recommendations and laws discouraging explicit consideration of race in policy decisions. The authors argue that strategic distribution can be done ethically and legally.
If SARS-CoV-2 becomes endemic, its pattern of transmission will depend on factors like vaccine availability and social factors. Greater monitoring of interactions with other respiratory viruses is needed to mitigate potential outbreaks.
VIDO-InterVac has been awarded a grant to determine the effectiveness of several antiviral compounds against COVID-19 using a hamster model. The project aims to develop a safe solution to end the pandemic as quickly as possible.
A new study indicates that public messaging is crucial before COVID-19 vaccines are released in the US. The research shows that 68% of respondents support vaccination but concerns remain about side effects and vaccine effectiveness. Addressing these concerns is critical to increasing vaccine uptake, according to senior author Brian Poole.
A new international study has identified how much traction some prominent COVID-19 conspiracy theories have within populations in the UK, US, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain. The research found that a small increase in perceived reliability of conspiracies equates to a larger drop in intention to get vaccinated.
A statewide coalition, led by UCLA, aims to reduce COVID-19 knowledge disparities and increase vaccine uptake among underrepresented populations in California. The initiative combines community-engaged research with local partnerships to build trust and address concerns.
A University of Sydney-led study found that human-operated Twitter accounts dominate vaccine-related discussions, with most users unlikely to see or engage with bot-generated content. The researchers suggest that resources could be better spent on education interventions and media literacy training.