Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 survey of 28 experts in vaccinology predicts that a publicly available COVID-19 vaccine may not be available before the fall of 2021. The majority of experts believe that the best-case scenario is a vaccine becoming available next summer, with some predicting it may take until 2022.
Researchers found a growing trend of anti-vaccination discourse on Facebook coalescing around the 'civil liberties' argument, which could impact vaccine-related legislation. The study examined over 250,000 posts on 204 Facebook pages and identified three distinct events that contributed to this shift in online discourse.
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.
A 10-week virtual series provides insight into COVID-19 topics for the general public, including vaccine development, mask effectiveness and outbreak tracking. The symposium aims to address community impact and provide solutions.
A large study by Karolinska Institutet found that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer. Women vaccinated at a young age show a 88% reduced risk, while those vaccinated between ages 17 and 30 experience a halved risk.
A Phase 1 trial of an investigational mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has shown that the vaccine is well-tolerated and generates a strong immune response in older adults, with comparable efficacy to younger age groups. The study enrolled 40 healthy volunteers aged 56-71 years, who received two doses of the vaccine.
A survey study explores public preferences for COVID-19 vaccine allocation. The results show that most people prioritize vaccine distribution to high-risk groups, including seniors and individuals with chronic health conditions. This preference is expected to influence healthcare policy decisions.
A cocktail of powerful antibodies from recovered COVID-19 patients locks down the infection machinery, preventing the virus from entering cells. The antibodies protect hamsters from infection when exposed to the coronavirus, also setting off the infection-fighting actions of other immune cells.
Researchers at DZNE identified effective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which could trigger undesired side effects when binding to various organs. These neutralizing antibodies can prevent the virus from entering cells and reproducing, helping immune cells eliminate the pathogen.
A new CRISPR vaccine has been successfully tested in animal studies, providing protection against the parasitic skin disease leishmaniasis. The vaccine uses a modified version of the parasite that causes the disease, which induces immunity without causing clinical disease.
A recent survey found that more people are wearing masks in public places, while vaccine uncertainty is also increasing. The study suggests that addressing efficacy concerns through messaging may be key to reaching those not wearing masks. Respondents perceived a higher risk of getting seriously ill and dying from COVID-19 than is likely.
A new review article reveals that COVID-19 mortality rates are significantly higher among men than women, with sex-based physiological differences potentially contributing to the increased risk. The study highlights the importance of considering sex as a key variable in research related to immunity and infectious disease.
Researchers investigating BCG vaccination's potential COVID-19 protection find no correlation between infancy vaccination and reduced pandemic cases. Instead, they suggest other factors like public health agency strength or risk aversion may play a role.
Colorado State University has received a $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue developing the SolaVAX coronavirus vaccine candidate. The funding will support pre-clinical research and human clinical trials to test the safety and immune response of the vaccine.
A new study reveals that believing in COVID-19 conspiracy theories predicts increased resistance to vaccination and preventive behaviors, including mask-wearing. The researchers found a widening gap between those who strongly believed in conspiracies and those who did not, with believers being less likely to wear masks and get vaccinated.
A study by Princeton researchers projects that a vaccine capable of eliciting strong immune responses can substantially reduce future COVID-19 cases. The study found that the nature of immune responses affects clinical outcomes and the burden of severe cases, with stronger immunity reducing future burdens.
A team of researchers adapted standard epidemiological models to explore how COVID-19 pandemic trajectories might unfold in the next five years. Their work emphasizes the importance of understanding adaptive immune responses and vaccine efficacy in determining future case severity and duration.
Researchers develop a novel approach to detect and defend against hardware Trojans by adapting human immune system principles. The proposed mechanism uses an irregular network topology and machine learning-based anomaly detection to identify malicious attacks.
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America recommends immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases for healthcare personnel, educators, and students. Medical contraindications are the only exception to receiving recommended immunizations.