Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
A new study by Bocconi scholars links measles resurgence to public health expenditure cuts in Italy. The research found that each 1% reduction in per-capita real public health expenditure corresponds to a 0.5 percentage point decline in MMR vaccination coverage, highlighting the importance of investing in public health.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have discovered that T cells elicited from subunit vaccines can reproduce without glucose, supporting their expansion and potentially defeating cancerous tumors. This finding has major implications for the development of immunotherapies for cancer patients.
Researchers found that implementing a standard tetanus protocol in an ICU in Tanzania did not significantly reduce mortality rates, but shifted causes of deaths to airway compromise and sepsis. The study emphasizes the need for increased vaccination coverage to eliminate this preventable disease.
Researchers found that bot accounts shared anti-vaccination messages 75% more than average users, while Russian trolls used polarizing language to promote discord. The study suggests a significant portion of online vaccine discourse may be generated by malicious actors with hidden agendas.
Researchers used genomic and epidemiological approaches to understand the mode of transmission of the South America's largest yellow fever virus outbreak. The study revealed that the virus lineage had spread through a sylvatic cycle of transmission in primates before spilling over into human populations.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified the cause of enterovirus outbreaks as linked to birth rates. The model predicts subsequent outbreaks, allowing for vaccine design and anticipation of outbreak impact.
Scientists at Garvan Institute of Medical Research have identified a new micro-organ within the immune system that helps fight reinfection fast. The structure, named SPFs, is strategically positioned to detect infection early and contains immune cells gathering to mount a rapid response.
A statistical analysis of two Phase 3 clinical trials reveals a decrease in dengue vaccine efficacy with increasing antigen amino acid mismatch in children aged 2-8. In contrast, older children showed broader protective responses with prior virus exposure.
A large study of over 80,000 children found no increased risk of autism spectrum disorder after prenatal Tdap vaccination. The study's lead author says pregnant women can be reassured that receiving the vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of autism.
A proof-of-concept study found that antibiotic treatment prior to vaccination increased viral shedding in healthy adult men, while narrow-spectrum antibiotics showed a slight increase in early vaccine boosting. The results suggest a potential correlation between the microbiome and vaccine performance.
Researchers found a broad range of cost per dose delivered across Indian states, with personnel costs accounting for 57% of total costs. The weighted average national cost per dose was $2.29, which is lower than the current allocation of $25 per child.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that dengue immunity provides cross-protection against Zika virus in mouse models. The research shows that cytotoxic T cells mobilized by dengue infection can combat the devastating effects of Zika infection on fetal brain development.
Chiung-Yu Hung receives $1.9 million grant to develop a vaccine for fungal infections, particularly valley fever caused by Coccidioides fungus. The goal is to prevent illness and save lives by stopping the spread of the infection before it occurs.
A new study published in EcoHealth confirms that plague vaccine bait is safe for thousands of small rodents, including mice species, without apparent ill effects. The findings support the use of this vaccine bait to help recover endangered black-footed ferrets and protect prairie dog populations from plague.
A Phase 2 study published in the NEJM found that vaccination can reduce the rate of sustained TB infections, with a 45.4% vaccine efficacy against BCG revaccination. The trial also showed promise for an investigational subunit vaccine candidate, H4:IC31, which reduced sustained infections by 30.5%.
A major new study published in Science Translational Medicine found that a hepatitis C vaccine would significantly reduce transmission among injecting drug users, even if it doesn't provide complete sterilizing immunity. The study estimated that the risk of transmission could decrease to between 1 and 25 percent with vaccination.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute found that the current whooping cough vaccine primes the immune system in a way that leaves it vulnerable to future infections. The study suggests that new vaccines could be developed to improve the vaccine's efficacy, potentially applicable to other vaccines.
Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine used an HPV vaccine as an off-label treatment for a patient with advanced squamous cell carcinoma. The patient's tumors completely resolved after direct intratumoral injections, providing promising results in this innovative approach to skin cancer treatment.
Purdue University researchers have created the most accurate picture of Zika virus to date, finding probable drug-binding pockets on its surface. This breakthrough has the potential to lead to the development of vaccines and therapeutics for this mosquito-borne disease.
Long-term follow-up of BCG vaccine trial participants shows significant clinical benefits, including near-normal blood sugar levels, which persist for up to five years. The study reveals a novel metabolic mechanism that increases cellular glucose consumption, leading to improved insulin sensitivity.
A collaborative development of a dengue vaccine candidate has been announced by Institut Pasteur, BioNet-Asia and In-Cell-Art. The project aims to develop a single injection containing diverse antigens that vary in key positions to induce immune responses with unprecedented breadth and potency.
Researchers found that cells use septins to form cage-like structures around viral particles, inhibiting their release and preventing the virus from spreading. The study provides new insights into the cellular mechanisms that control viral infections.
A study found that parents of adolescents believe the potential to prevent certain types of cancer is the most persuasive reason for their children to receive the HPV vaccine. The researchers evaluated 11 reasons healthcare providers typically give for HPV vaccination and ranked them according to their persuasiveness.
A study by researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School analyzed search results for 'vaccines autism' and found that 10%-24% of websites had a negative stance on vaccines, with some ranking highly in different languages. The research highlights the potential impact of misinformation on public health.
Scientists from Institut Pasteur and partners have developed a cellular test to verify the safety of live vaccines like yellow fever vaccine. The 3D culture model, BBB-Minibrain, detects rare mutant particles with neuroinvasive properties, paving the way for reduced animal testing in quality control.
A UNC study found that administering the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy significantly reduces the occurrence of infant pertussis, with a 75% decrease in hospitalizations and a 46% decrease in all cases. The study suggests optimal timing of immunization between 27-36 weeks of pregnancy.
Researchers have developed a fast-acting cholera vaccine that protects against the deadly disease within a day, offering promise in curbing outbreaks. The vaccine, HaitiV, works by using harmless, lab-designed bacteria as a protective shield, preventing the pathogen from causing trouble.
Scientists have developed a new vaccine-based intervention that reduces severity and increases survival times in animal models. A probiotic bacterial species, Lactococcus lactis, has also been found to combat cholera by producing an acid that kills the bacteria.
Syphilis researchers have identified exterior proteins on the bacteria that could serve as vaccine targets, marking a breakthrough in the development of a potential vaccine. The discovery was made by UConn Health researchers using computer modeling and testing techniques.
Childhood vaccination exemptions are increasing in parts of the US, with higher rates linked to lower MMR vaccination coverage. The authors highlight a need for stricter legislative action to protect children from highly infectious diseases.
Since 2000, conjugate vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae have prevented a significant decline in child mortality from these bacterial infections, with estimated reductions of 90% and 51%, respectively. The introduction of these vaccines has been instrumental in reducing the global burden o...
Researchers develop flexible vaccine platform for single-dose protection against a range of infectious diseases. The technology offers rapid, large-scale production and is suitable for repeated use.
Researchers suggest smaller, controlled experiments could demonstrate vaccine effectiveness with as few as 200 animals. A larger-scale natural transmission experiment using vaccinated and unvaccinated cattle could provide robust evaluation of the efficacy and mode of action of vaccination.
Haipeng Liu, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Wayne State University, received a $539,422 NSF CAREER grant to develop molecular adjuvants that can enhance the effectiveness of cancer vaccines and overcome tumor-related immune suppression. His research aims to bridge the gap between synthetic chemistry and immunology.
A study in CMAJ investigated whether HPV vaccination triggers autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The research analyzed data from 290,939 girls aged 12-17 who received the HPV4 vaccine between 2007 and 2013, finding no increased risk of autoimmune disorders.
A new study finds that diseases common in the developing world may cause lymphoid tissue fibrosis and impaired vaccine responses. Researchers found significant differences in lymphoid anatomy between Ugandans and US participants, with Ugandans showing evidence of inflammation and immune activation.
Researchers must value Indigenous people's knowledge and experiences to conduct meaningful health research. The history of Indigenous health research in Canada involved unethical methods, but guidelines have been implemented to improve the field, including minimum requirements from the Tri-Council Policy Statement.
Researchers from UNC School of Medicine found that natural body temperature affects the stability of a promising vaccine component, potentially rendering it ineffective against dengue and Zika viruses. The study suggests that stabilizing the pairing propensity of this component is critical to creating an effective vaccine.
Research in mice shows that chronic intestinal worm infection reduces the number of white blood cells in lymph nodes near the BCG vaccine injection site, hindering the immune response to tuberculosis. De-worming treatments can restore immune function after infection.
Scientists have identified a common site on both viruses that renders them defenseless to the same antibodies, paving the way for broad-spectrum therapies. The findings provide molecular proof of an anecdotal observation and could lead to the development of a universal vaccine against multiple hemorrhagic fever viruses.
Scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine have invented a litmus test for the effectiveness of a newly devised cancer therapy using a radioactive tracer that tracks activated immune cells. The tracer's capabilities also make it a powerful tool to detect autoimmune diseases.
Researchers developed a novel vaccine strategy that blocks the death of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells, leading to improved antitumor efficacy in mice. The approach involves increasing the amount of time interleukin 2 (IL2) stays in the body, enhancing the activation and survival of these immune cells.
A new study led by St. Michael's Hospital maps the potential risk of yellow fever virus spread to cities around the world, analyzing travel patterns and environmental conditions. The research highlights the need for countries to reexamine their policies to prevent yellow fever virus importation, protect travelers, and prevent exportation.
LepVax, IDRI's leprosy vaccine candidate, shows promise in pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis against M. leprae infection in animals. It alleviates and delays neurologic disruptions caused by the bacteria, a major breakthrough for leprosy treatment.
The study demonstrates the efficacy of a single dose of NDV-3A in reducing recurrences of vaginitis in patients with RVVC, with younger patients showing higher efficacy rates. The vaccine also generates rapid and robust immune responses.
Purdue researchers have developed an online platform called the Social Media Analytics and Reporting Toolkit (SMART) that filters social media content according to key words and geographic regions. The tool is being used by first responders to analyze both live and historical data, helping them attend to certain areas faster.
Research presented at ECCMID found that unvaccinated patients accounted for most measles cases, with children under two years old being at higher risk of dying from the disease. The study also highlighted the impact of measles on young populations, with one in 1,000 cases resulting in death.
A new personalized vaccine has shown promise in boosting immune responses and increasing survival rates in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The vaccine combines different immunotherapies to better tackle the disease, which is often diagnosed at later stages and lacks curative treatment options.
Researchers developed a nasal spray vaccine that shifts the immune response toward peanut tolerance in mice with established allergies. The vaccine's nano-emulsion adjuvant promotes a strong infection-fighting response that suppresses allergic reactions.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that can redirect the immune response to prevent allergic symptoms, providing extended relief from peanut allergies. The study shows promise for potential therapy of allergies in humans and may lead to long-lasting suppression of food allergies.
A study by University of Waterloo historians reveals that vaccine hesitancy, also known as immunization apathy, is rooted in social and political factors rather than bad parenting. The study shows how decades of misinformation and a lack of political priority on disease prevention contributed to the issue.
A Zika vaccine has shown significant potential in eliminating prenatal infections, with a 75% effective vaccine covering 90% of females aged 9-49 years reducing incidence by at least 94%. The vaccine's effectiveness depends on demographic and fertility patterns, local Zika attack rates, and population susceptibility.
Scientists link whooping cough resurgence in the US to incomplete adult vaccination and declining vaccine efficacy over time. School-aged children are identified as a key transmission hub for future vaccination efforts.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers found that children with autism spectrum disorders and their younger siblings are less likely to receive full vaccinations. The study analyzed data from over 3,700 children with ASD and nearly 500,000 children without ASD, as well as their siblings born between 1995 and 2014.
A study of over 3,700 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 592,000 without ASD found that those with ASD and their younger siblings had lower vaccination rates. The research suggests a possible association between ASD diagnosis and undervaccination.
Scientists at NIH highlight innovations that can expedite vaccine development, shortening the timeline from decades to months. These advancements enable the application of standardized manufacturing processes to multiple vaccines, creating a collective database on safety and accelerating preclinical development.
A recent resurgence in mumps cases in the US is attributed to declining immune protection from the mumps vaccine. Researchers propose a booster dose at age 18 as a potential solution to maintain population immunity and control outbreaks.
Researchers have made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the onset of cholera, paving the way for a fast-acting antidote. The study shows that mice without a specific receptor can still get diarrhea after consuming cholera toxin, offering new possibilities for producing a drinkable antidote.
A yellow fever outbreak in Brazil highlights the need for tourists to get vaccinated before visiting affected areas, with the risk of severe illness and death being up to 60% among those who contract the disease. The Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccine is currently unavailable in the US due to manufacturing difficulties.
A new study found that people's misconceptions about the association between the MMR vaccine and autism significantly influence their willingness to receive a Zika vaccine. The study also revealed that individuals who believe in science's power to solve problems are more likely to intend to use a Zika vaccine.