Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
A majority of US adults (59.7%) would pay at least $1 for an Ebola vaccine, according to a national survey conducted during the 2014-2016 West African outbreak. Participants who had traveled internationally and were interested in getting vaccinated were more likely to be willing to pay.
A randomized trial in rural India found that educating mothers on the benefits of tetanus vaccination increased immunization coverage by 43%. The intervention also improved measles vaccination rates and reduced the cost per disability-adjusted life year averted.
The new Shingrix vaccine has been shown to be more than 90% effective in protecting against the herpes zoster virus, which causes chickenpox and shingles. The vaccine stimulates production of immune memory cells, generating a strong and sustained protection against the virus.
A communication training program for healthcare professionals increased HPV vaccine series initiation and completion among adolescents, with higher rates seen in intervention compared to control groups. The study highlights the potential of disseminating this intervention to increase national adolescent HPV vaccination levels.
Researchers at Michigan State University are developing a new cancer vaccine using the virus-like particle Qβ, which generates anti-cancer immune responses. The vaccine aims to protect animals against cancerous cells and could translate to human use for spontaneously occurring cancers.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that mass dog vaccination can effectively eliminate human exposure to rabies in Africa. The research found that with over 65% of a city's dog population vaccinated, the risk of transmission was significantly reduced.
A new study shows that innuendo and pointing suspicion in news coverage can significantly increase belief in false facts. Researchers found that even implicit hints at conspiracy theories can lead to increased conspiracy beliefs, while debunking information can only partially reduce these levels.
A new online game aims to provide general immunity against fake news by simulating the techniques and motivations behind its spread. Players engage with fake news sites, Twitter bots, and conspiracy theories to build their critical thinking skills.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have created a safe and effective vaccine to block heroin's lethal effects, using an adjuvant already approved by the FDA. The vaccine, which is stable at room temperature for up to 30 days, shows promise in treating heroin addiction and preventing overdose deaths.
A new study in Ghana found that the timing of measles vaccination can significantly impact child survival rates. Measles vaccination after DTP3 increased child survival by 28% within the first year and 18% until age five. The vaccine also showed a stronger beneficial effect on boys compared to girls.
A new study estimates that vaccines can prevent up to 36 million deaths and 24 million cases of medical impoverishment in 41 low- and middle-income countries by 2030. The poorest populations are expected to benefit the most from vaccine programs, with a significant impact on health and economic outcomes.
A recent study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that consuming hot tea at high temperatures is associated with a significant increase in the risk of esophageal cancer. The research, which followed over 450,000 participants for nine years, suggests that abstaining from hot tea may be beneficial for individuals who drink al...
Exposing the gut to chlamydia provides robust protection against subsequent genital tract and other tissue infections, according to a study published in Infection and Immunity. The discovery has significant vaccine implications for preventing genital chlamydia, particularly among young people.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that vaccines used by commercial fish farmers are not protecting fish from disease, with vaccinated fish showing more symptoms and higher death rates. The study highlights the need for veterinary pharmaceutical companies to redesign and test vaccines tailored to fish immune systems.
Researchers developed artificial receptors called EVIR that enable dendritic cells to capture antigens from the patient's tumor, amplifying the immune response against cancer. The EVIR technology exploits pro-tumoral exosomes as selective nanocarriers of tumor antigens.
UAlberta researchers created a synthetic horsepox virus that can provide vaccine protection against smallpox. The discovery demonstrates the potential of synthetic DNA technology in advancing public health measures.
Research presented at the Crohn's & Colitis Congress provides guidance for physicians to enhance IBD patient care. Studies show that better management of anemia improves overall outcomes, while IBD patients need better understanding of CRC screening intervals.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have developed a method to screen millions of human antibodies for rapid therapeutic discovery, overcoming limitations of single-cell cloning. The breakthrough technology identifies highly potent antibodies and provides insights into human immune responses to vaccines and infections.
A new saliva-based diagnostic test could identify people at risk for throat cancers earlier, enabling early treatment and prevention. The test aims to detect HPV infections in a low-cost, non-invasive manner.
The Future Vaccine Manufacturing Hub aims to increase vaccine coverage worldwide, improve response to deadly outbreaks, and overcome barriers in vaccine distribution. Researchers will explore innovative approaches, including synthetic RNA vaccines and protein stabilisation, to rapidly respond to emerging threats.
Researchers found that a vaccine inducing killer T cells provides broader protection for children of vaccinated mothers. The vaccine prevents the immune system from producing antibodies specific to the virus and induces protective killer T cells that can recognize and attack the virus.
Researchers estimate that vampire bat rabies causes between 505-724 cattle deaths annually in Peru, with significant financial losses for farming communities. Enhancing vaccination programs can reduce the disease burden and increase awareness can encourage preventative measures.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that mass dog vaccination can eliminate human rabies exposure in Africa. The study, conducted in Chad, demonstrated the effectiveness of a 20-year-old strategy targeting foxes, with over 65% of the city's dog population vaccinated against rabies.
Researchers successfully interrupted rabies transmission in N'Djaména, Chad, after two mass dog vaccination campaigns. The campaigns reduced dog-to-human transmissions by less than one per million people, highlighting the effectiveness of vaccines when local communities are informed and engaged.
Research led by Queen Mary University of London predicts a shift in cervical cancer burden from young to older women. Incidence among 50-54 year olds is expected to increase by 50%, while mortality rates are projected to rise by 109% among 60-64 year olds.
Researchers have identified an antibody that can block entry to the host cell, providing a basis for safe and broad-spectrum anti-dengue therapy. The study also revealed the structural basis of the antibody binding to individual dengue viruses, which could help explain why some vaccines may not work.
A study led by UC Berkeley researchers found that a small pool of immune cells remain alive for years after vaccination, developing unique features such as methylation patterns to keep them primed and ready to respond to the same microbe. This discovery may help scientists develop better vaccines and understand differences among diseases.
The Michelson Prizes aim to support young scientists developing groundbreaking approaches to defeat major global diseases. Two $150,000 prizes will be awarded in June 2018 to identify innovative projects beyond conventional approaches.
Researchers found male virgins can acquire HPV despite never having engaged in penetrative sexual intercourse. Vaccination before first sex is crucial to prevent infection, according to study authors.
A high-dose live oral vaccine has been found to be more effective in rapidly protecting individuals from cholera than the standard two-dose killed vaccine approach. This breakthrough could lead to improved control of outbreaks and lower mortality rates, particularly in low-income countries.
A new animal model has been developed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute to mimic key features of the Zika virus infection, including lingering presence in bodily fluids. The marmoset model is useful for testing new drugs and vaccines, and may help identify places where transmission can be blocked.
Researchers used Twitter and Google data to analyze public perceptions on vaccines and detect early warning signals of a tipping point in vaccine coverage. They successfully predicted the 2014-15 Disneyland measles outbreak by monitoring sentiment on social media.
A study analyzed Twitter and Google search data to identify trends in vaccine sentiment before the 2014-2015 Disneyland measles outbreak. The findings suggest that social media users' attitudes toward vaccines exhibit increased variability, characteristic of systems approaching a tipping point.
A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that men infected with one type of HPV are 20 times more likely to be reinfected within a year. Vaccination before sexual contact is crucial in preventing initial infection, while vaccinating previously infected men could also reduce reinfection risk.
A new Zika vaccine has demonstrated well-tolerability and induced potentially protective immune responses in three phase 1 clinical trials. The vaccine, called ZPIV, was developed by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and is being evaluated in several trials to determine its safety and efficacy.
A new Zika vaccine candidate has produced strong immune responses in healthy adults, with nearly all recipients mounting protective antibody responses against the virus. The vaccine was safe and caused only mild reactions, offering a promising step towards an effective Zika vaccine.
A gene-based Zika vaccine developed by NIH scientists has been found to be safe and immunogenic in healthy adults, with 60-89% of participants generating a neutralizing antibody response. The vaccine, which includes a small piece of DNA called a plasmid, triggers the body to mount an immune response when injected into muscle.
Researchers have developed an inactivated Zika purified virus (ZPIV) vaccine that induced an immune response in participants and was well-tolerated, according to Phase 1 clinical trial results.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen developed a new vaccine technique that can fight HER2-positive breast cancer in mice with a 50-100% prevention rate. The vaccine works by inducing large amounts of antibodies targeted at cancer cells, preventing tumors from developing and slowing down cancer progression.
The Human Vaccines Project has reported high-level outcomes from two concurrent clinical studies aimed at deciphering the components and mechanisms of human immunity. The findings may provide important new insights into human immunity, which will be leveraged to launch expanded studies in 2018.
A new longitudinal study from York University's OUCH Cohort found that parents' behavior during vaccinations significantly impacts their child's pain coping responses. Engaging in positive behaviors like deep breathing and distraction, while avoiding negative ones, can reduce pain-related distress. The study suggests that a preschooler...
A new study suggests that HPV vaccination can reduce the number of cervical screens needed from 12 to just three for vaccinated women. The research also recommends seven lifetime screens for unvaccinated women.
A recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that Australia's highly successful HPV vaccination program has led to a significant decline in cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, an uncommon and difficult-to-treat childhood respiratory disease. As a result, medical costs related to the disease have decre...
A Kaiser Permanente study found that pregnant women who used an interactive website monitored by a clinical expert were more likely to vaccinate their children than those without access. The study suggests websites with interactive components can complement face-to-face clinical interactions and combat misinformation.
A new study in Nicaraguan children pinpoints a narrow window of antibody levels that enhances reaction to severe dengue, shedding light on the long-standing phenomenon of antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). The findings hold important implications for vaccine development against dengue and related flaviviruses like Zika.
A recent study found that Helicobacter pylori's mutation rate is high from the beginning of infection, making it challenging to develop an effective vaccine. The bacterium's genetic diversity can also inhibit the production of antigens in a potential vaccine.
Researchers discovered a virus-like particle vaccine can prime the immune response and prevent severe respiratory disease caused by RSV vaccine. The study found immunizing mice with RSV fusion proteins before administering the FI-RSV vaccine prevented lung inflammation and eosinophil invasion.
A promising leprosy vaccine candidate, LepVax, is moving into human trials after years of research. The vaccine has been developed using cutting-edge technologies to induce protective responses against the disease.
Two Ebola vaccine candidates elicited strong and long-lasting immune responses in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The study found that 71% of one vaccine and 84% of another developed antibodies to the Ebola virus within a month, with antibody responses maintained for at least a year.
Researchers have discovered that the virus used in the early smallpox vaccine was closely related to horsepox, contradicting centuries-long assumptions that cowpox was used. The finding has significant implications for our understanding of vaccine development and its applications in modern medicine.
A combination of pathogen-specific, platform-based, and prototype-pathogen approaches is crucial for effective pandemic preparedness. These methods enable rapid deployment of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines to stop outbreaks in their tracks.
A phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated the safety and ability of a new DNA-based Zika vaccine to elicit an immune response against the virus, with 100% of participants developing Zika-specific antibodies. The vaccine also showed promise in preventing infection in immunocompromised mice.
The overall annual incidence of measles in the United States remained low from 2001 to 2015, with most cases reported among unvaccinated individuals. The study suggests that failure to vaccinate may be the main driver of measles transmission, highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccine coverage.
A large epidemiological study conducted in Québec found no link between the BCG vaccine and childhood asthma. The research team analyzed data from a comprehensive vaccination registry and public health records, adjusting for various confounders to ensure accurate findings.
Research from Aarhus University found that 29% of referred women over 18 have been prescribed psychiatric medicine before vaccination, compared to 17% for HPV vaccinated women. Women referred to HPV centers often had mental health issues before receiving the vaccine.
A new phase 2b trial of the Vi-conjugate typhoid vaccine shows high efficacy rates and reduced symptoms of typhoid disease. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and immunogenic, with a potential to halve typhoid infections in children under 2 years old.
The University of Hawaii has received a nearly $6.3 million grant to develop a heat-stable, trivalent Ebola vaccine that can protect against three related viruses in the same family. The vaccine, developed by Axel Lehrer, PhD, has the potential to speed up protection for health workers and others during outbreaks.
Researchers funded by Morris Animal Foundation found that the rabies vaccine reduces mortality from all causes in dogs by 56 percent, particularly among young dogs. This non-specific protective effect may have implications for human medicine as well.
A potential Zika vaccine has shown to completely prevent infection, transmission from pregnant mothers to developing fetuses and protect males against testicular infection and injury. The vaccine also prevents a lowered sperm count after one vaccination.
The Serum Institute's rotavirus vaccine, ROTASIIL, demonstrated significant efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis, reducing severe diarrhea by over a third. The vaccine showed nearly 55% efficacy against the most severe cases, which can lead to dehydration, hospitalizations, and deaths.