Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that hospital mortality rates after heart attack vary by age, with older and younger patient groups showing different outcomes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently only considers data for patients aged 65 or older when calculating hospital quality ratings.
Researchers argue that acellular vaccines' inability to prevent infections contributes to the disease's resurgence. The study highlights differences in mucosal immunity between whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines, which may have led to the increase in cases.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai investigators reveals how staph bacteria trick the body's immune system, allowing repeated infections throughout life. The study sheds light on how to develop an effective vaccine harnessing T cells to combat the superbug MRSA.
A recent study published in Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology found that the HPV vaccine is associated with improved fertility in some women, particularly those with a history of sexually transmitted infections. The research, led by Boston University School of Public Health, suggests that vaccinated women with an STI history have s...
Researchers at Oregon State University have identified two proteins, NGO1985 and NGO2121, as promising gonorrhea vaccine candidates. These proteins show extensive sensitivity to antimicrobial compounds, making them attractive targets for developing a vaccine.
Researchers identified a signature of five early innate immune markers correlating with antibody titers after vaccination, providing insight into VSV-based vaccine efficacy. The study's findings could lead to accelerated vaccine development and improved emergency vaccine strategies.
A study published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that bacterial toxins from E. coli can cause urinary tract infections with a different mechanism than pertussis toxin, which causes whooping cough. Understanding this diversity may help improve existing vaccines and create new ones.
A new study published in The Lancet found that the Gardasil 9 vaccine can reduce 90% of cervical cancer cases with long-term effectiveness. The vaccine was tested on over 14,000 women worldwide and showed similar safety profiles to the four-valent HPV vaccine.
A study found that vaccine-hesitant parents in California are finding physicians willing to grant medical exemptions, leading to a significant increase in MEs. The exemption percentage decreased overall, but counties with high past PBE use saw the largest increases in MEs.
A new case-control study found that the BCG vaccine protects over 50% of UK children against TB for at least 20 years after vaccination in early teenage years. The research highlights the importance of BCG in preventing the spread of disease, particularly in areas with high TB risk but low vaccination coverage.
A new study found that HPV vaccination rates are significantly lower among childhood cancer survivors compared to the general population. Most participants lacked a healthcare provider's recommendation, highlighting the need for increased communication and awareness about HPV vaccination.
Research shows that administering shingles vaccine several weeks prior to starting tofacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis results in robust immune responses. This is particularly beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are at a higher risk of developing shingles.
Research suggests HPV vaccination rates for childhood cancer survivors are lower than the national average, but healthcare providers play a crucial role in recommending the vaccine. The study found that nearly half of survivors who received recommendations were vaccinated, compared to just 23.8% of those who did not.
Researchers have made progress toward a vaccine against fentanyl and heroin combinations, showing efficacy in monkeys. The vaccine stimulates production of antibodies that bind to the heroin molecule itself and prevent it from reaching the opioid receptor.
Researchers explore the origins of the smallpox vaccine, tracing its development from cowpox virus to modern vaccinia virus. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between different types of viruses and lymphs involved in the vaccine's evolution.
New study confirms the sustained impact of rotavirus vaccination in reducing diarrhea hospitalizations among US children under 5, with estimated savings of $1.2 billion in direct medical costs. Researchers found that hospitalization rates decreased by between 31-55% following routine vaccine introduction in 2006.
Alaska's comprehensive hepatitis A vaccination program, established in the 1990s, has dramatically reduced the virus's presence among native peoples. The program's success is attributed to widespread vaccination requirements for school entry, resulting in an 88% decline in imported cases since 2008.
A study shows that Alaska's universal hepatitis B vaccination programme has wiped out hepatitis B infection and liver cancer cases in the state's young people. The program, introduced in the 1980s, led to a significant decrease in acute symptomatic HBV infection and liver cancer cases among Alaskan Native children, with no reported cas...
A review of clinical trials and observational studies found that cholera vaccines reduce the risk of getting cholera by 58% in adults but only 30% in children under 5. The findings could inform policymakers on how to use the vaccine, particularly in outbreak settings like Yemen.
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are developing a vaccine to protect against Shigella and certain E. coli, leading causes of diarrheal diseases in young children and travelers. The $2.47 million grant will support translation from an animal-tested prototype to a human-ready vaccine for Phase 1 clinical trials.
A survey found that public trust in science increased after the launch of the first human trial of a Zika vaccine, with people showing greater trust in science and paying more attention to news about the Zika virus. The study suggests that regularized communication about scientific advances could bolster confidence in science.
A recent study reveals that innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) compete with T cells for a shared source of interleukin-7 (IL-7), a protein essential for their survival. This competition sheds light on the complex phenomenon of homeostasis, which supports the long-term survival of immune cells.
New research shows that Obamacare significantly improved health insurance coverage and access to care for US youth, with over half a million Latino children gaining insurance. However, disparities remain, with Latino children still more than twice as likely to lack insurance compared to white and black youth.
A 5% drop in MMR vaccinations among children ages 2-11 could triple annual measles cases and increase public health expenditures by $2.1 million per case. The study predicts sharp rises in measles cases if vaccination rates further decline, with potential outbreaks in previously well-vaccinated communities.
A study estimates a three-fold increase in national measles cases in children ages 2 to 11 with just a 5% decline in MMR vaccine coverage, resulting in 150 cases and significant economic losses. Removing non-medical personal belief exemptions for childhood vaccination may mitigate these consequences.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a Zika vaccine that can protect the developing fetus against infection and birth defects during pregnancy. The study showed that two different potential vaccines could prevent the Zika virus from infecting the fetus.
Two experimental vaccines demonstrate protection against Zika-related congenital damage in mice, preventing placental damage and fetal demise. Researchers observed significant reduction of Zika virus RNA in maternal, placental, and fetal tissues among vaccinated mice.
A new study shows that females vaccinated before pregnancy and infected with Zika virus while pregnant bear pups who show no trace of the virus. Two vaccines provided substantial protection against Zika infection, reducing viral genetic material in fetuses and placentas.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus discovered a process protecting against autoimmune disease also prevents the body from creating antibodies that can neutralize HIV-1. By temporarily relaxing immunological tolerance, scientists believe they may be able to elicit protective antibodies with vaccination.
More than 115,000 children under five die annually from RSV complications, with half occurring outside hospitals in developing countries. Researchers call for affordable treatments and vaccines as a priority to combat the virus.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered a new way to measure tiny amounts of antibodies in foals, helping to understand how quickly they start producing their own. This will aid in optimizing vaccination schedules for young horses.
Researchers at Stockholm University have determined the three-dimensional structure of the entire tetanus toxin protein, revealing its exact atomic positions. The discovery sheds light on how the toxin interacts with nerve cells and causes life-threatening muscle cramps and spasms.
Researchers at UTEP have been awarded a patent for a potential vaccine against Chagas disease, a life-threatening tropical illness. The vaccine, which has shown promising results in non-human primates, could provide a much-needed solution to the growing number of people infected with the disease.
A recent study by Virginia Tech researchers breaks down the ideas driving pro- and anti-vaccination stances, revealing that both sides focus on different concerns and interests. The study's findings suggest that understanding these core concepts can help address public concerns about vaccination safety.
Emergency room visits for shingles increased among patients aged 20-59 years old after vaccination, while decreases were seen in younger and older groups. Shingles-related costs rose by 111% from 2006 to 2013, with the majority attributed to middle-aged patients.
A phase 1 randomized controlled trial found an Ebola virus disease vaccine developed in Canada to be well-tolerated and effective, with high antibodies present six months after immunization. The vaccine showed no safety concerns and was well-received by participants.
A nurse-led vaccination programme significantly improves pneumococcal vaccination coverage among patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The study found that nursing staff accurately identified candidates for vaccination and informed them about its benefits.
Researchers at George Washington University are testing a candidate recombinant hookworm vaccine in a Phase II clinical trial. The study aims to prove the efficacy of the vaccine against hookworm infection and its potential benefits for millions of people infected worldwide.
A new study presents data from an FDA-approved clinical trial testing the generic vaccine BCG to reverse advanced type 1 diabetes. The findings suggest that BCG may induce a permanent increase in expression of genes that restore beneficial regulatory T cells (Tregs) preventing autoimmune attacks on the body's own tissue.
Dr. Jack Edwards, a leading researcher at LA BioMed, has been recognized with the Rhoda Benham Award for his continuous outstanding contributions to medical mycology. His work focuses on understanding fungal diseases, aiming to develop new anti-fungal agents and immunotherapies to prevent life-threatening infections.
Research confirms a positive correlation between HPV vaccination and increased cervical screening rates, contradicting concerns about reduced screening due to reassurance. However, vaccine cost and provider recommendations remain significant barriers to widespread adoption in the US.
The TSRI anti-heroin vaccine has been shown to neutralize heroin and its psychoactive products, blocking them from reaching the brain to cause a feeling of euphoria. Researchers believe this could help eliminate motivation for relapse in recovering addicts.
A Phase 1/2 clinical trial of an experimental Chikungunya vaccine, MV-CHIKV, is underway in the US. The trial aims to assess the safety and immune response of the vaccine in healthy adults.
Researchers have identified a key to generating effective tissue-resident memory T cells that can fight off infections in organs. By adjusting the strength of T cell receptor stimulation, scientists can promote the generation of these cells, which could lead to more efficient protection against viruses like Zika and HIV.
A new study found that mothers who refuse to vaccinate their children are viewed more negatively than those who delay vaccines due to safety concerns. Researchers used an online survey to examine attitudes toward under-vaccinated children and their parents, revealing stigmatization regardless of reason for non-compliance.
A recent study found that HPV vaccination can prevent oral HPV infections by 88%, but low uptake rates among males limit its impact. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that only 6.9% of men had received at least one dose of the vaccine, compared to 29.2% of women.
More than half of eligible US travelers fail to receive a pre-trip measles vaccine, despite clinical recommendations. This increases the risk of endemic measles outbreaks in the US. Researchers urge improved provider and traveler knowledge of measles as a travel-related illness and increased vaccination rates.
A study found that 53% of eligible US travelers not receiving the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine during pre-travel consultations. Lack of concern about disease risk was the most common reason for non-vaccination. The research team recommends ways to increase vaccination rates among travelers.
A new study published in the STD Journal found that a two-dose HPV vaccine provides the same level of protection against genital warts as three doses. The study, which looked at nearly 400,000 girls, confirms the CDC's updated recommendations for a two-dose vaccine schedule.
Researchers at City College of New York and TechnoVax have successfully developed a vaccine against the Zika virus using a novel virus-like particle (VLP) technology. The VLP formulations were found to be highly effective in eliciting protective antibodies while being well-tolerated and safe.
Researchers have developed a new method to generate diverse molecules that could serve as vaccine adjuvants, improving immunogenic response. The approach uses bacterial enzymatic combinatorial chemistry to create novel lipid A structures with potential adjuvant activity.
The study reveals that a single antibody can block an envelope protein's function, enabling the scientists to mathematically model the amount of antibodies needed to neutralize HIV-1. The findings could aid research into nAb-based vaccines and treatments, which have proven complex to develop.
A new study found that a TB vaccine candidate is safe and effective in adolescents infected with Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm. No serious adverse events were recorded during the trial.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has released a survey report on immunisation information systems, showing strong potential for e-health to increase vaccination coverage. Digital systems are being piloted across EU/EEA countries, including automated reminders that can identify under-vaccinated populations.
Researchers have identified early plasma cytokine signatures that correlate with and predict the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines based on living viruses. This breakthrough can inform and accelerate rational development of new vaccines, especially during outbreaks and epidemics.
A therapeutic vaccine is being tested to prevent or reduce cervical cancer recurrence in women at high risk. The vaccine has shown promise in extending survival time for patients with recurrent disease, and its safety and efficacy are being evaluated in a phase 3 study.
Researchers have created a technique to encase proteins in silica cages, keeping them intact at high temperatures up to 100°C. This method, called ensilication, has the potential to revolutionize vaccine storage and transportation, particularly for remote or resource-constrained areas.
The WHO's Global Hepatitis Report provides a comprehensive understanding of the disease's impact, revealing 325 million people living with viral hepatitis and 1.34 million annual deaths. To reverse this trend, scaling up birth dose vaccination against hepatitis B and improving access to affordable treatment are key actions needed.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that vaccine-induced IgA antibodies 'enchain' bacteria in the intestine, forming clumps that prevent disease and genetic exchange of resistant genes. This approach could lead to a new strategy for intestinal infections, including farm animal vaccination and potential human applications.
Researchers analyzed a patient's progression through Ebola virus disease and recovery to identify distinct phases of physiological responses. The study also characterized serum from healthy volunteers receiving the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, identifying six markers that predict adverse reactions.