Research on vaccines and immunization. Covers COVID and flu vaccines, outbreak response, long-lasting antibodies, and vaccination in vulnerable groups.
The Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) has received a $1 million grant from RHSC to develop an effective diagnostic tool and vaccine for leprosy. Current approaches are insufficient to eliminate the disease as a public health problem, with 1.6 billion people at risk of exposure.
Cystic fibrosis patients are vulnerable to Pseudomonas infection, which can be deadly. Researchers at Queen's University are working on a vaccine to combat this threat.
Researchers found that resident memory T cells in the skin, called TREMs, provide a powerful and effective immune response against infection. This new understanding challenges immunological dogma and suggests a more effective path to immunity through delivering vaccines to upper layers of the skin.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a protein, TMED7, that can shut down part of the immune system after an infection has been cleared. This finding could lead to new ways to prevent over-activation of the immune system in diseases.
Researchers at UGA have developed an animal vaccine that could slow the deadly spread of Chagas disease, which affects millions in Central and South America. The vaccine uses a genetically modified parasite that induces a strong immune response without replicating inside the host.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have developed a new vaccine to treat cancer by manipulating the immune response. The vaccine, which has shown high effectiveness in pre-clinical trials, overcomes obstacles that have hindered previous cancer vaccines.
A Kaiser Permanente study of 190,000 girls and women found no increase in autoimmune conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis after receiving the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. The study tracked results from 2006-2008 and employed methods to ensure accuracy and compare vaccinated versus unvaccinated groups.
A study found that children exposed to perfluorinated compounds, commonly used in food packaging, had lower antibody responses to routine childhood immunizations. The most common PFCs, such as PFOS and PFOA, were associated with decreased antibody concentrations, indicating potential immune system deficits.
Research published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood found that vaccination-induced anaphylactic shock is extremely rare. In a study of children under 16 in the UK and Ireland who were suspected of experiencing anaphylaxis after vaccination between 2008 and 2009, only seven cases were confirmed, resulting in no fatalities.
A population-based surveillance system has been set up to assess the impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on invasive pneumococcal disease and radiological pneumonia in children in The Gambia. Evidence of sustained reduction in these diseases due to PCVs is crucial for vaccine introduction and ongoing use.
A new anthrax capsule vaccine protects monkeys from lethal infection, offering a non-toxin alternative to current vaccines. The vaccine works by inducing anti-capsule antibody responses and is expected to be effective against vaccine-resistant strains of anthrax.
A new US study confirms that updated rotavirus vaccines do not increase the occurrence of severe bowel obstruction, a potentially fatal side effect. The re-introduction of these vaccines has been credited with reducing diarrhea-related hospitalizations among children.
A team of scientists from Boston University School of Medicine has identified a novel compound that inhibits viruses from replicating, including poxviruses such as Monkeypox. The compound works by inactivating an essential piece of virus machinery, preventing the virus from amplifying itself.
Researchers at Penn Medicine discovered that B cells can produce unequal daughter cells through a process involving helper T cells and specific proteins. This finding may explain how lifelong antibodies are generated after vaccination, and could also shed light on the development of cancerous blood cells like leukemia.
Researchers developed a new TB vaccine H56 that reduces clinical disease and prevents reactivation of latent infection when combined with BCG, a current but ineffective vaccine. This breakthrough could lead to improved protection against TB.
Despite significant progress, polio eradication remains complex due to asymptomatic infections and vaccine limitations. Experts emphasize the need for further research on virus-host interactions and vaccine usage in the final stages of the program.
Researchers create a glycoconjugate vaccine prototype that is 100 times more effective than traditional vaccines due to its recognition of carbohydrate-specific T-cells. The breakthrough may lead to better vaccines for high-risk populations and more effective treatments for various diseases.
Researchers have identified an antibody that neutralizes Sudan virus, one of the most deadly human pathogens caused by ebolavirus. The new findings suggest a key spot for neutralizing ebolaviruses, which could lead to the development of effective vaccines and antibody-based therapies.
Researchers found that mice with high amyloid burden experienced significant brain inflammation after receiving the vaccine, while those with lower amyloid burdens showed a significant benefit. The study suggests that vaccines may work best for patients with early disease and lower amyloid burden.
A vaccine seroepidemiology surveillance system would help track vaccine coverage, identify trends, and predict outbreaks in Canada. This system is crucial for informing vaccine policy and improving the country's immunization programs.
Two Penn physicians propose incorporating narrative into evidence-based medicine to translate medical science to the public, combating disproven theories and fear-based appeals. They suggest using counternarratives and personal stories to unmask hidden work of researchers and guidelines committees.
A recombinant poxviral vaccine has shown positive responses in both metastatic breast cancer and ovarian cancer, with median overall survival ranging from 13.7 months to 15 months. The treatment led to clinical responses in some patients and mild injection-site reactions as the most common side effect.
Scientists have developed a vaccine using a harmless parasite to carry medicines into cattle's bloodstream, offering long-term protection against common conditions. The treatment could also be adapted to deliver drug treatments against common cattle diseases.
A recent clinical trial conducted by the University of California - San Francisco indicates that a vaccine against HPV can effectively reduce anal infections and precancerous lesions, leading to a nearly 75% reduction in cancer precursors among those who had not been previously exposed. The vaccine is expected to prevent anal cancer in...
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health developed a method to better estimate vaccine coverage, combining administrative data with survey data. The results show that estimates of routine immunization activities are substantially lower than previously thought in some countries, such as Madagascar and Sierra Leone.
Researchers developed a method to estimate vaccination program effectiveness in three African countries, identifying areas for improvement. The study's findings can inform strategies to increase vaccine coverage and address issues with vaccine delivery.
Researchers demonstrate that an anti-caries DNA vaccine, pGJA-P/VAX, combined with a Salmonella protein adjuvant, enhances saliva IgA responses and protects against dental caries. The study shows that the adjuvant promotes specific immunoglobulin A responses in saliva and offers better protection against caries.
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) will distribute its publications to healthcare professionals and create new immunization education materials with the support of a $1.4 million cooperative agreement from the CDC. IAC will also become the nation's central clearinghouse for Vaccine Information Statements in languages other than En...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new cell-based vaccine that shows promise in treating canine non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The vaccine, which uses B-cells instead of dendritic cells, has been shown to increase overall survival time for dogs with the disease.
A study in The Gambia found that vaccinating young children reduced carriage of pneumococcus not only in vaccinated children but also in older children and adults. The vaccine also showed no increase in non-vaccine serotype pneumococci carriage after two years.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have made a significant breakthrough in understanding Chlamydia trachomatis genetics, enabling the development of new treatments and potentially a vaccine. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options for the disease, which is often left untreated due to its asymptomatic nature.
A new type of vaccine based on proteins from the coccidiosis bug has been developed to protect chickens against the disease. The vaccine uses a protein called MIC3, which is secreted by the parasite and binds to sugar molecules on chicken cells.
A new study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine could lead to improved gene therapies for conditions such as heart disease and cancer. Researchers found that a virus used in vaccines can also be tailored to cause less of an immune response in gene therapy applications.
A new study found that genetic factors beyond major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules play a crucial role in determining the effectiveness of an Alzheimer's vaccine. The findings suggest that vaccines could be designed to prevent neuroinflammatory reactions, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Researchers at LLNL and Loyola University have received a $3.5 million NIH grant to develop a new anthrax vaccine using nanolipoprotein technology. The NLP-based vaccine has shown potential in preventing disease and protecting people, with flexible formulation and robustness.
A study found that pediatricians in Appalachia are less likely to encourage parents to get the HPV vaccine for their children, citing a lack of information and cultural concerns. This is alarming as HPV infection is a major risk factor for cervical cancer, which disproportionately affects Appalachian women.
Scientists have identified a novel type of antibody that works against pneumococcal bacteria by causing them to clump together, leading to the expression of genes that could kill some of their siblings. This finding could improve vaccines against pneumonia and reduce hospitalizations and deaths from pneumococcal disease.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic identified mutations linked to immune response to the measles vaccine, which could enable physicians to prescribe appropriate doses and timing based on routine genetic screening blood tests. The study's findings also have implications for the development of more effective vaccines and personalized vaccination.
A researcher at Indiana University is investigating the most effective ways to present information about the HPV vaccine to young women, in an effort to boost vaccination rates. Her study will assess how women process and understand the information, as well as their attitudes and intentions toward vaccination.
Two scientists, Dr. Thomas Kosten and Dr. Peter Burkhard, will receive funding to develop a vaccine against methamphetamine addiction and a peptide nanoparticle nicotine vaccine. The vaccines are expected to undergo initial clinical trials within the next five years.
A recent study has reclassified cowpox virus into distinct species, challenging the long-held assumption of a single causative agent. The research also found that commercial smallpox vaccines are derived from central or eastern Europe, rather than Jenner's original English strain.
A new study suggests that Cervarix vaccine may be as effective in preventing cervical cancer with fewer than three doses, offering potential cost and logistics benefits. The researchers found similar protection levels among women receiving one, two, or three doses of the vaccine.
A new TB vaccine candidate has shown promising results in animal studies, inducing a robust T-cell response that could protect against the disease. The vaccine, developed using a closely related species of bacteria, proved both potent and safe, with vaccinated mice living up to 135 days versus 54 days for control mice.
The GonaCon vaccine blocks sex hormones that spark undesirable behaviors in household pets and farm animals, reducing scent-marking, fighting, and aggressive behavior. The vaccine also shows promise for controlling white-tailed deer populations and preventing automobile-deer collisions.
A study by the CDC found that rotavirus vaccination in infants reduces hospitalizations for severe diarrhea in older children and adults. The study, published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, shows that vaccinating infants can indirectly prevent serious disease in unvaccinated groups.
The reappearance of measles is linked to unfounded fears about a link between the measles shot and autism, says Dr. Gregory Poland. Despite over 20 studies finding no connection between MMR vaccine and autism, some parents have turned against childhood vaccination.
Bleeding calf syndrome affects new-born calves, caused by low blood cell counts and bone marrow depletion. A vaccine against BVDV has been linked to the condition through anti-MHC class I antibodies produced by mothers.
Scientists have successfully tested a bivalent vaccine that protects against both rabies and Ebola in mice, offering a promising solution for Africa's healthcare challenges. The vaccine is built on the same platform as the approved rabies vaccine and has several advantages over existing Ebola candidates.
Researchers found a seasonal pattern of narcolepsy onset in China, most frequent in April, with a significant spike following the H1N1 pandemic. The study suggests that flu vaccination was unlikely to cause the increase and points towards an autoimmune disease trigger.
Researchers have created a new candidate vaccine to protect against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that causes intense pain and chronic arthritis. The experimental vaccine, a recombinant live-attenuated vaccine, has shown promising results in lab mice, offering a potential solution to this debilitating infection.
Researchers have successfully assembled the Bluetongue virus outside a cell, paving the way for the development of more effective vaccines. This breakthrough could lead to vaccines with useful new properties, such as tags that distinguish vaccinated animals from those that have recovered.
A new INFORMS study proves that mathematical models of hepatitis B interventions are cost-effective and have saved millions of lives. The models verified the effectiveness of screening, treating, and vaccinating millions of Asian and Pacific Islander adults in the US and millions of children in China.
A study found that only 59.8% of health care students had documentation of complete hepatitis B vaccination, while 83.8% were protected against infection when tested for antibodies. The rates are lower than the US government's Healthy People 2010 goal of 90% hepatitis B vaccination coverage among health care workers.
Researchers have successfully conducted lab tests on a new vaccine formulation to combat heroin addiction, showing reduced willingness in laboratory rats to self-administer the drug. The vaccine exploits an individual's immune system to blunt heroin's psychoactive effects, offering a potential tool for combating relapse and overdose.
Researchers have identified genetic similarities between Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus equi, two bacteria that cause potentially fatal infections in humans and horses. The study suggests a shared strategy for causing disease and offers hope for developing novel vaccines for both species.
A lack of understanding about HPV vaccination and its link to future cervical screening has been found among parents and girls in the UK. Despite being effective against two high-risk HPV types, vaccinated individuals still require regular cervical screenings to protect against other strains that can cause cancer.
A European joint project, HCVAX, is developing a novel hepatitis C vaccine based on nanotechnology. The vaccine uses biocompatible nanogels to bring genetic information of the virus into the body, triggering an immune response.
Researchers identify VIP signaling pathway key for normal brain development, finding that environmental factors can influence final brain size. A new approach to treating Parkinson's disease is also suggested with T-type calcium channel blockade.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a technique to make salmonella-based vaccines safer and more effective, with potential applications in fighting diseases like hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. The new approach retains strong immunogenic properties while reducing unwanted side effects.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found an accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule to be effective and well-tolerated in high-risk pregnant women. The study's findings suggest that a shortened 12-week vaccine regimen can provide long-term immunity and is comparable to the standard 6-month adult schedule.