Articles tagged with Vaccination
Researchers developed a new quantitative RT-qPCR assay to detect and quantify the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. The assay revealed that Omicron displaced Delta as the dominant variant within just 3 weeks in an Italian population.
Researchers compared HPV prevalence among women born in the 1980s, 1990s, and before/after vaccination periods. The study found significant differences in HPV prevalence between these groups.
Advanced cervical cancer rates have been rising in the US, with a significant increase among White women and higher prevalence among Black women, particularly those in their mid-to-late 50s. The study found that obesity and older age at first birth may contribute to the rise in this type of cervical cancer.
A severe decline in surgical procedure volumes was observed across various subspecialties during the COVID-19 peak. The overall volume failed to fully recover after the peak and vaccine release periods, with varying rates of recovery among different specialties.
A large Canadian study found no association between Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy and increased risks of preterm birth or stillbirth. The study analyzed data from over 85,000 births and concluded that vaccination is effective against Covid-19 in pregnant individuals and their newborns.
Researchers estimated long-term effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection and critical infections among 3.2 million South Korean adolescents. The study found high vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illnesses.
A study found a strong link between post-COVID loss of smell or taste and memory problems in patients. Those with the most severe sensory disorders performed worse in cognitive tests, especially memorization.
A quality improvement program increased pneumococcal vaccination rates from 53% to 70% in adults aged 18-64 years with stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease. The intervention, which utilized electronic best practice alerts within the electronic medical record, improved vaccination rates primarily among this high-risk group.
A new study found that countries with greater universal health coverage had smaller declines in childhood immunization coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries with a high UHC index had an average childhood immunization coverage rate of 92.7% compared to 86.2% in those with lower UHC indices.
A review of available monkeypox clinical guidelines found most were of low quality, lacking sufficient detail and failing to cover different risk groups. The lack of clarity between guidelines creates uncertainty for clinicians treating patients with monkeypox.
Most COVID-19 therapeutics clinical trials were publicly funded, with 58% of trials receiving public funding, followed by industry (27%) and partnerships (15%). Clinical trials focused primarily on COVID-19 therapeutics rather than vaccines.
Researchers discovered 13 cases of asymptomatic MSM with positive monkeypox virus PCR results in anal samples, raising concerns about the outbreak's transmission dynamics. The findings suggest that vaccination may not be an effective strategy for preventing infection, highlighting the need for expanded public health interventions.
A new MIT model simulates vaccine allocation strategies to predict the effect on cumulative deaths and infections in the US. The research finds that allocating more than 50% of available doses to non-vaccinated individuals can significantly increase lives saved and reduce infections.
A large Canadian study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal suggests COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe to use in pregnancy. Pregnant women who received the vaccine experienced lower rates of health events post-vaccination compared to non-pregnant vaccinated individuals.
Researchers found that two new techniques can help reduce needle fear in primary-aged children, including a distraction game and positive memory reframing. The study involved 41 children and showed promising results for broad vaccination programs.
Adults with vision or hearing disabilities have lower COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to those without disabilities. The study suggests that initiatives promoting equitable and accessible vaccination may be necessary to address these disparities.
A 3-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccination schedule significantly improved SARS-CoV-2 antibody concentrations in immunocompromised patients. This improvement was comparable to those obtained by healthy individuals after the standard two-dose Moderna vaccination schedule.
Researchers assessed the effectiveness of adding a Pfizer-BioNTech booster to two doses of CoronaVac, finding reduced risk of symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study used national data from nearly 14 million vaccinated individuals in Malaysia.
Boosting with either Janssen or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine boosts humoral and cellular immune responses. Boosting with Janssen vaccine provides durable antibody and T-cell responses for at least four months.
A new model predicts that high transmissibility and immune erosion will lead to further outbreaks. The study highlights the need for a universal vaccine to block SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent severe disease.
A new hydrogel-based platform increases vaccine thermal stability, enabling distribution in diverse regions without strict temperature control. The technology has the potential to reduce economic costs and health risks associated with cold chain logistics.
A new study has shown that the TB vaccine can produce a long-lasting 'trained immunity response' in infants, lasting more than 14 months after vaccination. The research found that the BCG vaccine's off-target effects on the immune system can lead to reprogramming of genes in a specific blood cell type, known as monocytes.
A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that the in-class transmission of SARS-CoV-2 was extremely low at a large urban university with strict health measures in place. The analysis of 140,000 class meetings revealed negligible cases, indicating effective control of the virus.
A study of 2,031 U.S. adults found that half intended to get their child vaccinated, but only one-fifth planned to do so within three months. The findings highlight the need for increased efforts to boost parental confidence in COVID-19 vaccines for children under four years old.
A systematic review found that HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical lesions recurrence, especially in cases related to high-risk HPV types. The study's results suggest that women treated for precancerous cervical lesions may benefit from receiving an HPV vaccine alongside surgical treatment.
The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated high levels of protection against emergency department and urgent care encounters related to Delta and Omicron variants. A third dose improved protection against Omicron beyond initial two-dose efficacy, emphasizing the importance of boosters for adolescents aged 12-17.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that vaccine uptake was low among First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Toronto and London, Ontario. The rate for 2-dose vaccination among First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Toronto was 58%, compared to 79% for the overall population.
A study of 29,000 Israeli healthcare workers found that recipients of a fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose had a significantly lower risk of acquiring COVID-19 during the Omicron variant wave. The research suggests that a booster dose may offer enhanced protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
A study of nursing homes found that states with vaccine mandates had higher staff vaccination rates and fewer staffing shortages compared to those without mandates. This suggests that vaccine mandates can lead to improved vaccination coverage among healthcare workers, reducing the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
Researchers studied the immunogenic potential of the 4CMenB vaccine in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, finding 90% of patients developed protective antibody levels after two doses. The trial supports including meningococcal B vaccination alongside A, C, W, and Y vaccines from 6 months post-transplant to improve protection.
A study of 3,028 patients with COVID-19 reveals that race, ethnicity, and severity of infection are key factors contributing to delayed cancer treatment. Researchers found that these patient demographic factors are strongly associated with delays in receiving timely medical care.
The new phage T4-COVID-19 vaccine elicits superior mucosal immunity in mice, inducing robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The vaccine provides complete protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants with minimal lung lesions and no impact on gut microbiota.
A new Yale School of Public Health study emphasizes the importance of individual and population-level vaccination and boosting in controlling COVID-19 infections. The research shows that recent vaccinations significantly decrease an individual's risk of contracting COVID-19, but may not affect transmission length.
A research team led by Dr Chen Ting-Hsuan developed a new rapid antibody test that shows the level of antibodies readable by the naked eye, displaying results as a length of a visual bar like a mercury thermometer.
A US study found that health facilities in metropolitan areas with a high proportion of Black citizens were less likely to administer COVID-19 vaccines, indicating potential vaccine access barriers. The study suggests disparities in vaccine distribution across the country.
A new vaccine patch has been shown to be more effective at neutralizing COVID-19 variants than traditional needle-based vaccines. The patch technology precisely delivers the vaccine into the skin's immune cells, producing superior immune responses.
A new study found that racial disparities in COVID-19 vaccine uptake are largely due to anti-vaccine beliefs among Black adults. U.S.-born Hispanic adults were less vaccine hesitant than U.S.-born white adults, likely due to a stronger social connection to the vaccine
A study of over 95,000 Rhode Island residents found that completing the primary vaccination series after COVID-19 recovery significantly reduced the risk of reinfection. The study suggests that post-recovery vaccination may play a crucial role in preventing reinfection and reducing the spread of COVID-19.
Public health researchers developed an interactive web-based guide to support family physicians in addressing COVID-19 vaccine concerns. The guide provides resources to counsel patients on safety, co-morbidities, conspiracy theories, and other issues, promoting better conversations and vaccine uptake.
Despite electronic health records, gaps in communication between primary care physicians and specialist physicians persist. The study found that 22% of PCPs report sending clinical information to specialists at the time of referral, and less than 35% receive information back after consultation.
A study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that antibodies against Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 decline rapidly, even after a second vaccination or booster shot, offering limited protection against infection.
Researchers have identified new clinical symptoms in people infected with monkeypox, including single genital lesions and sores on the mouth or anus. The study will improve future diagnosis and help slow the spread of infection.
Researchers assessed the safety and adverse events of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in long-term care residents in Quebec, Canada. No significant adverse events were reported following the third dose, highlighting the vaccine's effectiveness in this vulnerable population.
A recent study found higher antibody titers after the third and fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses in individuals aged 60 or older. This population is at high risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 disease, making timely vaccination crucial.
A study found that COVID-19 vaccination rates are driven more by perceptions of others' intentions than public health messaging. Family and friends have a stronger influence on vaccination decisions, while public health efforts targeting broader groups may be less effective.
Researchers developed a new blood test that can indicate cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 within 48 hours. The test distinguishes between post-infection and post-vaccination immunity, enabling quick diagnosis for patients unable to produce antibodies. Long-lasting T-cell responses may protect against severe disease in re-infections.
A recent study found that COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduced the risk of infection among NHS hospital workers in England during the second wave. The research showed that without vaccination, staff absence could have been 69% higher and infections peaked in late December 2020.
A case series of six patients reported rare skin reaction complications after receiving the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. The study aims to shed light on these unusual side effects.
A new Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine, Omnivax, has been developed by Yale scientists to offer superior immune protection against two viral subvariants. The vaccine increased neutralizing antibody response against BA.1 and BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariants in pre-immunized mice 19-fold and eight-fold, respectively.
A new recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine developed at UTMB provides rapid protection against lethal Lassa fever, a pathogen causing severe symptoms and high mortality rates. The vaccine was found to be effective against different strains of the virus, critical for outbreak scenarios.
A new study suggests that current vaccine boosters intensify protections against serious infection caused by Omicron subvariants. The research found that booster doses bring neutralizing antibodies to appreciable levels against all Omicron subvariants, consistent with other evidence of expanded memory B cells and antibody production.
Provincial health ministries hold COVID-19 vaccination data but have been reluctant to share it with researchers. Establishing partnerships between provinces and the Health Data Research Network would enable timely data transfer and support research into vaccine effectiveness.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has launched a two-week training course for biologics development and manufacturing, targeting low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to enhance local production of vaccines and biologics in LMICs to address vaccine inequity and global pandemic preparedness.
Researchers analyze delta variant's biophysical characteristics, revealing unique traits that evade neutralizing antibodies and contribute to severe symptoms. The study sheds light on why vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and why delta variant hospitalizations are higher than other variants.
A study of 980,000 people found that simultaneous administration of COVID-19 mRNA booster and seasonal influenza vaccines was associated with significant increases in reports of systemic reactions. The study suggests that the combination may lead to more severe adverse events, highlighting the need for further research.
A study analyzing over 35,000 COVID-19 vaccine recipients found that 42.1% experienced heavier menstrual flow after vaccination. The analysis also revealed correlations between pre-vaccination reproductive history and hormonal status on the likelihood of experiencing these changes.
A new study by Yale School of Public Health researchers found that COVID-19 vaccine protection against infection and severe illness is short-lived. The study suggests that booster shots are essential for maintaining long-term immunity and preventing breakthrough infections.
A new study identifies pox virus proteins that directly interfere with the body's innate immune system, allowing it to evade the host's defense mechanisms. The research team has discovered five 'redox' proteins that interact with Reactive Oxygen Species, which play a key role in destroying pathogens identified by the immune system.
A recent study published by The BMJ confirms previous reports that myocarditis is rare but cases are highest among young males shortly after a second dose of mRNA vaccine, especially Moderna. The risk of myocarditis or pericarditis might be lower when the second dose is given more than 30 days after the first dose.
Researchers at the University of Malaga study the global risk of yellow fever transmission to humans, finding high zoonotic potential in southeastern Brazil and western Amazon basin. The team proposes prioritizing vaccination efforts in regions with favorable conditions for virus presence and mosquito vectors.