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As measles cases rise, views of MMR vaccine safety and effectiveness -- and willingness to recommend it -- drop

A new survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds a small but significant drop in the proportion of the public that would recommend getting the MMR vaccine, citing concerns over its safety and effectiveness. The survey also shows declines in perceived safety and effectiveness for other vaccines, such as seasonal flu and Covid-19.

Drop in childhood vaccination coverage: Dutch study identifies trends driven by socioeconomic factors

A Dutch study found that vaccination coverage among children declined faster in households with lower income and those not attending daycare. The study, which analyzed over 2 million children, identified sociodemographic factors contributing to the decline, including parental education and migration background.

SourceEuropean Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)·JournalEurosurveillance·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 9, 2025

A cocktail of drugs may work against a whole family of viruses

Researchers have identified a combination of drugs that prevents enteroviruses from replicating, which could lead to an effective treatment for global health problem. The combination includes pleconaril, AG7404, and mindeudesivir, which shows great potential for finding broad-spectrum treatment methods against enteroviruses.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 15, 2025

Breakthrough in next-generation polio vaccines

Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a more affordable and lower-risk polio vaccine using virus-like particles (VLPs). VLPs mimic the outer protein shell of poliovirus but are empty inside, making them non-infectious yet capable of triggering an immune response.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 11, 2025

Detections of poliovirus in sewage samples require enhanced routine and catch-up vaccination and increased surveillance, according to ECDC report

The EU/EEA has detected circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in sewage samples, prompting increased vigilance. To prevent a return of the disease, countries must maintain high vaccination rates and close vaccination gaps, as well as strengthen environmental surveillance.

Future enterovirus outbreaks could be exacerbated by climate change

Researchers at Brown University found that temperature increases enterovirus transmission, with a similar effect seen in polio historically and more recent enteroviruses causing hand, foot and mouth disease. Climate change may lead to increased intensity of outbreaks, particularly in regions with larger seasonal temperature ranges.

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 6, 2024

Needs and challenges for COVID-19 boosters and other vaccines in the U.S.

The US ranks last in vaccination rates among the world's richest countries, with a mortality rate from COVID-19 30 times higher than influenza. Boosters can reduce the risk of dying and hospitalization by over 90%. All US adults and eligible children should receive booster shots to protect against future variants.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalThe American Journal of Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 18, 2022

Research shows how poliovirus takes over cells from within

Poliovirus researchers at Umeå University have gained a new understanding of how the virus behaves in infected cells, revealing key protein roles and cellular processes involved. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new antiviral treatments and vaccines targeting the autophagy system.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateOct 12, 2022

India's polio vaccination provides valuable insights for mass vaccination campaigns

A study on India's successful polio vaccination program reveals that managerial strategies, including bundling healthcare services, engaging stakeholders, and implementing accountability mechanisms, were crucial to its success. The findings highlight the importance of addressing social trust and political vulnerability in mass vaccinat...

Global poliovirus risk management and modeling

The global polio eradication initiative is facing setbacks due to ongoing outbreaks in Afghanistan and Pakistan, despite significant progress made since 2015. The recent special issue of Risk Analysis evaluates the GPEI strategies and finds that the initiative was off track even before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted immunization activ...

SourceSociety for Risk Analysis·JournalRisk Analysis·DateFeb 16, 2021

Polio labs equipped to study rare tropical diseases

The Global Polio Laboratory Network has successfully tested for soil transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis in Ghana, identifying a prevalence of 22% for combined helminth infections. The study demonstrates the potential for adapting GPLN labs for monitoring and control of neglected tropical diseases.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJan 25, 2018

Nanopatch polio vaccine delivers

A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shown that the Nanopatch, a microscopic vaccine delivery platform, is more effective at combating poliovirus than traditional needles and syringes. This breakthrough has significant implications for the eradication of polio, a disease responsible for tens of millions of cases worldwide.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 5, 2017

On the brink of eradication: Why polio research matters

Researchers like Dr. Julie Pfeiffer are studying poliovirus, a highly infectious childhood disease now close to global eradication, to gain insights into other viruses like Ebola, Zika, and influenza. This basic research can lead to new treatments and vaccines for these viruses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateApr 20, 2017

Scientists prove new approach to Polio vaccines works

A research team at the University of Leeds has identified new mutations that make 'empty capsids' stable enough to act as vaccines, replacing traditional killed poliovirus vaccines. The stabilised VLPs are suitable for use after the virus has been eradicated and can be produced without growing live virus.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Virology·DateFeb 1, 2017

How to wipe out polio and prevent its reemergence

A new study using disease-transmission models shows that silent transmission of poliovirus could continue for more than three years with no reported cases. To ensure eradication, aggressive surveillance and vaccination campaigns must continue in endemic countries after the last reported case.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 19, 2015

How to wipe out polio and prevent its re-emergence

A new study by University of Michigan graduate research fellow Micaela Martinez-Bakker reveals that silent transmission of poliovirus could continue for more than three years with no reported cases. To ensure eradication, aggressive surveillance programs and vaccination campaigns must continue in endemic countries.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalPLOS Biology·DateJun 19, 2015

Without security, there can be no health care

A recent review reports on the devastating effects of the Syrian conflict on the healthcare system, including outbreaks of poliomyelitis, measles, and cutaneous leishmaniasis. Vaccination coverage has dropped dramatically, hampering efforts to combat these epidemics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateNov 13, 2014

Polio: Mutated virus breaches vaccine protection

Scientists have isolated a mutated polio virus that can evade the immune system and render vaccinations ineffective. This discovery is alarming as it threatens to undermine progress made in eradicating polio, which has been nearly eradicated thanks to effective vaccination.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2014

Injected vaccine could help eradicate polio

A new study found that injecting a type of polio vaccine, which is rarely used today, can provide better and longer-lasting protection against infection when combined with the oral vaccine. The research suggests that this type of vaccine could be used to boost immunity in people traveling from or to polio-infected countries.

SourceImperial College London·JournalThe Lancet·DateJul 10, 2014