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Vaccination during pregnancy could prevent RSV illness in infants

A clinical study has shown that vaccination during pregnancy can effectively prevent severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in infants. The vaccine was found to be well-tolerated and provided over 80% protection against RSV illness, with benefits expected for vulnerable populations worldwide.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateApr 6, 2023

Excess death gap widens between US and Europe

A new analysis shows that the US has substantially higher death rates at all but the oldest ages compared to five high-income European countries. The excess death gap widened during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of excess deaths nearly doubling between 2019 and 2021.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 29, 2023

COVID vaccine induces robust T cell responses in blood cancer patients

Researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination generates robust T cell responses in haematology patients, on par with healthy individuals. The study provides key insights for future immunisation strategies and shows that mRNA vaccines can elicit strong T cell immunity in patients with co-morbidities.

SourceThe Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity·JournalCell Reports Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 28, 2023

Fomepizole helps overcome antibiotic-resistant pneumonia in mice

Researchers found that fomepizole blocked energy production in bacteria and reduced bacterial burden in mice with pneumonia. The combination treatment prevented invasive disease development, suggesting a potential novel treatment for multidrug-resistant pneumococcal disease.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 16, 2023

CHOP researchers identify molecules that optimize immune presentation of antigens across the human population

CHOP researchers have identified variants of a chaperone molecule that can enhance the loading of peptides across different HLA types, which could be used in cell therapy and immunization applications. The study found that chicken-derived TAPBPR proteins can react with multiple HLA allotypes and stabilize the empty MHC-I groove, boosti...

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 24, 2023

Covid vaccination in pregnancy protects infants against infection and hospital admission

A recent study published by The BMJ found that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy may have benefits for both mother and baby. Two doses of mRNA Covid-19 vaccine were highly effective against delta infection, while two doses against omicron infection showed moderate effectiveness. A third dose during pregnancy also bolstered protecti...

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Tuberculosis vaccine does not protect elderly against COVID-19

A large Dutch study found that the BCG vaccine does not protect elderly people with co-morbidities against COVID-19 symptoms. The study analyzed 6,112 participants and showed no difference in disease manifestations or hospitalizations between those who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo.

SourceUniversity Medical Center Utrecht·JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 2, 2023

Gillings study shows updated bivalent boosters are more effective at preventing hospitalization and death from Omicron

A peer-reviewed study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that updated bivalent mRNA vaccines are more effective than original monovalent boosters at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death. Booster effectiveness peaked at four weeks after receipt and waned afterward, with average effectiveness against severe i...

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 25, 2023

TB vaccination could be overall cost-effective in 73 of 105 LMICs (70%) and produce economic benefits of US $474 billion by 2050, per modelling study by researchers at Harvard, LSHTM, the WHO and IAVI

A new study suggests TB vaccination could be overall cost-effective in 73 of 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with potential economic benefits of US $474 billion by 2050. The modeling study, published in PLOS Medicine, found that vaccination could save billions of dollars annually.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2023

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance increased globally in 2022

A new survey of 23 countries found that global willingness to accept a COVID-19 vaccine increased from 75.2% in 2021 to 79.1% in 2022. However, eight countries experienced an increase in hesitancy, and nearly one in eight vaccinated respondents were hesitant about receiving booster doses. The survey also revealed variations in vaccine ...

SourceCUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy·JournalNature Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateJan 9, 2023

Studies find Omicron related hospitalisations lower in severity than Delta and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine remains effective in preventing hospitalisations

Researchers found that adult hospitalisations from Omicron-related SARS-CoV-2 infections were less severe than those from Delta infections. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was effective in preventing hospitalisations and severe outcomes, even with increasing Omicron variant transmissibility.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Europe·TypeObservational study·DateDec 13, 2022

Covid vaccines also help protect HIV patients

Researchers found that Covid vaccines effectively protect HIV-positive individuals, particularly after a third booster shot. The study also revealed a surprisingly strong cellular immune response in HIV-positive people, similar to those in healthy individuals.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 9, 2022

Polarization after COVID-19: Global study published in Nature reveals that the unvaccinated face prejudice in most countries

A global study published in Nature finds that the unvaccinated face significant prejudice in most countries, with many vaccinated people harboring discriminatory attitudes towards them. The study suggests that this prejudice could lead to severe consequences for society, including hindered vaccination uptake and increased mistrust.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 8, 2022

CHOP researchers find COVID-19 vaccination leads to higher antibody levels than natural infection in both pregnant people and their babies

A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that COVID-19 vaccination results in higher antibody concentrations compared to natural infection, providing robust protection for mothers during pregnancy. The study also suggests optimal vaccine timing can maximize the transfer of antibodies to babies.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateNov 9, 2022

Flu vaccine lowers risk of stroke

Researchers at the University of Calgary found that vaccination against influenza significantly lowers the risk of stroke among adults. The study analyzed health records of over four million Albertans and showed that the risk of stroke was reduced in all age groups, not just those at high risk.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeObservational study·DateNov 2, 2022

Vaccine uptake remains low among at-risk Canadians

Researchers from McGill University found that pneumococcal vaccination uptake is low among adults at high risk in Canada. Despite the importance of pneumococcal vaccination to prevent pneumonia and other forms of pneumococcal disease, many people missed opportunities for vaccination.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 2, 2022