Four years ago, a brand new virus turned the world upside down. Today, we know more and can do more about the coronavirus called SARS-CoV2, and the disease called COVID-19, than ever before. A summary of the latest knowledge and guidance.
Tag: Vaccination
Pioneering research reveals empathetic communication can help overcome vaccine hesitancy
An international study has shown for the first time how empathetic correction of misinformation among vaccine-hesitant patients can significantly improve attitudes towards vaccination – and potentially boost vaccine uptake.
MSU co-authored study: 10 insights to reduce vaccine hesitancy on social media
Young Anna Argyris, associate professor in the Michigan State University Department of Media and Information, is part of an international team studying the detrimental effects of vaccine misinformation on social media and interventions that can increase vaccine uptake behaviors.
Measles Makes a Comeback: What Parents Need to Know
A highly contagious childhood disease once eradicated by vaccination has made a comeback.
Long COVID linked to persistently high levels of inflammatory protein: a potential biomarker and target for treatments
SARS-CoV-2 triggers the production of the antiviral protein IFN-γ, which is associated with fatigue, muscle ache and depression. New research shows that in Long COVID patients, IFN-y production persists until symptoms improve, highlighting a potential biomarker and a target for therapies.
New COVID-19 vaccine a good value for U.S., U-M team finds
A cost-effectiveness analysis for the updated COVID-19 vaccine prepared for the CDC’s vaccine panel shows cost savings from vaccinating people over age 65, and good value from vaccinating adults of all ages.
Vaccines: A few minutes now could spare you misery later
A guide to vaccines that adults – especially older adults and those with underlying health issues – should get to avoid serious illness this fall and winter, and beyond.
Vulnerability to different COVID-19 mutations depends on previous infections and vaccination, study suggests
A person’s immune response to variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, depends on their previous exposure – and differences in the focus of immune responses will help scientists understand how to optimise vaccines in the future to provide broad protection.
Avoiding a “Tripledemic” This Winter
A Rutgers infectious disease expert explains what you need to know about this year’s flu, COVID and new RSV shots
Rutgers Experts Available to Comment on the F.D.A. Approval of New Covid Shots
Perry N. Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health, and Richard Marlink, director of Rutgers Global Health Institute, are available to speak about the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of a new round of Covid vaccinations to be…
Long-Term Study Reaffirms Benefits of Covid-19 Vaccination for Organ Transplant Recipients
A two-year study found that spikes of post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 viral infections (commonly known as COVID-19 breakthrough cases) remain common, yet hospitalization rates have dramatically dropped following the first wave of the virus’ omicron subvariant.
Several vaccines associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease in adults 65 and older
Prior vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria, with or without pertussis (Tdap/Td); herpes zoster (HZ), better known as shingles; and pneumococcus are all associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research from UTHealth Houston.
Making immunizations more effective
In addition to an antigen, many vaccines also contain substances, called adjuvants, which stimulate the immune system. By using computer-aided molecular design and machine learning, a Chinese research team has now developed two novel broad-spectrum adjuvants that can significantly amplify the immune response to vaccines.
A puff of air could deliver your next vaccine (video)
Needles are an uncomfortable but necessary aspect of vaccination. But today, scientists report steps toward an alternative, relatively painless method that can deliver biological materials to cells by “shooting” them in with air. They will present their results at ACS Spring 2023.
Not getting enough sleep could blunt antibody response to vaccination, leaving you more vulnerable to infection
In reviewing data from previous studies, a team lead by researchers at the University of Chicago and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) found that individuals who had fewer than six hours of sleep per night in the days surrounding vaccination had a blunted antibody response. That indicates efforts to promote heathy sleep duration ahead of an immunization could be an easy way to improve vaccine effectiveness.
Too little sleep could make vaccination less effective
Sleeping fewer than six hours per night around the time of vaccination was associated with a robust decrease in antibody response, researchers found.
How do parents decide if they should vaccinate their kids against SARS-CoV-2?
For parents, the decision to vaccinate their kids against SARS-CoV-2 is complex, influenced by scientific evidence, political and social pressures, and views about individual versus collective benefits of vaccination.
COVID-19: no increased risks of serious diseases found for vaccinated people
COVID-19 vaccines did not cause an increased risk of adverse events such as heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, myocarditis, pericarditis, and deep vein thrombosis.
Vaccination Provides Effective Protection Against Increased Risk of Pregnancy Complications due to COVID-19 Omicron Variant
The global network led by the Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI) at the University of Oxford has published in the journal Lancet the results of the ‘2022 INTERCOVID Study’ conducted in 41 hospitals across 18 countries, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
UT Southwestern rheumatologist recommends patients receive pneumococcal vaccine
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other rheumatic conditions are more at risk for complications and death from pneumonia, meningitis, and other bacterial infections, yet most have not been vaccinated against infection.
Shingles associated with increased risk for stroke, heart attack
A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, demonstrated that shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is associated with an almost 30% higher long-term risk of a major cardiovascular event such a stroke or heart attack.
A growing trend of antibody evasion by new omicron subvariants
Three currently circulating omicron subvariants of SARS-CoV-2 – including two that currently make up almost 50% of reported COVID-19 infections in the U.S. – are better at evading vaccine- and infection-generated neutralizing antibodies than earlier versions of omicron, new research suggests.
Study reveals vaccine confidence declined considerably during COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers comparing pre and post-pandemic surveys have found confidence in vaccinations is considerably lower post pandemic amongst all demographic groups.
Few children affected by monkeypox so far – But risks are higher in children 8 or younger
Children aged 8 years or younger should be considered a group at high risk for more severe monkeypox disease, reports The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, the official journal of The European Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
Study: Concerns over COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness, not general medical mistrust, slowed early uptake in Black, Latinx communities
New research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Black, Latinx communities could help shape more persuasive messages to boost uptake.
Cancer Patients Treated with Immunotherapy Can Safely Receive mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines, According to JNCCN Study
New research published in the October 2022 issue of JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network confirms the safety of mRNA vaccines in people with cancer undergoing immunotherapy treatment.
UCLA Fielding School of Public Health-led research demonstrates the importance of influenza vaccination globally
An international team of researchers has demonstrated that among patients hospitalized for influenza, those who were vaccinated had less severe infections, including reducing the odds for children requiring admittance to an intensive care unit by almost half.
Houston Methodist seeing December flu season peak numbers now
Texas already has a moderately high rate of flu cases in September. This doesn’t look good for flu season, which was uncharacteristically low last year because of masks and people isolating. Houston Methodist experts are encouraging the community to get the flu shot early. Experts say cases aren’t usually seen this high until December, which is when the season usually peaks.
University Hospitals Chosen as Site for United States Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network
The Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases has awarded University Hospitals of Cleveland a sizable grant to support its assignment as a study site in the United States Flu Vaccine Effectiveness Network.
Current vaccine approach not enough to eradicate measles
Current vaccination strategies are unlikely to eliminate measles, according to a new study led by faculty at the University of Georgia. The paper, which published today in The Lancet Global Health, explores the feasibility of eliminating measles and rubella using predominant vaccination strategies in 93 countries with the highest disease burden.
Disproportionately focusing vaccination efforts on the least advantaged populations benefits everyone
A new study uses a data-intelligent model to highlight the need to boost vaccination campaign budgets for disadvantaged, vulnerable populations to reach the maximum health benefit for everyone.
Vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of long-term effects of COVID-19
Being vaccinated with at least two doses of Pfizer vaccines dramatically reduces most of the long-term symptoms individuals reported months after contracting COVID-19, a new study shows.
Neutralizing antibodies from single COVID-19 booster steadily decline
Neutralizing antibody levels against the original COVID-19 virus and omicron variants in vaccinated adults tend to decline by at least 15% per month after a single booster shot, a new study using serum from human blood samples suggests.
Enhancing the effect of protein-based COVID-19 vaccines
Adding an ingredient called an adjuvant can help vaccines elicit a more robust immune response. In a study in ACS Infectious Diseases, researchers report a substance that boosted the immune response to an experimental COVID-19 shot in mice by 25 times, compared to injection with the vaccine alone.
Should you worry about the polio virus?
A recent case of polio in the U.S. sounds the alarm for more vaccination.
Republicans and Blacks most hesitant to get COVID vaccine, PSU spatial analysis finds
Vaccine hesitancy remains a public health challenge that cuts across the country as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, but Republican voters and Black people are among the most hesitant to get the shot, according to a new Portland State University study.
Reframe the pain: reducing needle anxiety in children
New research from the University of South Australia shows that children’s vaccination and needle fear can be lessened when nurses spend additional time supporting children in the vaccination process.
Association of fourth Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine dose with SARS-CoV-2 infection
About The Study: Researchers found that 4-dose recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had a lower risk of acquiring COVID-19 than 3-dose recipients during the peak Omicron variant wave in this study of 29,000 health care workers in Israel. Authors: Allon E. Moses,…
Association of state COVID-19 vaccine mandates with staff vaccination coverage, staffing shortages in nursing homes
This study of nursing homes in 38 states found that states with a vaccine mandate experienced an increase in staff vaccination coverage compared with facilities in states with no mandate and no worsening of reported staffing shortages following the mandates.
Six-Country African Study Shows COVID-19 Can Be Dangerous in Pregnancy
A new study involving hospitalized women in 6 African countries from the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Institute of Human Virology showed that pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 had 2X the risk of being admitted to the ICU and 4X the risk of dying than pregnant women who didn’t have COVID-19.
Study Reveals Why Highly Infectious Cholera Variant Mysteriously Died Out
A new study reveals why a highly infectious variant of the cholera bug, which caused large disease outbreaks in the early 1990s, did not cause the eighth cholera pandemic as feared – but instead unexpectedly disappeared.
Age may rival politics in COVID-19 vaccine debate
New research from the University of Georgia suggests age and risk perception may have as much of an effect on COVID-19 vaccine acceptance as party affiliation.
Plug-and-play test for keeping track of immunity to Sars-CoV-2 variants
The experts agree — the pandemic is not over. Infections are ticking up again, fueled by the new variants our immune systems are ill prepared for.
New study finds COVID-19 booster increases antibodies by more than 85% in nursing home residents and their caregivers
The study found that Omicron-specific antibodies reached detectable levels in 86% of nursing home residents and 93% of healthcare workers after receiving the booster shot, compared to just 28% of nursing home residents and healthcare workers after the initial two-dose COVID-19 vaccine series.
Who Should Get Vaccinated First Where Supplies Are Limited? It Depends.
Prioritizing older residents for COVID-19 vaccination may not make sense for all nations, a Rutgers analysis finds
COVID-19 vaccine incentives get mixed reception from young people
Offering teens and young adults a chance at a college scholarship, cash, discounts or just some free food might help move the needle on COVID-19 vaccination rates, a new study suggests. In all, 82% of people between the ages of 14 and 24 have a positive attitude toward prizes, raffles, giveaways, and other incentives designed to increase vaccination. But a sizable minority of young people have their doubts about whether such vaccine incentives will work or are ethical.
An alarming prevalence of smell, taste loss during COVID’s delta surge
The loss of smell and taste with a COVID-19 infection during the delta surge was a prevalent symptom and wasn’t prevented by vaccination, new research suggests. The study also found some people with the earliest COVID infections had loss of these senses months later and didn’t even realize it.
COVID booster needed for broad protection against omicron variants
A COVID-19 booster shot will provide strong and broad antibody protection against the range of omicron sublineage variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in circulation, two new studies using serum from human blood samples suggest.
Comparing SARS-CoV-2 antibody response after Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in immunosuppressed patients
About The Study: Researchers compared antispike antibody titers after the 2-dose Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in incrementally immunosuppressed patients. These individuals, such as people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and solid organ transplant recipients, have decreased immune responses to these…