New vaccinations against influenza and the virus that causes COVID-19 are available and arriving at physician offices and pharmacies. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign microbiology professor Chris Brooke is a virologist who studies respiratory viruses. He explains what’s in the new vaccines, the…
Tag: Vaccines
JMU nursing professor can discuss flu/COVID season, vaccines
JMU nursing professor Tina Switzer will soon receive a flu shot and she encourages others to do the same. Switzer, who teaches community health and oversees nursing students during their clinical experience, says flu season runs from October to early…
Expert available: Is it okay to get your flu and COVID-19 shot together?
The fall is generally the start of flu season and when many of us get our annual flu vaccine. But what about bundling a flu vaccine with your COVID-19 shot? Earl Strum, MD, anesthesiologist and medical director of employee health…
Study Shows Cancer Vaccine Blocks Tumor Progression at Early Lesion Stage
A cancer vaccine that had little success in clinical trials for patients with advanced tumors could potentially have efficacy if administered earlier in the treatment cycle, according to a study from Vanderbilt researchers.
FAU Researchers Confront New U.S. and Global Challenges in Vaccinations of Adults
Over the past decade, decreasing vaccination rates now threaten the huge beneficial impacts of vaccinations in the U.S. and globally. Researchers discuss the multifactorial barriers including increasing vaccine hesitancy and new clinical and public health challenges in vaccinations of U.S. adults.
Houston Methodist prepares for next pandemic as part of national NIH-funded consortium
The question isn’t if, but when, the next pandemic will hit. Research and observation have identified strong potential for the next pandemic-causing virus to come from one or more of five different virus families.
UC Irvine receives initial $33 million in federal support for vaccine research
Irvine, Calif., Oct. 3, 2024 — With an initial three-year, $33 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the University of California, Irvine will lead a multi-institutional drive to create new vaccines as part of the Research and Development of Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies for Pandemic Preparedness Network (ReVAMPP).
LJI discovery paves the way for antivirals against Ebola virus and its deadly relatives
The new study, led by researchers in the Saphire Lab at LJI, reveals the inner workings of the Ebola virus nucleocapsid. LA JOLLA, CA—At this moment, the world has few tools to combat deadly filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses. The only approved vaccine and antibody treatments protect against just one filovirus species.
New national survey shows hesitancy about vaccines this fall
With flu season just around the corner and COVID-19 cases on the rise, a new nationwide survey from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center reveals hesitancy around vaccines this fall. The new data comes just as this year’s flu shot rolls out and following the FDA’s approval of an updated round of COVID-19 vaccines.
Targeting cancer with precision: neoantigen vaccines show promise
In an elegant fusion of science and medicine, neoantigen cancer vaccines are emerging as a formidable strategy in the battle against cancer. These vaccines, a testament to the power of personalized medicine, target cancer’s unique protein signatures, rallying the immune system for a precise and potent attack.
Good News for People with MS—COVID-19 Vaccine Not Tied to Relapse
People with multiple sclerosis (MS) have an increased risk of severe coronavirus infection, but there has been concern regarding potential relapse after vaccination. A new study finds that people with MS may not have a higher risk of relapse after COVID-19 vaccination. The study is published in the August 14, 2024, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Ancient remedies for modern woes: TCM in the fight against african swine fever
Recent research reveals the potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in combating African Swine Fever (ASF), a viral disease with near 100% mortality rate in pigs. The study explores TCM’s antiviral properties and its role in enhancing immunity, offering a novel strategy in the face of limited effective treatments.
Not sure about vaccines? How public health messaging is framed makes a difference, new research reveals
What’s the best way to communicate with a vaccine-hesitant person about a vaccine’s potential benefits? New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York found that a one-size-fits-all approach to communicating messages isn’t effective.
Vaccinologists Keith Klugman and Shabir Madhi awarded Sabin’s Prestigious Gold Medal
The Sabin Vaccine Institute presented the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal to physician-researchers Keith Klugman and Shabir Madhi.
Michigan is seeing a rise in measles: MSU experts can comment on related health issues
Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, issued an advisory to inform clinicians and public health officials of an increase in global and U.S. measles cases.
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.
In fight against brain pathogens, the eyes have it
The eyes have been called the window to the brain. It turns out they also serve as an immunological barrier that protects the organ from pathogens and even tumors, Yale researchers have found.
Fighting the flu: The surprising power of a century-old vaccine for tuberculosis
As Canada’s flu season collides with record strep A cases and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, a new study is shedding light on our understanding of respiratory immune responses
Studies find flu vaccines were effective in 2022-2023 flu season
The prospect of the worrisome triple threat of COVID, RSV and flu was assuaged last year by the effectiveness of flu vaccines.
Pharmacology Expert Comments on RSV Vaccination Errors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that some pregnant Americans may have been given the wrong RSV vaccine, and some young children received a vaccine approved for use in adults only. Now, a pharmacology expert at New York Institute…
Vaccines May Protect Against Alzheimer’s, But How? Asks Domenico Praticò, MD, FCPP
Commonly used vaccines may also protect against dementia, according to a recent paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease [J. Alzheimer’s Disease 2023; 95(2): 703–718)]. The authors found that after receiving the tetanus/diphtheria vaccine and whooping cough (aka, pertussis)…
Infectious Disease Expert Available: Flu Season, COVID-19 Variant and other Respiratory Viruses
In the United States, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter, and while influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February. The overall impact of the flu varies from season to…
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.
An AI Tool That Can Help Forecast Viral Outbreaks
EVEscape predicts future viral mutations, new variants using evolutionary, biological information
MSU expert: What to know about flu, RSV, new COVID-19 variant and new vaccine
The new COVID-19 EG.5 variant is responsible for around 22% of current cases. The World Health Organization has classified it as a “variant of interest,” meaning countries should monitor it more closely than other strains — and cases have only increased in the past few weeks. Peter Gulick is an expert on infectious diseases, and he provides insight on what this new variant could mean and what you should know.
Pharmacists can improve access to life-saving vaccines
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It is also the leading cause of cervical cancer. Over 1,400 Canadian women are affected yearly, with almost 400 deaths, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Study details immune cells vital to success of vaccines against coronavirus
A study has revealed new details about a key population of immune system cells critical to successful vaccination against the pandemic virus, SARS-CoV-2.
Exiting the pandemic together: achieving global immunity and equity
A new editorial paper was published in Oncoscience (Volume 10) on September 1, 2023, entitled, “Exiting the pandemic together: achieving global immunity and equity.”
LJI scientists harness ‘helper’ T cells to treat tumors
La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) scientists have published a pair of studies that show how we might harness CD4+ T cells while boosting the cancer-fighting power of CD8+ “killer” T cells.
COVID-19, Flu and RSV vaccines — what you need to know
Keck Medicine of USC experts discuss new recommendations for staying healthy and safe during the respiratory virus season
Dr. Carol Nwelue discusses how to keep your kids healthy when going back to school.
Carol Nwelue, MD, at Baylor Scott & White Health, answers common patient questions and reacts to the latest medical research. How can parents keep their kids healthy this back-to-school season? (SOT@ 0:14, TRT 0:34) Why do sicknesses spread easily when…
An adjuvanted intranasal vaccine for COVID-19 protects both young and old mice
A collaborative research effort led by the University of Michigan and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has resulted in a nasal vaccine adjuvant that stops COVID infection in both young and old mice.
Asymptomatic infections may underlie recent rise in whooping cough
In a new study, scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) compared the immune response of individuals who received older versus newer versions of the whooping cough vaccine. The unexpected findings may help explain the recent rise in whooping cough cases and point to potential targets for the next generation of vaccines.
New algorithm may fuel vaccine development
Immune system researchers have designed a computational tool to boost pandemic preparedness. Scientists can use this new algorithm to compare data from vastly different experiments and better predict how individuals may respond to disease.
UC San Diego Health Experts Available to Discuss Shingles, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein has developed rare complications due to a months-long shingles infection, including encephalitis (brain inflammation) and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome occurs when shingles infects cranial nerves, including the auditory, vestibular and facial nerves, which can…
Lockdowns and vaccines: a balancing act
A new study investigates whether COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines complement or substitute each other, offering insights to policymakers about optimizing public health and economic outcomes.
Rutgers Launches Lyme Disease Vaccine Study
The university is participating in the effort to determine the efficacy of what could be the first vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in children ages 5 to 17
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA booster vaccinations increased and sustained the antibody responses
Booster vaccinations against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are being promoted worldwide to counter the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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.
Education levels impact on belief in scientific misinformation and mistrust of COVID-19 preventive measures
A new study has found that people with a university degree were less likely to believe in COVID-19 misinformation and more likely to trust preventive measures than those without a degree.
LLNL Biomedical Licensee Collaborating With Two Drug Companies To Advance Treatments For Autoimmune Diseases
People afflicted with autoimmune diseases may someday receive help through treatments now under development by a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) licensee and its’ collaborations with two major pharmaceutical companies.
Breakthrough COVID-19 cases occur in 7.5% of vaccinated Texas participants, according to UTHealth Houston survey; subgroups at higher risk identified
Breakthrough COVID-19 infections after vaccination occurred in 7.5% of Texans surveyed and were linked to Hispanic ethnicity, larger household size, rural versus urban living, type of vaccination, and multiple comorbidities, according to findings from UTHealth Houston School of Public Health published today in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Artificial Intelligence Aids Discovery of Super Tight-Binding Antibodies
UC San Diego scientists developed an artificial intelligence tool that could accelerate the development of new high affinity antibody drugs.
Two UCI researchers named fellows by the National Academy of Inventors
Irvine, Calif., Dec. 8, 2022 — The National Academy of Inventors has named two University of California, Irvine researchers as fellows for 2022. Philip Felgner, a pioneer in the development of lifesaving mRNA vaccines, and Payam Heydari, a prolific creator of cutting-edge microelectronics technologies, were both recognized for inventions that have made tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
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.
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.
Needs and Challenges for COVID-19 Boosters and Other Vaccines in the U.S.
FAU researchers and collaborators provide the most updated guidance to health care providers and urge how widespread vaccination with these boosters can now avoid the specter of future and more lethal variants becoming a reality.
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.
Risk of Severe Breakthrough COVID-19 Infection Is Higher for People With HIV With Moderately Low CD4 Cell Counts
People with HIV who have moderate immune suppression appear to be at greater risk of severe COVID-19 “breakthrough” infection after vaccination, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
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.