Vaccines

A computational framework for estimating vaccine effectiveness based on genetic differences of SARS-CoV-2 variants showed promising results in a new study that verified the model with clinical trial data.

After an all-day meeting, the FDA’s Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) voted 90% YES to recommend this fall’s COVID-19 booster doses target Omicron.

Sanofi and GSK, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Moderna are all working on booster candidates specifically designed to neutralize Omicron and its subvariants.

Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, signs off on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for individuals 6 through 17 years of age.

Dr. Heather Platt discusses the process of developing V116, a pneumococcal vaccine that targets the serotypes most prevalent in those 65 years and older.

Listen to our interview with Sanofi vaccine expert Dr. Christopher Rizzo about what this preferential recommendation means, and why high-dose flu vaccines are needed for older adults.

Studies, advances, and authorizations continue in this paramount area within infectious disease.

The CDC director endorsed the vote, and vaccines could be available to this young pediatric population by later this week.

This past week has been extremely busy in infectious disease with a lot of vaccine news that could impact young children. In addition, GSK reported on its phase 3 study on its RSV vaccine for seniors.

Following VRBPAC recommendations earlier this week, both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines were FDA-authorized for children as young as 6 months.

At separate press conferences, the CDC and WHO indicate that containing monkeypox will depend on testing, tracing, and currently available vaccines.

Today, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) unanimously voted to recommend both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old.

The committee voted twice splitting the questions into younger children (6-11 years) and adolescent (12-17 years) cohorts due to different vaccine dosing amounts.

Sanofi and GSK’s booster vaccine candidate is modeled on the Beta COVID-19 variant, and increases Omicron-neutralizing antibody titers 40-fold.

Data results from its phase 3 trial showed it was statistically significant and the company plans to follow-up with regulatory bodies later this year.

Moderna’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster, mRNA-1273.214, generated nearly twice the protective antibodies against Omicron.

Adults living with HIV were more likely to have a breakthrough COVID-19 infection after vaccination, suggesting a need for additional vaccine doses in this population.

A new study from the CDC underscores the importance of staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, showing a rapid drop in vaccine effectiveness among children during the Omicron wave that increased with booster doses.

Companies say the 3 doses of their vaccine meet all immunobridging criteria required for the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).

The CDC’s COVID-19 booster dose recommendation for children 5 and older comes a few days after the FDA’s authorization

Today, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Moderna announced they will soon launch a phase 1 clinical trial for their HIV vaccine candidate, administered with mRNA technology to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Public health and school officials need to consider strategies now.

A new study in the United Kingdom provided evidence in support of a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccines, showing a strong boost in immunity.

A third, “booster,” dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is now FDA-approved for children 5-11 years old.

The company is utilizing this platform to address new COVID-19 variants, combination vaccines, and potentially prevent HIV.