Vaccines

The federal government is working on measures to mitigate the potential impact including looking at vaccines, therapies, and other strategies. Robert Hopkins, Jr, MD, medical director, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), provides some insights on our preparation now and lessons learned from the pandemic.

The Phase 1 clinical trial for ARCT-2304, a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine, seeks to address pandemic influenza risk as H5N1 cases increase.

As politics increasingly intersects with science, infectious disease clinicians are called to take on advocacy roles. By engaging with their communities, clinicians can dispel misconceptions, highlight the importance of federal health institutions, and emphasize their role in safeguarding public health and advancing medical progress.

The continuation of misinformation and disinformation being disseminated in the public is causing more public health communication issues as mistruths associate the vaccines with cancer.

The federal agency approved safety labeling changes to the prescribing information for Abrysvo (Pfizer) and Arexvy (GSK) RSV vaccines for seniors after data from clinical trials, reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), and a postmarketing study.

The updated recommendations simplify vaccine eligibility while addressing both cost-effectiveness and racial health disparities.

Investigators evaluated strategies to simplify the vaccination process to yield higher rates of adult immunization, similar to that of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reactogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 with inactivated influenza vaccine was similar whether given at same time or separated by 1-2 weeks.

New approach targets multiple strains, promising broad protection against human, avian, and swine influenza viruses.

The investigational vaccine amezosvatein demonstrated low reactogenicity, supporting its potential as an alternative for shingles prevention in adults 50 and older.

This new indication for the bivalent respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F vaccine (Abrysvo) makes it the broadest currently available.

Important vaccine updates, including a second COVID-19 vaccine dose for adults 65 and older and immunocompromised individuals, a pneumococcal vaccine for adults aged 50 and older, and more.

A serious adverse event of motor neuropathy reported in September 2024 has resulted in a hold on the investigational new drug application.

The vaccine proved a cumulative efficacy of 62.9% against respiratory syncytial virus-related lower respiratory tract disease in older adults over three seasons.

A single dose of the mRNA-1273.222 vaccine demonstrated strong immune responses against various omicron subvariants and showed a favorable safety profile compared to existing vaccines.

An English modeling study suggests level of protection decreases only very slightly over time and reminds parents to have their children up to date on all vaccinations.

The findings are from a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) survey showing many Americans are not thinking about flu, COVID-19, RSV, or pneumococcal disease, and many respondents do not plan to get vaccinated this fall.

The federal agency offers guidance for US clinicians and travelers to understand the disease better and employ preventative measures to reduce incidence rates.

Ammara Mushtaq, MD, discusses the underrepresentation of different races during the pandemic, but also the newer efforts to include and represent these communities in smaller, local studies.

The federal agency gave the nod to FluMist nasal spray to allows individuals to administer the vaccine themselves and as a caregivers to others.

The CSL and Arcturus Therapeutics’ vaccine, ARCT-154 (Kostaive), is designed to offer protection against the JN1 strain.

The International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) ProMED surveillance system is a way for clinicians and interested ID stakeholders to be aware of local outbreaks and follow-up in response to get more information on them.

The Phase 1/2 study of VAX-31 demonstrated that the vaccine was well tolerated and elicited strong opsonophagocytic activity immune responses across all 31 evaluated serotypes.

Approved for individuals aged 12 years and older, this vaccine features a monovalent component and replaces the previous Novavax formula.

As National Immunization Awareness Month concludes this August, it is a good time to review and update your vaccination schedules before the fall season begins.