Omicron News and Research

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Pfizer Australia and BioNTech announce TGA approval for Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine

Pfizer Australia and BioNTech SE today announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have authorised the companies’ XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine (COMIRNATY® Omicron XBB.1.5) in individuals 5 years and older.

14 Oct 2023

New insights into coronavirus E channel could lead to antiviral drugs

The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes 29 proteins, one of which is an ion channel called E. This channel, which transports protons and calcium ions, induces infected cells to launch an inflammatory response that damages tissues and contributes to the symptoms of Covid-19.

13 Oct 2023

Strong antibody response and nasal cytokines may protect young children from severe COVID-19

New research helps explain why young children have lower rates of severe COVID-19 than adults. A study of infants and young children found those who acquired SARS-CoV-2 had a strong, sustained antibody response to the virus and high levels of inflammatory proteins in the nose but not in the blood.

13 Oct 2023

Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine for Autumn 2023 outperforms in cost and clinical impact

Moderna's updated mRNA-1273.815 COVID-19 vaccine shows promising results in reducing symptomatic cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in high-risk and older adults in Germany. The study finds the vaccine to be more cost-effective and clinically beneficial than both no vaccination and Pfizer's XBB.1.5 BNT162b2 vaccine.

12 Oct 2023

EVScape: New tool to forecast which SARS-CoV-2 variants could dodge our immunity

Researchers have developed EVScape, a predictive tool that identifies which SARS-CoV-2 strains are most likely to evade host immunity. Utilizing a deep generative model and structural information, the tool offers early warning about viral variants, aiding in the timely development of effective vaccines and treatments.

12 Oct 2023

Next-gen intranasal vaccine takes on measles, mumps, and multiple COVID-19 variants in one shot

Researchers developed an intranasal trivalent measles-mumps-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that provides robust protection against multiple coronavirus variants. Leveraging the established measles-mumps-rubella platform, this vaccine demonstrates broad and adaptable immune responses, especially against Delta and Omicron variants.

8 Oct 2023

Antigenic cartography decodes the mysteries of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccines

Using antigenic cartography, researchers analyzed cross-reactivity patterns of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the effect of spike-protein changes on post-infection and vaccination immune responses. The study illuminated unique neutralization profiles and underscored the evolving defense mechanisms with repeated immunizations.

8 Oct 2023

Novavax vaccine shows resilient defense against symptomatic COVID-19 despite Omicron challenge

Recent study assesses NVX-CoV2373 vaccine's effectiveness against Omicron variant. Findings show decreased efficacy over four months, but stable protection against symptomatic COVID-19.

8 Oct 2023

Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir combo cuts COVID-19 risks for high-vulnerability groups

Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir treatment significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19 in high-risk individuals, according to a recent JAMA Network Open study. However, the treatment's efficacy varied based on the degree of vulnerability, emphasizing tailored approaches for different risk groups.

8 Oct 2023

Protein recombinant vaccine NVX-CoV2373 confers protection during Omicron dominant period in Italy

The NVX-CoV2373 COVID-19 vaccine offers significant protection against symptomatic infections, but its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 declines within four months, according to a study in JAMA Network Open using Italian data. However, its protection against symptomatic COVID-19 seems to remain stable during this period.

8 Oct 2023

Differences in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants could inform future vaccine design

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 optimize vaccines in the future to provide broad protection.

6 Oct 2023

Why are most Americans skipping the COVID-19 booster?

A study in the journal Vaccine reveals that misinformation and concerns about side effects are leading reasons why over 80% of eligible Americans have skipped the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster. The research underscores the need for more public education about the vaccine's benefits in combating severe COVID-19 infections.

5 Oct 2023

Green, matcha, and black tea: Effective weapons against Omicron subvariants, research reveals

The efficacy of tea and its catechins in deactivating the Omicron subvariant.

5 Oct 2023

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': An encore: 3 HHS secretaries reveal what the job is really like

This week, while KFF Health News' "What the Health?" takes a break, here’s an encore of a favorite episode this year: Host and chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner leads a rare conversation with the current and two former secretaries of Health and Human Services.

5 Oct 2023

New model can calculate the probability of COVID-19 cluster occurrence

A research group has created a new model to calculate the probability of the occurrence of localized clusters caused by novel coronavirus infections.

3 Oct 2023

Could infants' robust immune responses reshape future vaccination strategies?

Utilizing next-gen sequencing techniques, researchers analyzed infants' immune responses to infections, uncovering a predominant innate immune activation unlike adults and older children. This insight could steer child vaccination research and pediatric infection management strategies, potentially revolutionizing infant healthcare.

3 Oct 2023

New study reveals BA.2.86 subvariant's surprising dance with antibodies

Researchers examined the antigenicity of the emerging SARS-CoV-2 subvariant BA.2.86, finding that it is not resistant to neutralizing antibodies from previously infected or vaccinated individuals, although it does show increased binding affinity to the ACE-2 receptor. The study highlights the subvariant's sensitivity and resistance to different classes of monoclonal antibodies, offering insights for future treatment and vaccine development.

2 Oct 2023

Maternal COVID-19 shots significantly lowered infant hospitalizations during Omicron wave

Study found that maternal COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy significantly reduces the risk of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in infants under six months, particularly boosting protection during the first three months of life. With 78% of the hospitalized infants born to unvaccinated mothers, the research emphasizes the crucial role of maternal vaccination in safeguarding infants too young for vaccination.

2 Oct 2023

Aerosolized ACE2 neutralizes COVID-19 variants in lab and mice tests

Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern have developed an aerosolized, mutated form of ACE2 that effectively neutralizes various SARS-CoV-2 variants in both cell cultures and mice. The study suggests that this modified ACE2 has promising preventive and therapeutic potential against COVID-19, especially with its easy aerosolized administration.

28 Sep 2023

Vaxzevria vaccine boosts mucosal immunity in COVID-19 recovered

Study highlights the ability of the Vaxzevria vaccine in inducing robust mucosal antibody responses, especially in COVID-19-recovered individuals, showcasing a notable defense against various SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, it emphasizes the need for booster doses to enhance anti-SARS-CoV-2 mucosal immunity, especially in infection-naïve individuals, to broaden protection against emerging viral variants.

28 Sep 2023

Omicron News and Research

Pfizer Australia and BioNTech announce TGA approval for Omicron XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent COVID-19 vaccine

New insights into coronavirus E channel could lead to antiviral drugs

Strong antibody response and nasal cytokines may protect young children from severe COVID-19

Moderna's updated COVID-19 vaccine for Autumn 2023 outperforms in cost and clinical impact

EVScape: New tool to forecast which SARS-CoV-2 variants could dodge our immunity

Next-gen intranasal vaccine takes on measles, mumps, and multiple COVID-19 variants in one shot

Antigenic cartography decodes the mysteries of SARS-CoV-2 variants and vaccines

Novavax vaccine shows resilient defense against symptomatic COVID-19 despite Omicron challenge

Nirmatrelvir and ritonavir combo cuts COVID-19 risks for high-vulnerability groups

Protein recombinant vaccine NVX-CoV2373 confers protection during Omicron dominant period in Italy

Differences in immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants could inform future vaccine design

Why are most Americans skipping the COVID-19 booster?

Green, matcha, and black tea: Effective weapons against Omicron subvariants, research reveals

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': An encore: 3 HHS secretaries reveal what the job is really like

New model can calculate the probability of COVID-19 cluster occurrence

Could infants' robust immune responses reshape future vaccination strategies?

New study reveals BA.2.86 subvariant's surprising dance with antibodies

Maternal COVID-19 shots significantly lowered infant hospitalizations during Omicron wave

Aerosolized ACE2 neutralizes COVID-19 variants in lab and mice tests

Vaxzevria vaccine boosts mucosal immunity in COVID-19 recovered

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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