Vaccine News and Research

Latest Vaccine News and Research

BCG vaccine offers protection for elderly people against respiratory infections

The BCG vaccine has a broad, stimulating effect on the immune system. This gives it an effective preventive action against various infections - possibly also against COVID-19. New studies are investigating that.

1 Sep 2020

Human antibody response to SARS-CoV-2

A new study published on the preprint server medRxiv* in August 2020 reports on the human antibody response in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, which is key to developing vaccines and managing the pandemic, as well as designing and executing serologic testing and interpreting their results.

1 Sep 2020

Spike ferritin nanoparticles show potential as SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Now, a new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 reports the induction of neutralizing antibodies in mice by a single dose of a ferritin nanoparticle-based vaccine containing the spike protein.

1 Sep 2020

Researchers propose new reforms to improve transparency of drug authorizations

On March 28, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exercised its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority to allow the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. On June 15, after a number of studies failed to find positive effects, the agency revoked this authorization.

1 Sep 2020

A nanoscaffolding approach for rapid design of highly immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

A research group from Slovenia, Switzerland, and Germany shows how nanoscaffolded assemblies may neutralize interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and cell receptor, providing adequate protection in a surrogate infection assay and warranting the advance of such platforms in the pursuit for the effective vaccine.

31 Aug 2020

Vaccine reduces race-based pneumococcal disease disparities

In a major public health success, the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13, or Prevnar 13, in 2010 in the United States is associated with reduction in socioeconomic disparities and the near elimination of Black-white-based racial disparities for invasive pneumococcal disease.

31 Aug 2020

Study identifies effective treatment for severe COVID-19 patients

As countries around the world race to develop a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, researchers are working to understand exactly how it causes the myriad of symptoms that seem to linger long after active viral infection.

31 Aug 2020

For kids with special needs, online schooling divides haves and have-nots

It's Tuesday morning, and teacher Tamya Daly has her online class playing an alphabet game. The students are writing quickly and intently, with occasional whoops of excitement, on the little whiteboards she dropped off at their homes the day before along with coloring books, markers, Silly Putty and other learning props — all of which she created or paid for with her own money.

31 Aug 2020

T cell epitopes from recovered COVID-19 patients identified for vaccine

A new study by researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and published on the preprint server bioRxiv in August 2020 collates the available database of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes gathered from 8 studies of COVID-19 patients who recovered. This could serve as a launchpad to fill in knowledge gaps regarding the immunological aspects of this disease, and drive towards an effective T cell vaccine.

31 Aug 2020

IL-6 signaling blockade can alleviate severe COVID-19

A team of researchers led by Osaka University find an overlap in the pathogenesis of cytokine release syndrome and COVID-19, and show that the symptoms of both can be alleviated by IL-6 signaling blockade

31 Aug 2020

Cat antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 fast-tracked for human clinical trials

Now, a team of researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada has identified viral inhibitors that they claim are potential candidates as a treatment for COVID-19. The team is set to launch clinical trials of the drug that is used as a treatment for a type of coronavirus in cats.

31 Aug 2020

New lipid derivatives of Remdesivir have higher anti-coronavirus activity

In a fascinating new preprint paper published on bioRxiv* in August 2020, the researchers report “the synthesis and antiviral evaluation of three novel lipophilic prodrugs of RVn-monophosphate that are substantially more active than Remdesivir in cells infected with SARS-CoV-2.” These could be of immense use in treating COVID-19 patients early and helping to end transmission.

30 Aug 2020

Using SARS-CoV-2 epitope to construct a vaccine

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* in August 2020 reports the use of prediction and advanced simulation techniques to identify a novel T cell epitope on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could serve as the basis for a customized vaccine with broad-based efficacy.

30 Aug 2020

SARS-CoV-2 Neucleocapside (N) protein is heavily glycosylated

However, the nucleocapsid (N) protein is also extremely abundant and, therefore, a useful target for both vaccine and diagnostic test development. A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv in August 2020 reveals the structure of this protein, a valuable step in using it for these purposes.

30 Aug 2020

FDA announces public meeting to discuss development and licensure of COVID-19 vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that a public meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will be held on CutOct. 22, 2020, to discuss the general matter of the development, authorization, and/or licensure of vaccines indicated to prevent COVID-19.

29 Aug 2020

Race to produce COVID vaccines should not leave the poor left behind, says expert

Race to produce vaccines against COVID-19 must ensure that the poor are not left behind, says Crispin Maslog. A mad race to produce a vaccine against COVID-19 has begun with the world's superpowers leading the pack.

29 Aug 2020

Thomas Jefferson University receives grant for the development of CoraVax

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has announced grants totaling $10M to 23 entities to develop effective COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and therapies.

28 Aug 2020

Serious heart complications are common in adults hospitalized with flu

The link between influenza and serious heart conditions just grew stronger. A CDC study looking at more than 80,000 adult patients hospitalized with flu over eight seasons found that sudden, serious heart complications were common, occurring in 12% of patients, or 1 in 8.

28 Aug 2020

Republican Convention, Day 4: Fireworks … and shining a light on Trump’s claims

President Donald Trump accepted the Republican Party's nomination for president in a 70-minute speech from the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday night.

28 Aug 2020

COVID + influenza: This is a good year to get a flu shot, experts advise

Flu season will look different this year, as the country grapples with a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 172,000 people. Many Americans are reluctant to visit a doctor's office and public health officials worry people will shy away from being immunized.

28 Aug 2020