When the U.S. FDA’s vaccine committee endorsed the Maryland-produced protein-based COVID-19 vaccine on June 7, 2022, many people expected authorization would immediately follow.
However, according to Novavax Inc.’s statement issued on July 1, 2022, this World Health Organization Listed vaccine remains under FDA review.
Novavax stated ‘it is awaiting U.S. emergency use authorization (EUA) for our prototype COVID-19 vaccine, and we are committed to bringing it to market.
Will the FDA Ever Authorize a Protein-Based COVID-19 Vaccine?
Will the U.S. FDA Authorize a Protein-Based COVID-19 Vaccine?
When the U.S. FDA’s vaccine committee endorsed the Maryland-produced protein-based COVID-19 vaccine on June 7, 2022, many people expected authorization would immediately follow.
However, according to Novavax Inc.’s statement issued on July 1, 2022, this World Health Organization Listed vaccine remains under FDA review.
Novavax stated ‘it is awaiting U.S. emergency use authorization (EUA) for our prototype COVID-19 vaccine, and we are committed to bringing it to market.
Provider Availability Linked to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Children
Vaccination coverage for children aged 5 to 11 higher in counties with at least one active COVID-19 vaccine provider versus no provider
Vaccination Protects Overweight, Obese Against Severe COVID-19
Protection against severe COVID-19 similar for those with overweight, obesity versus healthy weight; lower protection seen for underweight
Headaches in Teens During Pandemic Tied to Depression, Anxiety
Among teens with headache, 27 percent reported worsening of headaches, while 10 percent had new onset of headache
Universal Flu Shot Launches Early Clinical Study
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, recently announced a Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel influenza vaccine that has begun inoculating healthy adult volunteers.
This innovative study will evaluate the safety of the whole-virus BPL-1357 vaccine candidate’s ability to prompt immune responses.
BPL-1357 was developed by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
U.S. Orders 105 Million More Pfizer Shots for Fall Booster Campaign
Both Pfizer and Moderna have reported positive results with updated vaccines that target the omicron variant
Two Doses of BNT162b2 Moderately Effective for 5- to 11-Year-Olds
Moderate effectiveness against documented infection and symptomatic COVID-19 for those vaccinated on or after Nov. 23, 2021
COVID-19 Linked to Increased Risk of Neurological Disorders
Most neurological disorders do not appear to be more frequent after COVID-19 than after influenza or bacterial pneumonia
FDA Tells Vaccine Makers to Update Boosters to Target Omicron Subvariants
Pfizer and Moderna are expected to start producing reformulated doses this summer
Universal Flu Shot Launches Early Clinical Study
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, recently announced a Phase 1 clinical trial of a novel influenza vaccine that has begun inoculating healthy adult volunteers.
This innovative study will evaluate the safety of the whole-virus BPL-1357 vaccine candidate’s ability to prompt immune responses.
BPL-1357 was developed by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).
Flu Shots Worked Better than Earlier Reports
New influenza vaccine effectiveness data presented at the U.S. CDC’s June 22, 2022 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) show flu shots worked better during 2021 – 2022 than initially reported.
Published on June 23, 2022, this ACIP data shows flu shots reduced the risk of influenza illness by about 35% among vaccinated people.
Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Flu Shot Uptake?
Leading researchers recently hypothesized that Covid-19 vaccination rates could be associated with influenza vaccination rates.
North Carolina Vaccine Facility Certified for the Next Pandemic
If the U.S. government declares an influenza pandemic, a new vaccine production facility located in Holly Springs, North Carolina, is certified and ready to go.
New Jersey-based Seqirus announced today that the company's innovative manufacturing facility has successfully achieved all criteria required to establish domestic manufacturing capability for cell-based seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines as outlined by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).
COVID-19 Confirmed More Costly and Fatal than Influenza
According to a recent retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, when adults were hospitalized with COVID-19, they were at a greater risk of death than those with influenza.
After accounting for potential confounders, including age, comorbidities, sex, disease severity, pneumonia, and corticosteroid treatment, these researchers found that COVID-19 patients were more than three times as likely to die after being admitted to hospital than influenza patients.
About 50% of U.S. States Have Reported Avian Influenza Outbreaks
The recent announcement from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continued expanding westward and is now impacting about half of U.S.
Self-Amplifying Messenger RNA Transforms Common Flu Shots
A global leader in influenza prevention recently announced a significant investment in a new Research and Development (R&D) facility located in Waltham, Mass.
Seqirus, a business of CSL Limited, confirmed on February 7, 2022, the new facility will support the company’s growing R&D portfolio, focusing on a self-amplifying messenger RNA (sa-mRNA) technology platform, the next generation of mRNA technology.
Influenza Vaccination Failed to Reduce COVID-19 Risk
In a new study from the University of Copenhagen, vaccination against influenza was found to not change the risk of hospitalization or symptoms due to COVID-19.
And influenza vaccination was not associated with the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection as assessed by the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
This study focused on the working population and subgroup analyses of outcomes related to the severity of disease included a sparse number of HCW aged ≥65 who had contracted SARS-CoV-2.
Reduced Flu Shot Rates Raise Concerns at the U.S. CDC
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced initial estimates for influenza vaccine uptake among children and pregnant women for the 2021-2020 flu season are lower compared to the same time last season.
The reported 15% point drop in influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women and a 6% decrease in children could put many people at risk this flu season.
The CDC stated on October 27, 2021, this trend ‘could be dangerous for many of the people in these groups who may be at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications.’
Novel Influenza A Virus Confirmed in the U.S.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported two previous human infections with novel influenza A viruses.
One infection with an influenza A(H1N1) variant (A(H1N1)v) virus was reported by North Dakota that occurred during the 2020-21 influenza season.
And one infection with influenza (A(H3N2)v) virus was reported by Ohio that occurred during the current 2021-22 influenza season.
Both patients are younger than 18 years of age, were not hospitalized, and have recovered or are recovering from their illness.
Israel’s Children Polio Vaccination Campaign Scores a Win
When Israel’s Ministry of Health launched an urgent polio vaccination campaign in March 2022, most parents were unaware of the risks and benefits for their children.
However, as the Health Ministry prepares to end this polio vaccination offering, new data indicates it has been successful among most infants and young children.
Israel Hayom reported on June 27, 2022, that 96% of infants were vaccinated compared to 81% before the campaign.
And the vaccination rate among toddlers aged 18 months to nine years old increased from 69% to 73%.
No Room for Monkeypox Outbreak Complacency
The World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirmed its call today for governments and civil society to scale up efforts to prevent the monkeypox outbreak from establishing itself across additional geographical areas.
The WHO’s Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, stated on July 1, 2022, “Urgent and coordinated action is imperative if we are to turn a corner in the race to reverse the ongoing spread of this disease.”
East and North London Sewage Contains Poliovirus
The UK Heath Security Agency (UKHSA) announced today that poliovirus samples had been found in sewage collected from the London Beckton Sewage Treatment Works between February and May 2022.
The UKHSA confirmed on June 22, 2022, investigations determined the poliovirus has evolved and is now classified as a ‘vaccine-derived’ poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2), which can cause serious illness in under-immunized people.
Mosquito Saliva Quickly Spreads Diseases to People
A recent report described how a mosquito saliva component is required for virus infection.
When infected mosquitoes bite people, they inject viruses and saliva into the skin. The saliva is biologically active and helps the mosquito feed but also helps the virus to infect and replicate.
And ‘host responses to Aedes mosquito saliva is remarkably rapid, inducing peak edema and monocyte influx within minutes postexposure.’
Unvaccinated Children Bring Measles to Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) announced today it is investigating two measles cases in unvaccinated, pre-school children who are siblings.
The children developed measles symptoms shortly after returning to Hennepin County after visiting an unidentified country where measles is endemic.
One child was hospitalized due to measles complications.
The children were isolated when symptoms started, so exposures were limited to health care and family settings.
Caribbean Countries Celebrate HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Throughout the Caribbean, countries are making measurable gains toward ending the AIDS epidemic and ushering in an AIDS-free generation.
These innovative countries are doing so by using science, innovation, and evidence-based strategies to help save lives.
The efforts are celebrated annually on the Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is today, June 8, 2022.
‘This is the eighth annual observance, and we want to take a moment to recognize the impact that HIV/AIDS has on Caribbean American communities, stated a HIV.gov press release.
Wild Polio Continues Paralyzing Children in Pakistan
To eradicate polio, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has brought together the latest scientific knowledge on poliovirus to make the most of lessons learned and plan for a world without polio.
While most of the world seldom confirms a polio case, Afghanistan and Pakistan are two countries that continue to battle this vaccine-preventable disease.
To prevent poliovirus from spreading across borders, Pakistan and Afghanistan synchronized nationwide polio immunization campaigns in May 2022.
New Saudi Arabia Entry Procedures for Travelers
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) announced in May 2022 the implementation of new procedures for the entry of all non-Saudi citizens and exempted travelers to the Kingdom by a circular issued today to all airlines operating in the Kingdom's airports.
The circular stipulates the application of the institutional quarantine to non-Saudi citizens and exempted travelers, unvaccinated groups who come from countries from which their arrival has not been suspended at their own expense.
See the Mountains On Amtrak’s Newest Summer Train
Amtrak recently announced its newest train service, the Berkshire Flyer, which will soon pass between Moynihan Train Hall and Pittsfield, MA, with several scenic stops along the way.
The Berkshire Flyer will make it easy for the public to take advantage of opportunities to visit museums, attend concerts, visit unique shops, and enjoy outdoor recreation.
Entering the USA Now Costs More
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that the fee for travelers intending to visit the United States with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) has increased.
Effective on May 26, 2022, the ESTA travel promotion fee was increased from $10 to $17, in addition to a $4 operational charge.
The good news is individuals with an approved ESTA do not have to re-apply for up to two years.