For several decades, a century-old vaccine has been used to treat a specific type of bladder cancer. In the 1970s, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was approved as an immunotherapeutic treatment for bladder cancer patients.
Since then, various BCG vaccines have become the standard therapy for treating high-risk nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients to prevent the recurrence and progression of the disease.

In April 2024, the United States observes the 15th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month, which emphasizes the significance of preventing human papillomavirus (HPV)- related oral cancers.
Projections estimate an upward trend for the next decade, with predictions greater than 30,000 oral cancer cases annually by 2029.
Research shows that more than 90% of oropharyngeal cancer cases are linked to HPV 16.
As of 2023, oropharyngeal and oral cavity cancers impact far more men than women.

In recent times, the pandemic highlighted contagious diseases that affect older individuals, leading to an increased burden of costly hospitalization.
One proven tactic to prevent disease is vaccination.
A recent study across 10 countries revealed that adult immunization programs can generate a return of up to 19 times their initial investment when considering the full range of benefits. 
This study calculated the equivalent of billions of dollars in net monetary benefits to society or, more concretely, up to $4,637 for one individual's entire vaccination course.

Over the past two decades, most measles cases have been related to infected, unvaccinated international travelers bringing the highly transmissible virus with them to the United States.
This year, the U.S. is at greater risk for measles outbreaks because 49 countries are reporting cases, and international travel has resumed full throttle.
For example, a significant international measles outbreak continues in India. 

Many women have learned Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (rUTIs) can be challenging to treat with antibiotics. However, an innovative oral spray-based vaccine called Uromune™ (MV140) has been found to be a viable alternative treatment.
Improved non-antibiotic management of rUTI in women represents a genuine, unmet, global medical need, stated researchers in a new study.

Many countries are facing devastating outbreaks of cholera in 2024 due to inadequate supplies of oral cholera vaccines (OCV).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the global resurgence of cholera outbreaks as a grade 3 emergency, its highest alert level.

There have been some recent innovative developments in disease alert systems. Previously, the first sign of a new disease reaching the United States was usually when an infected person showed up at a doctor's office.
However, the U.S. CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS) has proven to be a more efficient and reliable tool for detecting viruses in communities.

New research being presented at the ESCMID Global Congress shows that ChatGPT, a free-to-use, and widely accessible AI-powered chatbot, could be an effective tool in reducing vaccine hesitancy among the general public.
Even though AI chatbots like ChatGPT were introduced in late 2022, they have been struggling with accuracy issues.
Furthermore, individuals who mistrust health professionals may use technology to address their concerns.

An ad hoc committee under the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine announced a study that analyzed the lessons derived from the recent pandemic and the mpox multi-country outbreak.
The Future State of Smallpox Medical Countermeasures report argues that the United States and the global community should prepare for smallpox to make an unfortunate return. 
According to the report, smallpox could return through an accidental leak or even an intentional act.

Recently, a clinical trial enrollment was stopped ahead of schedule because of safety concerns. The trial's early findings indicated that the risk of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was lower with the maternal vaccine candidate than with the placebo.
However, the risk of preterm birth was found to be higher with the candidate vaccine.