An Original Article published today reported a second-generation monoclonal antibody (mAb) reduced hospitalizations among infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated lower respiratory tract infection.
The recently approved single-dose Beyfortus™ (nirsevimab) was found in a phase 3 clinical study that (0.3%) of infants who received Beyfortus were hospitalized for RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection compared with 1.5% of those who received standard care.

The global outbreak of dengue has significantly increased over the past two decades. From 2000 to 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) documented a ten-fold surge in dengue cases.
According to the WHO Disease Outbreak News (DON498) published on December 21, 2023, this year's dengue upsurge has been characterized by a significant increase in the scale and simultaneous occurrence.
Moreover, the mosquito-transmitted disease impacts regions previously unaffected by dengue as the range of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes increases.

While travel vaccination services are generally offered on land by clinics and pharmacies in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently suggested these types of services could go-to-sea.
On December 18, 2023, the CDC published updated guidance for cruise ships managing Acute Respiratory Illnesses (ARI). 
This CDC document guides cruise ships originating from or stopping in the U.S. to help prevent, diagnose, and medically manage ARI caused by the SARS-CoV-2 betacorinavirus, influenza, or Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

A new study published today should help clarify an essential question for pregnant women considering getting an influenza vaccination during flu season, which generally begins in October each year in the United States.
An Original Investigation published by the journal JAMA Pediatrics on December 18, 2023, concluded that maternal vaccination was associated with reduced odds of influenza-associated hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in infants younger than six months.

A recent court decision in the United States raises questions about the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) ability to advise the public about the safety and efficacy of medical products and to influence the off-label use of drugs.
The complete, unedited article Perspective, written by Tina Watson, B.A. and Christopher Robertson, J.D., Ph.D., was published by the New England Journal of Medicine on December 16, 2023.

The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) today announced that given the current SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus evolution and the breadth in immune responses demonstrated by monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines against circulating variants, the TAG-CO-VAC advises retaining the current COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition (monovalent XBB.1.5) as the COVID-19 vaccine antigen.

The European Commission (EC), the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA), and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) today published the first version of the Union List of critical medicines, which includes vaccines.
As of December 12, 2023, the List contains more than 200 active substances of medicines for human use, considered critical for healthcare systems, for which continuity of supply is a priority and shortages should be avoided.

Recent data published in England and the United States show high levels of patients diagnosed with norovirus, the winter vomiting bug, as the end of 2023 approaches.
The timing of norovirus outbreaks can vary considerably from one season to the next, says the U.K. Health Security Agency.
According to the U.K.'s NHS, an average of 351 people were hospitalized with diarrhea and vomiting symptoms every day at the end of November compared to 126 in the same week in 2022.

According to a recent announcement, a much anticipated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine clinical trial that began in December 2020 has been discontinued in Africa because there is little or no chance of the trial demonstrating vaccine efficacy in preventing HIV acquisition.
On December 6, 2023, the PrEPVacc clinical trial leadership announced they decided to stop vaccinations based on the recommendation of its independent data monitoring committee (IDMC).

World leaders recently announced new commitments that help implement the Paris Pact principles, combining official development assistance and private investment, and support the objective of achieving polio eradication by 2026.