Despite extensive research and hundreds of millions of infections, no government agency has yet approved an effective vaccine to prevent herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection.
While current herpes vaccine development focuses on glycoproteins, recent studies suggest T cell responses against specific HSV-2 antigens are more prevalent in asymptomatic individuals.
Therefore, vaccine development should consider these differences in immune response to create a vaccine that can stimulate T-cell responses against these antigens. 

World-class leaders have taken a bold step towards eliminating cervical cancer once and for all. Nearly $600 million in new funding has been pledged to expand vaccine coverage and strengthen screening and treatment programs.
The Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum: Advancing the Call to Action aims to eradicate this preventable cancer.
The Global Cervical Cancer Elimination Forum has played a crucial role in catalyzing national and global momentum to end this preventable disease.

Several countries are experiencing outbreaks of dengue and Zika viruses in 2024. While many programs are available for controlling mosquitoes, innovative strategies are necessary to prevent these severe diseases from continuing to reemerge.
Insecticide paints have recently been identified as a new technology offering a safer and more residual way to eliminate disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Influenza vaccines have provided moderate yet crucial protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations for the past few decades.
Although influenza vaccine's effectiveness does vary based on virus type and age group, healthcare providers have emphasized the need to tailor vaccination strategies for those at the most significant risk.

Historically, two tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have been available for use in the United States:
These Td vaccines are TdVax, manufactured by MassBiologics and exclusively distributed by Grifols. And Tenivac®, manufactured by Sanofi.

The U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report released last week confirmed a significant increase in seasonal influenza activity. This situation persists in all ten geographic regions.
To better visualize the impact of the ongoing 2024 flu season, Walgreens Flu Index's latest chart highlighted the top ten cities offering antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. 
As of late February 2024, these are the leading markets:

As the respiratory virus season comes to an end in the United States, it's important to note that the majority of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines were administered by pharmacists in 2023 and 2024.
Despite dealing with their traditional flu shot workload, pharmacists had to administer new RSV vaccines, leaving them frustrated with the lack of time to consult with patients.

International travelers should note that since the initial travel alert in 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed Dengue fever outbreaks in many parts of Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Because dengue is spread by mosquito bites, all vacationers to outbreak destinations are at risk, says the CDC.

While there are no HIV or Herpes vaccines approved for use in 2024, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases recently awarded $537,310 to fund a Mechanisms Underlying the HIV-HSV-2 Syndemic study.
These sexually transmitted diseases are co-present in millions of individuals within the United States.

The Zika virus was first identified in 2007 and caused a significant outbreak in Brazil in 2015. The outbreak in Brazil led to reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with congenital disabilities and poor pregnancy outcomes.
Since then, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued Zika outbreak alerts yearly.
As of early 2024, several countries and territories in the Region of the Americas have confirmed 965 locally transmitted Zika cases.