Category Archive

While Influenza virus infections declined globally during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a recent study found an increased risk of household transmission of influenza A(H3N2) in the 2021-2022 flu season compared with prepandemic seasons.
More frequent interaction with an infected person would be expected to increase infection risk, and in 2021-2022, household contacts reported spending more time in the same room with others.

The Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) recently confirmed three juvenile grizzly bears tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus during the fall of 2022.
These were the first documented cases of HPAI in grizzly bears in Montana.
The three bears were observed to be in poor condition and exhibited disorientation and partial blindness, among other neurological issues.
They were euthanized due to their sickness and poor condition.  

Ginkgo Bioworks today announced that they had expanded their support for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program to include a study monitoring influenza viruses.
Traveler-based pathogen monitoring represents a novel approach to influenza surveillance, complementing CDC's ongoing efforts by providing early insights into global trends in influenza virus evolution.

Given the anticipated increase in respiratory infections this winter, America's healthcare professional organizations reminded the public of the importance of vaccinations and early treatment.
A strong recommendation from a trusted clinician is one of the most effective strategies to increase vaccine uptake, wrote these organizations on November 21, 2022. 

Numerous clinical research studies have been published supporting the U.S. CDC's strong recommendation that most people measurably benefit from influenza vaccination.
A new peer-reviewed study published in The Lancet Global Health has identified another specific benefit.
An international team led by McMaster University researchers found that influenza vaccination significantly reduces pneumonia and cardiovascular complications in people with heart failure.

Global leaders in vaccine innovation today announced the advancement of an mRNA-based vaccine candidate preventing both influenza and COVID-19 to a Phase 1 clinical trial.
The Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE vaccine candidate aims to address these severe respiratory diseases with one vaccine.
The vaccine candidate combines Pfizer's quadrivalent modRNA-based influenza vaccine candidate, qIRV (22/23), which is currently in Phase 3 clinical development, and Pfizer and BioNTech's authorized Omicron-adapted bivalent COVID-19 BNT162b2 (Original/Omicron BA.4/BA.5) vaccine.

During the two-day U.S. CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting led by Dr. Grace Lee, several presentations revealed significant vaccine progress and measurable health impact.
However, when Jessie Chung MPH, Samantha Olson MPH, and Nathaniel Lewis Ph.D. presented the preliminary influenza vaccine efficacy (VE) results from the last flu season, various ACIP members expressed shock and dismay.

A global leader in influenza prevention announced that the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, had selected CSL Seqirus to manufacture and clinically assess a cell-based, adjuvanted pre-pandemic influenza vaccine candidate to support the U.S. government's pandemic preparedness activities.

With a potentially severe respiratory season ahead, data released today by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) indicates many Americans are unaware of their health risks.
The 2022 National Survey: Attitudes about Influenza and Pneumococcal Disease, and the Impacts of COVID-19, was released by the NFID on October 4, 2022, indicating only 49% of adults plan to get an influenza vaccination during the 2022-2023 flu season.

New data announced today from four real-world studies shows the impact that cell-based and adjuvanted influenza vaccines can have in reducing the burden of seasonal influenza on hospitals and health systems.
The data from CSL Seqirus were presented at OPTIONS for the Control of Influenza (OPTIONS XI), being held in the United Kingdom.