Coronavirus / COVID

A series of politically driven actions in 2025—including defunding mRNA research, dismantling vaccine advisory bodies, and restricting CDC recommendations—has undermined US vaccine access and pandemic preparedness, but professional societies and some states are stepping in to preserve evidence-based public health.

Questions raised about unverified FDA claims linking COVID-19 vaccines to pediatric deaths, and concerns that proposed vaccine testing requirements could delay access to key immunizations.

Anticipating possible constraints on the approval of COVID-19 vaccines and their removal from the CDC pediatric vaccine schedule, a medical ethicist and legal scholar consider off-label vaccination.

A review of vaccine safety and effectiveness conducted by the Vaccine Integrity Project, independent of the CDC's ACIP, reflects its stated purpose as "dedicated to safeguarding vaccine use in the US."

Seven months of clinical data corroborated emergency authorization of 2024-2025 mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for circulating JN.1 subvariants.

Dynavax and Vaxart have entered into a license and collaboration agreement to advance Vaxart’s investigational oral COVID-19 vaccine, with phase 2b data expected in late 2026.

FDA clearance paves the way for Invivyd to launch 2 phase 3 trials of VYD2311, a monoclonal antibody designed as a safe, convenient, vaccine alternative for COVID-19 prevention.

Georges C.Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association, details practical implications for clinical teams.

In part 1 of our conversation, the VP of the NFID discusses ACIP’s recent meeting, including COVID-19 shared decision-making, informed-consent debates, and new policy actions on hepatitis B and MMRV.

Insights from Jaya Aysola, MD, MPH, DTMH; and John C. Lin, MD candidate, on clinical workflows, social needs screening, and policy levers.

Oxford’s Prof Katrina Lythgoe and Mahan Ghafari, DPhil, report ONS-CIS data on 576 persistent UK infections with rapid within-host evolution and rare transmission after one month.

William Hanage, PhD, discusses viral evolution, transmission risk, and clinical implications for immunocompromised patients.

Single-center randomized trial shows lower infection rates and extended time to SARS-CoV-2 infection, though larger studies are needed to confirm findings.

Supported by phase 3 SCORPIO-PEP trial data, ensitrelvir could become the first oral therapy to prevent COVID-19 following exposure, with an FDA decision due June 16, 2026.

Robert Hopkins, Jr, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), discusses what patients are asking about with regards to the vaccines and what the general public should continue to know about their medical value.

Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE authorized for older adults and high-risk individuals; experts emphasize protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes.

New authorization limits shots to adults ≥65 and individuals with underlying health conditions, with ACIP set to review guidance and insurance coverage implications.

Allergist and immunologist Juanita Mora, MD, urges vaccination, masking, and outreach to safeguard vulnerable communities.

New data show consistent late-summer and winter surges, reinforcing the need for seasonal vaccine timing and focused protection for high-risk groups.

STOP-PASC substudy results find digital biometrics align with symptom burden, supporting their use as objective measures in long COVID research.

First-in-class IL-15 agonist aims to address persistent post-COVID symptoms by enhancing immune clearance and restoring T cell memory.

Julia Moore Vogel, PhD, says the LoCITT study aims to expand access through a fully remote design using CareEvolution’s MyDataHelps platform.

Ep 2, Part 2 of 4, Robert Bransfield, MD, discusses how microbes may influence violent behavior and global instability through biological and environmental pathways.

Pathologist Leilani Valdes, MD, MBA, FCAP, explains the role of PCR testing, early surveillance, and vaccine education in protecting community health.

Sharon Nachman, MD, breaks down the latest on Stratus and Nimbus variants and what families should consider as schools resume.