Coronavirus

As National Immunization Awareness Month concludes this August, it is a good time to review and update your vaccination schedules before the fall season begins.

Invivyd’s investigational pemivibart (Pemgarda), which received an FDA emergency use authorization earlier this year, continued to show efficacy in preventing disease onset over a 6-month exploratory period in this patient population.

The 2024-2025 season introduces a new vaccine formula with a monovalent component designed to enhance protection against current variants and reduce severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.

The NIH’s RECOVER Initiative has developed new symptom indices for Long COVID in school-age children and adolescents to find 14 symptoms overlapping between the two groups.

The companies’ study met 1 of their 2 primary immunogenicity objectives.

Study highlights that many long-term symptoms may result from ongoing inflammation rather than persistent viral presence.

Kate Broderick, PhD, molecular geneticist, discusses the mRNA capping technology and how it helps create stability to mRNA molecules within vaccines and guides them to cells.

A new phase 1 clinical trial will determine if vaccine candidate, MPV/S-2P, is safe for humans, and may potentially offer protection not seen before in the first-generation of COVID-19 vaccines.

A large English study shows the incidence rates of arterial thromboses and venous thrombotic events decreased after immunization.

New funding will go towards research around a specific molecule that has been shown to lower inflammation.

A new study looks at the role of genetics in the leveling degrees of infection.

A new analysis says if all states imposed such measures it would have saved thousands of lives.

Three studies provide insights into the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of post-COVID conditions among primary care patients, the effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment, and declines in primary care visits.

SHEA supports funding to address antimicrobial resistance in light of heightened challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the SCORPIO-HR phase 3 trial did not meet its primary endpoint of sustained symptom resolution, ensitrelvir showed promising results in reducing symptom duration and preventing viral rebound.

Evaluating nirmatrelvir–ritonavir over 5-10 days for post-exposure prophylaxis revealed no reduction in symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to placebo among asymptomatic adults.

A large study from the Veterans Affairs shows an association between being unvaccinated and a greater incidence rate of Long COVID.

The disconnect between evolving science and medical communication has left people confused about how to interpret public health information, and provided an opportunity for vaccine deniers and politicians to give disinformation on COVID-19.

Emily Hadley highlights study findings showing a higher incidence of Long COVID following initial infections compared to reinfections, particularly during the Omicron period among 3 million patients.

The company acquired rights from CureVac to develop vaccines for influenza and COVID-19 using the mRNA platform.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) both weigh in on the evolving summer COVID-19 season, and strategies for prevention.

A clinical stage company, NanoViricides, is moving forward with their investigational drug, NV-387, into phase 2 clinical trials to examine treatment for RSV, influenza, COVID-19.

Matthew M Davis, MD, MAPP elaborates on how higher COVID-19 vaccination rates may curb the virus, alleviate childhood asthma symptoms, and protect against other common colds.

Boosted neutralization against variant XBB15 fades within 3 months post-first booster in transplant recipients but improves with a second, hybrid immunity enhances, suggesting 3-6 month boost intervals for solid organ transplant recipients.

Novavax, Inc has unveiled promising results regarding its JN1 COVID-19 vaccine's efficacy against emerging virus variants, including KP2 and KP3.

Biosurveillance has evolved beyond biodefense, emphasizing a comprehensive network to detect and counter biological threats.

During today's CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meeting, committee members voted to recommend the FDA-authorized 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines for individuals aged 6 months and older. Additionally, they reaffirmed the existing influenza vaccination guidelines for the 2024-2025 season.

Those individuals who received older versions of vaccines did not see significantly reduced risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Research presented at ASHP 2024 found that concerns around the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the credibility of information from public health authorities were the biggest drivers of vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the recent phase 3 data results of the Moderna COVID-19-influenza combination vaccine, the company is working towards regulatory approval and opens the door to possible protection against multiple viruses with less immunizations.