All articles tagged with #vaccine
A South Carolina mother who refused measles vaccination for her child, citing beliefs about vaccine safety and faith, sees her son suffer measles encephalitis with likely lifelong mobility issues, as a preventable outbreak unfolds in the state; the piece frames the decision as reckless and highlights the real harm to the unvaccinated child while criticizing anti-vaccine beliefs.
The FDA reversed its initial refusal to accept Moderna’s seasonal flu vaccine filing after a White House meeting in which President Trump pressed the agency, with Moderna submitting an amended filing and the FDA agreeing to review it via a Type A meeting. The agency accepted the application for full approval for adults 50–64 and accelerated approval for 65+, with a post‑marketing study to address age-related concerns, and a target decision date of August 5, 2026.
A recent observational study of nearly 4,000 adults aged 70+ found that shingles vaccination was linked to slower overall biological aging and lower inflammation, suggesting immune-related benefits beyond preventing shingles. However, the study cannot establish causality, and more research—including randomized trials and diverse populations—is needed to confirm these findings and explore health outcomes such as cognitive decline or mortality.
A landmark England-wide study of nearly 14 million under-18s found that COVID infection carries a substantially higher risk of inflammatory heart conditions (myocarditis and pericarditis) than vaccination, with vaccine-related risks being rare and short-lived (dissipating within a month) while infection-related risks can persist for up to a year, reinforcing vaccine safety messaging.
A randomized trial provides direct human evidence that the placebo effect can shape humoral immunity: reward-related brain activity correlates with vaccine-induced antibody production, suggesting new ways to influence immune responses beyond the vaccine itself.
A proposed $1.6 million randomized trial funded by RFK Jr.'s HHS to study neonatal Hepatitis B vaccination in Guinea-Bissau would withhold vaccines from about 7,000 of 14,000 infants to compare outcomes; after international outrage, officials halted the study and pledged revisions, citing ethics concerns and potential non-specific harms.
The article discusses the current spread of the severe H3N2 super flu, its symptoms, why it's more dangerous this season, and how to protect yourself through vaccination, hygiene, and early treatment with antivirals.
Flu cases are surging in the U.S., with doctor visits reaching their highest levels since 1997, driven by the spread of the H3N2 strain and a decline in vaccination rates, resulting in over 5,000 deaths and widespread high flu activity across many states.
Georgia is experiencing a surge in flu hospitalizations and deaths, driven by an aggressive strain of Type A flu that is only partially covered by the current vaccine. Despite the availability of free vaccines and public health efforts, the state has seen an increase in severe cases and fatalities since October, highlighting the importance of vaccination and precautions.
RFK Jr. considered endorsing the Danish vaccine schedule, which is less extensive than the U.S. schedule, but was compelled to withdraw after internal debates within the HHS and CDC, amid ongoing discussions about vaccine safety and autism causes.
In December 2020, photographer Jacob King captured the historic moment of Margaret Keenan receiving the first COVID-19 vaccine dose in Coventry, a symbolic event marking hope in the pandemic, which gained worldwide attention and symbolized a turning point in the fight against COVID-19.
This winter's flu season has been characterized as normal in severity despite media claims of a 'superflu' or 'unprecedented' outbreak. Experts suggest the virus's mutations have only slightly increased its spread and severity, and the overall impact on health services remains typical. Concerns about sensationalist language potentially undermining public trust in health advice are also discussed.
The Trump administration awarded a controversial $1.6 million no-bid contract to a Danish university to study hepatitis B vaccinations in Guinea-Bissau, raising ethical concerns due to the withholding of vaccines from some newborns in a randomized trial, which critics argue is unethical and could exacerbate vaccine hesitancy.
A 2023 updated COVID-19 vaccine developed by Emory University produces antibodies with a half-life of over 500 days, about three times longer than previous versions, and offers broad protection against multiple strains, highlighting the importance of updated immunizations in combating the evolving virus.
Scientists at MIT have developed a promising new tuberculosis vaccine that targets specific protein fragments to trigger a strong immune response, potentially offering better protection for adults and reducing the global burden of TB. Although still in early trial phases, this breakthrough could revolutionize TB prevention, especially in regions where the current BCG vaccine is less effective, and help combat antibiotic resistance and transmission.