Articles related to VACCINES/IMMUNIZATION

Learn more about the critical review of autopsies associating COVID-19 vaccination with death and its implications on the medical community’s understanding of vaccine safety.

A small study on a pancreatic cancer vaccine has shown promising results, sparking cautious optimism among oncologists. The vaccine, when given alongside chemotherapy to 16 pancreatic cancer patients, stimulated an immune response in half of them, with no signs of disease recurrence after 18 months. Although the vaccine’s long-term success and market viability are yet to be determined, the study provides valuable insights into targeting pancreatic cancer and the potential use of the immune system in treating various types of tumors. Notably, the study demonstrates the feasibility of developing a personalized vaccine quickly enough to make a difference, utilizing technologies like inexpensive genome sequencing, AI, and mRNA. Additionally, the research suggests that an mRNA vaccine can generate an immune response even in cancers with few mutations, suggesting broader applications for personalized cancer vaccines. The study underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention for pancreatic cancer. Currently, pancreatic cancer has a five-year survival rate of just 12%, making it one of the deadliest cancers. By 2030, it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. However, recent advancements offer hope. Another study utilizing artificial intelligence analyzed medical records of millions of patients and identified […]

The 2023 AACR meeting has seen a large number of clinical abstracts presented, demonstrating that science from the lab is moving to the clinic. Examples include an RNA vaccine from Moderna in combination with pembrolizumab in a neoadjuvant setting in patients with melanoma, and the AEGEAN trial, which looks at perioperative therapy in patients with lung cancer. The conference is also seeing a focus on more diverse speakers, including junior investigators. The field of mRNA cancer vaccines is evolving, with personalised vaccines being used to activate the immune system in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, resulting in positive results in some cancers. The conference is an opportunity to learn about new science, make new connections and collaborations, and gain a better understanding of how to push the field forward.

The FDA has authorized the use of the mRNA bivalent COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older. The monovalent vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the US. This simplifies the vaccination schedule and encourages future vaccination. For child vaccination, unvaccinated children may receive a 2-dose series of the Moderna bivalent vaccine (6 months through 5 years) or a 3-dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine (6 months through 4 years). Children who are 5 years old may receive 2 doses of Moderna bivalent vaccine or a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine. For immunocompromised children 6 months through 4 years, eligibility depends on the vaccine previously received. For individuals 5 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise, a single additional dose of bivalent vaccine may be administered at least 2 months following the initial dose of a bivalent vaccine. Additional doses may be administered at the discretion of the health care provider, taking into consideration the individual’s clinical circumstances.

Risks for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, MI, and pulmonary embolism were all lower for older patients receiving a bivalent vaccine booster versus the monovalent vaccine. The results “provide reassurance regarding the continued use of this bivalent vaccine.”

In a study population of nearly 3.25 million adults receiving COVID boosters from November 2021 through February 2022, the 20-week risk per 1,000 for contracting COVID was 164.2 for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 159.9 for the Moderna vaccine.