A better vaccine ecosystem: what does the future hold?
After experts called for “transformational change” to the “epidemic countermeasures ecosystem” in March 2023, our interest has been drawn to an initiative by Economist Impact: The Vaccine Ecosystem Initiative. This is described by the group as an attempt to “promote a...
SAGE revises roadmap for COVID-19 vaccination use
After a meeting in March 2023, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) revised the roadmap for prioritising COVID-19 vaccines. This result is intended to “reflect the impact of Omicron and high population-level immunity” through infection and...
Exclusive interview with Dr Fadil Bidmos
As the countdown to the World Vaccine Congress in Washington continues with only days to go, we are excited to share another pre-event interview.
MOST POPULAR THIS MONTH
Study explores COVID-19 vaccine fatigue determinants
A study published in Nature Medicine in March 2023 explores the factors associated with so-called “vaccine fatigue”, with a specific focus on the recent vaccination campaigns in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors state that vaccines are “likely to remain...
Quadripartite calls for One Health action for “safer world”
In March 2023 the heads of the Quadripartite organisations working on One Health issued a call for greater global action for a safer world. WHO describes the call as “unprecedented”. The Quadripartite comprises four main agencies collaborating to achieve aims that...
CDC warns of “alarming” threat from Candida auris
In March 2023 the CDC commented on data published in the Annals of Internal Medicine that revealed an “alarming” spread of the emerging fungus Candida auris in healthcare facilities in 2020-2021. It also identified a “concerning” increase in 2021 of the number of...
COVID-19 vaccine not linked to menstruation changes in study
A study released in March 2023 in iScience suggests that COVID-19 infection was a greater factor than COVID-19 vaccination in observed changes to a patient’s menstrual cycle. The researchers identified “substantial public concern” related to “disruption of menstrual...
The politics of pandemics: WHO questions data secrecy
After we reported in March 2023 that possibly critical data concerning the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market had been quietly released on GISAID, the story has developed with researchers and public health leaders challenging China for not sharing them sooner. With...
WHO offers update on Marburg cases in Equatorial Guinea
Just under a month after the confirmation of an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Equatorial Guinea in February 2023, the WHO has issued an update confirming further cases. The statement from WHO suggests that 8 additional laboratory-confirmed cases have been...
Universal oral COVID-19 vaccine protects hamsters in study
A study in Microbiology Spectrum in March 2023 demonstrated the benefits of an oral vaccine for COVID-19 that could “dramatically improve immunisation rates”. The universal vaccine is based on the nucleocapsid protein, which evolves at a slower rate than the spike...
Marking World TB Day 2023: “Yes! We can end TB!”
On Friday 24th March 2023 the WHO and other organisations and individuals observe ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ with the theme “Yes! We can end TB!”. This uplifting and emphatic statement is intended to “inspire hope” and encourage action among leaders. In particular,...
LATEST
Vaccine equity as good as it sounds, study suggests
In a study published in Nature Communications, researchers investigate the socioeconomic benefits of a set of “idealised” vaccine distribution scenarios
China accepts first mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 from CSPC
In March 2023 the board of directors at CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited announced that the company’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine has been included
Africa CDC confirms outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania
Africa CDC has confirmed that the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) on 21st March 2023
Vaxxinity starts trial of LDL cholesterol vaccine candidate
Vaxxinity announced that the first subjects of a Phase I trial had been dosed. The trial of VXX-401 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity
Vaccitech announces “promising” data for HPV vaccine
In March 2023, Vaccitech announced top-line interim data from a Phase Ib/II clinical trial of its VTP-200 vaccine in women with low-grade cervical HPV lesions
SpyBiotech granted funding for SpyVector platform project
SpyBiotech, a biotechnology company spin out from the University of Oxford, announced in March 2023 that it had received a grant of $4,094,561
VIDEOS
World Vaccine Congress Europe 2022: meet our partners!
At the World Vaccine Congress we are counting down the days to our Congress in Europe, 2022. If you haven't yet bought your tickets there is still time! With under a week to go we are pleased to share a list of supporting partners. You might see some familiar names......
World Vaccine Congress Europe 2022: Chats with Chaudhrey
With just over a week to go until the World Vaccine Congress in Europe 2022, our editor Charlotte was asked to speak to Rizwan Chaudhrey for his YouTube series, #ChatsWithChaudrey. To hear their conversation watch the video below or head to his YouTube channel! If you...
World Vaccine Congress Europe 2022: meet our exhibitors!
We hope you are looking forward to our World Vaccine Congress in Barcelona, 2022; we certainly are! We are pleased to tease some of the amazing exhibitors who will be in attendance in this short video. If you are interested in learning more about exhibiting then...
THERAPEUTIC
Vaccitech announces “promising” data for HPV vaccine
In March 2023, Vaccitech announced top-line interim data from a Phase Ib/II clinical trial of its VTP-200 vaccine in women with low-grade cervical HPV lesions
Exclusive interview with Dr Niranjan Sardesai
With just weeks to go until the World Vaccine Congress in Washington, we are delighted to share our series of exclusive interviews with some fantastic speakers
RVAC and Penn collaborate on possible mRNA therapies
In March 2023, RVAC Medicines and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) announced a collaboration to pursue the development of mRNA vaccines
Lassa vaccine in monkeys: protection not therapy
Researchers in France published a paper in Nature Communications in March detailing the results of an investigation into their Lassa fever vaccine candidate.
Moderna and Merck granted BTD for cancer therapy
Following positive results from a Phase IIb trial in December 2022, Moderna and Merck have announced that their personalised mRNA cancer vaccine, in combination
TECHNOLOGY
Exclusive interview with Dr Fadil Bidmos
As the countdown to the World Vaccine Congress in Washington continues with only days to go, we are excited to share another pre-event interview.
Universal oral COVID-19 vaccine protects hamsters in study
A study in Microbiology Spectrum in March 2023 demonstrated the benefits of an oral vaccine for COVID-19 that could “dramatically improve immunisation rates”.
China accepts first mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 from CSPC
In March 2023 the board of directors at CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Limited announced that the company’s COVID-19 mRNA vaccine has been included
Vaxxinity starts trial of LDL cholesterol vaccine candidate
Vaxxinity announced that the first subjects of a Phase I trial had been dosed. The trial of VXX-401 will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity
SpyBiotech granted funding for SpyVector platform project
SpyBiotech, a biotechnology company spin out from the University of Oxford, announced in March 2023 that it had received a grant of $4,094,561
INFECTION
CDC warns of “alarming” threat from Candida auris
In March 2023 the CDC commented on data that revealed an “alarming” spread of the emerging fungus Candida auris in healthcare facilities
WHO offers update on Marburg cases in Equatorial Guinea
Just under a month after the confirmation of an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in Equatorial Guinea, WHO has issued an update confirming further cases
Marking World TB Day 2023: “Yes! We can end TB!”
On Friday 24th March 2023 the WHO and other organisations and individuals observe ‘World Tuberculosis Day’ with the theme “Yes! We can end TB!”.
Africa CDC confirms outbreak of Marburg virus in Tanzania
Africa CDC has confirmed that the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tanzania declared an outbreak of Marburg virus disease (MVD) on 21st March 2023
WHO weighs in on new SARS-CoV-2 data from China
In March 2023 new metagenomics data and SARS-CoV-2 sequences appeared on GISAID and were available to researchers across the world for a short period of time.
GLOBAL HEALTH
A better vaccine ecosystem: what does the future hold?
After experts called for “transformational change” to the “epidemic countermeasures ecosystem”, our interest has been drawn to The Vaccine Ecosystem Initiative.
SAGE revises roadmap for COVID-19 vaccination use
After a meeting in March 2023, WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) revised the roadmap for prioritising vaccines
Study explores COVID-19 vaccine fatigue determinants
A study published in Nature Medicine in March explores the factors associated with so-called “vaccine fatigue”, with a specific focus on the recent campaigns
Quadripartite calls for One Health action for “safer world”
In March 2023 the heads of the Quadripartite organisations working on One Health issued a call for greater global action for a safer world.
COVID-19 vaccine not linked to menstruation changes in study
A study released in iScience suggests that COVID-19 infection was a greater factor than COVID-19 vaccination in observed changes to a patient’s menstrual cycle.
