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Genomic Surveillance Lands at Chicago and Miami Airports

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

In 2021, health officials started testing airline passengers who passed through a New York airport to identify imported emerging infectious diseases, part of the U.S. national biosecurity initiative.
Over the past three years, more than 300,000 travelers from over 135 countries have participated each year in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Traveler-based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program.
The TGS has been offering testing services in Los Angeles, Newark, Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, NYC (JFK), and Washington, DC (IAD).

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$57 Million Project To Test Next-Gen Inhaled and Nasal Coronavirus Vaccines

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

An international team of researchers specializing in human challenge studies has initiated a $57 million project to develop advanced vaccines that can block coronaviruses and prevent infections.
The consortium, consisting of more than a dozen scientific teams and organizations, is led by Imperial College London and co-funded by the European Union's Horizon Europe Programme and CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

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Pneumococcal Vaccination Also Reduces Viral Respiratory Infections

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

According to emerging evidence, pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) not only prevent pneumococcal disease but also have the potential to indirectly reduce viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs) by affecting pneumococcal-viral interactions.
Researchers recently performed a systematic review of interventional and observational studies published between 2000 and 2022 on vaccine efficacy/adjusted effectiveness (VE) and the overall effect of PCV7, PCV9, PCV10, or PCV13 against viral RTI.

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The Rise of Deadly Mosquito-Borne Diseases

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

In this blog post, written by Juan Carlos Jaramillo, MD. Chief Medical Officer Valneva and Vice President Vaccines Europe highlight a lesser-known consequence of climate change: the increasing prevalence of deadly mosquito-borne diseases.
Historically, these mosquitoes inhabited tropical and subtropical regions like South America and Southeast Asia. In recent years, they've infiltrated previously unaffected areas, such as Southern Europe and the United Kingdom.

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17% of Canadians Vaccinated with Updated COVID-19

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

The Honourable Mark Holland, Canada's Minister of Health, issued a statement today marking the fourth National Day of Observance for COVID-19.
'Today's landscape is different than it was during the pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines and treatments are now more accessible to people in Canada, making it easier for everyone to protect themselves and their families from serious illness.'

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Most Meningococcal Disease Cases Confirmed Since 2014

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

Meningitis continues to be a major public health concern worldwide, with epidemics being reported in 2024.
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported a significant increase in meningococcal disease cases, which causes severe inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Based on preliminary data, as of March 8, 2024, there were 415 confirmed and probable cases of meningococcal disease in 2023 alone.
This is the highest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 2014.

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Old TB Vaccine May Conquer Herpes

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

Despite extensive research and hundreds of millions of infections, no government agency has yet approved an effective vaccine to prevent herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection.
While current herpes vaccine development focuses on glycoproteins, recent studies suggest T cell responses against specific HSV-2 antigens are more prevalent in asymptomatic individuals.
Therefore, vaccine development should consider these differences in immune response to create a vaccine that can stimulate T-cell responses against these antigens. 

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Can This Vaccine Conquer Herpes

In COVID-19, Latest News by Precision Vaccinations

Despite extensive research and hundreds of millions of infections, no government agency has yet approved an effective vaccine to prevent herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infection.
While current herpes vaccine development focuses on glycoproteins, recent studies suggest T cell responses against specific HSV-2 antigens are more prevalent in asymptomatic individuals.
Therefore, vaccine development should consider these differences in immune response to create a vaccine that can stimulate T-cell responses against these antigens.