Danish drugmaker Bavarian Nordic announced its readiness to produce up to 10 million doses of its mpox vaccine by 2025 following the World Health Organization’s declaration of a global health emergency due to a surge in the virus in Africa. The company currently has 500,000 doses in stock and awaits orders from concerned countries before initiating production.
A recent case of a child in Kerala dying from vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) has raised concerns about the safety of polio vaccination in immunocompromised individuals. Experts discuss the differences between wild poliovirus and VDPV, the transmission of the virus, and the importance of newborn screening for immunodeficiencies. They also highlight advancements in antiviral treatments and emphasize the need for public health guidelines to adapt to these emerging risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination in older adults, now suggesting only those 75 and older or those 60 to 74 with high risk factors should get the shot. This decision is partially due to a slightly elevated risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) linked to the vaccines, though the overall risk remains low. The CDC emphasizes that the benefits outweigh the risks for adults 75 and older, and individuals in the 60 to 74 age group with risk factors should consult their doctor.
Ivory Coast has become the first nation to implement a groundbreaking malaria vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford. This marks a significant step in combating a disease that claims hundreds of thousands of lives annually, particularly in Africa. The vaccine, recommended by the WHO, offers substantial protection against malaria, a disease that has long plagued the continent. The deployment represents a beacon of hope for millions of children across Africa.
Recent bird flu infections in Mexico and India have raised concerns about the potential for a pandemic. We spoke to Dr. Shahid Jameel, a leading virologist, to understand the threat posed by bird flu viruses to humans. He explains the transmission pathways, the role of the immune system, and the potential for adaptation of the virus to mammals. Dr. Jameel also discusses the availability of vaccines and the possibility of long-term effects.
AstraZeneca is facing a class action lawsuit in the UK over claims that its Covishield vaccine caused deaths and severe injuries in several cases. Victims in as many as 51 cases in the UK High Court are seeking damages up to 100 million pounds. AstraZeneca has contested the claims, but admitted in court documents that Covishield can, in very rare cases, cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), which leads to blood clots and low blood platelet count.
