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Malaria vaccines have been in clinical development since the 1960s, with substantial progress over the past few years. In October 2021, the first of two malaria vaccines was approved to prevent Plasmodium falciparum malaria in children living in regions with moderate to high transmission.

However, recent studies have found maternal antibodies passed to infants can interfere with the response to the malaria vaccine.

The lower antibody titers in infants were attributed to either co-administration with routine vaccines included in the WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization, maternal anti-CSP antibodies, immune status regarding previous exposure, the infant's immature immune system, or a combination of these factors.

Published on October 23, 2024, this observational study conducted in six African countries, researchers concluded that interference between passive immunity and vaccine response is clinically significant and might affect the implementation of next-generation CSP-based vaccines for young infants and mothers and passive immunization with human monoclonal antibodies.

To validate this conclusion, additional clinical studies are being conducted.

As of late October 2024, malaria vaccines are offered in Africa, not the United States.

Bavarian Nordic A/S today announced the initiation of a clinical study of the MVA-BN® (JYNNEOS) mpox/smallpox vaccine in children 2 to 11 years of age, partially funded with $6.5 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

The phase 2 study is currently enrolling children in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans to include sites in Uganda. Results from this study could support an extension of the current approval of MVA-BN to include young children.

Last month, the WHO prequalified MVA-BN for adolescents 12 to 17 years of age, adopting the recent approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for this age group.

While this study represents the first investigation of MVA-BN as a mpox/smallpox vaccine for younger children, a recombinant version of MVA-BN (Mvabea®) was approved by EMA in 2020 as part of a prime-boost vaccine regimen or the prevention of disease caused by Zaire Ebolavirus.

Paul Chaplin, President and CEO of Bavarian Nordic, said in a press release, “Following the recent approval of MVA-BN for adolescents, we are pleased to initiate this study, which could provide additional data to extend the indication to include children. We thank CEPI and our partners in Africa for their support of this important work.”

From an access perspective, Bavarian Nordic announced an agreement with UNICEF on September 26, 2024, to supply 1 million doses of the MVA-BN® mpox vaccine for African countries impacted by the ongoing mpox outbreak. 

As of late October 2024, there have been about 2,230 clade 2 mpox cases reported to the U.S. CDC this year.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is commercially available in the United States at various clinics and pharmacies.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (IDHHS) today announced the death of an Iowa resident from Lassa fever, a rare, often fatal, viral hemorrhagic fever.

There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years.

If confirmed, the Iowa case would be the ninth known occurrence of travelers returning to the U.S. since 1969.

This individual had recently returned from travel to West Africa, where ISHHS believes the person contracted the virus. About 5,000 Lassa fever-related deaths occur in West Africa each year.

Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director of the IDHHS, stated in a press release on October 28, 2024, "I want to assure Iowans that the risk of transmission is incredibly low in our state. We continue investigating and monitoring this situation and are implementing the necessary public health protocols."

Lassa fever is carried by rodents and is transmitted to humans who may come in contact with the urine or feces of the infected rodents. Approximately 80% of Lassa fever patients have mild or no symptoms.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted a statement emphasizing that the overall risk to the public from this case is very low. 

Lassa is included in the World Health Organization's R&D Blueprint of priority pathogens, for which there is an urgent need for accelerated research, vaccine development, and countermeasures. 

As of October 2024, several Lassa fever vaccine candidates are conducting research, but the U.S. FDA has approved none.