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'The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted both in-person learning and routine well-child visits for many children over the last year,' commented Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Senior Official, CDC National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, in a media statement issued on April 9, 2021.

'As a result, too many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines.'

'We all want our kids to be back in school safely, and that means getting caught up on vaccines that were missed over the last year.'

According to the CDC’s public sector vaccine ordering data, there is a 14% decrease in 2020-2021 orders compared to 2019.

The most obvious decrease is the measles vaccine ordering is down by more than 20%.

Measles outbreaks occur when people who are not protected from the virus are infected and spread the disease to unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations. According to the CDC, around 90 percent of people who are not protected will become infected following exposure to the measles virus.

'Kids need to get caught up now so that they are protected as they go back to in-person learning. Catch-up vaccination will require efforts from healthcare systems, health care providers, schools, state and local governments, and families,' concluded Dr. Messonnier.

The CDC says 'vaccination providers should adhere to the standards for child and adolescent vaccination practices. These standards are published by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee and define appropriate vaccination practices for both public and private sectors for 2021.

In the USA, the M-M-R-II vaccine is commonly available. It is indicated for simultaneous vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella. This vaccine is usually given to people 1-year-old or older.

Globally, measles cases surged in 2019, reaching the highest level in 23 years, reported the World Health Organization (WHO). Measles fatalities climbed nearly 50 percent since 2016, claiming an estimated 207,500 lives in 2019 alone, reported the WHO on November 12, 2020.

“We know how to prevent measles outbreaks and deaths,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, in a related press statement. “These data send a clear message that we are failing to protect children from measles in every region of the world.”

“We must collectively work to support countries and engage communities to reach everyone, everywhere with measles vaccine, and stop this deadly virus.”

Vaccine Treats: 
Measles
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Reviewer: 
Danielle Reiter, RN
Location Tags: 
Atlanta
Vaccine: 
M-M-R II Vaccine
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'With the end of the Canadian academic year approaching for students attending universities and community colleges, the following rules go into effect for students and anyone helping them to move their belongings in and out of the New Brunswick province as of Friday, April 9, 2021,' stated a recent provincial government press statement.

Under the province’s government mandatory order:

  • As part of New Brunswick’s COVID-19 recovery effort, travelers entering New Brunswick by land, air, or sea must register to collect information to support Public Health. Anyone traveling to pick up a student in New Brunswick must register their travel online.
  • People may enter New Brunswick for a period of no more than 24 hours to transport a student and/or remove belongings from a student’s residence. They are expected to observe all public health rules and minimize contact with others, except the student they are picking up.
  • Staying longer than 24 hours is considered remaining in the province, and the 14-day self-isolation period would then apply.

New Brunswickers may enter Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador, as long as those provinces permit them to do so, for no more than 24 hours to remove belongings from a student’s residence. They are expected to observe all public health rules and minimize contact with others while away but will not be required to self-isolate upon their return.

Anyone leaving New Brunswick to remove belongings from a student’s residence located outside the Atlantic provinces is ordered, upon their return, to self-isolate for 14 days and follow the directions of public health officials. Students entering from outside the Atlantic provinces are ordered to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.

Students returning to New Brunswick from other Atlantic provinces will not need to self-isolate upon their return.

Furthermore, the Department of Health has expanded the use of the MyHealthNB website to enable eligible New Brunswickers to obtain access to their COVID-19 test results.

There have been over 28 million COVID-19 tests performed in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, 3.8% were positive. For information, visit this Canadian government webpage. Ontario and Quebec have reported the most COVID-19 cases (67.1%) and deaths (78.5%).

Vaccine Treats: 
COVID-19
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Reviewer: 
Danielle Reiter, RN
Location Tags: 
New Brunswick
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Australian researchers published a study in BMC Infectious Diseases on April 7, 2021, that found antibiotics were initiated less frequently, and antivirals (oseltamivir) used more frequently in patients diagnosed with influenza using rapid polymerase chain reaction (RPCR) tests compared with standard multiplex PCR (MPCR) tests.

This retrospective cohort study of positive influenza RPCR and MPCR patients was performed utilizing data from the 2017 influenza season. Overall, 122 RPCR and 362 MPCR positive influenza patients were included in this study.

Commencement of antibiotics was less frequent in the RPCR than MPCR cohorts (51% vs. 67%).

People at high risk of complications from influenza who were tested with the RPCR were more likely to be treated with oseltamivir compared to those tested with the MPCR (76% vs. 63%; p = 0.03, OR 1.81; 95% CI 1.07–3.08).

Subgroup analyses of higher-risk patients for complications of influenza would suggest that RPCR testing leads to fewer missed opportunities for oseltamivir treatment than MPCR testing (24% vs. 37%, respectively).

Early oseltamivir use has benefits in improving clinical symptoms, reducing the risk of lower respiratory tract infections, and preventing hospital admission when used in influenza-positive patients.

In summary, these researchers stated, 'The use of a rapid influenza PCR test was associated with reduced inappropriate antibiotic use and increased appropriate oseltamivir use in patients at high risk of influenza complications.'

Vaccine Treats: 
Influenza
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Reviewer: 
Danielle Reiter, RN
Location Tags: 
Australia
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California-based Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to Trodelvy® for adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.

The approval is supported by data from the Phase 3 ASCENT study, in which Trodelvy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 57% reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival (PFS)), extending median PFS to 4.8 months from 1.7 months with chemotherapy (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.35-0.54; p<0.0001).

Trodelvy also extended median overall survival (OS) to 11.8 months vs. 6.9 months (HR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.41-0.62; p<0.0001), representing a 49% reduction in the risk of death.

Trodelvy is directed to the Trop-2 receptor, a protein frequently expressed in multiple types of epithelial tumors, including TNBC, where high expression is associated with poor survival and relapse.

“A metastatic TNBC diagnosis is frightening. As an aggressive and difficult-to-treat disease, it’s a significant advance to have an FDA-approved treatment option with a proven survival benefit for patients with metastatic disease that continues to progress,” commented Ricki Fairley, Founder, and CEO of Touch, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance, in a press statement.

“For far too long, people with metastatic TNBC had very few treatment options. Today’s news continues the progress of bringing more options to treat this devastating disease.”

TNBC is an aggressive type of breast cancer, accounting for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. The disease is diagnosed more frequently in younger and premenopausal women and is more prevalent in African American and Hispanic women

Prior to the FDA approval of Trodelvy, patients with previously treated metastatic TNBC had few treatment options in this high unmet-need setting. The FDA granted accelerated approval to Trodelvy in April 2020.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Vaccine Treats: 
Breast Cancer
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
California
picture of sars virus

Research Demonstrates Novel Mechanisms by Which SARS-CoV-2 Enters Host Cells

Monoclonal antibodies that target a conserved epitope have the potential to be highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 and associated known mutations
April 8, 2021
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The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas Medical Branch, an expert team of task force members worldwide, and the World Health Organization have developed a draft Zika virus (ZIKV) Research and Development Roadmap. 

The roadmap is a key component of the WHO’s R&D Blueprint, a global strategy and preparedness plan that allows the activation of R&D activities in advance and during epidemics.

The purpose of the roadmap is to accelerate the development and implementation of effective medical countermeasures for ZIKV to reduce morbidity, mortality, and transmission.

The roadmap identifies the vision, strategic goals, and aligned milestones to develop effective diagnostics, therapeutic agents, and vaccines for ZIKV.

Submit your comments to the team on the draft roadmap using this online form. 

Vaccine Treats: 
Zika
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Ward

VC2 HSV Vaccine

VC2 Vaccine Description 2023

Rational Vaccines VC2 vaccine candidate is a live-attenuated, engineered version of HSV-1. The VC2 vaccine targets facial, ocular, and genital herpes caused by HSV-1 but may also protect against genital herpes caused by HSV-2. 

"VC2 is unique in that it is engineered to prevent the virus from entering the neurons, " said Dr. Gus Kousoulas, who recently joined Rational Vaccines as Vice President of Scientific Affairs. HSV typically infiltrates a person's neurons and remains latent within the nervous system, and can reactivate to cause substantial disease. Some patients can even be asymptomatic carriers, spreading the virus through skin contact while showing no signs of infection themselves."

A clinical study: "A Study of the Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed With Recurrent Symptomatic Genital Herpetic Disease," will be led by Dr. Rajul Patel, consultant physician for genitourinary and HIV medicine at Southampton University Hospital, Southampton, England. The trial will be conducted at Southampton University Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, England. Last Update Posted: August 12, 2022.

Rational Vaccines is focused on revolutionizing the treatment and prevention of herpes to eradicate the disease. Led by a team of scientists, the Company is headquartered in Woburn, MA, with locations in Miami, FL, and Oxford, UK. For more information, please visit www.rationalvaccines.com.

VC2 Vaccine Indication

The VC2 vaccine candidate has demonstrated promise in the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) as well as facial and ocular herpes in several animal model studies.

VC2 Vaccine News

August 15, 2022 - Rational Vaccines launched a clinical trial to determine the baseline characteristics of patients diagnosed with recurrent symptomatic HSV-2. In addition to assessing the typical baseline characteristics of the population, the purpose of this study is also to determine the acceptance of clinical trial procedures and understand the interest of the target patient population to participate in a therapeutic Phase 1/2 HSV-2 vaccine study.

April 5, 2021 - Rational Vaccines announces a licensing agreement with Louisiana State University for a vaccine technology VC2, demonstrating great promise in treating HSV1 and HSV2. "We are so very excited about adding this incredible science to the Rational Vaccines arsenal and partnering with Louisiana State University in the fight against HSV," said Rational CEO Agustin Fernandez.

March 7, 2018 - Intramuscular vaccination of guinea pigs with the live-attenuated human herpes simplex vaccine VC2 stimulates a transcriptional profile of vaginal Th17 and regulatory Tr1 responses. 'Kousoulas said his team's research has demonstrated that the live-attenuated HSV-1 VC2 vaccine strain cannot establish latency in vaccinated animals and produces a robust immune response capable of completely protecting mice against lethal ocular and vaginal HSV-1 or HSV-2 infections. In addition, he said the guinea pig represents the best small animal model for genital HSV-2 disease.'

VC2 Clinical Trial

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05500053 - Determine the baseline characteristics of patients with the recurrent symptomatic genital herpetic disease. Determine the acceptance of patients of clinical trial procedures. Determine interest in participation in genital herpes vaccine trials.

0 min read
Manufacturer: 
Rational Vaccines
Reviewer: 
Robert Carlson, MD
Vaccine: 
VC2 HSV Vaccine
Clinical Trial: 
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05500053?term=NCT05500053&draw=2&rank=1
Drug Class: 
Vaccine
Condition: 
Herpes
Last Reviewed: 
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - 09:05
Brand: 
VC2
Status: 
Candidate
Manufacturer Country ID: 
US
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Costa Rica’s Ministry of Tourism has announced that Costa Rica’s land borders reopened to U.S. citizen tourists as of April 5, 2021.

However, U.S. citizen tourists wishing to enter Costa Rica via a designated land border crossing must purchase a medical insurance policy to cover any COVID-19 related medical treatment or quarantine lodging in Costa Rica for the duration of their stay, announced the US Department of State.

The policy must guarantee coverage for medical expenses in cases of COVID-19 related medical treatment in the amount of 50,000 USD and minimum coverage of 2,000 USD for extended lodging expenses due to COVID-19 related illness. 

It is possible to purchase an international policy or purchase a Costa Rican insurance policy through the National Insurance Institute or Sagicor of Costa Rica.  Visit this link for an unofficial English language translation of this announcement. 

The Ministry of Tourism has also announced that as of April 5th, U.S. citizens with temporary/permanent Costa Rican residency entering Costa Rica via a designated land border crossing will no longer be issued a 14-day sanitary order. 

Costa Rica’s Directorate for Migration has also announced that persons intending to cross from Costa Rica into Nicaragua via a designated land border crossing must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken with 72 hours of their intended border crossing.  For more information on this requirement, visit this link.  

Additionally, the Directorate of Migration announced that visas for tourists who entered Costa Rica between December 17, 2019, and November 30, 2020, have been extended until June 2, 2021. 

The Costa Rica National Emergency Commission has announced that the nationwide COVID-19 restrictions, which began on March 1, 2021, will continue during the month of April.  For an unofficial English language translation of these restrictions, follow this link.

Vaccine Treats: 
COVID-19
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Costa Rica
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The Canadian Council of Chief Medical Officers stated on April 7, 2021, 'As we accelerate vaccination in Canada, we understand that everyone is looking forward to returning to a sense of normalcy.'

'We will be able to do this gradually based on local and regional COVID-19 activity, but we need to be careful.'

For example, Toronto Public Health issued a statement on April 6th confirming schools will be shut down as the city reported 955 new cases. The closure means more than 300,000 students, including those who attend private or independent schools, will return to learning from home exclusively.

And Ontario has declared its third province-wide state of emergency, issuing a stay-at-home order effective on April 8th. 

'COVID-19 variants of concern are causing a rapid resurgence in Canada and threatening the sacrifices we have made to prevent and control COVID-19. We cannot let our individual and collective guards down until there is sufficient population protection from vaccination.'

'This means that for now, everyone needs to continue with public health measures that we know are effective, regardless of whether you have received one or two doses of vaccine or are not yet vaccinated.'

'As vaccination rolls out across Canada, it provides us with the opportunity to consider how best we can adapt public health measures and gradually lift the most restrictive ones.'

'As Chief Medical Officers of Health, we are committed to reviewing the evidence to inform when and how it is safe to relax these measures. We will continue to work together to provide clear and evidence-informed advice as the science and situation evolve, to keep everyone in Canada safe and healthy.'

Vaccine Treats: 
COVID-19
Image: 
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Reviewer: 
Robert Carlson, MD
Location Tags: 
Ontario
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Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the third stay-at-home order that will become effective on April 8, 2021, reported the Toronto Sun. This new Order is scheduled to last for four weeks.

Ontario is a province in east-central Canada home to about 14 million residents that borders the USA and the Great Lakes.

Ford also stated the Canadian province's state of emergency would invoke the new measures for retails, including a requirement that big box stores rope off non-essential items to focus only on the sales of groceries, pharmacies, pet supplies, and gardening items. All other non-essential retail stores will go back to curbside pick-up with controlled hours.

These measures are to fight a surge in COVID-19 cases connected to news virus variants. As of April 6th, a total of 16,127 variant of concern cases have been reported across Canada, including 14,790 involving B.1.1.7 variants.

There were 1,095 new cases confirmed in Toronto on April 7, 2021: 596 in Peel, 342 in York, 187 in Durham, and 104 in Hamilton. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been 1,020,893 cases of COVID-19 and 23,141 deaths reported by Canada Health.

'Aiming to have the fewest interactions with the fewest number of people, for the shortest time, at the greatest distance possible, while wearing the best-fitting mask is a simple rule that we can all apply to help limit the spread of COVID-19, as vaccine programs expand to protect all Canadians.' says Public Health Agency of Canada.

Vaccine Treats: 
COVID-19
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Ontario