Vaccine News

Vaccine news brought to you by Precision Vaccinations.

Jan 23, 2025 • 4:52 am CST
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Over the past year, Quebec has faced measles outbreaks in various cities. The first outbreak of 2024 led to 51 cases.

Since December 2024 and as of January 21, 2025, Quebec's Health Ministry has confirmed 13 measles cases as part of the second outbreak. These measles cases are in Laurentides (7), Montréal, and Laval.

Certain places frequented by recent measles cases have been identified. People must isolate themselves if they are not protected against measles. Update on January 22, 2025, this list has more information as part of the ongoing investigation.

Quebec is not alone in Canada, as the country reported 147 measles cases, the most in about a decade.

As of today, the U.S. CDC has not issued a travel advisory for Quebec's measles outbreak(s). Each year, millions of international visitors travel to this area of Canada.

In 2024, the CDC confirmed several measles outbreaks in the U.S.

Jan 22, 2025 • 1:20 pm CST
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The World Health Organization's Disease Outbreak News recently reported a fatal case of Chapare hemorrhagic fever (CHHF) from the La Paz Department in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

As of January 20, 2025, no secondary cases have been reported.

The WHO defines Chapare hemorrhagic fever as an acute viral illness caused by the Chapare virus. The rodent-borne Chapare virus is an Arenavirus that can cause hemorrhagic fevers like Ebolaviruses.

Initially identified in Cochabamba in 2003, five documented outbreaks have occurred within Bolivia.

The most recent outbreak occurred in 2024, with one laboratory-confirmed case within the La Paz Department. This area in Bolivia, which has a population of about 3 million, is a neighbor of Peru.

As of January 22, 2025, the WHO says there is no significant risk of the disease spreading internationally. Person-to-person transmission of the Chapare virus is possible but remains rare in the general population. 

The U.S. CDC says CHHF is a rare, deadly viral disease. About 20% to 60% of people with the disease die.

Furthermore, there are no treatments or preventive vaccines available for CHHF.

When visiting Bolivia in 2025, the CDC recommends several travel vaccinations, such as chikungunya and yellow fever. These vaccines are offered at many travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

Jan 22, 2025 • 11:08 am CST
Vaxxas 2025

Vaxxas today announced that the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) approved the progression of a $4.8 million program to develop heat-stable, dried-formulation mRNA vaccines delivered using Vaxxas’ needle-free high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP).

The Vaxxas HD-MAP is comprised of thousands of microscopic projections molded into a small patch. Each microprojection is coated with a small dose of vaccine in a dried formulation. 

Announced on January 22, 2025, Vaxxas will partner with SK bioscience in this next phase of the program, advancing the company’s mRNA vaccine for Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) on Vaxxas’ HD-MAP towards a Phase I clinical study.

In late 2024, several JEV cases were confirmed in various Asian and Western Pacific Ocean countries.

Vaxxas expects the development work performed with the JEV vaccine candidate to be transferrable across all mRNA vaccine antigens delivered by LNPs, providing a platform approach that can be advanced to human trials.

David L. Hoey Vaxxas, CEO and President, commented in a press release, "With compelling proof-of-concept results in hand, we’re excited to have CEPI’s commitment to advance to the next stage of development."

"We’re equally excited to be working with SK bioscience and its JEV mRNA vaccine on this program to realize the promise of our HD-MAP technology to move the world closer to a commercially available, thermostable patch-based mRNA vaccine.”

This program was funded by CEPI in 2023 as part of its aim to improve the thermostability, and therefore equitable access, of mRNA vaccines.

This program is Vaxxas’ second collaboration with SK bioscience. The companies are also working on a program funded by Wellcome to advance the development of an HD-MAP/Typhoid conjugate vaccine candidate.

Jan 21, 2025 • 3:42 pm CST
2024 Associação Brasileira de Saúde Coletiva

The reemergence of yellow fever in the Brazilian state of São Paulo over the past 23 years has highlighted the need to be fully immunized before visiting endemic areas in 2025.

The São Paulo State Health Department recently confirmed the first human yellow fever case in January 2025.

According to a study published by Rev Bras Epidemiol in December 2024, five yellow fever outbreaks from 2000 to 2023 led to 679 human cases. Epizootic surveillance actions in non-human primates intensified in 2017 when the virus circulated in areas without vaccine recommendations in the state.

A previous study found the metropolitan region of São Paulo city YF outbreak during 2017–2018 revealed that 36 deaths were due to three genetic variants of sylvatic YFV that belong to the South American I genotype and that were related to viruses previously isolated from other locations in Brazil (Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Bahia, and Rio de Janeiro states).

According to these researchers, each variant represented an independent YF virus introduction into Sao Paulo.

"The recently confirmed case of yellow fever infection in São Paulo reinforces the importance of vaccination before traveling to many parts of Brazil, including popular urban destinations," commented Jeri Beales, MSN, RN.

"The 2017 yellow fever outbreak in Brazil marked an important change in CDC yellow fever recommendation for Brazil-bound travelers, including major cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curibita, and Salvador."

"Ideally, the yellow fever vaccine is given at least 10 days before arrival to a risk area, and only clinics certified with CDC can provide the vaccine," added Beales, who leads Destination Health Clinic, a Boston-area travel health provider specializing in health education and vaccination for international travelers.

As of January 21, 2025, the U.S. CDC and the U.K. Health Security Agency recommends international travelers visit a travel clinic or pharmacy to discuss travel vaccine options about one month before visiting Brazil in 2025. This year, about 8 million people may visit Sao Paulo.

According to the CDC, the yellow fever vaccine is recommended for many destinations in Brazil, including Sao Paulo, but may not required for entry.  

Note: This Vax-Before-Travel news article was updated with related insight on Jan. 22, 2025.

Jan 21, 2025 • 2:46 pm CST
WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed that it closely supports Lassa fever-endemic countries in West Africa, such as Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

As of January 19, 2025, another Lassa fever outbreak, a rare, often fatal, viral hemorrhagic fever, was confirmed in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed 54 cases of Lassa fever in Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi from December 30, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The NCDC also reported 10 related fatalities, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 18.5%.

The NCDC continues to address the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak, which coincides with the peak season. Lassa virus was first identified in 1969 in Nigeria.

In 2024, Nigeria recorded over 1,187 confirmed cases across 28 states.

In December 2024, Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of the NCDC, announced that the Emergency Operations Centre had been activated for Lassa fever, and the risk assessment was classified as high.

In the United States, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a resident died from Lassa fever in October 2024. There have been eight travel-associated cases of Lassa fever in the U.S. in the past 55 years.

As of January 21, 2025, Lassa fever vaccine candidates have not been approved for human use.

Jan 21, 2025 • 11:48 am CST
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In 2024, many European countries detected poliovirus in wastewater systems, signaling the once-eradicated disease's potential resurgence.

According to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), poliovirus continues to be detected in Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Sachsen, and Bayern, Germany. As of January 15, 2025, eleven circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2-positive environmental samples were collected in November and December 2024.

This pathogen is not the wild poliovirus type but originates from the oral polio vaccine, which contains weakened but live polioviruses. The weakened vaccine viruses can be excreted and spread by vaccinated people.

Germany's last case of wild poliovirus was recorded in 1990.

The GPEI has confirmed that various countries have also reported cases of wild polio, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, and circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1.

On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 39 countries at-risk for polio. This CDC list does not include Germany or the United Kingdom.

Last year, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, commented in a press release, “For over 20 years, sustained efforts to achieve high vaccination coverage, quality surveillance, and rapid outbreak response have prevented the virus from re-establishing in this Region. These efforts must be commended, but also intensified as challenges to our collective defense against this virus increase.” 

The CDC and the WHO recommend that all travelers to polio-affected areas in 2025 be fully vaccinated, and some people may qualify for a polio vaccine booster dose.

Jan 21, 2025 • 8:43 am CST
from Pixabay 2025

Moderna, Inc. recently announced ongoing support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to accelerate the development of mRNA-based pandemic influenza vaccines.

In 2023, Moderna initiated a Phase 1/2 clinical study to generate safety and immunogenicity data for an investigational pandemic influenza vaccine (mRNA-1018). The study included vaccine candidates against H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses.

Announced on January 17, 2025, the $590 million award was made through the Rapid Response Partnership Vehicle Consortium with funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority.

The project will support the late-stage development and licensure of pre-pandemic mRNA-based vaccines. The HHS-Moderna agreement will also expand clinical studies for up to five additional subtypes of pandemic influenza.

As of January 21, 2025, the Phase 1/2 results have not been released; however, Moderna is preparing to advance mRNA-1018 into Phase 3 clinical study.

Today's funding follows the $176 million the U.S. government awarded Moderna in July 2024.

The U.S. and European governments have invested in developing avian and pandemic influenza vaccines for years, and the U.S. Has previously approved one vaccine.

The UK government says pandemic influenza viruses are characterized by their tendency to change rapidly, their ability to spread quickly, and the routes of transmission, which contribute to the difficulty in containing an infectious global outbreak.

Influenza A viruses are most likely to cause influenza pandemics due to an extensive reservoir of these viruses in animal populations, particularly avian and swine, to which humans have no immunity.

Compared to seasonal influenza, population immunity to the new influenza A virus is nonexistent or sufficiently low to facilitate rapid person-to-person transmission and increase the severity of illness among those infected. This is generally associated with higher rates of disease and death.

Furthermore, annual 'flu=shots' are not expected to protect people from pandemic influenza viruses.

On December 11, 2024, the U.S. administration informed the media that there are no active plans to authorize the distribution of avian influenza (bird flu) vaccines. 

Jan 20, 2025 • 11:19 am CST
by Pete Linforth

Since 2023, the U.S. FDA has approved the Chikungunya virus vaccine, which has been deployed in various countries to curtail outbreaks, with exceptional efficacy data reported by multiple studies.

Adding to this positive trend, Valneva SE today reported further positive Phase 3 clinical trial data in adolescents for its single-shot chikungunya virus vaccine, IXCHIQ®. The vaccine showed a sustained 98.3% sero-response rate one year after a single vaccination.

These results support and strengthen the pivotal data previously reported for adolescents (12 to 17 years old), which supported filing for potential label extensions for this age group in the U.S., Europe, and Canada.

Data from this trial are also expected to support the licensure of IXCHIQ® in Brazil, which would be the first potential approval for use in Chikunguna endemic populations.

Juan Carlos Jaramillo, M.D., Valneva's Chief Medical Officer, commented, “These additional adolescent data confirm IXCHIQ®’s ability to induce a robust, long-lasting antibody response in both younger people and adults with a single vaccination."

"Given the substantial risk that chikungunya presents to individuals residing in or traveling to endemic regions, it’s imperative to ensure the vaccine is available to all age groups and has the potential to offer long-term protection, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where vaccine access is often limited."

"We are now looking forward to the first data in children, which we expect to report imminently.”

Chikungunya outbreaks have been recorded as early as 1824 in India. In 2024, over 425,00 cases and 236 related fatalities were reported in the Region of the Americas.

So far, in 2025, there have been 523 Chikungunya cases in Brazil. 

IXCHIQ® is the only licensed Chikungunya vaccine available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

Jan 20, 2025 • 9:18 am CST
WHO

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) today announced that Afrigen Biologics aims to develop the first-ever mRNA-based vaccine against Rift Valley fever, supported by a new $6.2 million grant.

Confirmed on January 20, 2025, the researchers will work with the International Vaccine Institute to progress the new vaccine candidate through preclinical development and into Phase I clinical testing in people in either South Africa or another outbreak-affected country on the continent.

If clinical trials are successful, this vaccine could offer a critical new, locally produced tool to help combat this potentially deadly illness, which poses significant risks to human health and livestock.

Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, commented in a press release, “This new research will further strengthen the continent’s future preparedness and response capabilities, thereby enhancing Africa’s vaccine sovereignty and health security.”

First identified in Kenya’s Rift Valley in the 1930s, Rift Valley fever usually occurs in people following direct contact with infected animals, like sheep, goats, and cattle, or bites from infected mosquitoes, says the U.S. CDC.

The disease has also expanded in range in recent years with outbreaks in the Middle East and Indian Ocean islands, hence the need for new Rift Valley fever (RVF) vaccines.

Fortunately, a case of RVF virus spreading from person to person has never been reported.

While the majority of people infected experience mild disease, around 1-2% of those infected can develop the severe hemorrhagic form, which can cause blindness, convulsions, encephalitis, and bleeding and has mortality rates of around 50%. 

Although vaccines against RVF have been registered for animals, no vaccines are available or licensed for human use. Therefore, the World Health Organization and the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recognize it as a priority target disease. 

As of January 4, 2025, the CDC did not report any Rift Valley fever cases in 2024 or 2025.

Jan 19, 2025 • 12:47 pm CST
US CDC 2025

The Houston Health Department (HHD) recently announced two measles cases associated with international travel. Both adults reside in the same Houston, Texas household and have unknown vaccination statuses.

HHD stated these are the first reported measles cases in Houston since 2018.

Texas experienced a travel-related measles outbreak in 2019, which led to 23 cases.

Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000. However, as of late December 2024, 32 U.S. jurisdictions, led by Illinois and Minnesota, had reported 284 cases, many of which were travel-related.

Internationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a global Watch-Level 1 Travel Health Notice identifying measles outbreaks in 59 countries last year.

As of January 19, 2025, HHD and the CDC say the most effective way to prevent measles virus infections is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Measles vaccination services are offered at most travel clinics and pharmacies. 

Jan 18, 2025 • 11:25 am CST
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected an increase in extensively drug-resistant Shigella infections in the United States over the past few years.

As of January 11, 2025, the U.S. CDC confirmed 296 Shigellosis cases have already been reported in 2025, led by New York (53) and Florida (42).

Last year, the CDC confirmed 20,621 Shigella cases nationwide, led by California (4,365) and New York (2,990).

In Northern Nevada, the Public Health (NNPH) agency identified a Shigellosis outbreak in Reno / Washoe County after a reported influx of new cases and hospitalizations. About 14 cases and nine hospitalizations were reported, although the number of cases is expected to be much higher.

However, there is a low risk of transmission to the general public in 2025.

Shigellosis is an intestinal infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. Shigellosis can be spread by coming into contact with the poop of an infected person, eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or through sexual contact.

According to the CDC, Shigellosis can be challenging to treat, and prevention is critical to reducing the spread of the infection.

As of January 18, 2025, the U.S. FDA has not approved a preventive vaccine. However, a tetravalent bioconjugate vaccine candidate has progressed into phase 2 clinical research.

Jan 17, 2025 • 1:24 pm CST
US CDC Ethiopia Jan. 17, 2025

Despite spending $4 billion annually, the number of malaria cases and deaths has not significantly changed over the past decade, especially in Africa. Last year, the WHO's African Region reported the broadest malaria outbreak burden.

Based on today's U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Health Advisory, health agencies are not optimistic about seeing any improvement in this trend by 2025.

Today, the CDC confirmed an ongoing malaria outbreak in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, affecting all 14 country regions. More than 8.4 million malaria cases were reported, the highest number of cases ever reported within a year.

To bolster Ethiopia’s fight against malaria, the United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, donated 175 computer terminals to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute on January 15, 2025.

Additional U.S. support includes over $27.5 million of antiretroviral supplies, early infant diagnostics, quality assessment panels, lab equipment, and more.

Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that spreads to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes, commonly found in Africa.

If you plan to travel to Ethiopia in 2025, the CDC recommends speaking with a travel health expert about which antimalarial drug is best for you. And seek medical care immediately if you develop fever, chills, sweats, headache, vomiting, or body aches during or after travel to Ethiopia. 

In 2024, numerous international travelers brought malaria back with them.

As of the week ending November 23, 2024, the CDC confirmed 1,772 malaria cases, mostly among international travelers arriving in New York City (232), Texas, Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California. 

While malaria vaccines are available in Africa, they are not FDA-approved in the U.S. and remain unavailable in the U.S.

Furthermore, innovative vaccine candidates, such as the RH5.1/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, are proceeding in late-stage clinical trials. Developed at the University of Oxford, this vaccine targets blood-stage malaria, unlike previously approved vaccines that target the pre-erythrocyte stage. 

Jan 16, 2025 • 1:01 pm CST
by Alessandro Danchini

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced details of a gastrointestinal illness (GI) outbreak on the Silversea Cruises ship Silver Ray.

On January 16, 2025, the CDC reported that 38 guests and five crew members were ill among the 681 people onboard Voyage RA250104016. 

This data represents 6.6% of all people onboard the Silver Ray.

The main symptoms of the patients were diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The CDC reported that the causative agent remains unknown.

This incident is the second GI outbreak aboard a cruise ship in 2025.

Last year, the CDC confirmed 18 outbreaks aboard cruise ships, with norovirus as the primary disease agent.

'Norovirus is often a cause of GI outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when investigations begin, writes the CDC.

A study published in January 2025 identified cruise ship dining areas as priorities for preventing disease outbreaks. However, the probability of airborne infection in a speaking normal condition is low (<3 %).

As of January 2025, norovirus vaccine candidates are conducting clinical research, but none have been U.S. FDA-approved.

For a potential treatment, Travelan®, an orally administered passive immunotherapy, prophylactically reduces the likelihood of contracting travelers' diarrhea. In the U.S., Travelan is sold as a dietary supplement for digestive tract protection.

Note: This article was updated on Jan. 17, 2025, to include a reference link.

Jan 16, 2025 • 10:33 am CST
from Pixabay 2025

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Government of Argentina, and others today announced a joint effort to facilitate local production and regional access to the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV20).

This vaccine is expected to further protect against severe diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumonia  (pneumococcus), responsible for pneumonia, meningitis, and other serious infections, including those linked to antibiotic-resistant strains.

In 2021, 3,345 children under the age of 5 died due to pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococcus in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Through this initiative, not only will Argentina benefit from local production of the PCV20 (PREVNAR 20®), but countries across the Region of the Americas will be able to access vaccine doses through PAHO’s Regional Revolving Funds, ensuring more rapid vaccine rollout at competitive prices.

The PCV20 vaccine will be available in Latin America and the Caribbean starting in early 2025. The first doses produced in Argentina are estimated to be available by 2026.

“PAHO is committed to boosting regional production of sustainable, innovative technologies by strengthening existing capacities and our regional purchasing mechanism, the Revolving Fund for Access to Vaccines,” said PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa in a press release on January 15, 2025.

“This collaboration reflects our dedication to ensuring equitable access to safe, effective vaccines that prevent severe diseases and save lives,” he added.

Jan 16, 2025 • 3:13 am CST
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According to local media in India, medical experts have not determined the cause of death of 14 people in the Badhal village in the border district of Rajouri.

Since early December 2024, fourteen of 38 affected persons have died due to a 'mysterious disease.'

The Star reported on January 15, 2025, that experts from the PGIMER Chandigarh, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, National Institute of Virology, National Centre for Disease Control, Defence Research and Development, and other organizations have so far been unable to detect the cause of the affected persons belonging to three interlinked families.

The Rajouri district is in the remote Jammu division of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

This is a developing story.