Vaccine News

As more countries reported measles outbreaks this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is arming travelers with information on preventing this highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease.

On June 29, 2023, the CDC updated its Travel Health Advisory that confirmed many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles in 2023.

For example, Austria reported 130 cases of measles in 2023. Styria is the most affected region with 102 cases reported since the beginning of the outbreak in week 4, 2023.

And in Germany, 54 suspected and confirmed cases were reported as of July 2, 2023.

The CDC's Level 1 Global Measles advisory says travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

And all international travelers, including infants 6–11 months of age and preschool-aged children, should be fully vaccinated against measles according to CDC's measles recommendations for international travel.

If you are not sure if you or your travel companions are fully protected against measles, schedule an appointment to see your clinician at least 1 month before traveling.

But, some people should not get a measles-containing vaccine. If you don’t think you can safely receive a measles-containing vaccine, talk to your clinician and consider making alternative travel plans.

Furthermore, international travelers should seek medical care if they develop a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent the spread within the facility.

As of July 8, 2023, various measles prevention vaccines are available in the U.S. and worldwide.

Novavax Inc. announced yesterday that it had reached an agreement with Canada, under which the country would pay $349.6 million to settle the forfeiting of certain doses of the company’s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine brands include Nuvaxovid™, CovoVax, NVX-CoV2373, and TAK-019.

Since authorization, over 100 million doses of Nuvaxovid have been distributed globally in about 40 markets.

As reported by BNN on July 7, 2023, this development results from a significant decrease in global demand for COVID-19 vaccines, leading to a surplus of unused doses.

The World Health Organization weekly epidemiological update edition #150 confirmed that during the previous 28 days, the COVID-19 pandemic has declined since mid-2022.

In addition to the settlement, Novavax also entered into a revised contract with Canada’s public works and government services department.

The terms of the advance purchase contract were amended to reflect the reduced number of vaccine doses due for delivery and the revised schedule for the remaining doses.

On June 6, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted, was available in the U.S. for certain people. And on July 6, 2023, Nuvaxovid received Full Marketing Authorization in Europe as a primary series in individuals aged 12 and older and booster in adults. 

Novavax, Inc. announced yesterday that its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine had been granted full Marketing Authorization (MA) by the European Commission in the European Union (EU).

The Nuvaxovid™ (NVX-CoV2373) vaccine is now fully authorized for use in the EU as a primary series in individuals aged 12 and older.

And as a booster dose in adults aged 18 and older to prevent COVID-19.

During the diminishing pandemic, Novavax's COVID vaccine has been authorized for use in more than 40 markets worldwide.

"This Marketing Authorization establishes the foundation for all future regulatory approvals for updated versions of our COVID vaccine, a necessity to ensure we can quickly get our vaccine to individuals in the EU," said John C. Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Novavax, in a press release on July 6, 2023.

"In addition to the EU, we are preparing to file for full approval in the U.S. and other markets and are committed to ensuring protein-based options are available worldwide."

"Vaccine choice remains an integral part of public health measures." 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the trade name Nuvaxovid™, nor has it been approved or licensed.

However, as of July 7, 2023, it has been authorized for emergency use under an Emergency Use Authorization for various people. In Europe, over ten COVID-19 vaccines are available.

The Pan American Health Organization / World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) recently stated the seasonality of dengue in Central America and the Caribbean is a concern and recommends that Member States prepare plans to face possible outbreaks during the summer of 2023.

In 2023, through week #24, of the 2,102,848 dengue cases reported in the Region, 3,201 (0.15%) were classified as severe dengue.

Additionally, in the same period, 876 deaths were reported in the Region (case fatality rate: 0.042%).

The greatest number of dengue cases was observed in Brazil, with 1,515,460 cases, followed by Peru, with 169,504 
patients and Bolivia with 133,452 cases.

Regarding the number of severe dengue cases, Brazil led with 654 instances, Colombia with 652 instances, Peru with 597, Bolivia with 590 patients, and Mexico with 573 cases, says the PAHO/WHO.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dengue is a vectorborne infectious disease caused by four dengue viruses and is endemic in about 125 countries. 

The CDC recently reissued a Travel Health Advisory regarding dengue outbreaks in Asia and the Pacific Islands.

In the U.S., Florida has reported the most locally-acquire and travel-related dengue cases in 2023.

Dengue is also a vaccine-preventable disease. In 2022, a seconded dengue vaccine was approved for use by certain countries.

Local media today reported Moderna Inc. intends to establish its Chinese headquarters in Shanghai to promote the research, development, production, and sales of messenger RNA vaccines and drugs in China.

Yicai Global confirmed on July 6, 2023, Moderna signed a memorandum of understanding and a land deal with Shanghai's Minhang district government,  marking the Massachusetts-based firm's first investment in China.

Sources told Yicai Global that Moderna's investment will total USD1 billion.

Additionally, Moderna will build a plant in China to make respiratory disease vaccines, such as those against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.

As the recent global pandemic fades, there is market pressure on Moderna to find new vaccine products for its foraying into  China, wrote Yicai.

The European Commission (EC) recently confirmed it will facilitate the uptake of the EU Digital COVID certificate by the World Health Organization (WHO) and contribute to its operation and further development.

The EU Digital COVID certificate has been issued to over 2.3 billion people.

This means about fifty-one countries can begin accessing the WHO's Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN) on July 1, 2023.

This global verification of health document system is designed to deliver better health for all.

The GDHCN's digital capabilities may include verification of vaccinations and prescriptions across country borders, verification of vaccination certificates within borders, the International Patient Summary, and certification of public health professionals through the WHO Academy.

And these capabilities include using EU privacy standards and validating digital signatures to prevent fraud.

However, the WHO will not have access to any underlying personal data, which would continue to be the exclusive domain of national governments.

This digital infrasctrure was initially presented on January 27, 2021, and confirmed in June 2023.

As of July 5, 2023, the U.S. government has not announced its official participation in the GDHCN.

Following the reduced demand for access to digital COVID-19 test and vaccine records through the epass.ny.gov portal and the official ending of the pandemic in the U.S., the NYS Wallet that hosts the Excelsior Pass Plus vaccine credential was disconnected as of July 28, 2023.

Since the NYS Wallet app will be removed from app stores, new users cannot log in and register for it.

The app was launched in March 2021 and was eventually used by 11.5 million people.

Media reported various consulting contracts, with over $200 million in spending, are currently the subject of an investigation by the state Office of the Inspector General.

Hazel Crampton-Hays, a spokeswoman for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, said in a statement reported by Joshua Solomon with the Times Union, "Going forward, the state will use the knowledge gained from this project to improve how New Yorkers can use technology to access services and benefits."

The Excelsior Pass Plus and the NYS Wallet Apps provided a secure digital copy of vaccination records, including vaccine type, site, and date of vaccination, validated by the State of New York.

The State of New York says the data collected continues to be private and secure.

The state has set up an "Excelsior Help Desk," which can be reached at 844-699-7277 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to assist those with questions or concerns about their vaccination records.

Internationally, the World Health Organization confirmed launching a digital health partnership on July 1, 2023, that will help protect citizens worldwide from ongoing and future health threats, including pandemics.