Vaccine News

Leaders from Africa convened during the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 2024, calling for a concerted effort against a “Perfect Storm” threatening to derail decades of progress in the fight against Malaria in Africa.

The leaders identified vital challenges contributing to this perfect storm, including significant financial shortfalls and the growing resistance to insecticides and antimalarials. 

"To secure $6.3 billion annually (is needed) to achieve malaria elimination, accelerated action is necessary," stated His Excellency Abderaman Koulamallah, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration, Republic of Chad, in a press release.

These leaders stated that if malaria resources stagnate between 2027 and 2029, there could be an additional 112 million malaria cases and up to 280,700 related fatalities.

While the United States reports very few locally acquired malaria cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says millions of residents travel to countries (Africa) where Malaria is present.

During 2024, most malaria cases in the U.S. were related to international travelers in Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California.

Of imported malaria cases in the U.S., 59% were among persons who had traveled from Africa. 

From a prevention option, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends both the Mosquirix™ (RTS,S/AS01) and R21 / Matrix-M™ malaria vaccines.

These malaria vaccines were added to the WHO list of prequalified vaccines and are available in Africa but not the U.S. 

A recent survey revealed some cognitive dissonance among Americans. While 67% of those polled agreed that annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu-related hospitalizations, many still refuse to get vaccinated. 

Last flu season, about 48% of U.S. adults received an influenza vaccination. 

"The single most important thing folks can do to protect themselves as we get into fall and winter is get vaccinated,” said Mandy Cohen, MD, MPH, director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during a news conference on September 25, 2024.

"I wouldn't recommend something to the American people that I wouldn't recommend for myself, family, and loved ones," added Dr. Cohen. 

Results from this national survey of adults on vaccination attitudes and behaviors were highlighted at the 2024 National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Annual News Conference. 

As of September 20, 2024, 78.12 million flu shots had been distributed to healthcare providers and pharmacies for the 2024-2025 season. Last season, over 158 million were distributed in the U.S.

CSL Seqirus announced today that, through its public-private partnership with the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), the company will expand its Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) program for its proprietary MF59® adjuvant.

As of September 25, 2024, this is the fifth award CSL Seqirus has received from BARDA in response to sustained highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) activity. 

MF59® from the VMI program can be used to manufacture vaccines to protect people against the threat of avian (bird flu) and other strains of influenza. When combined with influenza antigens in a vaccine, MF59® adjuvant is designed to enhance and broaden the body's immune response by creating a broad, cross-reactive antibody response.

Under the terms of the $121.4 million multi-year award, CSL Seqirus will deliver MF59® adjuvant to increase the inventory of the VMI program to 40 million equivalent doses.

"Once again, we're honored to partner with BARDA on pandemic preparedness," said Marc Lacey, CSL Seqirus, Global Executive Director for Pandemic, in a press release.

"This expanded program will increase outbreak resilience and help to protect against threats such as avian influenza."

MF59® will be manufactured at CSL Seqirus' Holly Springs, North Carolina facility.

In April 2024, Dr. Peter Marks, with the U.S. FDA, informed the media that the U.S. stockpile of avian flu-specific vaccines would work well if deployed. As of September 2024, FDA-approved avian influenza vaccines are not commercially available. 

Furthermore, the FDA clarified annual flu shots are unlikely to protect people during bird flu pandemics. 

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal health department today confirmed over 12,000 cases of dengue and six related deaths in 77 districts this year.

As of mid-September 2024, Nepal's health authorities have abandoned preventive measures such as mosquito search-and-destroy, leading to a rise in infections.

Public health experts warn that dengue outbreaks could escalate in the pending post-monsoon season, which is considered the primary dengue season.

"The coming days will be more challenging for us, as dengue cases could surge," said Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital at Teku in Kathmandu, as reported by The Kathmandu Post on September 25, 2024.

Nepal reported its first travel-related dengue case in 2004 in the Chitwan district. Since then, Nepal has confirmed an increasing number of outbreaks. In 2023, at least 20 persons died, and the mosquito-transmitted virus infected more than 52,000 people.

Current data suggests that dengue cases are expanding out of the lowland areas typically suitable for breeding Aedes mosquitoes to higher elevations. 

Nepal is mainly situated in the Himalayas Mountains, including Mount Everest, at 23,600 feet above sea level. Its experience differs from that of the Region of the Americas, where dengue cases are generally reported below 6,500 feet in elevation.

According to media reporting, Nepal has not launched a dengue vaccination program.

Pfizer Canada ULC and BioNTech SE announced today that Health Canada has authorized the KP.2 variant-adapted COMIRNATY® COVID-19 vaccine for people six months and older. 

As of September 24, 2024, the newly formulated vaccine will be available nationwide in pharmacies and vaccination centers in the fall of 2024. Each province and territory will have its pathway for accessing the vaccine, and individuals are encouraged to refer to their provincial/territorial authorities for more information.

The adapted COVID-19 vaccine will be available in Canada as a single dose for individuals five years and older, regardless of prior COVID-19 vaccination history.

For children six months through 4 years of age, COMIRNATY® is authorized for administration as a three-dose series in those without a history of completion of a COVID-19 primary vaccination course or as a single dose for those with a history of completion of a COVID-19 primary vaccination course.

Health Canada posts a summary of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths across Canada as of September 24, 2024.

Once the Zika fever outbreak subsided in 2015, many public health agencies refocused on chikungunya and dengue outbreaks.

However, continued Zika outbreaks in the Region of the Americas have demonstrated how a relatively obscure mosquito-borne disease can become a persistent health risk.

As of September 24, 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported 36,331 Zika cases this year.

While most people infected with Zika will recover, many infants have been severely impacted by microcephaly. Researchers revealed over 200 microcephaly cases in Brazil.

The PAHO says pregnant women should avoid visiting Zika-endemic countries such as Brazil.

In the United States, the San Juan, Puerto Rico Department of Health says Zika will continue to infect people. As of September 2024, 16 Zika cases have been reported in Puerto Rico.

As of 2024, no approved Zika vaccines exist, but vaccine candidates are conducting clinical research. Valneva SE's second-generation VLA1601 vaccine launched a phase 1 study, with results expected in 2025.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued Health Alert Network Health Update (CDCHAN-00516) to provide additional information about the ongoing outbreak of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV), the virus that causes mpox.

As of September 23, 2024, no cases of clade I mpox have been identified in the U.S.

This mpox strain is more severe than the clade 2 strain circulating in the U.S. since May 2022.

The CDC urges travelers to vaccinate against mpox if they are heading to Eastern and Central African countries where clade 1 MPXV has been spreading.

Furthermore, healthcare providers and travel vaccine experts should recommend vaccination to those whose activities place them at risk.

This is essential advice since clade 1 mpox cases have recently been confirmed in international travelers.

For example, The Mint reported a man from Malappuram district in Kerala, India, has been detected with Mpox clad I. The patient had returned from the United Arab Emirates.

According to the CDC, two doses of JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®, IMVANEX®) should be given at least six weeks before traveling abroad. This U.S. FDA-approved vaccine is available at clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.