Vaccine News

A stay in a hospital might resolve one health challenge. Still, it may introduce another: an intractable infection with Clostridioides difficile (C difficile), wrote an Editors Summary published in the journal Science in October 2024.

This bacteria can thrive and produce toxins if antibiotics hinder the normal gut bacteria.

Alameh et al. disclosed they have been developing a multivalent mRNA–lipid nanoparticle vaccine to protect vulnerable individuals against toxigenic C. difficile. The University of Pennsylvania researchers designed the vaccine candidate to target an enzyme found in diverse strains of this bacterium that processes several surface factors required for gut colonization and virulence.

They concluded, 'Our studies demonstrate mRNA-LNP vaccine technology as a promising platform for developing novel C. difficile therapeutics with potential for limiting acute disease and promoting bacterial decolonization.'

Vaxinano, a biotech company specializing in developing prophylactic and therapeutic nasal vaccines, has successfully raised €6 million in a funding round.

Thanks to its Stellar-NP nanoparticle technology, Vaxinano is developing a new generation of highly stable, adjuvant-free nasal vaccines designed to deliver effective and long-lasting responses to the most challenging pathogens, including parasites, viruses, and bacteria.

The platform has demonstrated preventive and therapeutic efficacy across multiple species and various infectious diseases, such as leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and colibacillosis.

Didier Betbeder, founder and CSO of Vaxinano, stated in a press release on October 29, 2024, "The Stellar-NP technology has the potential to revolutionize the vaccine landscape by providing more effective and cost-efficient solutions in a context of emerging pandemics."

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.

Vaxxas today announced that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has granted the company a license to a next-generation vaccine antigen (DS2) designed for use in prophylactic vaccines against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

DS2 has been found to prompt a more robust and durable immune response against RSV than the antigen used in globally approved vaccines (DS-Cav1).

There are three RSV vaccines currently approved for use in the U.S.

"Published preclinical results show the potential immunogenic advantages of this next-generation antigen as the basis for an RSV vaccine that could offer more robust and durable protection against the virus, compared to vaccines already on the market,” David L. Hoey, President and CEO of Vaxxas, in a press release on October 28, 2024.

Furthermore, Vaxxas’ proprietary HD-MAP offers the potential for the first needle-free, room-temperature stable RSV vaccine.

The Vaxxas HD-MAP comprises thousands of microscopic projections molded into a small patch. Each microprojection is coated with a small dose of vaccine in a dried formulation. When applied to the skin using a proprietary applicator, the patch delivers the vaccine to the abundant immune cells that naturally reside immediately below the skin surface.

The company says, 'Ultimately, HD-MAPs could enable a future in which vaccine patches could be shipped directly to people, avoiding the delay, inconvenience, and safety challenges associated with traditional needle-and-syringe vaccine scheduling and administration.'

During the summer and fall of 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued several epidemiological alerts about Oropouche cases, including deaths, in the Region of the Americas.

Significant outbreaks have been reported in Brazil and Cuba.

On October 25, 2024, the U.S. CDC reaffirmed it is working with PAHO and other international partners to learn more about the potential risks of Oropouche.

The CDC's Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Advisory, says Oropouche is spread primarily by the bite of infected midges and mosquitoes.

Oropouche symptoms include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, and sensitivity to light. They typically start 3–10 days after being bitten and last 3–6 days, and most people recover without long-term effects.

The CDC says there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Oropouche.

The U.S. CDC announced an essential update to its Level 2 travel advisory regarding the ongoing Oropouche virus outbreak in Cuba.

As of October 25, 2024, the CDC confirmed multiple cases of Oropouche have recently been reported in U.S. travelers returning from Cuba, indicating there is a detectable risk of infection.

The CDC recently confirmed 91 cases from five states, led by cities along Florida's southeast coast.

The CDC has also issued a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Oropouche outbreaks in the Region of the Americas, such as in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru.

From the beginning of the year to early October, 10,275 confirmed cases of Oropouche were reported in nine countries in the Region.

Historically, Oropouche has been confirmed to spread to people following a bite of infected midges (small flies) and mosquitoes.

Recently, Oropouche virus has been found in semen, but it is unknown if it can be spread through sex, says the CDC.

Additionally, pregnant women should reconsider non-essential travel to Cuba since there are concerns about an increase in possible cases of the Oropouche virus being passed from a pregnant person to their fetus associated with fetal deaths and congenital abnormalities. 

Since no Ocopouche vaccines are available, the CDC says travelers to Cuba should prevent bug bites during travel to protect themselves from infection.