Vaccine News

Following the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, the number of paralytic poliomyelitis cases was reduced by about 99% globally, with wild-type PV1 remaining endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan.

However, the World Health Organization recently reconfirmed that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. For example, the U.S. CDC identified polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 39 countries in 2025.

To address these concerns, a recent study highlighted the benefits of an innovative polio vaccine candidate.

According to a study published by NPJ Vaccines on March 31, 2025, the success of the poliovirus (PV) vaccines has enabled the near-eradication of wild PV. Their continued post-eradication use poses concerns due to the 'potential for virus escape during vaccine manufacture.'

While the current generation of PV vaccines has achieved great success, the continued use of oral PV has facilitated the continued appearance of circulating vaccine-derived PV (cVDPV), which now outnumbers wild PV cases yearly. 

These researchers wrote, 'Recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) that lack the viral genome remove this risk.'

They demonstrate the production of PV VLPs for all three serotypes by controlled fermentation using Pichia pastoris.

The cryo-EM structure of a new PV2 mutant, SC5a, was determined compared to PV2-SC6 b VLPs described previously, and the immunogenicity of PV2-SC5a VLPs was investigated.

Finally, a trivalent immunogenicity trial using bioreactor-derived VLPs of all three serotypes in the presence of Alhydrogel adjuvant showed that these VLPs outperform the current IPV vaccine in the standard vaccine potency assay, offering the potential for dose-sparing.

Overall, 'these results provide further evidence that yeast-produced VLPs have the potential to be a next-generation polio vaccine in a post-eradication world.'

'The most important pre-requisite of any next-generation PV vaccine is that it elicits the same long-lasting immunity against disease as the current vaccine.'

Over the past few years, PT Biofarma has produced the type 2 novel oral polio (nOPV2) vaccine, derived from the live, infectious virus and 'triple-locked.' The nOPV2 vaccine is reported to be more genetically stable than previous oral polio vaccines, with a lower risk of reversion to neurovirulence.

It has been administered over 1.1 billion times, mainly in Africa.

Since 2000, the IPV has been the standard polio vaccine offered in the United States, and booster doses are suggested when visiting poliovirus outbreak areas.

Nipah virus, one of the deadliest pathogens known to infect humans, lacks a preventive vaccine. To accelerate the development of a Nipah vaccine candidate, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) provides up to $13.38 million in funding for a pioneering self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccine candidate.

Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Limited developed this innovative solution and is teaming up with Houston Methodist Research Institute, a Texas-based institution.

They will use their cutting-edge AI technology to optimise the properties of proteins derived from the virus that could stimulate the immune system and serve as optimal vaccine targets for Gennova to investigate.

“Wi"h no vaccines or specific therapeutics approved for human use against Nipah, CEPI is leading the charge to protect the world against this deadly virus committing over $100 million to its Nipah programmes and advancing the first ever Nipah vaccine candidates into Phase 1 studies and through to completion," said Dr. Kent Kester, Executive Director of Vaccine Research and Development at CEPI, in a press release on March 30, 2025. 

“Gennova will not only help establish the suitability of the saRNA platform for use against Nipah but also its suitability as part of a wider group of RNA technologies that could enable rapid responses to future Disease X threats, potentially within 100 days of identification.”

I" August 2023, CEPI initially provided up to $3.6 million to support the optimization of Gennova' sRNA-platform technology to develop vaccine candidates against unknown pathogenic threats known as Disease X.

The initial tranche of funding was part of CEPI's program to support novel RNA vaccine platform technologies for emerging and select endemic infectious diseases. These technologies could offer substantial advantages over existing mRNA technologies, such as multivalency, improved immunogenicity, storage and stability, productivity, response time, and cost-of-goods.

To help guide a path forward, the WHO's roadmap for Nipah virus research priorities (2024–29) outlines ambitious milestones for advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

As of March 31, 2025, Nipah outbreaks have been confined to South and Southeast Asia. However, the fruit bat vector is found in large geographical areas across the globe, covering a population of more than 2 billion people. 

According to the U.S. CDC, around 40%–70% of people infected with the Nipah virus may die.

As the seventh cholera pandemic continues in three World Health Organization (WHO) regions in late March 2025, countries in Africa have been severely impacted by these acute diarrheal infections.

Since January 2025, the Republic of Angola has been experiencing a significant cholera outbreak. The disease can cause severe acute watery diarrhea, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality.

As of March 23, 2025, a total of 8,543 cases and 329 deaths have been reported, resulting in a case fatality rate of 3.9% in this northwestern African country.

The outbreak has spread rapidly to 16 of Angola's 21 provinces, with the highest burden among those under 20. 

Angola shares borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, both of which are currently experiencing cholera outbreaks. 

As of March 29, 2025, the WHO's Disease Outbreak News wrote, 'Given the rapidly evolving nature of the outbreak, the ongoing rainy season, and cross-border movement with neighboring countries, the WHO assesses the risk of further transmission in Angola and surrounding areas as very high.'

Furthermore, due to the cholera outbreak, the WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions to and from Angola.

To reduce this outbreak, Angola's Ministry of Health, with support from others, carried out a five-day reactive vaccination campaign in January 2025. Over 900,000 people were vaccinated, and 700,000 additional doses of oral cholera vaccines arrived in the country in mid-March for a second reactive campaign.

While the U.S. CDC has not issued a Travel Health Advisory regarding Angola's outbreak, the agency writes, 'cholera vaccination may be considered for children and adults traveling to areas of active cholera transmission.'

In the United States, cholera vaccines are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.

Historically, most mainland Australian states have reported cases of locally acquired dengue fever. In January 2025, 261 notifications of dengue cases throughout Australia were received.

So far this year, the disease has significantly impacted Australia's northeast coast.

Queensland Health declared a Dengue outbreak centered in Townsville City LGA on February 19, 2025, and as of March 25, 2025, 11 cases (9 confirmed, two probable) had been reported.

Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue said in a recent press release that they have started a full-scale dengue outbreak response.

Teams from Townsville HHS and Townsville City Council are talking to residents in nearby homes in North Ward to warn them of the dengue outbreak, inspect their properties, and carry out any mosquito-mitigation activities," Dr Donohue said.

"It is important for residents to take dengue precautions."

"Therefore, it's imperative to tip out anything holding water around your house. They'll breed in junk, tyres, and pot plant bases. Tip those out. Have a dry yard as much as possible.

"Make sure to spray dark, damp hiding places inside your house. Use surface spray or long-acting insecticide – under the sink, in the bathroom, or the laundry, all of those hiding places. That's a great way to get rid of these mosquitoes."

Dr. Donohue added that it is vital for anyone feeling unwell to see a doctor.

As of March 29, 2025, dengue vaccines are authorized in Australia and most Asia / Pacific countries.

Even with a vaccination requirement to visit most Yellow fever endemic countries, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a new Epidemiologic Alert regarding increased human cases in 2025.

As of March 26, 2025, the PAHO wrote that health officials have confirmed 131 Yellow fever (YF) cases in four countries, 53 of them fatal, indicating a 40.4% case-fatality rate. 

Brazil has 81 confirmed cases, 31 of which have been fatal.

The other YF cases have been reported in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru.

In 2025, YF cases have also been detected in the state of São Paulo in Brazil and the department of Tolima in Colombia, regions outside the Amazon region.

The PAHO/WHO wrote 'It is essential that countries achieve vaccination coverage of at least 95% in populations in at-risk areas, in a homogeneous manner, and that health authorities ensure that they have a strategic reserve inventory that allows them to maintain routine vaccination and, at the same time, respond effectively to possible outbreaks.'

When departing to South America from the United States in March 2025, YF vaccination services are offered at most travel clinics and pharmacies. Once immunized, a certificate that is essential to enter certain countries will be generated.

The French Republic's overseas department and region of Réunion today reported a serious spike in Chikungunya cases. Over the last week, 4,156 new cases were reported.

This data indicates a 16% increase in Chikungunya cases compared to the previous week.

Furthermore, emergency department activity increased from 78 admissions the previous week to 128 during March 10-16, 2025.

During early March, Réunion health authorities announced two virus-related deaths.

Since this Chikungunya outbreak began in August 2024, 13,594 cases, 15 serious cases (eight adults and seven newborns) have been reported, setting an unfortunate record for a French department or region.

Réunion's southern and western municipalities are the most affected. Le Tampon remains the most affected municipality.

However, this mosquito-transmitted virus has increased sharply in Possession, Saint Andrew, Saint Paul, and Saint Suzanne.

As part of the Mascarene Islands, Réunion is a vacation destination for many travelers. It is located east of Africa, Madagascar, and southwest of Mauritius.

France has issued a Level 4 emergency for Réunion to alert visitors of this health emergency, and the U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 Advisory regarding  La Réunion's Chikungunya outbreak.

To reduce the impact of this outbreak, Valneva SE and the Agence Régionale de Santé La Réunion recently announced an agreement to deliver at least 40,000 IXCHIQ® vaccine doses starting in early April 2025. The French government funded this purchase.

In the U.S. and various countries, Chikungunya vaccines are approved and available at travel clinics and pharmacies. They are recommended for international travelers visiting endemic countries such as La Réunion.

With about 100 different types of pneumococcal bacteria infecting people, innovative vaccines are needed to reduce various illnesses, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.

For example, in Europe, 17,700 confirmed invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases were reported in the European Union/European Economic Area in 2022.

To address this disease, Merck announced today that the European Commission (EC) has approved CAPVAXIVE® (V116), designed to help protect adults against IPD and pneumococcal pneumonia.

CAPVAXIVE targets the serotypes causing most IPD cases in adults and includes eight unique serotypes not covered by other approved vaccines.

This EC decision authorizes the approval of CAPVAXIVE (Pneumococcal 21-valent Conjugate Vaccine) in all 27 European Union (EU) member states, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

“By focusing on the serotypes that have been responsible for an increasing proportion of adult invasive pneumococcal disease cases, CAPVAXIVE allows us to offer protection specifically designed for adults,” said Dr. Paula Annunziato, senior vice president, infectious diseases and vaccines, Global Clinical Development, Merck Research Laboratories, in a press release on March 26, 2025.

“We are proud to bring CAPVAXIVE to adults in Europe who may benefit from its broad protection and are eager to continue working with regulatory authorities to expand CAPVAXIVE availability worldwide.”

The EC approval is based on safety and immunogenicity data from the Phase 3 STRIDE clinical program.

As of late March 2025, various pneumococcal vaccines are offered in the United States at clinics and pharmacies.

Note: This VBT news article was updated for trademark on March 27, 2025.