Vaccine News

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.

While monoclonal antibody (mAbs) treatments for infants have been available for many years, the recently approved version has become widely accepted.

Sanofi today announced its third-quarter earnings report, which included sales of its newly approved mAbs. This innovative product delivers long-term passive immunization to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)- related lower respiratory tract infections.

Beyfortus™ sales in the third quarter far exceeded Wall Street analyst projections.

After a second external filling line was licensed, additional capacity enabled increased supply in collaboration with AstraZeneca, which is responsible for manufacturing.

The company stated in a press release that sales were €645 million ($696m), driven by early deliveries in the U.S. and rollout in several countries, including Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Ireland.

Sanofi confirmed that Beyfortus is available for the 2024-2025 RSV season in about 20 countries. In the United States, Beyfortus has become generally available.

The U.S. FDA-approved Beyfortus in 2023.

In October 2024, The Lancet published a study estimating Beyfortus's effectiveness against RSV-associated hospitalizations for bronchiolitis at 73%.

During today's U.S. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Michael Melgar, M.D. presented a summary focused on a small number of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) cases observed in clinical trials within 42 days after U.S. FDA-approved protein subunit RSV vaccinations (GSK Arexvy, Pfizer Abrysvo).

The ACIP Work Group concluded on October 24, 2024, that 'available data support the existence of an increased risk of GBS after protein subunit RSV vaccination. GBS risk following RSV vaccination is rare, with less than 10 cases per 1 million vaccinations.'

However, Moderna’s newly approved mResvia mRNA vaccine has not been associated with an increased risk of GBS. Post-licensure safety surveillance for mResvia began recently in June 2024.

Dr. Melgar's presentation stated, 'Due to the small number of cases (in older adults), it was unclear whether they represented a genuine association between RSV vaccination and GBS.'

The CDC says GBS syndrome happens when a person’s immune system harms their nerves. This harm causes muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. CDC estimates that only about 3,000–6,000 people develop GBS annually in the United States.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director today endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendation that people 65 years and older and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised receive a second dose of the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after their first dose.

Announced on October 23, 2024, these updated recommendations also allow for flexibility for additional doses (3 or more) for moderately or severely immunocompromised people in consultation with their healthcare provider, known by the CDC as shared clinical decision-making.

 In a press release, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen stated, "This vote allows people to make the best decisions possible to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from COVID-19. CDC will continue to educate the public on how and when to get updated vaccinations so they can risk less severe illness and do more of what they love."

The World Health Organization recently reported that measles outbreaks have been reported in 103 countries in the last five years. According to an updated travel advisory, outbreaks have expanded in 2024.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reissued a Global Level 1 Travel Health Advisory on October 18, 2024, that lists 56 countries impacted by measles outbreaks.

The CDC says international travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.

Even in the United States, measles outbreaks have been reported this year in Chicago, Oregon, and New York City.

As of October 17, 2024, a total 269 measles cases were reported by 32 U.S. jurisdictions.

Measles vaccines are generally available at health clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.

If you plan to travel, you may need to be vaccinated against some diseases in other parts of the world. Some vaccines must be given well in advance to allow your body to develop immunity.

For some vaccines to become protective, several doses spread over several weeks or months.

According to the U.K. travel office on October 22, 2024, prospective international travelers should visit a G.P. or a private travel clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before traveling bread in 2024.

In the U.K., the NHS routine immunization schedule lists vaccines that protect people against multiple diseases but does not cover all infectious diseases found overseas.

Furthermore, some countries require proof of vaccination (meningitis, polio, or yellow fever), which must be documented on an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) before entering or leaving a country.

Even if an ICVP is not required, the U.K. recommends keeping a record of the vaccinations you have had with you, such as chikungunya, dengue, and measles.

In the United States, the CDC's travel advice website offers similar advice.

Since the last World Health Organization (WHO) report, new cholera outbreaks have been reported in Niger and Thailand, pushing the total number of affected countries in 2024 to 30.

As of the end of September 2024, a cumulative total of 439,724 cholera cases and 3,432 deaths were reported across five WHO regions.

Although the number of cases is lower than last year, the 126% spike in deaths is deeply concerning, says the WHO.

Unfortunately, the WHO has reported that as of October 14, 2024, the global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) is depleted, with no remaining doses available.

However, in the United States, travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies have confirmed supplies of OCVs.