India's drug price regulator, NPPA, has approved a 20% price increase for Serum Institute of India's BCG, measles, and measles-rubella vaccines. This decision is unusual given the company's market dominance and comes after Serum Institute argued for the hike due to rising costs and the vaccines' critical public health importance.
A new study from a US Department of Veterans Affairs health system found that updated COVID-19 vaccines offer significant protection against cardiovascular disease, particularly for individuals over 75 and those with pre-existing conditions. The vaccines reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 38%.
India's National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority approved a 50% price hike for Carboplatin and Cisplatin cancer injections due to rising raw material costs and supply concerns. Prices for anti-tetanus immunoglobulin and three childhood vaccines were also revised to ensure availability.
A rare and deadly strain of Ebola, the Bundibugyo virus, has spread from eastern DRC to Uganda, infecting hundreds and causing dozens of deaths. With no approved vaccine for this strain and ongoing conflict hampering containment efforts, experts warn of a severe epidemic.
Therapeutic cancer vaccines are showing significant promise, with one melanoma vaccine reducing recurrence and death by 49%. These vaccines train the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells, offering new hope beyond traditional treatments.
CEPI is funding Moderna, the University of Oxford, and IAVI with approximately $60 million to accelerate the development of vaccines against the Ebola Bundibugyo virus, aiming for trial-ready candidates within months.
CEPI is urgently accelerating the development of three vaccine candidates against Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), pledging over $60 million to combat the raging outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No licensed vaccines currently exist for this strain.
Three new vaccines are in development to combat the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, which has killed nearly 250 people in the DR Congo and Uganda. IAVI, Moderna, and the University of Oxford are leading the research.
Historian Thomas Levenson categorizes anti-vaccine arguments into three types—wrong, bad, and intolerable—tracing their persistence from the 18th century to the present, despite overwhelming evidence supporting vaccine efficacy and safety.
President Trump endorses a study to reduce the number of recommended childhood vaccines, aligning with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s long-held views.
Australia faces a diphtheria outbreak with 240+ cases and 1 death. Vaccination is key; ensure up-to-date status, especially for travel to high-risk areas like parts of WA, NT, and SA. Check immunization records via the Australian Immunisation Register or consult a GP if unsure.
Australia is facing a diphtheria outbreak with over 240 cases. Experts emphasize maintaining high vaccination rates for preventable diseases like diphtheria and measles. They advise checking vaccination records and getting boosters, especially for travel or high-risk areas.
Conspiracy theories surrounding Hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are amplified by social media and AI, echoing past outbreaks. Experts note these theories often target centers of power and reflect distrust in institutions, impacting public health responses.
An international relief group, Gavi, has offered to speed up the transition away from vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, in a bid to secure $600 million in US funding. The funding has been blocked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. due to his vaccine safety concerns.
Western Australia is seeking federal support to combat a diphtheria outbreak, with over 220 cases nationally and 85 in WA, primarily in the Kimberley region. Vaccination efforts are underway but focus on preventing severe symptoms rather than transmission, prompting calls for increased resources and community outreach.
Medical groups are alarmed after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired two leaders of the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a panel recommending preventive care coverage. Doctors fear politicization and loss of access to vital services.
A rare Ebola strain outbreak in DR Congo is escalating, prompting a race for vaccines and treatments. The Bundibugyo strain, unlike the Zaire strain, has no approved vaccines or treatments, though candidates exist. WHO is evaluating options, including Ervebo, which targets the Zaire strain.
A diphtheria outbreak is spreading across Australia, with one death in the NT. Misinformation is rampant online, with claims blaming migrants and suggesting vaccines are dangerous. Experts debunk these myths, highlighting that diphtheria has long existed in Australia and is exacerbated by lower vaccination rates in remote communities, not immigration.
An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, has killed over 130 people. Health authorities face challenges due to a lack of resources and the absence of an approved vaccine for this specific strain, unlike the more common EBOV/Zaire strain.
Global health leaders are considering experimental vaccines and medicines for the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which has seen over 500 suspected cases and 130 deaths. The WHO declared a public health emergency, citing the outbreak's speed and scale, exacerbated by conflict and weak infrastructure.
The WHO is investigating potential vaccines and treatments for a lengthy Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, declared an international health emergency. Availability of candidate vaccines like Ervebo is estimated to be two months away.
Bangladesh's BNP government claims it inherited a severe measles vaccine shortage, leading to a crisis with nearly 460 child deaths. The High Court is considering a plea to bar interim government figures, including Muhammad Yunus, from leaving the country pending investigation.
Chickenpox parties, once common for deliberate infection before vaccines, are resurfacing despite medical advancements. Experts warn against this practice due to severe complications and the rise of vaccine hesitancy, fueled by social media and anti-vax movements.
A charity is calling for wider rollout of meningitis vaccines after a teenage boy died from the disease. Two other pupils are being treated for meningitis, with a link identified between the cases. The cost-effectiveness of the MenB vaccine for teenagers is being reviewed.
