Vaccines

An announcement from company Valneva indicates its experimental COVID-19 vaccine is effective at neutralizing the omicron variant. The vaccine is at the tail-end of Phase 3 trials and is the first inactivated whole-virus vaccine to be trialled in Europe.

A meta-analysis looking at 12 vaccine trials has concluded most adverse events reported following COVID-19 vaccination can be attributed to the placebo effect. The researchers claim most vaccine side effects can be attributed to the "nocebo effect."

A study has reported evidence to affirm multiple sclerosis is caused by infection from the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Tracking 10 million subjects over 20 years, the findings indicate EBV infection leads to a 32-fold increased risk of developing MS.

A new study from Oregon State University proposes mRNA-induced production of a specific protein may prevent melanoma, while mRNA pioneer BioNTech is already up to Phase 2 human trials for its unique skin cancer vaccine.

More advances on the mRNA vaccine front this week as Pfizer and Moderna move forward on new viral targets for future vaccines. Pfizer is turning its focus to shingles while Moderna begins human trials for a mRNA vaccine against the Epstein-Barr Virus.

US Army scientists are leading a project aimed at developing a universal coronavirus vaccine that can provide protection against all SARS-CoV-2 variants. New studies are reporting successful preclinical results and Phase 2 human trials are set to begin.

A new COVID-19 vaccine is being offered patent-free to vaccine manufacturers across the world. Human trials found the vaccine to be safe and effective, with India already authorizing its use as production ramps up to over 100 million doses per month.

Israel has begun the world’s first roll-out of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. The program is initially focusing on patients with compromised immune systems, while a study is underway testing the safety and efficacy of a fourth dose in 6,000 people.

Pfizer is reporting two small doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine do not generate effective immune responses in two to five year-olds. The trial is being amended to add a third dose, but it's unlikely the vaccine will be available before well into 2022.

New UK data has found “no evidence” the Omicron variant generates less severe disease compared to prior SARS-CoV-2 variants, and a super spreader event in Norway is also offering crucial insights into the characteristics of this new variant.

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate the Omicron variant is rapidly increasing in prevalence in the United States, accounting for nearly three percent of all cases sequenced in the country over the past week.

A new study has found two doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may not be enough to protect against infection from the Omicron variant. The data does not indicate Omicron can evade vaccine protection from severe disease.