New Vaccine Shows Promise Against Pancreatic Cancer
Early clinical and preclinical results are showing that an experimental mRNA and nanoparticle vaccine produced measurable immune responses against pancreatic cancer, and that in small patient groups, those immune responses correlated with delayed recurrence or prolonged survival.
States Issue Their Own Guidance About COVID-19 Vaccines
Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its 2025-2026 formula approvals on Aug. 2, significantly restricting who can access the vaccines for the first time since their release, several states have issued their own guidance about COVID-19 vaccines.
Study Shows Pfizer’s Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Elicits Strong Immune Response
Pfizer and BioNTech updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for the 2025-2026 season produced strong immune responses, boosting neutralizing antibody levels by at least fourfold in older people and those with underlying medical conditions.
Merck’s Pneumococcal Vaccine Elicits Immune Responses to 21 Serotypes in Children with one or More Health Conditions
Positive results from Merck’s Phase III STRIDE-13 trial for its Capvaxive vaccine, a pneumococcal 21-valent conjugate vaccine show it has the potential to provide additional protection in individuals 2 through 17 years old.
FDA May Revoke Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine for Young, Healthy Children
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration may revoke Pfizer-BioNTech’s emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, for children ages 6 months through 4 years.
HHS Reinstates Childhood Vaccine Safety Task Force
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has reinstated the Task Force on Safer Childhood Vaccines, a long-dormant federal panel created by Congress to oversee the safety and quality of children’s vaccines.
HHS Cuts Funding for mRNA Vaccine Research
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has begun a coordinated wind-down of its mRNA vaccine development activities under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), including the cancellation and descoping of various contracts and solicitations.
Researchers Develop New Dental Floss Needle-Free Flu Vaccine
In a proof-of-concept study, researchers at Texas Tech University successfully vaccinated mice against influenza by cleaning their teeth with dental floss coated with inactive flu viruses.
Researchers Develop mRNA Vaccine That Stimulates Immune Response Against Cancer Tumors
Scientists at the University of Florida have developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that, when combined with standard immunotherapy drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, produced a strong antitumor effect in mice, which could lead to a new way of treating cancer without relying solely on surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
Early Childhood Exposure to Aluminum- Absorbed Vaccines Poses No Risks
A recent study shows early childhood exposure to aluminum-adsorbed vaccines is not associated with an increased risk for autoimmune, atopic or allergic, or neurodevelopmental disorders.