Study Finds 2017-18 Flu Vaccine More Protective Than Believed, Especially Among Children

With many reports about this year’s influenza (flu) vaccine ineffectiveness, a new study shows it is more effective than thought, especially among children.

Universal Flu Vaccine Begins Two-Year Clinical Trial

Researchers at the University of Oxford have begun a two-year clinical trial to test a universal influenza (flu) vaccine in more than 2,000 patients.

Clinical Trial of Universal Flu Vaccine Is a Success

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and the University of Melbourne in Australia tested a new universal flu vaccine that produced good immunity against several different strains of influenza viruses.

Study Shows Impact of Age and Pre-Existing Influenza Immune Responses in Older and Younger Adults

In an effort to understand how current influenza vaccines are influenced by preexisting immunity in people of different ages, researchers vaccinated volunteers ages 18 years to 85 years with split, inactivated Fluzone influenza vaccine in four consecutive seasons from 2013 to 2016, and assessed the impact of repeated vaccination on breadth and durability of antibodies as a result of vaccine strain changes.

Study Shows a Positive Mood Could Boost Effectiveness of Flu Vaccine

Researchers at the University of Nottingham in England have found evidence that being in a positive mood when receiving an influenza (flu) vaccine can increase its protective effect.

FDA Approves and CDC Recommends Shingrix Vaccine to Prevent Shingles

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has receivedU.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for its Shingrix vaccine to prevent shingles (herpes zoster) in patients 50 years and older.

Recombinant Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine More Effective in Older Adults

A clinical trial comparing the protective efficacy in older adults of a quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine with a standard-dose, egg-grown quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine during the A/H3N2-predominant 2014-2015 influenza season showed RIV4 provided better protection against confirmed influenza-like illness among older adults.

Study Shows Microneedle Patch Influenza Vaccine Is Effective and Painless

A new study shows that microneedle patches provide an alternative to conventional needle-and-syringe immunization, potentially offering improved immunogenicity, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, acceptability and safety.

Public Attitudes Toward Unvaccinated Children and Their Mothers Depends on Motivation Not to Vaccinate

A study conducted at the University of British Columbia found that mothers are viewed negatively if their child hasn’t been vaccinated, regardless of the reason.

Flublok: A Potent New Weapon Against the Shape-Shifting Influenza Virus

The best defense against influenza remains annual immunization against emergent influenza strains.