Efficacy of Pediatric Malaria Vaccine Declines With Time
A pediatric malaria vaccine is effective in reducing episodes of clinical malaria, but its efficacy declines precipitously within four years.
Vaccines
Increase in Guillain-Barre Syndrome Tied to 2009 H1N1 Vaccine
In the U.S., an increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome has been tied to vaccinations against the H1N1 virus in 2009. While the correlation is small but significant, researchers stress the vaccine’s benefits outweigh risks.
Evidence Mounts on Waning Immunity of Pertussis Vaccine
Children who receive five doses of the acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) have an increased risk of developing the illness in the six years after the last dose, possibly explaining cases among 7- to 10-year-old children.
Sex Transmits Secondary, Tertiary Cases of Vaccinia Virus
The potential exists for further transmission of vaccinia virus beyond the direct sexual contacts of smallpox vaccinees.
CDC: 2012-2013 Flu Vaccine Not As Effective in Elderly
Vaccination against influenza for the 2012/2013 flu season appears to be moderately effective in reducing the need for outpatient medical attention, but the effect is lower in the elderly.
Depression Affects Efficacy of Herpes Zoster Vaccine
Depressed elderly patients display a diminished varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific immune response after vaccination with the herpes zoster vaccine compared with non-depressed patients, but antidepressant medication helps to normalize this response.
Pertactin-Negative Bordetella pertussis Identified in U.S.
Pertactin-negative variants of Bordetella pertussis have been identified in the United States; and children who receive diphtheria-tetanus-whole-cell pertussis (DTwP) priming have lower reported rates of pertussis.
CDC: Flu Activity Still Up in U.S. in Fourth Week of 2013
In the fourth week of 2013, influenza activity remained elevated in the United States, with the proportion of pneumonia and influenza-linked deaths above the epidemic threshold.
CDC: Non-Flu Adult Vaccination Rates Largely Unchanged
In 2011, non-influenza vaccination coverage among adults was similar to that of 2010, except for modest increases in human papillomavirus (HPV) among women and in tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Tdap) overall and among household contacts of children.
Peds Rotavirus Vaccine Offers Indirect Protection for Adults
Pediatric rotavirus vaccinations also decrease the prevalence of the disease in unvaccinated adults.
