How a New Vaccine Was Developed in Record Time in the 1960s | HISTORY
Vaccines — Good For Adults Too
Vaccines — credited with eradicating diseases such as diphtheria, polio and measles in the United States — sometimes still get a bad rap.Some people believe that they aren't effective or may cause dangerous side effects. Some say they are no longer needed because most vaccine-preventable diseases are no longer a major threat. Some think vaccinations are just for children.
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According to the December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, those beliefs are largely based on myth.It's true that vaccines aren't 100 percent effective. But most routine childhood vaccinations reduce the likelihood of illness by 85 percent or more. During an outbreak, some who have been vaccinated still may develop the illness. However, they usually have a milder case.
The most common side effects from vaccines are minor and temporary — such as a mild fever or soreness at the injection site.
And, vaccines are still necessary. Diseases now rare in the United States are still common elsewhere, and they are just a plane ride away. Vaccines aren't just for kids, either. Talk with your doctor about vaccinations that might benefit your health.
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Adult vaccinations include:Influenza: This vaccination is recommended annually for adults age 50 and older, adults with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems, health care workers and those in contact with young children.
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Pneumonia: It's recommended for adults age 65 and older and those with a chronic illness, a weakened immune system or those whose spleen has been removed.Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) or tetanus and diphtheria (Td): Tdap is recommended especially for adults ages 19 to 64 and for those in contact with small children.
Measles, mumps and rubella: It's recommended for adults born after 1956 who weren't vaccinated as children.
Chickenpox: If you haven't had chickenpox or shingles, this is recommended.
Meningitis: This is recommended for adults at high risk because of a weakened immune system, for those traveling to certain countries; or during a community outbreak, for example, on a college campus.
Hepatitis A: It's recommended for adults with chronic liver disease, those who've been exposed to someone with the disease, or those traveling to certain countries.
Hepatitis B: If you've been exposed to infected blood or body fluids, use injected drugs or have multiple sex partners, this vaccine is recommended.
Shingles: One dose is recommended for adults 60 and older.
Source-NewswiseSRM
Lower COVID-19 Booster Dose For Adults Optimizes Immunity
Reducing the COVID-19 booster vaccine dose in adults yields a comparable immune response to the standard dose with fewer side effects, as evidenced by a recent study published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific (1✔ ✔Trusted SourceScreening for Impaired Glucose Homeostasis: A Novel Metric of Glycemic ControlGo to source). 'Adults exhibit a similar immune response to a reduced COVID-19 booster vaccine dose, resulting in fewer side effects. #covid19, #vaccine, #covid19vaccine, #boostershot, #immunity ' The study found that a half dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine produced a non-inferior immune response to a full dose in Mongolian adults who previously had AstraZeneca or Sinopharm COVID-19 shots.Advertisement
However, it found that half-dose boosting may be less effective in adults primed with the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.The research, led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the National Centre for Communicable Diseases in Mongolia, involved 601 participants over 18 years old and produced reports on the initial responses seen 28 days after vaccination."Fractional dosing may improve COVID-19 booster acceptability and uptake and reduce the per-dose cost of COVID-19 booster programs. Policymakers and immunization advisory committees can draw upon this data to make flexible boosting schedules decisions," MCRI Professor Kim Mulholland said.
The study found that half-dose boosted participants reported fewer local reactions than those receiving full doses (60 percent versus 72 percent), including less pain and tenderness.They also reported fewer systemic reactions (25 percent versus 32 percent), including fewer fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches.
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"This Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)-funded study has generated valuable data about combinations of vaccines that have been widely distributed through COVAX, which will help to inform future booster strategies in countries in the global south. Fractional dosing can contribute to equitable access by making vaccination more acceptable and less costly," said Dr Melanie Saville, Executive Director of R&D at CEPI.Reference:
Fractional COVID-19 Booster Vaccines Produce Similar Immune Response As Full-doses
Reducing the dose of a widely used COVID-19 booster vaccine produces a similar immune response in adults to a full-dose with fewer side effects, according to a new study.
The research, led by Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the National Centre for Communicable Diseases in Mongolia, found that a half dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine elicited a non-inferior immune response to a full dose in Mongolian adults who previously had AstraZeneca or Sinopharm COVID-19 shots. But it found half-dose boosting may be less effective in adults primed with the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.
The research is part of an international clinical trial, which also includes Australia and Indonesia, that's investigating the different COVID-19 booster shot approaches to help guide future vaccination strategies. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) is funding the trial that is being overseen by MCRI.
The first batch of findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, and involving 601 participants over 18 years old from Mongolia, reports on the initial responses seen 28-days after vaccination. The study is the first of its kind to assess and compare COVID-19 vaccines widely used in low- and middle-income countries.
MCRI Professor Kim Mulholland, who also sits on the WHO SAGE committee, said the study found that fractional doses elicited an immune response that was non-inferior to a full dose with fewer side effects and was less costly.
"Fractional dosing may improve COVID-19 booster acceptability and uptake and reduce the per-dose cost of COVID-19 booster programs," he said. Policymakers and immunisation advisory committees can draw upon this data to make flexible boosting schedules decisions."
The study found half-dose boosted participants reported fewer local reactions than those receiving full doses (60 per cent versus 72 per cent) including less pain and tenderness. They also reported fewer systemic reactions (25 per cent versus 32 per cent) including less fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches.
The cohort will be followed up at six and 12 months with the data to answer key questions on other aspects of the immune response including the rate of waning and breakthrough infections.
Dr Melanie Saville, Executive Director of R&D at CEPI said; "This CEPI-funded study has generated valuable data about combinations of vaccines that have been widely distributed through COVAX, which will help to inform future booster strategies in countries in the global south. Fractional dosing can contribute to equitable access by making vaccination more acceptable and less costly."
Researchers from Onoshmed Laboratory, Sukhbaatar District Health Centre, General Laboratory of Clinical Pathology, the University of Melbourne, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Bayangol District Health Centre, Mongolia Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Public Health in Mongolia also contributed to the findings.
Publication: Tsetsegsaikhan Batmunkh, Kerryn A Moore, Helen Thomson, Bolor Altangerel, Otgonjargal Amraa, Naranbaatar Avaa , Lkhagvagaram Batbayar, Khishigjargal Batsukh, Kathryn Bright, Tsogjargal Burentogtokh, Lien Anh Ha Do, Gantuya Dorj, John D Hart, Khulan Javkhlantugs, Sarantsetseg Jigjidsuren, Frances Justice, Shuo Li, Paul V Licciardi, Khaliunaa Mashbaatar, Nadia Mazarakis, Eleanor F G Neal, Cattram Duong Nguyen, Batbayar Ochirbat, Bilegtsaikhan Tsolmon, Alimaa Tuya, Unursaikhan Surenjav, Claire von Mollendorf and Kim Mulholland. 'Immunogenicity, safety, and reactogenicity of a half-versus full-dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) booster following a two-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BBIBP-CorV, or Gam-COVID-Vac priming schedule in Mongolia: a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial,' The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific. DOI: 10.1016/j.Lanwpc.2023.100953
*The content of this communication is the sole responsibility of the MCRI and does not reflect the views of the NHMRC.
Available for interview:
Professor Kim Mulholland, MCRI Group Leader, New Vaccines
JournalThe Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific
Method of ResearchRandomized controlled/clinical trial
Subject of ResearchPeople
Article TitleImmunogenicity, safety, and reactogenicity of a half-versus full-dose BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) booster following a two-dose ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, BBIBP-CorV, or Gam-COVID-Vac priming schedule in Mongolia: a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial
Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! Are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! By contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.
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