Precision Vaccinations

→ October 29th, 2020

Eliminating fake vaccine news with pharmacist, nurse, and physician review.

Vaccine Breaking News

Vaccine Candidate Addressing G4 EA H1N1 Swine Influenza Virus Announced

Cincinnati-based Blue Water Vaccines, Inc., announced that the Company is accelerating the development of a new vaccine candidate to combat the potential pandemic influenza strain, G4 EA H1N1, which is similar to the 2009 A(H1N1)pdm09 swine flu, which was extremely lethal.

This universal influenza vaccine candidate provides protection from H1, H3, and Flu B.

The Company has completed the initial design and in vivo analysis of the H1 vaccine candidate design. The H3 and Flu B constructs are entering into the final in vivo stage of testing prior to moving the universal program into manufacturing.

Joseph Hernandez, Chairman, and CEO of Blue Water Vaccines stated in a press release issued on October 29, 2020: "Our H1 construct has shown significant in vivo cross-reactivity with all previous pandemic strains, including the 1918 H1N1 and 2009 pandemic H1N1, and produces neutralizing antibodies in animal challenge studies."

Cell-Based Quadrivalent Flu Shot Found Effective For Children

New Jersey-based Seqirus presented absolute efficacy data on the company's cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIVc) (FLUCELVAX QUADRIVALENT) from a randomized controlled trial which met its primary endpoint in children and adolescents between ≥2 to <18 years of age. QIVc is currently licensed for use in people 4 years of age and older in the USA.

This study (Fortanier, A.C., Põder, A., Bravo, L.C., et al. (2020)), was presented at the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases virtual conference on October 29, 2020, represents the first absolute efficacy study of a cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine in this age population.

Jonathan Edelman, M.D., Vice President, Clinical Development at Seqirus, and study author stated in a press release: "This study reinforces our commitment to addressing this very serious public health threat by utilizing our advanced influenza vaccine technologies to help protect as many people as possible, including populations such as children between the ages of 2 and 18."

Over $1 Billion in Coronavirus Vaccine Orders Confirmed

Massachusetts based Moderna, Inc. announced it has received $1.1 billion of customer deposits in Q3 2020 for the future supply of its mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate.

"We now have four programs in Phase 2 studies, in addition to the Phase 3 study of our COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273, which is fully enrolled," said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna, in a press release issued on October 29, 2020. “We look forward to our expected first review of our interim efficacy data, which is expected in November 2020.”

Influenza A Dominates in 2020

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on October 26, 2020, of 82,257 respiratory specimens tested at WHO network labs, only 172 were positive for influenza viruses. Of the positive samples, 62.8% were influenza A, and, of subtyped influenza A samples, 93.9% were found to be H3N2.

Globally, despite continued or even increased testing for influenza in some countries, the WHO said 'influenza activity remained at lower levels than expected for this time of the year.'

An updated listing of U.S. CDC authorized vaccines for the 2020-2021 flu season are published on this PrecisionVaccinations webpage.

Dentists Now Delivering Flu Shots

Dentists working for Kaiser Permanente near Portland, Oregon will soon begin a pilot program at Grand and Eastmoreland offices, where patients over the age of 12 can receive an annual flu shot during their dental appointment. Oregon dentists are authorized to administer vaccines based on the passage of House Bill 2220.

“Oregon dentists are always looking for ways to improve our patients’ health and well-being,” said Oregon Dental Association President James McMahan, D.M.D., in a 2019 press statement. “We sponsored HB 2220 to increase access to care, providing additional opportunities for patients to receive life-saving vaccines from highly trained practitioners they already know and trust.”

This Oregon legislation aligns with the American Dental Association policy Res. 53H-2018 approved by the House of Delegates in 2018, which supported the use and administration of the human papillomavirus vaccine.