Vaccine News

As flu shots arrive in local pharmacies next month, Canadians will have different vaccines to choose which is best for their needs.

To assist this decision process, the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s (NACI) annual Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccines for 2024-2025 recommends Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent among the preferential influenza vaccines over standard-dose influenza vaccines.

According to NACI on July 26, 2024, Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent has the most substantial body of supporting evidence among preferentially recommended vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older.

Dr. Angel Chu MD, FRCPC, Infectious disease specialist, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Calgary, STI Clinic Calgary, and Vice-Chair of Immunize Canada, commented in a press release, “In the newest NACI statement, Fluzone® High-Dose continues to be recommended for adults 65 years of age and older. NACI also recognizes Fluzone® High-Dose has the most substantial body of supporting evidence among flu vaccines for seniors.”

Influenza can cause mild to severe illness. Some populations, especially young children and adults 65 and older, are at a higher risk for serious influenza complications.

Sanofi says vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications.

Earlier this year, the WHO recommended that trivalent vaccines be deployed during the 2024-2025 northern hemisphere influenza season.

On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine committee meeting included presentations focused on Considerations and Proposed Recommendations for the 2024-25 Influenza Season in the United States. Physicians, nurses, and pharmacists can offer patients up to nine different influenza vaccines for the 2024 - 2025 flu season.

Bavarian Nordic A/S today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) had recommended the approval of a type II variation for IMVANEX® (MVA-BN, JYNNEOS®) smallpox and mpox vaccine.

This EMA recommendation includes real-world effectiveness data from the use of the vaccine during the global 2022 mpox outbreak in the marketing authorization.

In real-world studies, vaccine effectiveness against mpox disease was demonstrated at least 14 days after vaccination, with adjusted vaccine effectiveness estimates ranging from 35% (95% CI, -2-59) to 89% (95% CI, 76-95) after one MVA-BN dose and from 66% (95% CI, 47-78) to 90% (95% CI, 86-92) after two MVA-BN doses.

Furthermore, in a surveillance study, MVA-BN reduced the risks of mpox-related hospitalization.

Compared with unvaccinated mpox patients, the odds of hospitalization were 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.65) after one MVA-BN dose and 0.20 (95% CI, 0.01-0.90) after two MVA-BN doses. The estimated relative risk reduction was 73% after one MVA-BN dose and 80% after two MVA-BN doses.

“The 2022 global mpox outbreak provided an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of our vaccine in at-risk populations across different geographies, both before and after exposure to the mpox virus, and we are pleased to receive the recommendation to include real-life data in our marketing authorization in Europe, which confirm a high effectiveness of up to 90% after two doses of the vaccine as recommended by the authorities. It is furthermore encouraging that data show the vaccine to reduce the risk of hospitalizations significantly, thus confirming our vaccine as an important and versatile tool in the fight against mpox globally,” said Paul Chaplin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bavarian Nordic, in a press release on July 26, 2024.

As of July 2024, the JYNNEOS vaccine is commercially available in the United States.

About 10% of children in Gavi-supported countries do not receive a single dose of routine vaccines.

To reach these missing millions, Gavi announced on July 11, 2024, that the 5.0 Strategy intends to reduce the number of zero-dose children by 25% by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

The new strategy will focus on reaching the most marginalized by strengthening primary healthcare systems, building and sustaining community demand, addressing gender barriers, and using innovation to ensure immunization services reach these children.

Available data suggests the largest disruptions were concentrated in Q2 2020, with the majority of countries restoring routine immunization services in the second half of the year. Over 75% of under-immunised children are now zero-dose, heightening the risk of child deaths, disease outbreaks, and medical impoverishment.

In 2000, just 47% of children in lower-income countries received essential vaccines.

In Gavi-eligible countries, coverage of critical vaccines increased by three percentage points from 2015 to 2019, and the number of zero-dose children was reduced by 14%.

In 2019, coverage for the same countries reached 82% before sliding back to 78% due to the pandemic.

According to data published by the World Health Organization and UNICEF, in 2022, 20.5 million children in India missed out on one or more vaccines delivered through routine immunization services.

Gavi wrote, 'The importance of immunization reaching all children is paramount and ensures all children have an equal chance of being healthy and productive members of society.'

'Vaccination, because of its preventative nature, averts illness and provides particularly significant benefits to zero-dose communities which may lack access to affordable, quality curative care while being at higher risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.'

'Immunised children are also more likely to grow up healthy and enjoy their survival and development rights. Vaccinated children have higher cognitive abilities, miss school less and are in school for longer, and have better nutrition and education outcomes – all of which translates into better-earning potential and productivity as an adult.'

The International Journal of Infectious Diseases recently published a new study conducted by Columbia University that revealed a 140% surge in measles cases worldwide from 2010 to 2019 across 194 member countries of the World Health Organization.

In a Short Communication dated July 22, 2024, the researchers highlighted that decreasing vaccination rates in 59 of the 194 nations were attributed to socio-economic issues in some less developed countries and vaccine hesitancy in wealthier nations.

In July 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed the top ten international measles outbreaks led by Azerbaijan,    Kazakhstan, Iraq, and India. In total, the CDC listed 52 countries.

"Our analysis also suggests vaccine hesitancy may substantially contribute to the recent increases in measles incidence in wealthier countries. For instance, recent measles outbreaks in Europe and the United States have been linked to international travel and communities with prevailing vaccine skepticism,' wrote these researchers.

As of July 11, 2024, a total of 167 measles cases were reported by Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The CDC reports 13 measles outbreaks in 2024, compared to 4 outbreaks reported in 2023.

Various U.S. FDA-approved measles vaccines are generally available at pharmacies in the United States.

The Committee on Immunization of Quebec (CIQ) today recommended using RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) vaccines, including AREXVY™, to prevent RSV among older adults at increased risk of severe outcomes from the virus.

Specifically, CIQ recommends vaccination for older adults living in residential and long-term care centers, intermediate resources, adults aged 75 and older living in private seniors’ residences, and those living in the community with chronic illnesses.

The CIQ recommendations for RSV vaccination follow those issued by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization,  published earlier in July 2024.

Marni Freeman, Country Medical Director, GSK Canada, said in a press release on July 24, 2024, “As our immune system ages, we all become more vulnerable to severe consequences of RSV disease."

"Older adults who are immunocompromised or suffer from underlying medical conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease, are at an even greater risk.

"The CIQ recommendation reflects the important role AREXVY can play in reducing the incidence and overall burden of respiratory syncytial virus among Quebec’s older adult population, and we look forward to collaborating with public health officials, healthcare professionals, and payers to ensure optimal vaccine access in the province.”

AREXVY was approved in Canada in August 2023 and is indicated for preventing lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in individuals 60 and older.

This vaccine (May 2023), two other RSV vaccines, and one monoclonal antibody for infants have been approved for use in the United States. 

RSV is a common, contagious virus that affects the lungs and respiratory airways. For most people, the virus causes cold-like symptoms. Still, for older adults and adults with certain health conditions, it can lead to more serious infections and complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death, says the CIQ.

According to the European CDC, Italy and Spain each reported three confirmed cases of Oropouche virus disease in travelers returning from Cuba.

The ECDC stated on July 12, 2024, that the likelihood of secondary transmission of the Oropouche virus within continental Europe is considered very low due to the absence of known competent vectors, midges (small flies), and mosquitoes, commonly found in the Region of the Americas.

To alert international travelers, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 1 Travel Health Advisory in June 2024. This advisory stated that people should seek medical care if they develop high fever, headache, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light during or after travel.

As of July 23, 2024, no U.S. FDA-approved vaccines for Oropouche virus disease exist.

In the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, dengue outbreaks continue to be reported in 2024. The Ae. aegypti and some Ae. albopictus dengue virus-carrying mosquitoes have been identified in most of the countries in this region.

On July 17, 2024, the WHO Disease Outbreak News reported 12 autochthonous (local) cases of dengue documented in Iran, all of which were reported in Bandar-Lengheh, Hormozgan Province. 

Additionally, there have been 137 travel-related dengue cases in 2024.

Iran reported an average of 20 imported dengue cases annually between 2017 and 2023.

Furthermore, WHO does not recommend any general travel or trade restrictions in Iran based on the available information.

The WHO recommends that vaccination against dengue be part of an integrated strategy to control the disease, including vector control, proper case management, community education, and community engagement.

WHO recommends that countries consider introducing the second-generation QDENGA® (TAK-003) vaccine into their routine immunization programs in locations where high transmission intensity of dengue poses a significant public health problem.

WHO does not currently recommend the programmatic use of TAK-003 in young children.

As of July 22, 2024, the QDENGA vaccine is not authorized for use in the United States.