Best All-Natural Cold and Flu Medicine in 2022
Scientists Develop Simple Vaccine With Potential To Stop Future Pandemics
The rapid development of vaccines that protect against COVID was a remarkable scientific achievement that saved millions of lives. The vaccines have demonstrated substantial success in reducing death and serious illness after COVID infection.
Despite this success, the effects of the pandemic have been devastating, and it is critical to consider how to protect against future pandemic threats.
As well as SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID), previously unknown coronaviruses have been responsible for the deadly outbreaks of SARS (2003) and MERS (2012 outbreak with ongoing cases). Meanwhile, several circulating bat coronaviruses have been identified as having the potential to infect humans – which could cause future outbreaks.
My colleagues and I have recently shown, in mice, that a single, relatively simple vaccine can protect against a range of coronaviruses – even ones that are yet to be identified. This is a step towards our goal of what is known as "proactive vaccinology", where vaccines are developed against pandemic threats before they can infect humans.
Conventional vaccines use a single antigen (part of a virus that triggers an immune response) that typically protects against that virus and that virus alone. They tend not to protect against diverse known viruses, or viruses that have not yet been discovered.
In previous research, we have shown the success of "mosaic nanoparticles" at raising immune responses to different coronaviruses. These mosaic nanoparticles use a type of protein superglue technology that irreversibly links two different proteins together.
This "superglue" is used to decorate a single nanoparticle with multiple receptor-binding domains – a key part of a virus located on the spike protein – that come from different viruses. The vaccine is focused on a sub-group of coronaviruses called sarbecoviruses that includes the viruses that cause COVID, SARS and several bat viruses that have the potential to infect humans.
As a virus evolves, some parts of it change while other parts remain the same. Our vaccine incorporates evolutionarily related receptor-binding domains (RBDs), so a single vaccine trains the immune system to respond to the parts of the virus that remain unchanged.
This protects against the viruses that are represented in the vaccine and, critically, also protects against related viruses that are not included in the vaccine.
Despite this success with mosaic nanoparticles, the vaccine was complex, making it difficult to produce on a large scale.
In a collaboration between the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Caltech, we have now developed a simpler vaccine that still provides this broad protection. We achieved this by genetically fusing RBDs from four different sarbecoviruses to form a single protein that we call a "quartet". We then use a type of protein glue to attach these quartets to a "protein nanocage" to make the vaccine.
When mice were immunised with these nanocage vaccines, they produced antibodies that neutralised a range of sarbecoviruses, including sarbecoviruses not present in the vaccine. This shows the potential to protect against related viruses that may not have been discovered at the time that the vaccine was produced.
Along with this streamlined production and assembly process, our new vaccine elicited immune responses in mice that at least matched, and in many cases exceeded, those raised by our original mosaic nanoparticles vaccine.
Given the large fraction of the world vaccinated or previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, there was a worry that an existing response to SARS-CoV-2 would limit the potential to protect against other coronaviruses. However, we have shown that our vaccine is able to raise a broad anti-sarbecovirus immune response even in mice that had previously been immunised against SARS-CoV-2.
Our next step is to test this vaccine in humans. We are also applying this technology to protect against other groups of viruses that can infect humans.
All of this brings us closer to our vision of developing a library of vaccines against viruses with pandemic potential before they have had the opportunity to cross over into humans.
Rory Hills, PhD Candidate, Biochemistry, University of Oxford
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Men5CV Vaccine Offers Nigeria, Others Hope Of Meningitis Eradication
In this report, 'LAOLU AFOLABI examines the threat of meningitis outbreaks, explores the World Health Organisation's ambitious goal to eradicate the disease by 2030, and highlights Nigeria's proactive step in introducing the Men5CV vaccine to safeguard citizens, bolster immunisation efforts, and mitigate the mortality rate associated with the disease
MENINGITIS, according to the World Health Organisation, is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge.
The disease is transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory and throat secretions. It is known to cause hearing loss, brain damage, seizures, limb loss or other disabilities and death, and can also be triggered by viruses, fungi or parasites.
The disease can be caused by many different pathogens, including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis are the most frequent types caused by bacteria. N.Meningitidis, causing meningococcal meningitis, is the one with the potential to produce large epidemics.
Twelve serogroups of N.Meningitidis have been identified, six of which can cause epidemics. They are termed A, B, C, W, X and Y serogroups, but the WHO added that geographic distribution and epidemic potential differ according to serogroup.
It is estimated that meningococcal meningitis, the type of acute central nervous system infection that is caused by Neisseria meningitides, accounts for approximately 171,000 deaths worldwide annually. This form of meningitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality.
The WHO said that meningococcal meningitis can affect anyone of any age, but mainly affects babies, preschool children and young people and can occur in a range of situations from sporadic cases, and small clusters to large epidemics throughout the world, with seasonal variations.
The incidence is reportedly 500,000 to 1,200,000 worldwide, with over 50,000 to 135,000 deaths annually. The incidence in Europe ranges between 0.3 and 3.0 cases per 100,000, while in Africa, the incidence is 10 to 1,000 cases per 100,000 during pandemics in the meningitis belt.
Meningitidis is found worldwide, but the incidence is greatest in the 'meningitis belt' of sub-Saharan Africa. Meningococcal disease is hyperendemic in the region, and periodic epidemics during the dry season (December – June) reach an incidence of up to 1,000 cases per 100,000 population. Meningococcal meningitis is observed worldwide but the highest burden of the disease is in the meningitis belt of sub-Saharan Africa, stretching from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east. Around 30,000 cases are reported each year from that area.
Most outbreaks occur in sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemic of meningococcal infections in Africa, New Zealand, and Singapore indicates that the infection is still a major health problem or a global outbreak. Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, China, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia are reportedly among the areas where the disease epidemic occurred.
Nigeria is one of the 26 meningitis hyper-endemic countries of Africa, situated in the area known as the African Meningitis Belt. Others are the Gambia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
In 2020, the world committed to ending the intense suffering from meningitis and, following a historic resolution from the World Health Assembly, WHO and its partners, in 2021, officially launched defeating meningitis by 2030 global road map.
The global road map, according to a statement on the WHO website, announcing the first high-level meeting called by the organisation in its bid to defeat meningitis, details the achievement of high immunisation coverage, development of new affordable vaccines and improved prevention strategies and outbreak response; speedy diagnosis and optimal treatment for patients.
The road map will also provide good data to guide prevention and control efforts; care and support for those affected, focusing on early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects; and advocacy and engagement, to ensure high awareness.
The statement added, "By 2030, the global road map goals will avert 2,750,000 meningitis cases and 920,000 deaths, and prevent 780,000 people from living with long-lasting sequelae, including deafness, epilepsy, paralysis, cognitive impairment, as well as limb amputation and skin scarring."
The meeting was hosted by the government of France and held at the Institut Pasteur, Paris, on Friday, April 26, 2024.
Describing the effect of meningitis in Nigeria, the WHO, in a report on its website, titled, 'Meningitis in Nigeria', under the subhead, 'Description of the situation,' said, "From 1 October 2022 to 16 April 2023, a total of 1,686 suspected cases, 532 confirmed cases and 124 deaths (CFR: 7%) have been reported from 81 local government areas (LGAs) in 22 out of 36 administrative states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Nigeria.
"Males account for 57% (n = 961) of total suspected cases. The highest proportion of reported cases is among children aged 1 to 15 years. Jigawa state accounts for 74% (n = 1,252) of all suspected cases, and this state borders the Zinder region in Niger, where a meningitis outbreak has been reported since October 2022.
"A total of 481 cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from patients in 18 states. Out of these samples, 247 tested positive for bacterial infection by PCR test. Among the positive cases, 226 (91%) were caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C (NmC), while 13 cases (5.4%) were caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and only one case (0.4%) by Haemophilus influenzae.
"For 232 samples, the result was negative, and for two the result is pending. In the last five weeks alone (epidemiological weeks 11-15), 41 out of 140 samples tested (29%) were positive for NmC. The confirmed cases were reported from eight states, including Jigawa (231), Zamfara (six), Yobe (five), Benue (one), Gombe (one), Katsina (one), Oyo (one), and Sokoto (one)."
Several factors contribute to the high incidence of meningitis in Nigeria, especially in the North. There is overcrowding, leading to congestion of space. The outbreak usually peaks during the dry season. There is poor sanitation and a lack of access to healthcare.
Speaking on the high incidence rate in Jigawa State of Nigeria, the WHO, in its April 27, 2023 report, said in the 27 LGAs, 25 reportedly had at least one suspected case, with accumulated deaths of 66 persons in 2023.
It added, "Jigawa State consists of 27 LGAs, of which 25 have reported at least one suspected case. There have been 66 deaths in Jigawa State. During the current outbreak, Maigatari LGA and Sule-Tankarkar LGA have both crossed the epidemic threshold of 10 suspected cases per 100,000 population and account for 60 per cent of the total reported cases, with 505 and 247 cases respectively. The CFR for this outbreak is seven per cent and five per cent at the national and Jigawa State level, respectively."
Efforts to curtail outbreaks
Nigeria has implemented interventions to combat meningitis, including introducing the meningococcal A (MenA) conjugate vaccine against NmA from 2011 to 2022. The country has also ensured the vaccination of over 100 million people aged one to 29 years, and the vaccine has been included in the country's routine immunisation schedule since 2019.
According to the WHO, among MenA vaccinated populations in countries of the meningitis belt, the incidence of serogroup A meningitis has declined by more than 99 per cent and no serogroup A case has been confirmed since 2017.
Notwithstanding the decline in the number of cases, there are still annual reports of meningitis cases in the country, mostly associated with meningococcal serogroup C (NmC). In November 2022, an outbreak of meningitis was confirmed in the Zinder region of Niger. This region borders Jigawa, which is the worst-affected state in Nigeria.
On April 12, 2024, the Director-General, WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on his X handle, @DrTedros, posted the news which had since brought relief to Nigeria in its fight against the outbreak of epidemics and diseases.
He posted: "#Nigeria is the first country in the world to roll out a new #meningitis vaccine, Men5CV recommended by @WHO:who.Int/news/item/12-0… Meningitis is an old and deadly foe but this new vaccine holds the potential to change the trajectory of the disease, preventing future outbreaks, saving many lives, and bringing us closer to our goal of eliminating meningitis by 2030."
The WHO Director-General expressed optimism about the potential of the new meningitis vaccine to alter the course of the disease, thereby preventing future outbreaks and saving lives.
Through the announcement, the country became the first country in the world to roll out the new vaccine Men5CV, to protect people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The new vaccine was recommended by the WHO and said to have the potential to change the trajectory of the disease.
On March 7, Nigeria became the first country to receive the new meningitis vaccine from the Vaccine Alliance-funded global stockpile, with a shipment delivered by the United Nations Children's Fund, as disclosed in a press statement by GAVI.
The Men5CV, developed through a 13-year collaboration between PATH and Serum Institute of India, with support from the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, received WHO prequalification in July 2023.
The vaccine protects against the five main serogroups of meningococcal meningitis impacting Africa – meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, Y, and X. It is the only vaccine that protects against serogroup X.
Between October 2023 and March 2024 – Nigeria recorded 1,742 suspected meningitis cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths in seven states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Speaking during the roll-out of the vaccine in Jigawa State, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammed Pate, said the introduction of the vaccine equips health workers with a new tool to not only halt the current outbreak but also work towards eliminating the disease in the country.
The minister highlighted the extensive preparations undertaken to ready health workers and the healthcare system for the vaccine rollout and expressed gratitude for the support received from the community, especially during the fasting period, and from influential leaders such as the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State, who personally launched the vaccination campaign.
A source in the National Primary Health Care Development Agency who preferred anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the agency, said that while the Men5CV vaccine itself was not developed and produced domestically, Nigeria was the first country in the world to roll out the life-saving vaccine.
He said, "This new vaccine, recommended by the WHO, protects people against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria. The vaccine and emergency vaccination activities are funded by GAVI, which supports lower-income countries with routine vaccination against meningitis.
The introduction of Men5CV is particularly crucial for Nigeria, one of the 26 hyper-endemic countries in Africa. Last year, there was a significant increase in annual meningitis cases reported across Africa.
The introduction of the Men5CV vaccine in Nigeria marks a significant milestone in the fight against meningitis, offering hope for reducing the disease's impact and ultimately eliminating it by 2030, in alignment with global health goals.
As efforts continue to roll out the vaccine and strengthen vaccination programmes, it is essential to prioritise access to healthcare, improve sanitation, and address the underlying factors contributing to meningitis outbreaks, particularly in the North which has high incidence rates like the African Meningitis Belt.
Pfizer Receives Authorization From Health Authority For The First Dual Indication Vaccine Approved In Hong Kong
A Vaccine to Fight Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Older Adults Aged 60 and Above and Infants (Through Maternal Immunization)
HONG KONG and MACAU, May 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Pfizer Inc. Announced today that the Hong Kong Department of Health (DH) has granted marketing authorization for the company's bivalent RSV prefusion F (RSVpreF) vaccine to fight against lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) and severe LRTD caused by RSV in individuals aged 60 years and older, and infants from birth up to six months of age through the active immunization of pregnant individuals*.
Pfizer Inc. Is currently the only company with an RSV vaccine suitable for use in both older adults and pregnant individuals. RSV is a contagious virus and a common cause of respiratory illness worldwide.1,2 The virus can affect the lungs and breathing passages of an infected individual, potentially causing serious complication or death in babies, especially pre-term infants or infants under 6 months, as well as high-risk older adults.2-4 In 2019, 33 million cases of RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infection were recorded globally, with 101,400 RSV-attributable deaths in children aged 5 years and younger.5 In adults aged 65 years and above, the estimated global burden of disease in 2015 was 336,000 hospitalizations and 14,100 in-hospital deaths.6 In Hong Kong, RSV is the leading viral cause of hospitalization due to common respiratory viruses (more than 50% of all cases) in children under the age of one.7
"With our commitment to improving lives, Pfizer is introducing a new RSV vaccine that is especially designed to help protect two vulnerable groups,3,4" said Krishnamoorthy Sundaresan, Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau Market Lead. "This vaccine can help babies and older adults in Hong Kong fight against RSV-associated LRTD, and we are working towards making it available to the market as soon as possible."
RSV disease is caused by two major virus subgroups: RSV A and RSV B. Both subgroups can co-circulate or alternate in predominance from season to season. The bivalent vaccine is unadjuvanted and composed of two preF proteins selected to optimize defense against RSV A and B strains and has been observed to be safe and effective.
The Department of Health's decision is based on the data from two clinical trials: RENOIR for older adults, and MATISSE for newborns and young infants.
RENOIR is a global, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT05035212) designed to assess a single dose of the vaccine in adults 60 years of age and older. The study has enrolled approximately 37,000 participants, randomized to receive RSVpreF 120 μg or placebo in a 1:1 ratio.
Meanwhile, MATISSE is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial (NCT04424316) designed to evaluate the vaccine against LRTD and severe LRTD due to RSV in infants born to healthy individuals vaccinated during pregnancy.
"We are encouraged by the results that we observed after two full RSV seasons of studying the vaccine. This new data indicates that broad and durable protection against both types of RSV that cause disease, RSV A and RSV B, is the potential benefit to having a bivalent vaccine," said Eugenia Ng, Medical Director of Pfizer Hong Kong and Macau.
The bivalent vaccine is expected to be available in Macau by June 2024, followed by in Hong Kong by August 2024. For more information about the new bivalent RSV vaccine, please go to your local healthcare providers.
* For details about the suggested gestation age for maternal immunization, please refer to the prescribing information in respective markets.
About RSVpreF Vaccine
Pfizer currently is the only company with an RSV vaccine to help protect older adults, as well as infants through maternal immunization. This bivalent vaccine was designed to provide broad protection against all RSV-LRTD, regardless of the virus subgroup. The RSV fusion protein (F) in the prefusion conformation is a major target of virus infection blocking antibodies and is the basis of Pfizer's RSV vaccine. Sequence variability in F between RSV subgroup A and B strains clusters in potent neutralizing antibody binding sites on prefusion F.
About Pfizer: Breakthroughs That Change Patients' Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.Pfizer.Com.Hk. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.Pfizer.Com.Hk.
References:
PP-RES-HKG-0066 MAY 2024
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