Tag:

vaccination

-title: Anvisa Defines Flu Vaccine Strains for 2026

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor December 4, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

anvisa Sets⁢ 2026 ⁢Flu‍ Vaccine Composition, ⁢Signals Gradual Phase-Out of Quadrivalent Shots

Brasília, Brazil⁢ – Brazil’s National Health Surveillance⁣ Agency ⁣(Anvisa) has published Normative Instruction ⁢408/2025, detailing the required composition of influenza vaccines for the 2026 season in both the⁣ Southern and ⁢Northern⁤ Hemispheres. The directive, released today, specifies the influenza strains that‌ vaccine manufacturers must include in‌ their formulations to ensure optimal protection for the Brazilian population.

The decision impacts⁤ all vaccines administered in⁢ Brazil from February 1, 2026, and comes alongside a ⁤broader⁤ global trend‌ toward phasing out quadrivalent ‍influenza vaccines due to the ⁣lack‌ of circulating B/Yamagata strain activity. Though, Anvisa has persistent ⁢that ⁤an‌ immediate⁢ withdrawal of quadrivalent vaccines in Brazil woudl risk compromising national vaccination coverage, given current⁢ market supply.

Southern Hemisphere Vaccines (2026)

Vaccines intended for use in‍ the Southern Hemisphere ‌during the 2026 season must contain the following⁤ strains:

* Trivalent Vaccines: A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Singapore/GP20238/2024 (H3N2), and B/Austria/1359417/2021 (Victoria lineage).
* Quadrivalent Vaccines: The above three strains, ⁤plus B/Phuket/3073/2013 (yamagata lineage).
* Non-Egg-based Vaccines: A/Missouri/11/2025⁤ (H1N1)pdm09, A/Sydney/1359/2024⁢ (H3N2), and B/Austria/1359417/2021 ⁤(Victoria lineage).

All Southern Hemisphere vaccines must be clearly labeled ⁣with “CEPAS 2026 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.”

Northern Hemisphere Vaccines (2025-2026)

Vaccines intended for use‌ in Ministry of health campaigns targeting specific regions of Brazil during ⁣the 2025-2026 Northern ⁤Hemisphere season must include:

* Trivalent Vaccines: A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09,A/Croatia/10136RV/2023‍ (H3N2),and B/Austria/1359417/2021 (Victoria lineage).
* ‌ Quadrivalent Vaccines: The above three strains, plus B/Phuket/3073/2013 (Yamagata lineage).
* Non-egg-Based Vaccines: A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09, A/District of Columbia/27/2023 (H3N2), and B/Phuket/3073/2013 ‍(Yamagata lineage).

These vaccines will be labeled with “CEPAS 2025-2026 NORTHERN HEMISFÉRIO.”

Quadrivalent ⁤Vaccine Phase-Out

Following World Health association (WHO) recommendations, Anvisa acknowledges the declining prevalence of the B/Yamagata strain, with no confirmed circulation since 2020. ‌While the⁤ WHO anticipates discontinuing quadrivalent vaccines by 2027, Anvisa has decided to maintain the supply of these vaccines throughout ⁤2026 in ‍Brazil to avoid ⁢potential disruptions ‍to⁤ vaccination programs.The⁣ agency will continue to assess ‌the situation and‌ adjust its policies⁣ as needed,balancing global recommendations with‍ national ‌healthcare needs.

December 4, 2025 0 comments

Health

New HIV Therapy Keeps Virus at Bay – Potential Cure Breakthrough

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor December 1, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Breakthrough Study Shows Potential ⁤for Long-Term ⁤HIV Control Without Medication

SAN ⁤FRANCISCO – A new‍ study offers unprecedented hope for individuals living with HIV, demonstrating that a novel method⁢ kept teh virus at low levels for⁢ months – even after stopping medication – in seven out of ten patients. Researchers describe the results as a significant step toward developing a‍ therapy⁤ that⁣ could allow peopel to live⁢ healthy lives without lifelong antiviral treatment.

The study, published in nature,⁣ tested the new method on ten patients. ⁢while three experienced typical rapid viral relapse, six maintained low virus levels for months, and one patient experienced ‍no relapse at all.

“I believe we are ‍finally making ⁢real progress in developing a⁢ therapy that could allow people‍ to live healthy⁤ lives without having ⁢to take medication for the rest of their ⁣lives,”⁣ said study co-author Steven Deeks in a statement from the university.

Antiretroviral therapy, introduced in the 1990s, dramatically transformed HIV infection‍ from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition.Though, the virus persists within the body and typically reactivates ‍within⁢ two weeks of⁤ treatment cessation.

Researchers investigating the success of⁤ long-term viral control discovered that responding patients possessed T cells capable of ⁤rapid multiplication upon encountering the virus. Co-author Rachel Rutishauser explained the immune response ‍as being akin‌ to “a cat getting ready to pounce on a⁢ mouse.”

The ⁤study’s authors emphasize that while the findings suggest the possibility of controlling HIV without ongoing antiviral⁣ treatment - a potential ⁤pathway toward a cure⁣ for the 40 million ⁣people worldwide living with the disease – larger studies are crucial to ⁣validate ⁤the treatment’s efficacy before it can replace standard care.

“This is‌ not the end,” stated lead ‍author Michael‍ Peluso. “But it proves ⁢that we ⁣can make progress‍ on a challenge we frequently enough think of as insurmountable.”

(Source: ntv.de, kst)

December 1, 2025 0 comments

Health

CDC Reverses Stance: Autism Not Linked to Vaccines, Says Expert

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor November 29, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism: Dutch⁣ Health ⁤Agency⁤ Rebuts CDC Shift

Amsterdam, Netherlands – The ⁣Dutch⁢ Medicines Evaluation Board (Lareb), the ⁣Netherlands’ center for drug safety, has issued a firm statement reaffirming the scientific‌ consensus: vaccines do not cause autism spectrum disorders. This response comes following a recent and controversial change to the U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

For years, the CDC maintained that vaccines were not a ⁤cause of autism, a position⁢ consistent wiht Lareb’s own findings. Though, last week ⁤the CDC updated it’s website to state that it “cannot be ruled out that vaccinating children causes autism.” ‌This shift ‍has been attributed, in part,‌ to the influence of U.S. Secretary of health Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time vaccine⁢ skeptic.

Lareb ⁤Director Agnes Kant unequivocally disputes⁤ the CDC’s revised ⁢wording. ‌”Numerous high-quality studies demonstrate conclusively that ‌there is no causal link between vaccinations and autism,” Kant ⁤stated. “The ‌number of vaccinations a child receives‍ also has no ‍bearing on the advancement of autism,‌ and research indicates that vaccinations administered during pregnancy do not ‌increase the risk of autism‌ in‌ the child.”

Addressing Concerns About the MMR Vaccine

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine ⁢has frequently been the ⁤subject of unsubstantiated claims linking it‍ to autism. Lareb ⁤points to a now-discredited 1998 study as the origin of these concerns. ‌”That study contained fundamentally‌ flawed details and methodologies,” explains kant. “Subsequent research attempting to establish a ‍connection has been⁢ riddled with limitations and has failed⁢ to provide‍ any robust⁤ evidence. Actually, the original study was⁣ later revealed to be fraudulent.”

A growing movement in both the UK and‍ the Netherlands is embracing‌ the ‘Sunflower Keycord’ – a lanyard used to indicate a ‘hidden ‌disability’. Eighteen-year-old Puma, who lives with autism and anxiety, finds the⁤ keycord‌ helpful when using public transport. “I ⁢feel very confined⁢ when I am‌ on a train,” she explains, “and the⁢ lanyard helps people ⁢understand I might‌ need a little extra space.”

Lareb’s statement serves as a crucial reminder⁤ of the importance of relying on ‍evidence-based‌ information when it comes to public health. The agency ‌continues to monitor vaccine safety and encourages individuals to consult with healthcare ⁢professionals for accurate‌ and reliable guidance.

I⁢ hope this article ‍provided clarity‍ and reassurance regarding the safety of⁤ vaccines. ‍At World Today News, we’re committed to‍ bringing you accurate, well-researched information. If‍ you⁣ found this‍ piece helpful, I’d ⁣love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.⁣ ⁣ Or, if you’d like to stay up-to-date on⁢ the latest global news and health updates, ⁣please consider subscribing⁢ – it really helps us continue this important work!
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November 29, 2025 0 comments

Health

Title: Flu Epidemic in France: Early Signs and Vaccination Advice

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor November 28, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Flu Season Arrives Early in France,‍ Raising ‍Concerns Despite Vaccine Availability

Paris, France – France is bracing for a potential surge in influenza cases as the virus begins circulating earlier than ⁤usual, compounded by lagging vaccination rates. Health officials are urging increased vaccination efforts to mitigate the risk of a severe winter season, reminiscent of the unusually harsh 2024-2025 outbreak.

While current data doesn’t⁤ indicate an outbreak of exceptional magnitude yet, a confluence of factors – an early ⁤cold snap, the approaching holiday season with increased social gatherings, insufficient vaccine coverage, and already observed increases in cases across three⁤ regions – creates a scenario ripe for a notable‌ rise in infections.⁤ Only around‌ 45% of targeted individuals ‍received a⁤ flu shot last season, falling significantly short of public health objectives. This collective vulnerability is notably ‍concerning as the virus gains momentum.

Public Health France reports that the A(H3N2) virus is currently‌ one of the dominant strains circulating alongside ‍A(H1N1). ⁢importantly, the variants detected, including ⁢the H3N2 strains, ‍are well-matched to‌ the strains included ⁤in the⁣ 2025-2026 influenza vaccine. Epidemiologists ⁤caution⁤ that a transition to a full-blown epidemic can⁣ occur rapidly – ⁣potentially within one to two weeks – if transmission rates continue to climb. France intends to strengthen vaccination campaigns in‍ anticipation of this possibility.

November 28, 2025 0 comments

Health

-title Why Whooping Cough Vaccine Protects Grandparents and Babies

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor November 25, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Urgent Health Alert: Grandparents ⁤Key to Protecting ‍Infants from Deadly Whooping Cough

Berlin – Health officials⁢ are emphasizing the critical role⁤ grandparents play in safeguarding infants ⁤against whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a⁤ highly contagious respiratory illness that can be ⁢fatal for babies.A renewed focus on vaccination for close contacts comes as ⁣cases continue to circulate, posing a significant threat to newborns too young to be fully immunized.

Whooping cough ‍is characterized ⁣by severe, ⁢prolonged coughing fits that can lead to broken ribs, pneumonia, and ‍even respiratory arrest. While frequently enough mistaken for a common cold, pertussis is far more hazardous, ‌particularly for infants under six⁣ months old. These⁤ young children are most vulnerable to infection through⁤ close ⁣contact with adults, often unknowingly carrying and transmitting the pathogen via ‌coughs and sneezes – frequently their⁢ own parents or ‍grandparents. Tragically,‍ approximately one percent of infants under six ⁣months with whooping ⁤cough die from complications, sometimes without exhibiting a typical cough, rather experiencing pauses ‍in breathing.

Because infants cannot be vaccinated until they are two months old, health‍ experts⁢ advocate for a “cocoon strategy.” This involves ensuring all close caregivers – parents, siblings, childminders, and grandparents – have up-to-date whooping cough vaccination protection. The ⁢Standing ⁤Vaccination Commission (STIKO) recommends a ⁣booster vaccination every‌ ten years to maintain optimal immunity,with full protection typically developing two weeks after administration.

Moreover, STIKO recommends all pregnant women receive a whooping cough vaccination⁤ during the third⁢ trimester of pregnancy (from the ‍28th week onwards), or ⁢the second trimester if premature birth is ⁤a concern. This allows‍ protective antibodies to be passed⁣ to the baby in utero, providing crucial early defense.

The severity of whooping cough and the vulnerability of infants underscore the importance ⁤of vaccination not only for parents but also for grandparents, creating a protective barrier around the most at-risk population.

November 25, 2025 0 comments

Health

-Title: COVID & Flu Vaccines: New Rules & Winter Protection

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor November 24, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

Public Health Agency urges Vaccination Ahead of Winter, Updates Recommendations

Stockholm, Sweden ⁣- As winter approaches,⁣ Sweden’s Public Health ⁤Agency is⁣ emphasizing the⁤ importance of ‌COVID-19 vaccination, warning that low current infection rates can change rapidly.⁢ Officials are particularly focused on ensuring those recommended for vaccination receive their shot before any potential surge in cases.

This⁣ year’s vaccination campaign features updated ⁢recommendations, ⁢making it crucial for eligible individuals to understand the changes.‌ The age‌ limit for free ⁢COVID-19 vaccines has been ‌raised to 75 years,⁣ and while risk groups continue to be advised to vaccinate, ⁢the age threshold for many of those groups has⁣ increased to 50. The Agency ‍has also removed the previous “vaccination dose suggestion,” meaning ‍risk groups now only⁣ need a⁤ single annual dose in the autumn.

For individuals not included in the recommended groups, vaccination remains available but will incur a cost ranging from SEK 180‍ to SEK 220 per dose,⁢ covering both COVID-19 and influenza ‍vaccines, with prices varying by region.

The Public ‌Health Agency maintains that vaccination is the most effective way to protect oneself leading into the winter season. Those receiving home care ⁤services will‍ have access to vaccinations through their⁤ provider.

November 24, 2025 0 comments

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