Latest news with #BuddyCreech
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Moderna's combo Covid and flu mRNA shot outperforms current vaccines in large trial
Moderna's combined Covid and flu shot outperformed the existing standalone vaccines for both viruses, according to the results of a phase 3 clinical trial published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The vaccine uses the same messenger RNA technology as Moderna's approved Covid vaccine. (There are no approved mRNA-based flu shots.) The trial, funded by Moderna, included more than 8,000 adults ages 50 and older who were enrolled in October and November 2023. For people ages 50 to 64, the new vaccine was compared to Moderna's Covid vaccine and the flu shot Fluarix. For people 65 and older, it was compared to the Covid vaccine and a different flu shot, called Fluzone, which is a stronger dose typically given to older adults. The trial participants either got the existing shots, or the new combination vaccine plus a placebo shot. (This way, both groups got two injections.) The main goal of the trial was to see whether the combination vaccine generated more antibodies in blood samples than the current shots against multiple strains of influenza and the XBB.1.5 Covid variant. This so-called serological testing is a common way for researchers to gauge how well a vaccine shot might work and how long the protection might last. The trial found that antibody levels were higher for Covid and all but one influenza strain in people who got the combination vaccine, compared to those who got the existing shots in both groups. Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said the antibody levels generated by the new vaccine were about 20% to 40% higher. Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine and infectious disease at Georgetown University and former chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration, said the trial results are a good sign that the combination shot will provide protection against both Covid and the flu. 'We know that antibody responses generally correlates with a degree of protection,' Goodman said. 'This is very promising and it suggests this vaccine should have similar or higher levels of protection to traditional flu vaccines.' Side effects such as fever and chills were more common in people who got the new vaccine. Creech attributed that to how the body is responding to the vaccine. 'Immunologically, what's happening in each cell is they're acting as if they've been infected with both viruses, and so your immune system is going to respond and make the type of inflammation that you would if you had flu or Covid or both simultaneously,' he said. A combination shot would make it easier for people to get vaccinated against both Covid and the flu, especially since both shots usually come out in the fall. A new shot that provides better protection is needed, experts say, because the existing vaccines don't do a good job at stopping infections. The data is expected to be used to support Moderna's application to the FDA for approval. Last week, Moderna said it doesn't expect regulatory approval for its combination shot until 2026, after the agency said it required late-stage data showing the shot's efficacy against the flu. It's unclear whether the agency's new rule that all new vaccines will need to undergo placebo-controlled clinical trials to gain approval will apply to the combination shot. The FDA already delayed Novavax's Covid vaccine, requiring an additional clinical trial, and may impose the requirement for Pfizer's and Moderna's updated Covid vaccines for the fall. A Moderna spokesperson declined to comment. An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, noted that mRNA vaccines are a particular target among anti-vaccine activists, and several states have introduced legislation that would ban them. 'One of the things I'm concerned about, at least for the United States, is all the anti-vaccine sentiment, and this specific targeting of the mRNA vaccine platform by anti-vaccine activists,' he said. Hotez said Moderna's combination shot would be 'a potentially very useful advance,' as it would only require people to take one shot for two respiratory virsuses. 'If this works, you could also use it for adding RSV or as well as other pathogens,' he said. Goodman, of Georgetown University, said an mRNA-based shot that also targets the flu could help the U.S. respond more quickly if there were a pandemic caused by influenza. The current flu shots primarily rely on growing strains the of the virus in eggs, which is slower to make compared to the mRNA vaccines. This article was originally published on
NBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Moderna's combo Covid and flu mRNA shot outperforms current vaccines in large trial
Moderna's combined Covid and flu shot outperformed the existing standalone vaccines for both viruses, according to the results of a phase 3 clinical trial published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The vaccine uses the same messenger RNA technology as Moderna's approved Covid vaccine. (There are no approved mRNA-based flu shots.) The trial, funded by Moderna, included more than 8,000 adults ages 50 and older who were enrolled in October and November 2023. For people ages 50 to 64, the new vaccine was compared to Moderna's Covid vaccine and the flu shot Fluarix. For people 65 and older, it was compared to the Covid vaccine and a different flu shot, called Fluzone, which is a stronger dose typically given to older adults. The trial participants either got the existing shots, or the new combination vaccine plus a placebo shot. (This way, both groups got two injections.) The main goal of the trial was to see whether the combination vaccine generated more antibodies in blood samples than the current shots against multiple strains of influenza and th e XBB.1.5 Covid variant. This so-called serological testing is a common way for researchers to gauge how well a vaccine shot might work and how long the protection might last. The trial found that antibody levels were higher for Covid and all but one influenza strain in people who got the combination vaccine, compared to those who got the existing shots in both groups. Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said the antibody levels generated by the new vaccine were about 20% to 40% higher. Dr. Jesse Goodman, a professor of medicine and infectious disease at Georgetown University and former chief scientist at the Food and Drug Administration, said the trial results are a good sign that the combination shot will provide protection against both Covid and the flu. 'We know that antibody responses generally correlates with a degree of protection,' Goodman said. 'This is very promising and it suggests this vaccine should have similar or higher levels of protection to traditional flu vaccines.' Side effects such as fever and chills were more common in people who got the new vaccine. Creech attributed that to how the body is responding to the vaccine. 'Immunologically, what's happening in each cell is they're acting as if they've been infected with both viruses, and so your immune system is going to respond and make the type of inflammation that you would if you had flu or Covid or both simultaneously,' he said. A combination shot would make it easier for people to get vaccinated against both Covid and the flu, especially since both shots usually come out in the fall. A new shot that provides better protection is needed, experts say, because the existing vaccines don't do a good job at stopping infections. The data is expected to be used to support Moderna's application to the FDA for approval. Last week, Moderna said it doesn't expect regulatory approval for its combination shot until 2026, after the agency said it required late-stage data showing the shot's efficacy against the flu. It's unclear whether the agency's new rule that all new vaccines will need to undergo placebo-controlled clinical trials to gain approval will apply to the combination shot. The FDA al ready delayed Novavax 's Covid vaccine, requiring an additional clinical trial, and may impose the requirement for Pfizer's and Moderna's updated Covid vaccines for the fall. A Moderna spokesperson declined to comment. An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, noted that mRNA vaccines are a particular target among anti-vaccine activists, and several states have introduced legislation that would ban them. 'One of the things I'm concerned about, at least for the United States, is all the anti-vaccine sentiment, and this specific targeting of the mRNA vaccine platform by anti-vaccine activists,' he said. Hotez said Moderna's combination shot would be 'a potentially very useful advance,' as it would only require people to take one shot for two respiratory virsuses. 'If this works, you could also use it for adding RSV or as well as other pathogens,' he said. Goodman, of Georgetown University, said an mRNA-based shot that also targets the flu could help the U.S. respond more quickly if there were a pandemic caused by influenza. The current flu shots primarily rely on growing strains the of the virus in eggs, which is slower to make compared to the mRNA vaccines.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles in Middle Tennessee: How schools are preparing for a possible increase in cases
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The measles is now in Middle Tennessee, making it one of 18 states with confirmed cases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the national measles outbreak has grown to include over 300 cases and two deaths. Texas currently leads the nation in measles cases, with forty patients hospitalized. 'Tennessee is no where close to what Texas is experiencing but it shows you how tenuous it is to maintain health against measles,' said Dr. Buddy Creech, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. 'We think that you only have to have five or ten percent [people] in your community to be unvaccinated for measles to find a foothold and to run rampant.' Tennessee reports first 2025 measles case. Here's what you should know Not much is known about the confirmed case here other than the person is from Middle Tennessee and they're recovering at home. If another case pops up, the Tennessee Health Department and CDC have a plan for how school districts should respond. The highly contagious virus has symptoms of a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash on the chest, face or legs. By the time the rash shows, the virus may have already spread to others. 'Children and adults are contagious from about four days before their rash starts until about four days after their rash starts — that's an entire week.' Creech explained. 'So you can imagine that is very difficult to then track down who might be exposed if they are under vaccinated.' During the 2023-24 school year, Davidson County reported 91.3% of kindergartners were vaccinated. Meanwhile, Clarksville-Montgomery County had a 92% immunization rate. If a case is suspected in the classroom, the student or staff member will wear a face mask and be placed in a private room. Measles prevention: How the two-dose regimen works Then, they will be escorted out of the school via a less-used hallway and that room will be disinfected after a two-hour holding period, in which the windows should be left open with the door closed for at least two hours. 'We want to make sure that we are cleaning things carefully,' Creech said. 'Measles is one of the most contagious viruses that we have and it can live in the environment for at least a few hours after a case walks into a room. So we are going to be teaching our schools and our nurses how to clean those rooms effectively while also protecting ourselves.' During a suspected case, the school would also be required to review immunization records of all students and send out letters to parents and guardians. 'It might make sense for [students] to not come to school if they have any respiratory infections or any rash symptoms of course,' Creech told News 2. If a student already has or received an immunization within 72 hours of exposure, they can remain in school. Otherwise, they must stay home for about 21 days if exposed. Any patients with measles would be required to stay home for four days after their rash appeared. ⏩ According to Dr. Creech, this virus is unlike any other childhood virus. He said one out of every five kids who get measles will have to be hospitalized. 'So what's the take home message?' Creech asked. 'Get vaccinated if you aren't, get your children vaccinated because that's the most sure fire way to protect against this potentially fatal virus.' News 2 reached out to Middle Tennessee's largest school districts, many of them saying they will follow the health department's guidance. Metro Nashville Public Schools said in a statement: 'We work closely with the Metro Nashville Public Health Department on a range of public health efforts, including our nursing program, contact tracing, vaccinations, and responses to public health concerns. The best response to a potential health issue is a preventative one. Under state law, students enrolled in K–12 schools in Tennessee are required to receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption. Measles is a preventable illness, and vaccination remains the most effective protection. Families can get those vaccinations through their provider or the MPHD vaccine clinics. If there were a confirmed measles case connected to a school, we would coordinate with the Health Department on an appropriate response. This would include supporting contact tracing efforts to ensure that families and staff are notified and can monitor for symptoms, pursue testing, and receive treatment if needed.' Metro Nashville Public Schools The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System said in part: 'A student who contracts measles is required to be excluded from school for at least four days after the beginning of the rash and after receiving a medical release. If a case is confirmed at a school, the school nurse will send a Communicable Disease Notification for measles, or numerous other communicable diseases, to parents/guardians of students who may have been exposed. Additionally, per policy, CMCSS reports any cases of measles to the Montgomery County Health Department.' Clarksville-Montgomery Schools Wilson, Williamson, and Rutherford County school districts all told News 2 they would follow the health department's instruction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
08-03-2025
- Health
- CNN
HHS said to have asked CDC to study vaccines and autism, despite robust evidence showing no link
The US Department of Health and Human Services asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study vaccines and autism, a person familiar with the situation told CNN, despite strong evidence that vaccines do not cause autism. The agency will conduct the study using the Vaccine Safety Datalink, which monitors safety of vaccines and investigates rare and serious adverse events, The Washington Post reported, citing two people familiar with the plan. Reuters earlier reported the planned study. The CDC has previously published several studies looking at a possible link between vaccines and vaccine ingredients and autism. None has found any evidence to suggest that vaccines increase the risk of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Using the Vaccine Safety Datalink, the CDC collaborates with 13 sites, including 11 that provide electronic health record data and two that provide expertise. A request for comment from HHS on Friday wasn't immediately returned. A source within the CDC spoke with CNN on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to share the information. Researchers in other settings, including other countries, have studied this question, too. 'Decades of research have shown no link between vaccines and autism, including CDC studies using very large data systems, like the Vaccine Safety Datalink,' said Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. Advocates for people with autism said the announcement was concerning. 'Even just the notion that the government needs to study this is harmful,' said Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation, which maintains a list of studies on vaccines and autism. 'It will plant seeds of fear, particularly for new parents who may not be aware of the history of research on this,' she said. 'Parents will withhold vaccines, and children will die.' Singer said the government would be dedicating resources to the issue at a time when critically needed autism research is being cut all across health agencies. During his confirmation hearings, under questioning from Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor from Louisiana, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – who has long questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines and previously made statements linking vaccines to autism – pledged not to study this question if research showed that it was already settled. 'If the data is brought to you and these studies that have been out there for quite some time and have been peer-reviewed, and it shows that these two vaccines are not associated with autism, will you ask, 'No, I need even more,' or will you say, 'No, I see this, it stood the test of time, and I unequivocally and without qualification say that this does not cause autism'?' Cassidy asked. 'Not only will I do that, but I will apologize for any statements that misled people otherwise,' Kennedy said. President Donald Trump has also made comments linking vaccines to autism. In this week's address to Congress, Trump did not mention vaccines but said it was a goal to get 'toxins out of our environment' and spoke about the rise in autism prevalence in the US. However, experts say the rising prevalence of autism in the US is largely a result of increased awareness of the disorder, changes in the way doctors diagnose it and increased access to specialty care.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HHS said to have asked CDC to study vaccines and autism, despite robust evidence showing no link
The US Department of Health and Human Services asked the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study vaccines and autism, a person familiar with the situation told CNN, despite strong evidence that vaccines do not cause autism. The agency will conduct the study using the Vaccine Safety Datalink, which monitors safety of vaccines and investigates rare and serious adverse events, The Washington Post reported, citing two people familiar with the plan. Reuters earlier reported the planned study. The CDC has previously published several studies looking at a possible link between vaccines and vaccine ingredients and autism. None has found any evidence to suggest that vaccines increase the risk of autism or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Using the Vaccine Safety Datalink, the CDC collaborates with 13 sites, including 11 that provide electronic health record data and two that provide expertise. A request for comment from HHS on Friday wasn't immediately returned. A source within the CDC spoke with CNN on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to share the information. Researchers in other settings, including other countries, have studied this question, too. 'Decades of research have shown no link between vaccines and autism, including CDC studies using very large data systems, like the Vaccine Safety Datalink,' said Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University. Advocates for people with autism said the announcement was concerning. 'Even just the notion that the government needs to study this is harmful,' said Alison Singer, president of the Autism Science Foundation, which maintains a list of studies on vaccines and autism. 'It will plant seeds of fear, particularly for new parents who may not be aware of the history of research on this,' she said. 'Parents will withhold vaccines, and children will die.' Singer said the government would be dedicating resources to the issue at a time when critically needed autism research is being cut all across health agencies. During his confirmation hearings, under questioning from Sen. Bill Cassidy, a doctor from Louisiana, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – who has long questioned the safety and efficacy of vaccines and previously made statements linking vaccines to autism – pledged not to study this question if research showed that it was already settled. 'If the data is brought to you and these studies that have been out there for quite some time and have been peer-reviewed, and it shows that these two vaccines are not associated with autism, will you ask, 'No, I need even more,' or will you say, 'No, I see this, it stood the test of time, and I unequivocally and without qualification say that this does not cause autism'?' Cassidy asked. 'Not only will I do that, but I will apologize for any statements that misled people otherwise,' Kennedy said. President Donald Trump has also made comments linking vaccines to autism. In this week's address to Congress, Trump did not mention vaccines but said it was a goal to get 'toxins out of our environment' and spoke about the rise in autism prevalence in the US. However, experts say the rising prevalence of autism in the US is largely a result of increased awareness of the disorder, changes in the way doctors diagnose it and increased access to specialty care.
