Latest news with #KjestenWiig
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Defunding Of mRNA Vaccine Research In The US
This week, the US Health Department announced the cancellation of several mRNA vaccine development contracts. The cuts and restructuring of collaborations affect 22 projects worth about half a billion US dollars, and no new mRNA projects will be funded. The US Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., claimed mRNA vaccines don't provide effective protection against upper respiratory tract infections and said that funding would be shifted towards 'safer, broader vaccine platforms'. The SMC asked experts to comment on how this affects NZ and local mRNA vaccine research. Professor Kjesten Wiig, Co-director of the RNA Development Platform and Director of the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, comments: 'The recent decisions out of the US to cut funding for mRNA vaccine development represent a new low for the American medical and scientific community, one that risks undermining decades of progress in public health and infectious disease preparedness. 'At the Malaghan Institute, our research is not directly affected by US funding cuts. Likewise, the national RNA Development Platform continues to receive sustained support from the New Zealand Government. This backing allows us to focus on developing safe and effective RNA vaccines and therapeutics not just for human medicine but also for treatments that will benefit our primary industries, and for New Zealand specific problems. 'RNA is a proven, safe and transformative technology. Its potential extends well beyond the pandemic. In the absence of US leadership, there is an unprecedented opportunity for countries like New Zealand to step up to ensure this breakthrough science continues to benefit people globally.' No conflicts of interest. Our colleagues at the UK SMC have also gathered comments. A small selection follows—see their website for the full expert reaction. Prof Christopher Chiu, Professor of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, said: 'Hundreds millions of people received mRNA vaccines during the pandemic with no major ill effects, dramatically reducing the risk of severe COVID-19, hospitalisation and death. In this way, they played a critically important part in allowing society to return to normal. Overall, the mRNA vaccines have been shown to be very safe, although like all treatments they can cause side effects, mostly mild but including some rare severe reactions. It is misleading to single out mRNA vaccines for promoting mutations and failing to protect against common cold-like symptoms; this is true for all respiratory virus vaccines that are given by injection and can stimulate a protective immune response. Better protection is needed but until we have next-generation alternatives that can completely block infection in the nose and lung, mRNA vaccines will continue to be important and valuable.' No conflicts of interest. Dr David Elliman, Honorary Associate Professor, UCL, said: 'This is a very worrying development. mRNA vaccines were an extremely important tool in saving the lives of people from COVID. There is no reliable published evidence that supports RFK Jr's assertion that the vaccines encourage new mutations and, in so doing, may prolong pandemics. The evidence to support this should be made public, so that it can be examined, by experts in the field who have not been picked because of their anti-vaccine views. 'While this development is not only a retrograde step for the development of mRNA vaccines, of greater concern, perhaps, is that it reinforces the impression that, in spite of his protestations, RFK Jr is antivaccine. This has implications, not only for vaccination programmes in USA, but around the world. At a time when vaccination rates are falling globally, we need to follow the evidence, not ideologically led beliefs. Such misguided beliefs are likely to cause unnecessary suffering and death, particularly in children.' No conflicts of interest. Prof Robin Shattock, Professor of Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Imperial College London, said: What do we know about the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines? 'Following their use in millions of individuals during the pandemic and using current technology, we have an extraordinary level of detail on the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines. In the context of COVID-19, these vaccines prevented millions of deaths and hospitalisations. As for mRNA vaccines against other infectious these would need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Do mRNA vaccines increase the mutation rate of viruses? 'No, there is no scientific evidence that this is the case. Different viruses mutate at different rates, for example influenza virus changes on a seasonal basis, SARS-CoV2 continues to vary irrespective of whether individuals have received mRNA vaccines. What are the impacts of this funding cut on public health and health research in the US and globally? 'This will impoverish American resilience to future pandemics. But more importantly, it will be used by some to legitimise unfounded claims that mRNA vaccines and vaccines in general are unsafe. This is directly opposite to the scientific evidence-based approach to science. This technology offers real benefits not only against infectious diseases, but also in our fight against cancer, autoimmunity, and hereditary diseases. If known, what data might he [R.F. Kennedy Jr] be referring to and how does it compare with other existing evidence? 'It is unclear as to what evidence he is referring to, given that these vaccines have been highly scrutinised by regulatory bodies on an ongoing basis (FDA, EMEA, MHRA). He has provided no evidence to show that alternative vaccines are any different to mRNA vaccines concerning claims of safety and the unfounded claim that mRNA vaccines drive the mutation rate of viruses. Any other considerations you have about the claims being made? 'This is another blow against vaccine uptake in general, where for example, we are seeing the return of Measles outbreaks in the US and unnecessary deaths.' Conflict of interest statement: 'I work on RNA vaccines in an academic setting, but have no associations with any of the work that is being axed by RFK or the companies involved.'
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
International Day Of Immunology 2025: Brain And Immunity
According to Professor Kjesten Wiig, Director of the Malaghan Institute, the future of brain research lies in neuroimmunology. As a trained neuroscientist, she explains how this fast-rising field could transform how we understand neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and motor neuron disease. Few conditions inspire more dread than the creeping shadow of neurodegenerative disease. At times, it feels almost taboo to talk about, perhaps because it touches on something deeper than physical decline. We fear the loss of our mental faculty because it threatens the very core of who we are; our memories, our relationships, our sense of self. What makes neurodegenerative disease more unsettling is just how little we understand about these diseases and how few tools we have to stop them. So how can we protect our brains from decline and retain our health for longer? I believe the answer lies in our immune system. An unseen alliance The brain is a unique organ, isolated from the rest of the body through the blood-brain barrier, a protective mechanism that separates the brain from the body's blood supply. The barrier allows essential substances like oxygen and glucose to pass through, but keeps out potentially harmful substances that might lurk in the blood like bacteria and viruses. The blood-brain barrier keeps the brain stable and safe, but it's a double-edged sword. The barrier also keeps out many drugs and immune cells needed to fight diseases that occur in the brain. This has made neurological diseases especially difficult to treat and study, as any therapy must first overcome this stubborn hurdle. For decades, the brain was believed to function outside the reach of the immune system. But that notion is now outdated. There is an unseen alliance between the brain and a few privileged immune cells, and this relationship could hold vital clues to conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, motor neuron disease and even mental health disorders. A unique immune environment The brain's immune environment is unlike any other found in the body. It is carefully regulated, home to a specialised network of immune cells embedded within a complex web of neurons and glial cells. Chief among these immune cells are microglia, the brain's resident sentinels. They constantly monitor their surroundings, clear waste and help maintain healthy communication between neurons. Discoveries such as direct signalling between immune and neural cells have reshaped our understanding of how the brain maintains a healthy balance and responds to injury. But this balance is delicate. Infections, stress and ageing can offset it, leading to inflammation that gradually erodes brain function. From the subtle but compounding shifts that come with age, to potential therapies that retrain immune responses, the line between neurological and immune health is becoming increasingly blurred. More and more, these conditions are touching people of all ages and walks of life. While the diseases may differ, from neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood to dementia in later life, the insights emerging from neuroimmunology could hold relevance across this entire spectrum. An urgent opportunity At the Malaghan Institute, we believe neuroimmunology is one of the most exciting and urgent areas for research and discovery. With some of the country's top immunologists and cutting-edge tools at our fingertips, we are uniquely positioned to explore this uncharted territory, forging collaborations with researchers across Aotearoa and globally. Together, we have the potential to uncover transformative ways of protecting the brain and to offer real hope to those affected by neurological conditions. The need for action is clear, and the opportunity before us is too important to ignore.
