Immunization: Most Read Stories From 2024
Check out this list of our top 5 most read immunization stories from the year 2024.
Amidst Uptick in Cases, Investigational Lyme Disease Vaccine Trial Underway
As a reaction to an uptick in Lyme disease cases across several US states, Pfizer and Valneva collaborated on a vaccine trial for VLA15, an investigational Lyme disease vaccine. The 3-dose vaccination series would be tested in a phase 3 clinical trial. All participants completed the vaccination series and researchers hoped their results would be similar to the positive phase 2 findings.
Top read immunization stories from the year 2024 | image credit: Africa Studio / stock.adobe.com
From Vaccine Breakthroughs to Biosimilar Innovations: 2023 Drug Approval Recap
In the immunization space earlier this year, Drug Topics readers were looking back to 2023 for a recap of FDA drug approvals and newly accepted vaccines that hit the market prior to 2024. From new vaccines to biosimilar approvals, the FDA was busy up to and beyond this past year. Some new developments included were 2 new immunizations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the addition of adalimumab (Humira) biosimilars, and so much more.
FDA Approves IND for mRNA Vaccine for Epstein-Barr Virus-Related Cancer
In a first for oncology drugs, the FDA approved WGc-043, the first and only Epstein-Barr virus-related mRNA cancer vaccine, back in May of 2024. “[This] represents a significant advance in cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients with advanced [Epstein-Barr virus-related cancers],” according to a WestGene news release. The manufacturer was the first to introduce a vaccine designed to protect against Epstein-Barr virus.
COVID-19 Cases Rise as Omicron-Derived FLiRT, LB.1 Variants Take Hold
While the COVID-19 pandemic has since waned and keeping an eye on case numbers is no longer a part-time hobby for the general public, 2024 indeed saw its share of case upticks. Coupled with decreasing vaccination rates and a scaling back of surveillance efforts, cases began to rise in the summer of 2024 due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus FLiRT variant. This caused an even greater effort to push updated COVID-19 vaccination initiatives.
In the March issue of the Drug Topics journal, we took a look at some vaccine approvals that were important to look out for throughout 2024. From an influenza and COVID-19 combination vaccine to Merck’s 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate, these new immunization indications made waves this past year, and especially during this winter season when respiratory viruses commonly run rampant.
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