Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

What you need to know about XBB.1.5, COVID's latest variant

A new variant of the novel coronavirus now makes up more than half of U.S. COVID-19 cases, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A subvariant of Omicron, XBB.1.5 spreading fast ...

Immunology

A unique window into 'original antigenic sin'

Our immune systems react most strongly to the viral strains we encountered in our childhoods. Scientists call this original antigenic sin (OAS)—the body's first blush with a virus like influenza or COVID being the "original ...

Vaccination

NIH trial underway for universal flu vaccine

The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center has begun a phase I trial of a potential universal influenza vaccine, according to an announcement by the agency.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

How easy is it to update COVID vaccines to tackle new variants?

Our ongoing battles with COVID variants delta and omicron highlight just how quickly viruses can mutate, and what that can mean for public health. How quickly can we modify COVID-19 vaccines to tackle any new variants that ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes

Flu vaccine may not protect against main flu strain: study

(HealthDay)—This season's flu vaccine may do little to prevent infection with the main circulating virus strain because the strain has changed since the vaccine was developed, a new study suggests.

Immunology

Nasal vaccine may aid fight against new viral variants

The emergence of COVID-19 variants such as delta and omicron have sent scientists scrambling to determine whether existing vaccinations and boosters are still effective against new strains of SARS-Cov-2.

Immunology

What happens to our immune systems when we get a booster?

Questions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters—like who is eligible and how to choose one—have dominated scientific discussions, news headlines, and dinner-table conversations recently, but the practice of giving our immune ...

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