Immunizations and vaccines: a decade of successes and reversals, and a call for ‘vaccine diplomacy’

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 331-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J Hotez

Abstract Over the last decade we have seen extraordinary public health gains due to expansions in global vaccination programs led by United Nations (UN) agencies, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and the WHO. These initiatives have reduced childhood deaths from measles, tetanus and other vaccine-preventable diseases by almost one half. There is additional excitement over the potential development and introduction of new vaccines to prevent highly lethal respiratory virus infections, as well as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS and several neglected tropical diseases. However, these successes are under threat due to political instability, conflict and an accelerating antivaccine movement. New initiatives in vaccine diplomacy will be required to combat these challenges.

Author(s):  
Heather W Dolby ◽  
Philippe M D Potey ◽  
Annika Wilder-Smith ◽  
Sara Clohisey ◽  
Jonathan E Millar ◽  
...  

Abstract Pulmonary micro-thrombosis and vasculitis occur in fatal COVID-19. To determine if these processes occur in other life-threatening respiratory virus infections we identified autopsy studies of fatal influenza(n=455 patients), SARS(n=37), MERS(n=2), adenovirus(n=34) and RSV(n=30). Histological evidence of thrombosis was frequently present in adults with fatal influenza and SARS, with vasculitis also reported.


Author(s):  
Sinha Pranay ◽  
Katherine Reifler ◽  
Michael Rossi ◽  
Manish Sagar

Abstract Detection of diverse respiratory viruses in Boston was around 80% lower after practices were instituted to limit COVID-19 spread compared to the same time period during the previous five years. Continuing the strategies that lower COVID-19 dissemination may be useful in decreasing the incidence of other viral respiratory infections.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document