In a recent study published in the journal Nature Microbiology, researchers conducted a systematic review to understand the occurrence of immune imprinting in the antibody responses of the host to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its impact on the effectiveness of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster vaccination programs.
Study: Immune imprinting and next-generation coronavirus vaccines. Image Credit:Corona Borealis Studio/ Shutterstock
The effectiveness of the COVID-19 booster vaccines against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants has declined in a pattern similar to that observed for the seasonal influenza vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) reformulates the influenza vaccines each year to protect against the strains that could potentially circulate each flu season. These vaccines are live attenuated influenza vaccines or inactivated influenza vaccines. The immunodominant antigens in these vaccines consist of surface glycoproteins such as hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, and the anti-hemagglutinin immune responses comprise primarily of strain-specific antibodies elicited against the hypervariable head region of hemagglutinin.
The immense variation in the antigenic regions significantly reduces the antibody titers, necessitating a seasonal update of the influenza vaccines. Furthermore, despite the impact of frequent booster vaccines and seasonal exposures to the influenza virus, the effectiveness of the influenza vaccines has been limited. The two proposed explanations for this reduction in vaccine efficacy are immune evasion due to mutations in viral epitopes and immune imprinting in the host due to lifelong exposure to the virus.
As observed for the hemagglutinin antigen in the influenza virus, preferential targeting has been observed for the receptor binding domain of the spike protein in SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged at an extraordinary rate after the introduction of the virus into humans, and the variation between subsequent lineages of SARS-CoV-2, such as Delta and Omicron, is at a level that is comparable to the antigenic shifts observed in influenza A viruses. Furthermore, despite the development of bivalent messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines that comprise antigens from the currently circulating Omicron sub-lineages, the lack of an optimal immune response even after booster doses suggests possible immune imprinting at play.
Immune imprinting occurs when the potency and breadth of immune responses to variants of the original antigen are limited upon re-exposure due to vaccinations or repeated viral infections. An antigenic seniority model suggests that earlier strains of a virus have higher seniority, and exposure to these strains results in a pattern of more robust antibody responses against these strains upon re-exposure than to subsequent strains.
The pre-existing immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-1), common cold coronaviruses, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and its interactions with multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern result in a complex immune imprinting landscape that impacts the antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2. The results discussed findings from various studies that provided evidence of immune imprinting against SARS-CoV-2, such as antibody binding activity against the spike proteins of common cold coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 observed in individuals that were SARS-CoV-2 seronegative. Another study reported a higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) response against the wild-type strain as compared to the Omicron, Beta, or Delta strains, even in individuals vaccinated with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine or the mRNA vaccine encoding the Beta SARS-CoV-2 variant.
A better understanding of immune imprinting can help make informed decisions to improve various aspects of vaccine development, such as the design and expression of immunogen, administration regimens, and delivery platforms to elicit durable, optimal, and broad immune responses.
Given the importance of first viral exposures in the development of immune imprinting, the priming vaccinations given to naive infants need to be designed for controlled first exposures that can result in a repertoire of B cells that are broadly reactive and expand on subsequent viral exposures. Adult vaccinations also need to be administered sequentially with strains that are antigenically distinct.
Novel technologies such as subunit or chimeric immunogens, immunogens designed in silico to contain specific epitopes and multivalent nanoparticle immunogens must be utilized to provide next-generation solutions to generate optimal immune responses.
Overall, the review presented a comprehensive understanding of the role of immune imprinting in the development of sub-optimal antibody responses upon exposure to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants despite booster vaccinations. The researchers also presented a detailed discussion of the various avenues in which immunization strategies, as well as next-generation vaccines, can be improved to elicit durable, broad, and optimal antibody responses to emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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One of the leading producers of coronavirus vaccines has slashed its annual revenue forecasts by about 1 billion as demand continues to wane.
BioNTech yesterday forecast that it would generate about 4 billion in sales from Covid vaccines in 2023, lower than a prediction of 5 billion issued in March and sharply down on the 17.2 billion achieved last year. It cited lower demand for booster shots and first doses, as well as delayed national vaccination programmes.
The German company, which teamed up with Pfizer, the American drugs group, for the jab, is the latest vaccine maker to cut forecasts alongside trading updates. Last week Pfizer fell to its first quarterly loss since 2019 and confirmed a $5.6 billion one-off charge after recently agreeing for
The countys vaccination rate for the new COVID-19 booster is under 10% as of about a week ago, according to county officials.
In September, the FDA authorized the new vaccine and the CDC recommended it for those ages six months and older. The county was between a 8-9% vaccination rate as of about a week ago, according to Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager Sean ODonnell during a media briefing Wednesday. He said it looks like last years booster shot campaign when vaccination rates were lower than initial vaccination rates in the county.
County Chief Administrative Officer Richard Madaleno said, Unfortunately after nearly two months, the Covid vaccine rate for the new booster is only around 9% of the total population. He encouraged residents to get their COVID-19 booster as well as vaccines for the flu and RSV.
According to the countys COVID-19 vaccine webpage, most health insurance plans cover the vaccine for free.
But, ODonnell said the countys team has heard and experienced challenges with getting COVID-19 vaccinations now from insurance companies that have been less than forthright with private providers about how they will reimburse those shots.
ODonnell pointed out challenges with people trying to determine where they can go where they are covered and with making appointments. Some providers have told people they might need to pay upfront until insurance clarifies how they will reimburse. He encouraged people to contact their providers or pharmacies, saying that usually pharmacies can inform people if their insurance provides coverage.
Thats just the nature of where our healthcare and insurance system is now, ODonnell said.
Officials have advised residents to contact their healthcare provider or go to vaccines.gov to find locations for COVID-19 and flu shots. A bridge access program provides vaccines to uninsured adults those options are also viewable through the site.
A vial labelled "Novavax V COVID-19 Vaccine" is seen in this illustration taken January 16, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Acquire Licensing Rights
Nov 9 (Reuters) - COVID-19 vaccine maker Novavax (NVAX.O) on Thursday beat market estimates for quarterly revenue, boosted by U.S. government grants to help cover the expense of clinical trials, and said it was prepared to further cut costs next year.
Shares rose nearly 4% in early trading as the company projected more than $2 billion in cash through end of 2025 from already secured revenues.
Still, the Maryland-based biotech, which has been banking on cost cuts and commercial sales of its retooled COVID shot to help it stay afloat, reiterated its "going concern warning".
Novavax said it had reduced liabilities by $128 million in the third quarter and was prepared to cut costs by an additional $300 million in 2024 to better align itself with the smaller-than-expected COVID-19 vaccine market.
"We are going to drive for higher efficiencies to support this leaner, focused company," finance chief Jim Kelly said on a call, adding that the 2024 savings efforts would include reduction of idle capacity and overhead support at facilities.
Third-quarter revenue of $187 million was down from $734.58 million a year earlier, but above expectations of $158.5 million, according to LSEG data.
"We've really optimized that U.S. grant opportunity, which was something that was uncertain at the beginning of the year," CEO John Jacobs said in an interview.
The company expects the 2023-2024 U.S. market for COVID shots to be between 30 million and 50 million doses.
"We and many others thought there would be 80 to 100 million doses in the U.S. market this year and it turned out to be significantly smaller than that," said Jacobs.
Over 15 million people in the United States, around 4.5% of the population, had received the updated COVID-19 shots by Oct. 27, according to a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson, lagging behind last year's vaccinations.
Novavax said it had $666 million in cash as of Sept. 30, up from $518 million at the end of June.
The company's updated COVID shot, using a more traditional technology than the mRNA-based vaccines of rivals Pfizer (PFE.N) and Moderna (MRNA.O), was authorized in the U.S. in October.
Novavax missed out on the COVID vaccine windfall that benefited rivals due to manufacturing issues that delayed its filing for approval when the pandemic was raging.
Its stock plunged 93% last year and is down about 34% this year.
Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru and Patrick Wingrove in New York; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Bill Berkrot
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Bhanvi Satija reports on pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare industry in the United States. She has a postgraduate degree in International Journalism from City, University of London.
The effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were evident across every single aspect of healthcare, from hospital services to public health decisions and surveillance capacities to the research and development of vaccines. As such, the pandemic transformed into a reality check for many aspects of healthcare systems, especially regarding their overall readiness and ability to adapt to change and absorb and manage sudden and persistent pressures on their workload, especially in patient care settings.
Even though contingency plans were often in place, healthcare systems seemed unable at certain times to cope with the sudden, intense surge in demand. While much of the published literature has focused on the challenges faced during the pandemic, this article highlights the examples that led to effective change and adaptation to those challenges.
In France, a decision was made during the pandemic at the national level to prioritize continued treatment for cancer. In addition, some private non-profit cancer centres as well as some specialized services such as paediatric oncology did not manage COVID patients and could, therefore, function relatively as normal, even during the first wave, albeit with human resource and protective material shortages.
At the same time as the introduction and implementation of guidelines, the role of local actors those working at the individual service or hospital level and the adaptations and innovations they put in place also played an important part in helping healthcare institutions continue to care for their patients. For example, one such sustainable innovation to come out of the crisis was the creation and/or consolidation of inter-disciplinary, online epistemic communities, which can be defined as networks of knowledge-based experts that enabled professionals to continue to seek advice from colleagues.
Another one was that the crisis helped test the possibilities and limits of telehealth services and has had lasting effects on how patient care is organized to the present day.
The speed by which SARS-CoV-2 spread globally highlighted the need for robust genomic sequencing, as well as reliable and representative surveillance systems, to support pandemic prediction. An operational model emerged (or was further strengthened in many cases) with large centralized clinical laboratories performing high-throughput sequencing on one central platform and one or several distal laboratories dealing locally only with urgent analyses.
This led to a harmonization in the quality of genomic sequencing produced while maintaining high-throughput capacities. One of the innovations was the routine use of big data and artificial intelligence approaches to model the pandemic development and to identify and understand the weaknesses of existing systems (close to real-time). Furthermore, the experiences and innovations on digital health were quickly consolidated within a global framework of public health priorities, as articulated in the G20 Riyadh declaration in 2020.
One of the greatest challenges facing healthcare systems was the need to leverage the laboratories capacity in diagnostic testing and to increase the number of people being tested quickly. Several countries, for example, South Korea and Saudi Arabia, were able to conduct successful COVID-19 countermeasures through adequate laboratory diagnostic testing provision.
South Korea is an example of a country that rapidly adapted its COVID-19 testing response, maintaining around 600 screening and testing centres through close collaboration with the private sector, with its testing capacity reaching 110,000 tests as early as November 2020. The laboratory scale-up was successfully achieved in middle-income countries such as Indonesia. In the latter case, the COVID-19 referral laboratory network grew rapidly from a single Ministry of Health NIHRD laboratory in the capital of Jakarta to 685 laboratories across 34 provinces within 12 months since the first Indonesian case was discovered.
This rapid scale-up was the result of successful, cross-sectoral collaboration among previously siloed national and sub-national government institutions, international development agencies, and private sector stakeholders- all brought under one digital umbrella for the functions relating to COVID-19. (4) It is anticipated that this innovative approach within Indonesia will now be expanded and used in other sectors, e.g., the infectious disease surveillance networks.
The COVID-19 outbreak serves as a transformation catalyst for global health, accelerating the implementation and adoption of changes in public health interventions and patient care. It also serves as a reminder that proactive planning for healthcare emergencies and an intensified commitment to global public health preparedness remains necessary. It is hoped that the positive lessons learned, as highlighted in this article, will continue to be considered, enabling the transformation of future healthcare.
The global COVID-19 vaccine campaign saved 2.4 million lives between January and August 2021, but distributing vaccines more equitably could have saved another 670,000 lives, according to an October working paper from researchers at Browns School of Public Health and the University of Southern California.
The study, titled The Impact of the Global COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign on All-Cause Mortality, is the first, to the researchers knowledge, to examine the effect of the vaccine campaign on death in multiple countries, according to the working paper. In the United States, the vaccine campaign saved 429,486 lives, the researchers estimated.
According to study co-author Chris Whaley, associate professor and associate director of health services, policy and practice at the SPH, the paper finds huge benefits to the vaccine program, both in terms of deaths averted and economic benefits.
We know the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign is one of the (if not the) biggest public health initiatives that we can remember, Whaley wrote in an email to The Herald. Our paper is an initial attempt to evaluate this program.
Neeraj Sood, professor of public policy, director of the USC Schaeffer Centers COVID-19 initiative and co-author of the study, said the vaccines were much more effective than non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdowns and mask mandates in an Oct. 30 University press release.
The study, which was limited to 141 countries with a total population of 5.25 billion, further considered an equitable scenario where vaccination in each country (was) proportional to its population. Under such conditions, the authors estimated that 670,000 additional lives would have been saved if the vaccine was distributed equitably.
In reality, the authors wrote, vaccine distribution was inequitable, with higher-income countries gaining access to vaccines much faster than lower-income countries.
Neil Mehta is a University News section editor and design chief at The Herald. They study public health and statistics at Brown. Outside the office, you can find Neil baking and playing Tetris.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. Are you preparing to spend time with friends and family this holiday season? Now is a good time to make sure you and your loved ones are up to date with COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines. TRICARE covers these vaccines based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations.
Vaccination against flu, COVID-19, and RSV offers the best protection from serious illness caused by these diseases, said Capt. John Iskander, MD, MPH, chief, Immunization Healthcare Division, Defense Health Agency. People ages 6 months and older should get the seasonal flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine. Certain people, including older adults, pregnant people, and infants, can get vaccinated against RSV.
Read on to learn about the vaccines recommended for you and where to get them.
Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines
Flu and COVID-19 are contagious diseases that affect millions of Americans each year. These diseases can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. The seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine can help reduce these risks. The updated COVID-19 vaccine can also reduce your risk of developing Long COVID.
The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. This years flu vaccine is available as a flu shot or nasal spray. COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax have all been updated for the 2023-2024 season. The types of flu and COVID-19 vaccines you can get are based on your age and other factors. Your health care provider can help you decide which options are best for you.
RSV Vaccines
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV. This can lead to hospitalization.
TRICARE covers RSV vaccines for certain people, based on CDC recommendations:
Where Can I Get Vaccinated?
There are three ways you can get these vaccines at no cost:
You can get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines recommended for you at the same time.
Talk to your provider if you have questions about vaccines. For more info on vaccine coverage, check out Immunizations.
Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.
Rigorous lab studies result in scores of 99.98% elimination of viruses and bacteria from entering spaces, exceeding expectations and raising the standard for indoor air quality.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., November 09, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AURA Technologies today announced that AURA Ion Bar, the only system in the world that creates a germ-destroying barrier across any two spaces safely using Negative Air Ions (NAIs), is now backed by comprehensive testing that demonstrates its unparalleled effectiveness in combatting the spread of COVID-19.
Designed to create a protective sheet of air enriched with a high concentration of NAIs, Ion Bar acts as an invisible barrier by blocking contaminants before they enter a space. The NAIs inactivate contaminants by causing them to clump and fall out of the air, removing them from the breathing zone and completely deactivating them to ensure indoor spaces remain virus-free.
In a market flooded with safety products lacking adequate testing, AURA was determined to guarantee that the Ion Bar performed as advertised. The test results provide irrefutable evidence of the devices ability to kill up to 99.98% of viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces, reducing airborne transmission of diseases like COVID-19.
A six-week study conducted in a controlled laboratory environment tested the efficacy of the Ion Bar against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. The testing chamber, measuring 20 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft, maintained precise environmental conditions, offering more realistic and reliable results than smaller testing rooms used by other indoor air quality products.
To further create a unique testing environment, a simulated wall with a doorway frame was constructed inside the chamber. This division allowed for the release of the COVID virus in a manner mirroring its natural spread. Surface testing involved inoculating glass slides with SARS-CoV-2, while aerosol testing saw the virus nebulized and sprayed into the chamber to simulate airborne transmission.
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The results of the testing were nothing short of remarkable. Surface testing showed that after 10 minutes, only 1/6th of the virus remained active. After 20 minutes, a mere 1/3,500th of the virus was still viable, and at the 30-minute mark, there was no trace of the active virus, or less than 1/50,000th of its initial concentration.
In aerosol testing, the spraying of the aerosol took place 5 ft above the floor and 1.5 ft away from the doorway while air samples were collected from the clean side for 2 minutes. Ion Bar acted as an impenetrable forcefield, blocking an astounding 99.98% (3.69 log) of active SARS-CoV-2 from entering during device operation.
"The testing clearly shows that AURA Ion Bar represents a fundamental paradigm shift in the way we should be thinking about air quality: real-time prevention rather than long-term treatment," said Dr. Alex Blate, Chief Innovator at AURA. "Instead of cleaning the air over time as an air purifier would, Ion Bar prevents the air from becoming contaminated in the first place."
AURA Co-CEO, Anna Bennett, expressed the companys commitment to fighting COVID-19 and improving indoor air quality. "After three years of dedicated development and lab studies, the astonishing test results surpassed all expectations," said Bennett. "Were now ready to share this technology and continue the fight against indoor air pathogens. Beyond its potential to revolutionize indoor air quality, Ion Bar represents a revolutionary approach to battle against airborne diseases, restoring a sense of safety and normalcy to shared spaces."
Additional in-vitro studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Ion Bar against other pathogens. The results of these tests further demonstrate the devices ability to provide a robust defense against a range of pathogens:
Aspergillus Fumigatus: This in-vitro study consisted of aerosol testing to determine the efficacy of the AURA Ion Bar Mark IV against Aspergillus Fumigatus.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): This in-vitro study consisted of aerosol and surface testing to determine the efficacy of the AURA Ion Bar Mark IV against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
Streptococcus Pneumoniae: This in-vitro study consisted of aerosol and surface testing to determine the efficacy of the AURA Ion Bar Mark IV against Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
To learn more about the AURA Ion Bar and its capabilities, please visit here.
About AURA Technologies
At AURA Technologies, we bring a new way of thinking to advanced technology R&D. Using the highest caliber talent and the latest advancements in computer science, we are actively innovating to make the world a better place through the use of Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Science, Physics, and Engineering combined with the latest emerging technologies. From our cutting-edge solutions created for the Department of Defense to our revolutionary products designed in response to COVID, we develop real innovations for health, safety, security, and national defense.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231109273486/en/
Contacts
Ricca Silverio or Andrea Courtney FINN Partners for AURA Technologies AURATechnologies@FinnPartners.com
Suffolk County reported the following information related to COVID-19 on November 5, 2023
According to CDC, hospital admission rates and the percentage of COVID-19 deaths among all deaths are now the primary surveillance metrics.
COVID-19 Hospitalizations for the week ending October 28, 2023
Daily Hospitalization Summary for Suffolk County From November 3, 2023
NOTE: HOSPITALS ARE NO LONGER REPORTING DATA TO NYSDOH ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAYS.
Fatalities 11/3/23
COVID-19 Case Tracker November 3, 2023
Note: As of May 11, 2023, COVID-19 Community Levels (CCLs) and COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels are no longer calculatable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
* As of 4/4/22, HHS no longer requires entities conducting COVID testing to report negative or indeterminate antigen test results. This may impact the number and interpretation of total test results reported to the state and also impacts calculation of test percent positivity. Because of this, as of 4/5/22, test percent positivity is calculated using PCR tests only. Reporting of total new daily cases (positive results) and cases per 100k will continue to include PCR and antigen tests.
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
Last updated 5/12/23
Vaccination Clinics
As of September 12, 2023, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services is not authorized to offer COVID-19 vaccines to ALL Suffolk County residents.
The department will offer the updated vaccine to only uninsured and underinsured patients through New York State's Vaccines for Children program and Vaccines for Adults program, also known as the Bridge Access Program.
Those with insurance that covers the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to receive their vaccines at their local pharmacies, health care providers offices, or local federally qualified health centers.
The department has ordered the updated COVID-19 vaccine and will announce when the vaccine becomes available.
FOR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
New York State Links
CDC COVID Data Tracker Rates of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations by vaccination status
For additional information or explanation of data, click on the links provided in throughout this page.
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