Quick takes: Disappointing CMV vaccine data, vaccine recs for upcoming climate meeting, Rift Valley fever in Senegal

News brief
Topics
Rift Valley Fever
Yellow Fever
Measles
Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
  • Moderna said its cytomegalovirus (CMV) vaccine candidate, mRNA-1647, failed to meet the outcomes of preventing CMV infections in seronegative women of childbearing age in a phase 3 study. "Today's announcement is disappointing for families and healthcare professionals who have been eagerly awaiting a CMV vaccine to prevent congenital CMV, a leading infectious cause of birth defects," said Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, MBA, MEng, in a company press release. The company will discontinue its congenital CMV clinical development program.
  • The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging attendees of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil to get vaccinated or check their vaccination status for both measles and yellow fever. More than 60,000 expected attendees from 198 countries will travel to Belem, Para state, Brazil, for the conference , which runs from November 10 through 21. While Belem has not seen measles or yellow fever activity so far this year, high activity of both diseases in the Americas puts attendees at risk, PAHO said.
  • Rift Valley fever activity continues in Senegal, per today's weekly briefing from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. So far there have been 277 confirmed cases and 22 deaths, for a case-fatality rate of 7.9% in this outbreak. RVF is a viral hemorrhagic fever that mainly affects livestock but can also infect people.

This week's top reads

  1. Shingles vaccine tied to significant reductions in risk of dementia, heart disease, and death

    The study authors say the findings suggest that the shingles vaccine can prevent both infection and its complications.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  2. Two new H9N2 avian flu cases reported in China

    All 21 cases in 2025 have been reported from mainland China.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  3. Japan sees early flu activity, with school closures

    Japan typically reports increased influenza activity at the end of November.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  4. COVID mRNA vaccines may be able to train immune system to attack cancer cells, boost survival

    The vaccines appear to sensitize tumors to cancer patients' immune checkpoint inhibitors, the researchers say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Doctor pointing to patient's lung x-ray

  5. Protection from flu vaccine around 50% for Southern Hemisphere, data reveal

    Study shows vaccine effectiveness around 50% for both clinic visits and hospital stays for influenza during the 2025 Southern Hemisphere flu season.

    Jim Wappes
    Health worker preparing flu shot

  6. More measles in South Carolina as US nears 1,600 confirmed cases

    South Carolina officials say all new case-patients were in quarantine before they contracted the disease.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles on boy's neck and face

  7. First locally acquired US case of more severe clade 1 mpox identified in California

    The clade 1 case is the nation's first in a person with no recent travel history and the seventh clade 1 case in the country. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Gonorrhea pathogen

  8. US documents dozens of new avian flu cases in wild birds as PAHO notes human case

    Affected states include Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  9. US measles cases top 1,600 as South Carolina outbreak grows

    The total represents the most US infections since 1992.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles image

  10. IDSA releases COVID vaccine guidance for people with weakened immune systems

    Immunocompromised adults and children should receive an age-appropriate COVID-19 vaccine dose as soon as possible, the organization says.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Immunocompromised man in hospital

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