Canadian scientists have made significant contributions during the pandemic response, including vital roles in developing COVID-19 vaccines. But underfunding puts the future of science in Canada at risk.
In a matter of days, eligible people will be lining up to receive the newly formulated booster shot.
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The CDC’s endorsement of the reformulated COVID-19 booster shots represents a major step in the effort to get more Americans boosted.
Global Justice campaigners in London stand by fake coffins to highlight global COVID-19 deaths. If pharma companies waived intellectual property rights, it would be easier for low- and middle-income countries to access COVID-19 vaccines.
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Ronald Labonte, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Waiving patent rights on COVID-19 vaccines and drugs is still crucial to ensure access globally, but the waiver on the table at the June World Trade Organization meeting doesn’t do the job.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines put nanomedicine in the spotlight as a potential way to treat diseases like cancer and HIV. While the field isn’t there yet, better design could help fulfill its promise.
Dozens of coronavirus vaccines are in clinical trials in the U.S.
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Vaibhav Upadhyay, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Krishna Mallela, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Existing coronavirus vaccines are not as effective against newer variants of the virus. Two vaccine experts explain how new vaccines currently in development will likely offer better protection.
Robert Langer.
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Robert Langer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Moderna co-founder Robert Langer developed the process that made COVID-19 vaccines possible. He spoke about his journey helping develop the science for various lifesaving treatments.
Although the COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives, they have been insufficient at preventing breakthrough infections.
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Research suggests that too-frequent immunizations may lead to a phenomenon called “immune exhaustion.”
The CDC recommends the second booster for those over 50 who received their initial booster shot at least four months earlier.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought immunology terms that are typically relegated to textbooks into our everyday vernacular. These stories helped us make sense of the ever-evolving science.
Researchers are working to develop vaccines that provide long-term immune protection from COVID-19.
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Fewer people reported needing to miss work after their booster, compared to their second dose.
Afrigen, a biotechnology company based in Cape Town, South Africa, is developing Africa’s first proprietary COVID-19 vaccine.
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With the manufacturing capacity and access to relevant technology, African countries can reduce their dependency on international manufacturers for vaccines.
Some of the omicron variant’s unique properties – such as its ability to spread rapidly while causing milder COVID-19 infections – could usher in a new phase of the pandemic.
Nucleic acid vaccines use mRNA to give cells instructions on how to produce a desired protein.
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DNA and mRNA vaccines produce a different kind of immune response than traditional vaccines, allowing researchers to tackle some previously unsolvable problems in medicine.
CORBEVAX uses recombinant DNA technology that many countries already have the infrastructure to produce.
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We’re reliant on overseas supply - and the many moving parts of delivery. Each of those parts require staff on the ground – and many workers in this system are likely being affected by Omicron.