Live attenuated influenza vaccine for children

Towards Goals to Refine Prophylactic and Therapeutic Strategies Against COVID-19 Linked to Aging and Metabolic Syndrome

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) gave rise to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A strong correlation has been demonstrated between worse COVID-19 outcomes, aging, and metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is primarily derived from obesity-induced systemic chronic low-grade inflammation with numerous complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The majority of COVID-19 deaths occurs in people over the age of 65. Individuals with MetS are inclined to manifest adverse disease consequences and mortality from COVID-19. In this review, we examine the prevalence and molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced risk of COVID-19 in elderly people and individuals with MetS. Subsequently, we discuss current progresses in treating COVID-19, including the development of new COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals, towards goals to elaborate prophylactic and therapeutic treatment options in this vulnerable population.

COVID-19 Vaccines (Revisited) and Oral-Mucosal Vector System as a Potential Vaccine Platform

There are several emerging strategies for the vaccination of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) however, only a few have yet shown promising effects. Thus, choosing the right pathway and the best prophylactic options in preventing COVID-19 is still challenging at best. Approximately, more than two-hundred vaccines are being tested in different countries, and more than fifty clinical trials are currently undergoing. In this review, we have summarized the immune-based strategies for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and the different vaccine candidate platforms that are in clinical stages of evaluation, and up to the recently licensed mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines of Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna's. Lastly, we have briefly included the potentials of using the 'RPS-CTP vector system' for the development of a safe and effective oral mucosal COVID-19 vaccine as another vaccine platform.

Immunogenicity and efficacy of the monovalent, trivalent and quadrivalent intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccines containing different pdmH1N1 strains

A ferret challenge study was conducted to address the efficacy of the egg-based and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-based live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) strains. Vaccines derived as 6:2 reassortants from the A/Leningrad/134/17/57 master donor strain and the HA and NA components from the A/California/07/2009 (A/Cal)- and A/Michigan/45/2015 (A/Mich)-like strains of type A H1N1 influenza virus were used in the study. Monovalent, trivalent and quadrivalent formulations of the LAIV containing either of the two H1N1 strains were analysed. A total of ten groups of six animals each were immunised intranasally (i.n.) with a single dose of 0.5-ml vaccine formulation or placebo and challenged on day 28 with the homologous wild-type A/Cal or A/Mich strain. Immune response post immunisation and virus replication post challenge were studied. Both the strains derived from embryonated eggs or MDCK cells, irrespective of the vaccine valency, were capable of rendering complete protection from virus replication in the lung. The A/Mich vaccine strain showed higher immune titres and efficacy than the A/Cal vaccine strain in all the vaccine formulations. The haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralisation antibody titres were induced, and the reduction in the virus load in the respiratory tract was observed to be higher in animals treated with the monovalent formulation compared to the trivalent and quadrivalent formulations. Overall, it appears that the monovalent formulations render better protection from infection and would therefore be the best candidate during a pandemic.