From anti-vaccine rhetoric to the over-prescription of antibiotics, researchers suggest we should try to work together to improve public health, rather than socially shun those who ignore scientific evidence.
Current vaccination policies are not sufficient to eliminate measles or prevent against future epidemics in the developed world, researchers report. Introducing compulsory vaccinations before entering school would allow the US, UK and Ireland to reach stable levels of herd immunity in the next ten years, thus helping to avoid future epidemics of the most lethal vaccine-preventable disease.
Researchers will present a systematic review of scientific evidence for, and against causal associations for 47 proposed adverse events following immunizations at PAS 2019. The review found that, for 12 of the 47 AEFIs in the study, a causal relationship has been established with at least one vaccine. With the exception of deltoid bursitis, where a vaccine is administered incorrectly, causing pain to the arm, the adverse reactions are very rare. For the other 35 AEFis, the evidence does not support a causal relationship between conditions, such as ASD, asthma, diabetes, multiple sclerosis or SIDs, and vaccinations.
Another new study refutes claims of a link between the MMR vaccine and autism. The study reports no link has been found between MMR and an increased autism risk, even in children with other risk factors for ASD. Researchers also reported, in a subgroup of girls, the MMR vaccine reduced the risk of autism by between 16% and 21%. No link was found between other vaccinations, such as Hib and DTaP, and an increased risk of ASD.
Study reports past problems with vaccine research can cause hysteresis, or a negative history that stiffens the resolve of some against vaccinations. The findings shed light on why it is hard to improve vaccine uptake, even when there is overwhelming evidence of the safety and benefits of vaccinations.
A new DNA vaccine tested in mice significantly reduces tau and amyloid beta, two proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The findings, researchers say, may pave the way for clinical trials in humans with the neurodegenerative disease.
Parents who refuse to vaccinate their children against the flu may be exposed to limited, or inaccurate, information that impedes their decision, researchers report.
Researchers report Russian trolls and bots are significantly involved in promoting discord and spreading false information about vaccines on Twitter. The study reports these accounts shared anti-vaccination messages 75% more than average Twitter users.
According to researchers, over 50% of people in some European countries still believe the myth that vaccines cause autism, despite the claim being widely discredited. A new paper looks at why so many people may still believe the vaccine-autism link is real.
Despite the fact papers continue to expose the misinformation linking vaccinations to autism, many people still believe there is a correlation between the two. Researchers found many people get misinformed advice from online resources with negative stances on vaccinations. While using search engines to find negative vaccine advice is common, researchers believe monitoring search results could be useful in identifying people and countries at greatest risk of vaccine misinformation.
Researchers say vaccination campaigns focused on persuasion may not be effective. The study reports interventions focused on shaping patients' and parents' behavior may be more effective in promoting vaccinations.
A new vaccine blocks the effects of heroin by preventing the drug from crossing the blood-brain barrier. Researchers believe the vaccine could be helpful in curbing the opioid epidemic.
