History of Vaccines

He had nothing to do with it. This is from Europe. EMA = European Medicines Agency

Meningococcal B vaccine fails to prevent gonorrhea, trial finds Manjurul / iStock

Recent research reveals that the meningococcal B vaccine does not prevent gonorrhea in high-risk groups, particularly among gay and bisexual men. The study, led by Australian researchers, showed similar infection rates in vaccinated and placebo groups. www.cidrap.umn.edu/gonorrhea/me...

Challenges Issued to Anti-Vaccinationists An unvaccinated activist accepted a challenge to be exposed to smallpox and he nearly died!

In 1901, an anti-vaccine activist accepted a challenge to enter a smallpox hospital unvaccinated. He nearly died. History has lessons for today's vaccine debates.
stopantivaxpropaganda.substack.com/p/challenges...

First combined COVID-19 and influenza vaccine for people 50 years and older | European Medicines Agency (EMA) mCombriax helps to protect against both COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal influenza

The EMA has recommended mCombriax — the first combined COVID-19 & flu mRNA vaccine — for adults 50+. One shot, two protections, backed by data from 8,000 participants.
🔗 www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/firs...

US measles cases soar past 1,100 Heather Hazzan / Self Magazine

New CIDRAP update: 1,136 measles cases so far this year in the US, with 160 added in the past week. Most are in unvaccinated kids and teens, and officials warn the US is on track to lose its measles-elimination status. MMR remains our best protection.

WHO updates all 3 viral strains to be included in fall flu shots KAMPUS / iStock

WHO has recommended updating all 3 strains in next season’s Northern Hemisphere flu shots, including a newer H3N2 subclade K that emerged too late for this year’s vaccines. Canadian data still show ~40% protection against H3N2 illness requiring outpatient care.

Green-background chart showing reported rubella cases over time. Along the left side, red vertical text reads “rubella cases reported.” A dark red line peaks early, then drops steeply and stays near the bottom. At the top, bold text says “vaccine licensed 1969,” with a small arrow pointing down near the curve. An inset chart titled “cases from 2000–2017” shows a sharp drop from about 175 in 2000 to around 20 in 2001, then low single-digit values through 2017.

During the 1964–1965 U.S. rubella epidemic, about 20,000 infants were born with congenital rubella syndrome, including deafness, heart defects, and other severe disabilities.
historyofvaccines.org/history/stan...

Black-and-white lab scene with a person in a white coat sitting between two worktables, resting one hand against the side of their face and holding a small tool in the other hand. On the left table are several small bottles labeled “IPV” beside a larger glass container. On the right table are papers and two more “IPV” bottles. Blurred lab shelves and a window are in the background, with “AI Generated” in the corner.

In 1955, a manufacturing failure at Cutter Laboratories left live poliovirus in some inactivated polio vaccine lots, causing roughly 40,000 cases of polio. The tragedy led to stricter regulation, better quality control, and a safer U.S. vaccine safety system.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

Chickenpox vaccines for children on NHS starts across UK For the first time, children will be offered vaccination on the NHS against the common infection which, in rare cases, can be very serious.

The UK is now offering a combined MMRV vaccine on the NHS, adding chickenpox protection to the routine childhood schedule and rolling out catch-up doses for under-6s. This is expected to cut severe cases and save families time and money. Learn more:
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#VaccinesWork

In the 1970s and 80s, measles outbreaks hospitalized Australian children, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids severely affected. A comic-style poster, “How to stop measles,” was created by the Commonwealth Department of Community Services and Health for remote communities.

For years, the U.S. led countries like Mexico in child vaccination. After the 1990 measles outbreak in Mexico, which claimed nearly 6,000 young lives, authorities launched the National Immunization Program. With campaigns held thrice annually, Mexico reached a 96% child vaccination rate by 2002.

An analysis of 276k+ MMR doses in adolescents and adults found serious side effects extremely rare (≤6 per 100k) and no elevated risk in the weeks after vaccination. Mild issues like sore joints, rash, and injection site reactions did occur but were infrequent.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...

A new Nipah virus vaccine (HeV-sG-V) has cleared Phase 1, showing no serious safety issues and promising immune responses in 40 adult volunteers—an early but important step for global health security. Learn more:
historyofvaccines.org/blog/phase-o...

Today, on History of Vaccines, we tell you all about vaccine-preventable diseases in pets, and why you should talk to your veterinarian about getting your pets vaccinated. And no, there are no autistic dogs.
historyofvaccines.org/blog/new-dan...

The Development of HIV Vaccines We explain why HIV is uniquely hard to vaccinate against, and review past trial setbacks and new mRNA and germline-targeting approaches, stressing scientific, ethical, and access challenges.

We haven't updated the HIV vaccine page on History of Vaccines in three years. It was time. So here is the latest of what we know about how closer (or not) we are to an HIV vaccine.
historyofvaccines.org/vaccines-101...

Third infant in Kentucky dies of whooping cough as national cases stay high for second year in a row Dan Higgins / CDC

Another death from Whooping Cough (aka "Pertussis") in Kentucky. We have a safe and effective vaccine to prevent these deaths.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/pertussis/th...

South Africa begins trials for continent’s first cholera vaccine South African pharmaceutical company receives regulatory approval to begin clinical trials for continent’s first fully locally manufactured oral cholera vaccine.

South Africa has begun clinical trials for Africa’s first locally manufactured oral cholera vaccine, aiming to boost regional self-sufficiency as cholera outbreaks and vaccine shortages challenge the continent. apanews.net/south-africa...

Study Reveals that Flu Vaccine Performance Varies by Age  - AAI News New research comparing four different flu vaccines found that the ability protect against infection varied greatly depending on the vaccine type and age.

A recent study found that flu vaccine effectiveness depends on both the type of vaccine and the recipient’s age, with high-dose vaccines working best for older adults and cell-based options outperforming standard flu shots in younger adults. Source: news.aai.org/2025/11/12/s...

Over 200 years ago, Jenner’s Hut became the world’s first vaccine clinic, shaping the fight against smallpox. Today, this historic landmark in England faces disrepair, reminding us of the roots of modern medicine. www.washingtonpost.com/history/2025...

Whooping cough cases in Texas reach an 11-year high The state has recorded more than 3,500 cases of whooping cough so far this year, 10 times the number in 2023.

Whooping cough cases in Texas have hit an 11-year high, with over 3,500 cases reported this year—ten times last year's total. Most cases are in children. Experts link the surge to declining vaccination rates.
www.texastribune.org/2025/11/11/t...

Missed Diagnoses Fuel Diphtheria’s Return in Europe Health authorities urge clinicians to check vaccination status and watch for chronic or worsening wounds, especially in travellers or vulnerable patients.

Diphtheria is making a comeback in Europe, driven by missed diagnoses—especially of skin infections—and declining adult booster coverage, even as childhood vaccination rates remain strong. Doctors are urged to stay vigilant. Source: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

Canada loses measles elimination status, with US on track to follow The country hasn't been able to curb an outbreak of more than 5,000 cases over the last year, while US cases are at a 33-year high.

Canada has lost its measles-free status after over 5,000 cases this year, mostly in under-vaccinated communities. The U.S. could be next if outbreaks continue. MMR vaccination rates remain critical for protection. Source: www.bbc.com/news/article...

How Regions Earn and Keep Their "Measles-Free" Status Earning and keeping “measles-free” status means stopping continuous measles transmission for a year, requiring high vaccination rates, strong surveillance, and quick outbreak responses.

Earning and keeping “measles-free” status means stopping continuous measles transmission for a year, requiring high vaccination rates, strong surveillance, and quick outbreak responses. North America now faces its greatest challenge to this status.
historyofvaccines.org/blog/how-reg...

The Long History of Fake Vaccine Cards and Exemptions Exploring the nearly two-century history of fake vaccine cards and exemptions, from Victorian England to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting evolving fraud methods, resistance, and the tension between individual liberty and public health.

The creation and use of fake vaccine cards and exemptions date back nearly 200 years, adapting from handwritten notes to digital fraud. This history reflects ongoing tension between individual rights and public health protections.
historyofvaccines.org/blog/long-hi...

Measles outbreak investigation in Utah blocked by patient who refuses to talk The person refused to even tell health officials their address.

A measles outbreak investigation in Utah faces hurdles as a likely case refuses to cooperate, highlighting challenges for public health amid rising vaccine hesitancy and low immunization rates. The US is on the brink of losing measles elimination status. arstechnica.com/health/2025/...

Inside the marketplace for vaccine medical exemptions Frontline Health Advocates provides medical exemption notes—for a fee. What exactly are they selling?

A company is selling vaccine exemption notes for hundreds of dollars, leaving many parents with costly, confusing paperwork and legal uncertainty. Some exemptions work, but officials warn the approach may not hold up.
arstechnica.com/health/2025/...

Data: Two doses of recombinant shingles vaccine effective, even in those who received live vaccine MargJohnsonVA / iStock

New research shows that two doses of the recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) work well—even for those who previously received the live vaccine. Both healthy and immunocompromised older adults benefit.
www.cidrap.umn.edu/varicella/da...

Vaccine protects people from paratyphoid fever in a ‘human challenge’ study Volunteers who swallowed disease-causing bacteria were less likely to get sick after an oral vaccine

A new oral vaccine showed strong protection against paratyphoid fever in a recent human challenge study, reducing infection risk by 73%. This marks progress towards controlling enteric fevers globally.
www.science.org/content/arti...

‘Vaccines don’t save lives. Vaccinations do’: Experts talk vaccine safety, misinformation University of Wisconsin’s Morgridge Institute for Research, hosted a Fearless Science Forum event Oct. 27. The panelists included professor of Pathobiological Sciences Dr. Jorge Osorio, professors of…

badgerherald.com/news/2025/10/30/vaccines-dont-save-lives-vaccinations-do-experts-talk-vaccine-safety-misinformation/

‘Vaccines don’t save lives. Vaccinations do’: Experts talk vaccine safety, misinformation University of Wisconsin’s Morgridge Institute for Research, hosted a Fearless Science Forum event Oct. 27. The panelists included professor of Pathobiological Sciences Dr. Jorge Osorio, professors of…

Experts at the UW Fearless Science Forum stress that vaccines only save lives when people actually get vaccinated.