Rabies is an ancient, unpredictable and potentially fatal disease − two rabies researchers explain how to protect yourself

An unexpected case of rabies found in an animal can raise concerns for a potential outbreak. Proactive vaccination of both wildlife and people can help protect everyone.

Charles Rupprecht, Affiliate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University • conversation
Jan. 9, 2024 • ~10 min

Vaccines using mRNA can protect farm animals against diseases traditional ones may not – and there are safeguards to ensure they won't end up in your food

While mRNA vaccines are designed to last longer in the body than mRNA molecules typically would, they are also tested to ensure they are eliminated from livestock long before milking or slaughter.

David Verhoeven, Assistant Professor of Vet Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University • conversation
May 17, 2023 • ~10 min

FDA's approval of the world's first vaccine against RSV will offer a new tool in an old fight – 4 questions answered

The newly approved RSV vaccine could be rolled out by fall 2023, in time for the typical winter surge in RSV infections.

Annette Regan, Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of San Francisco • conversation
May 10, 2023 • ~7 min

'Got polio?' messaging underscores a vaccine campaign's success but creates false sense of security as memories of the disease fade in US

Polio vaccines have been a massive public health victory in the US. But purely celebratory messaging overlooks the ongoing threat if vaccination rates fall.

Katherine A. Foss, Professor of Media Studies, Middle Tennessee State University • conversation
April 27, 2023 • ~10 min

What the research shows about risks of myocarditis from COVID vaccines versus risks of heart damage from COVID – two pediatric cardiologists explain how to parse the data

Parsing the risk of myocarditis from viral infection versus vaccination is challenging, and researchers are intensely studying the various factors that are at play.

Jennifer H. Huang, Associate Professor of Pediatric Cardiology, Oregon Health & Science University • conversation
March 13, 2023 • ~12 min

Vaccination to prevent dementia? New research suggests one way viral infections can accelerate neurodegeneration

Inflammation and damage to the olfactory system from shingles, COVID-19 and herpes infections may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.

Maria Nagel, Professor of Neurology and Ophthalmology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • conversation
Jan. 18, 2023 • ~9 min

'Vaccinating' frogs may or may not protect them against a pandemic – but it does provide another option for conservation

Amphibians have been devastated by a chytrid fungus pandemic. Researchers immunized California red-legged frogs in Yosemite to give them a fighting chance at survival, with surprising results.

Andrea Adams, Researcher in Ecology, University of California, Santa Barbara • conversation
Dec. 16, 2022 • ~8 min

Nasal vaccines promise to stop the COVID-19 virus before it gets to the lungs – an immunologist explains how they work

An effective nasal vaccine could stop the virus that causes COVID-19 right at its point of entry. But devising one that works has been a challenge for researchers.

Michael W. Russell, Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology, University at Buffalo • conversation
Dec. 14, 2022 • ~9 min

Monkeypox vaccines: A virologist answers 6 questions about how they work, who can get them and how well they prevent infection

There are two approved monkeypox vaccines in the US. Both use a related poxvirus called vaccinia to produce an immune response that protects against smallpox and monkeypox.

Maureen Ferran, Associate Professor of Biology, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Aug. 4, 2022 • ~8 min

Polio in New York – an infectious disease doctor explains this exceedingly rare occurrence

The oral polio vaccine – which is no longer given in the US – relies on a live but weakened virus that can actually be passed from person to person.

William Petri, Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia • conversation
July 22, 2022 • ~6 min

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