WHO Position paper on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Published: May 30, 2025.
FDA OKs First Meningococcal Vaccine for Infants
Published: May 30, 2025.
The FDA has approved the first-ever meningococcal vaccine for babies as young as 6 weeks old.
Sanofi Pasteur’s quadrivalent MenQuadfi shot was first cleared in 2020 for adults and children ages 2 years or older. It protects against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by the four most common strains of meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis): A, C, W, and Y.
The approval was based on positive results from clinical studies involving 4,273 infants ages 6 weeks to 23 months, who received at least one dose of either a four-dose or two-dose series of MenQuadfi.
Valneva Reports Positive Six-Month Antibody Persistence and Safety Phase 2 Results in Children for its Single-Shot Chikungunya Vaccine IXCHIQ®
Published: June 5, 2025
In a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of two different dose levels of its single-shot, in 304 children, antibody levels remained high after six months, being higher and equally safe with the full dose, hence, this six-month data confirm full dose selection for pivotal Phase 3 trial.
U.S. FDA Approves Merck’s ENFLONSIA™ (clesrovimab-cfor) for Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Lower Respiratory Tract Disease in Infants Born During or Entering Their First RSV Season
Published: June 9, 2025.
ENFLONSIA (clesrovimab-cfor) is Merck’s extended half-life monoclonal antibody (mAb) indicated for passive immunization for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants who are born during or entering their first RSV season. ENFLONSIA is administered using non-weight-based dosing and is designed to provide direct, rapid and durable protection through 5 months, a typical RSV season. For infants born during the RSV season, ENFLONSIA is to be administered starting from birth. For infants born outside of the RSV season, ENFLONSIA should be administered prior to the start of their first RSV season. For infants undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass during or entering their first RSV season, an additional 105 mg dose is recommended as soon as the infant is stable after surgery.
Press Release: Sanofi accelerates global shipping of Beyfortus to prepare healthcare providers months ahead of 2025-2026 RSV season
Published: June 9, 20265.
Sanofi is shipping Beyfortus (nirsevimab) starting in early Q3 to ensure broad availability well ahead of the 2025-2026 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season, which typically starts in November and runs through March. Immunizations begin in early fall and these advance shipments provide confidence for healthcare providers to support their efforts.
https://www.sanofi.com/en/media-room/press-releases/2025/2025-06-09-05-00-00-3095598
WHO COVID-19 Global Situation
Published: May 28, 2025.
Since mid-February 2025, according to data available from sentinel sites, global SARS-CoV-2 activity has been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that have not been observed since July 2024. This rise is primarily observed in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions. Since early 2025, global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends have slightly shifted. Circulation of LP.8.1 has been declining, and reporting of NB.1.8.1, a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM), is increasing, reaching 10.7% of global sequences reported as of mid-May.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON572
Six babies with unvaccinated mothers born with measles in Canada
Published: June 9, 2025.
Ontario’s chief medical officer of health says infections could have been prevented through routine vaccination.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/09/canada-measles-outbreak-infants
Merck Initiates Phase 3 Study Evaluating Dengue Vaccine Candidate
Published: June 12, 2025.
V181 is a live attenuated quadrivalent vaccine currently being investigated for the prevention of dengue disease caused by any of the four dengue virus types (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4). V181 is designed to be a single-dose vaccination and is being studied in individuals to provide protection against dengue, including severe forms, whether the individuals have been previously infected with the dengue virus or had no prior infections. Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, today announced the initiation of the MOBILIZE-1 Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a single dose of V181.The study aims to enroll approximately 12,000 healthy individuals 2 to 17 years of age who will be randomized to receive either a single dose of V181 or placebo. The study is planned to include more than 30 trial sites in dengue endemic areas in the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
https://www.merck.com/news/merck-initiates-phase-3-study-evaluating-dengue-vaccine-candidate/
Sierra Leone Is Battling an Mpox Outbreak. What Happens Next Affects Us All
Published: June 11, 2025.
https://time.com/7291478/sierra-leone-mpox-outbreak-pardis-sabeti-christian-happi-essay/
The Philippines: DOH logs over 110K dengue cases from Jan. to May 2025
Published: June 5, 2025.
The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded over 110,000 cases of dengue across the country from January to May 10, 2025, according to a “24 Oras” report by Darlene Cay.
The most recent data from DOH showed that more than 19,000 cases were logged in Metro Manila from January to May 17, 2025. This shows a 224% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
ECDC: Diphtheria strain involved in outbreaks among vulnerable (immigrants) populations across Europe between 2022 and 2025
Published: June 5, 2025.
WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the Cholera Situation in Africa Emergency High-Level Meeting for Heads of State and Government – 4 June 2025
Published: June 4, 2025.
Africa CDC Epidemic Intelligence Weekly Report, 1 Jun 2025
Published: June 2, 2025.
https://reliefweb.int/report/burundi/africa-cdc-epidemic-intelligence-weekly-report-1-jun-2025
Emerging Infectious Diseases to Watch in 2025
Published: June 7, 2025.
https://www.sciencenewstoday.org/emerging-infectious-diseases-to-watch-in-2025
Travel Health News
Published: June 12, 2025.
https://www.travelhealth.gov.hk/english/outbreaknews/2025/ond10June2025.html
What to Know About the New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) and How to Protect Yourself This Summer
Published: June 13, 2025.
A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1—nicknamed “Nimbus”—has emerged globally and is now spreading in the United States. This variant is a recombinant descendant of XDV.1.5.1, which itself stems from the Omicron lineage. Compared to current dominant Omicron subvariants such as JN.1 and LP.8.1, Nimbus carries several mutations that may enhance its ability to bind to human cells and potentially evade certain immune responses. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nimbus accounted for approximately 37% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. during the two-week period ending June 7. Internationally, NB.1.8.1 has been associated with a rise in infections, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations—particularly in China, where the variant was first identified. Clinically, NB.1.8.1 appears to cause more allergy-like symptoms, such as sneezing and nasal congestion. However, its overall symptom profile remains consistent with that of other recent COVID-19 variants. The encouraging news is that current vaccines continue to offer protection against severe disease caused by this new variant.
WHO guidelines on meningitis diagnosis , treatment, and care
Published: June, 2025.
