Dokal K, Channon-Wells S, Davis C, Estrada-Rivadeneyra D, Huse KK, Lias A, Hamilton S, Guy RL, Lamagni T, Nichols S, Taylor A, Agyeman PKA, Anpananthar A, Basmaci R, Carrol ED, Carter MJ, De T, de Jonge MI, Emonts M, Elorrieta LE, Fidler K, Kolnik M, Kuijpers TW, Martinon-Torres F, Moll H, Mommert-Tripon M, Neshat S, Nyirenda-Nyang’wa M, O’Riordan S, Owens DR, Pathan N, Paulus S, Peters MJ, Pokorn M, Pollard AJ, Rivero-Calle I, Rojo P, Romani L, Rughani P, Schlapbach LJ, Schweintzger NA, Shen CF, Sulik A, Tsolia M, Usuf E, van der Flier M, Vermont C, von Both U, Wellman P, Wright VJ, Yeung S, Zavadska D, Cunnington AJ, Fink C, Herberg J, Kaforou M, Sriskandan S, Levin M, Parks T; PERFORM and DIAMONDS consortiums. Immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes and Common Respiratory Viruses at Age 0 to 4 Years After COVID-19 Restrictions. JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Oct 1;8(10):e2537808.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.37808
Editorial comment: In a cross-sectional study of 1,942 children, those aged 3–4 years sampled after COVID-19 restrictions showed markedly lower immunity to Streptococcus pyogenes and RSV compared with pre-pandemic peers. The findings suggest that masking, distancing, and isolation may have limited natural immune development, leaving young children more susceptible—a phenomenon known as “immunity debt.”
Callaghan T, Wise LA, Regan AK. Intention to Use RSVpreF Vaccine or Nirsevimab to Prevent Infant RSV Among Pregnant Individuals. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Nov 1;44(11):1126-1133.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004889
Editorial comment: In a US, nationally representative survey of pregnant individuals (Sept 20–Oct 3, 2023), researchers assessed intentions to receive the RSVpreF vaccine during pregnancy or to immunize infants with nirsevimab. Findings: 45% intended to receive RSVpreF, 51% intended to give their infants nirsevimab, while 41% planned to use neither. Intent was significantly higher among those already aware of the products and who perceived them as safe, effective, and important. The main reasons for hesitancy included concerns about side effects, potential impact on infants, and the perception that the immunizations were too new.
Olarte L, Musher DM, Rodriguez-Barradas MC. Higher-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccines-Perspective for 2026. JAMA Intern Med. 2025 Oct 20.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.5436
Editorial comment: This concise mini-review examines the potential risks associated with expanding serotype coverage in protein-conjugate pneumococcal vaccines (PCVs)—notably the possibility of impaired conjugation efficiency and reduced immunogenicity. It also provides an overview of both current and emerging PCVs in development.
Fong Y, Huang Y, Huang Y, Woo W, McGarry A, Áñez G, Dunkle LM, Cho I, Houchens CR, Martins K, Jayashankar L, Castellino F, Petropoulos CJ, Leith A, Haugaard D, Webb W, Lu Y, Yu C, Carpp LN, Randhawa AK, Andrasik MP, Kublin JG, Hutter J, Keshtkar-Jahromi M, Beresnev TH, Rodriguez CA, Tapia M, Turley CB, Zorrilla CD, Cohen SH, Kline SE, Barranco E, Corey L, Neuzil KM, Follmann D, Ake JA, Gay CL, Kotloff KL, Jones T, Koup RA, Donis RO, Gilbert PB. Analysis of antibody markers as immune correlates of risk of severe COVID-19 in the PREVENT-19 efficacy trial of the NVX-CoV2373 recombinant protein vaccine. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 25:ciaf558.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf558
Editorial comment: In this study, individuals who did not develop COVID-19 had markedly higher peak antibody levels than those with severe disease (all Delta variant). Ancestral-specific anti-Spike IgG concentrations and neutralizing antibody titers (nAb-ID50) were 209.5 AU/mL (95% CI: 176.1–249.1) in non-cases versus 9.6 AU/mL (95% CI: 2.4–38.6) in severe cases. Post-vaccination antibody levels following NVX-CoV2373 were strong predictors of protection against severe COVID-19, with low antibody responses signaling increased vulnerability.
Fafi I, Levy C, Birgy A, Bechet S, Werner A, Batard C, Franji B, Lassoued Y, Cahn Sellem F, Basmaci R, Kaguelidou F, Ouldali N, Cohen R. Impact of RSV immunization on the rate of pediatric acute otitis media: a time-series analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 9:ciaf564.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaf564
Editorial comment: In this large French study including 70,452 cases of AOM, 13,284 bronchiolitis, and 814 UTIs, the rate of acute otitis media (AOM) per 1,000 visits among infants <12 months decreased by 23.7% (95% CI: –37.6 to –9.7; p = 0.0014) following RSV immunization implementation, with no significant change in older age groups. Similar trends were observed for bronchiolitis. RSV immunization led to a strong reduction of AOM rate in infants aged < 12 months. Beyond its efficacy in preventing RSV-related lower respiratory infections in infants aged < 12 months, RSV immunization may contribute to reducing the burden of AOM in children.
Chalkias S, Dennis P, Petersen D, Radhakrishnan K, Vaughan L, Handforth R, Rossi A, Wahid R, Edwards DK, Feng J, Deng W, Zhou H, De Windt E, Urdaneta V, Paila Y, Girard B, Faust SN, Walsh SR, Cosgrove CA, Miller J, Das R. Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of a next-generation mRNA-1283 COVID-19 vaccine compared with the mRNA-1273 vaccine (NextCOVE): results from a phase 3, randomised, observer-blind, active-controlled trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2025 Nov;25(11):1230-1242.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00236-1
Editorial comment: mRNA-1283 is an investigational, next-generation COVID-19 vaccine that encodes only the immunodominant regions of the SARS-CoV-2 spike, the receptor-binding domain (RBD), and the N-terminal domain rather than the full-length spike used in currently authorized mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273). 1177 confirmed COVID-19 events occurred up to Jan 31, 2024 (560 [9·9%] of 5679 in mRNA1283 and 617 [10·8%] of 5687 in mRNA-1273). Local and systemic adverse reactions were similar between mRNA-1283 and mRNA-1273. mRNA-1283 was well-tolerated. The rVE and immunogenicity non-inferiority criteria were met, with higher antibody responses for mRNA-1283 versus mRNA-1273.
Scott J, Abers MS, Marwah HK, McCann NC, Meyerowitz EA, Richterman A, Fleming DF, Holmes EJ, Moat LE, Redepenning SG, Smith EA, Stoddart CJ, Sundaram ME, Ulrich AK, Alba C, Anderson CJ, Arpey MK, Borre E, Ladines-Lim J, Mehr AJ, Rich K, Watts C, Basta NE, Jarolimova J, Walensky RP, Dugdale CM. Updated Evidence for Covid-19, RSV, and Influenza Vaccines for 2025-2026. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 29.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa2514268
Editorial comment: The authors conducted a systematic review of U.S.-licensed vaccines against COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines targeting the XBB.1.5 subvariant showed pooled vaccine effectiveness (VE) against hospitalization of 46–50% in adults and 37% in immunocompromised adults; the KP.2 vaccine demonstrated 68% VE. Maternal RSV vaccination, nirsevimab in infants, and RSV vaccines in adults ≥60 years each showed VE ≥68% against hospitalization. Influenza vaccines showed pooled VE of 48% in adults and 67% in children. Safety profiles were consistent with prior evaluations: myocarditis occurred in 1.3–3.1 per 100,000 male adolescents after COVID-19 vaccination, and RSVPreF vaccination was linked to 18.2 excess Guillain-Barré cases per million doses in older adults, with no significant association with preterm birth. Overall, current evidence supports the continued safety and effectiveness of these immunizations for the 2025–2026 season.
McCann N, Paganotti Vicentine M, Ebrahimi N, Greenland M, Angus B, Collins AM, Darton T, Emary K, Faust SN, Flaxman A, Maria N, Green CA, Juarez Molina C, Paidisetti R, Lazarus R, Macaulay GC, McLean F, Mohan VK, Naidu MG, Ramasamy MN, Rao DY, Singh N, Vernon S, Kim YC, Levine MM, Liu X, Pollard AJ; VASP Study Team. Safety, Efficacy, and Immunogenicity of a Salmonella Paratyphi A Vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2025 Oct 30;393(17):1704-1714.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2502992
Editorial comment: In this human challenge trial, a total of 72 participants were randomized, of whom 34 in the live, attenuated Salmonella Paratyphi A vaccine (CVD 1902) group and 36 in the placebo group underwent challenge with S. Paratyphi A. In the intention-to-treat population, S. Paratyphi A infection was diagnosed within 14 days after challenge in 21% of participants in the CVD 1902 group and in 75% of those in the placebo group (P<0.001), corresponding to a vaccine efficacy of 73% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46–86). In the per-protocol analysis, vaccine efficacy was 69% (95% CI, 42–84).
Lassen MCH, Johansen ND, Christensen SH, Aliabadi N, Skaarup KG, Modin D, Claggett BL, Larsen CS, Larsen L, Wiese L, Dalager-Pedersen M, Lindholm MG, Jensen AMR, Dons M, Bernholm KF, Davidovski FS, Duus LS, Ottosen CI, Nielsen AB, Borchsenius JH, Espersen C, Köse G, Fussing FH, Pareek M, Køber L, Solomon SD, Jensen JUS, Martel CJ, Gessner BD, Schwarz C, Gonzalez E, Skovdal M, Moulton LH, Zhang P, Begier E, Biering-Sørensen T. Bivalent RSV Prefusion F Protein-Based Vaccine for Preventing Cardiovascular Hospitalizations in Older Adults: A Prespecified Analysis of the DAN-RSV Trial. JAMA. 2025 Oct 28;334(16):1431-1441.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2025.15405
Editorial comment: In this Danish study of 131,276 participants, incidence rates of all-cause cardiovascular hospitalization were 16.4 and 17.7 events per 1,000 person-years in the RSVpreF and control groups, respectively (vaccine effectiveness, 7.4% [95% CI, –5.5% to 18.8%]; P = .24). Stroke incidence rates were 3.0 and 3.8 events per 1,000 person-years (vaccine effectiveness, 19.4% [95% CI, –8.6% to 40.4%]; P = .14). No significant differences were observed between groups for myocardial infarction, heart failure hospitalization, or atrial fibrillation. Among adults aged 60 years or older, however, all-cause cardiorespiratory hospitalization was significantly lower with RSVpreF vaccination than with no vaccine.
Shih YH, Yang CY, Lung CC. SARS-CoV-2 infection heightens the risk of developing HPV-related carcinoma in situ and cancer. Discov Oncol. 2025 Aug 14;16(1):1552.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-03403-4
Editorial comment: This study used data from TriNetX, a global database encompassing 106 healthcare organizations across 15 countries, with information from over 124 million individuals. A total of 4,872,295 patients were included: 1,281,997 with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 3,590,298 without infection. After propensity score matching, both groups included 1,281,997 patients. Over a 3-year follow-up, SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with significantly higher risks of HPV-related cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers, as well as carcinoma in situ. These associations were consistent across age and racial groups.
Raffl S, Springer DN, Aberle SW, Florian DM, Kundi M, Stiasny K, Aberle JH. Tick-borne encephalitis: Burden of disease and impact of vaccination, Austria (2000-2024). Vaccine. 2025 Nov 14;66:127854.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127854
Editorial comment: In this Austrian retrospective analysis of 2,260 hospitalized tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases, 12% occurred in children (1–15 years), 47% in adults (16–59 years), and 41% in older adults (≥60 years). Severe disease was reported in 47% of patients, with a mortality rate of 1.2%. TBE vaccination provided excellent protection—99% with regular and over 90% with irregular schedules—and was estimated to have prevented more than 10,000 hospitalizations, 4,000 severe cases, and 80 deaths between 2000 and 2024.
Ramay BM, Yoder J, Castillo C, Fahsen N, Grajeda L, Santos LF, Romero JC, Lopez MR, Palmer GH, Cordon-Rosales C, Call DR. Assessing effects of pneumococcal vaccination (PCV13) and rotavirus vaccination (RV) on colonization with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) in Guatemalan children. Vaccine. 2025 Nov 14;66:127852.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127852
Editorial comment: This study examined whether vaccination against rotavirus (RV) or pneumococcus (PCV13) was associated with reduced colonization by extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) among children under 15 years of age in Guatemala. Among 406 participants, PCV13 vaccination showed an indirect negative association with ESCrE colonization (−0.092, P < 0.01), mediated through reduced clinic visits (−0.461, P < 0.01). Antibiotic use increased clinic visits (P < 0.01) but did not significantly affect ESCrE colonization. The effect of RV vaccination was inconclusive due to the small number of unvaccinated children. Overall, pneumococcal vaccination was linked to lower rates of ESCrE bacterial colonization.
Janiak S, Piszczek E, Buczkowska A, Buczkowski K. Parental Vaccine Hesitancy, Trust in Physicians, and Future Vaccination Intentions: A PACV Cross-Sectional Study. Vaccines. 2025; 13(11):1127.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13111127
Editorial comment: This Polish study examined socio-demographic predictors of parental pro- and anti-vaccination behaviors and their association with intentions for future child immunizations. Surveys from 1,046 parents covering 1,701 children showed that trust in physicians was strongly linked to both current attitudes and future vaccination intentions. Trust-based, patient-centered communication may foster more positive views toward vaccination, though longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether such trust can lead to lasting behavioral change, particularly as parental attitudes may shift with subsequent children.
Callaghan T, Wise LA, Regan AK. Intention to Use RSVpreF Vaccine or Nirsevimab to Prevent Infant RSV Among Pregnant Individuals. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Nov 1;44(11):1126-1133.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004889
Editorial comment: The authors conducted a nationally representative U.S. survey of pregnant individuals, weighted to the U.S. population of births, between September 20 and October 3, 2023. Primary outcomes assessed participants’ intentions to receive the RSVpreF vaccine during pregnancy and to immunize their infants with nirsevimab. Nearly 45% intended to receive the RSVpreF vaccine, and 51% planned to give their infants nirsevimab, while 41% did not intend to use either product. Intent to use the RSVpreF vaccine or nirsevimab was significantly higher among respondents who were already aware of these products and who perceived them as safe, effective, and important.
Decker V, Qureshi K, Roberts L, Powell N, Marchesi JR, Mullish BH, Alexander JL. The emerging role of the gut microbiota in vaccination responses. Gut Microbes. 2025 Dec;17(1):2549585.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2025.2549585
Editorial comment: The gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial modulator of host immune function, with growing evidence indicating its influence on vaccine-induced immunity. This review summarizes current findings linking gut microbial composition to vaccine responses, particularly for vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis B virus, and influenza. Factors such as antibiotic exposure, diet, and prebiotic or probiotic use can alter the microbiota and, in turn, affect vaccine efficacy, underscoring the dynamic interplay between the gut and the immune system. Experimental models support these associations, demonstrating reduced immune responses in germ-free or antibiotic-treated animals and enhanced responses following microbiota-based interventions.
Ndeketa L, Haine V, Debois M, Asante KP, Agyapong PD, Kaali S, Devadiga R, Harrison SBE, Boahen O, French N, Kayan K, Ogutu B, Adeniji E, Kariuki S, Owusu-Agyei S, Olewe F, Jere TM, Maleta K, Mategula D, Mzanga P, Phiri VK, Ansah PO, Orimbo J, Ansah NA, Orsini M, Ong’echa JM, Oduro AR, Sifuna PM, Azongo DK, Otieno W, Bangre O, Kaburise MB, Ababio LO, Oyieko JN, Sing’oei V, Amoit SK, Nyangulu W, Schuerman L, Awuni D, Ochieng BO, Onyango I, Odera-Ojwang P, Oguk EA, Mendoza YG, Cherop RY, Okoth GO, Cravcenco C, Chipatala R, Roman F, Oneko M, Savic M; RTS,S Epidemiology EPI-MAL-003 Study Group. Effectiveness of the RTS,S/AS01E malaria vaccine in a real-world setting over 1 year of follow-up after the three-dose primary schedule: an interim analysis of a phase 4 study in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi. Lancet Glob Health. 2025 Nov 6:S2214-109X(25)00415-2.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00415-2
Editorial comment: RTS,S/AS01E was introduced in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi through the Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme. The phase 4 EPI-MAL-003 study evaluated its real-world safety and effectiveness in children under 18 months across 12 sites. Compared with unvaccinated children, vaccinated participants had significantly lower rates of malaria: 30% reduction in any malaria, 58% in severe malaria, 36% in malaria-related hospitalizations, and 21% in all-cause hospitalizations. No significant difference was seen in all-cause mortality. After one year of follow-up, RTS,S/AS01E demonstrated substantial real-world impact in reducing malaria burden among young children.
Branda F, Kandu H, Pandey K, Pun SB, Acharya KP. Cholera in Nepal: policy priorities and regional lessons. Lancet Infect Dis. 2025 Nov;25(11):e626.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00564-X
Editorial comment: Cholera remains a test of equity, resilience, and preparedness. Nepal’s paradox—access without safety, progress without protection—illustrates the danger of mistaking infrastructure expansion for true resilience. Without systemic reform, the next outbreak could once again escalate from a local crisis to a global emergency. This thoughtful editorial explores these challenges and other critical aspects of the current situation.
Dereje N, Aragaw M, Mercy K, Moges H, Shaweno T, Tsague LD, Tanui C, Kifle Tessema S, Raji T, Boum Y, Fallah MP, Ngongo N, Kaseya J. Addressing the Recurrent and Protracted Cholera Outbreaks in Africa: Challenges and the Way Forward. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 6;16(1):9792.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64789-x
Editorial comment: This review analyzes the ongoing and protracted cholera outbreaks in Africa, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions. Increased investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); strengthened vaccination efforts; enhanced intersectoral response coordination; and sustained political commitment are all critical to effectively controlling and preventing future outbreaks.
Deming ME, Toapanta FR, Pasetti M, Golding H, Khurana S, Hamouda T, Fattom A, Liang Y, Tennant SM, McGilvray MF, Bernal PJ, Oshinsky JJ, Datta S, Booth JP, Coughlan L, Neuzil KM, Costley CD, Kotloff KL, Sztein MB, Ortiz JR; rH5 Writing Group. An intranasal adjuvanted, recombinant influenza A/H5 vaccine primes against diverse H5N1 clades: a phase I trial. Nat Commun. 2025 Nov 6;16(1):9321.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-64686-3
Editorial comment: In this phase 1 clinical trial, the authors evaluated a recombinant influenza A/H5 (A/Indonesia/05/2005, clade 2.1) hemagglutinin vaccine formulated with the nanoemulsion adjuvant W805EC. The findings demonstrated effective mucosal priming and broad cross-clade immune responses. This intranasal vaccine represents a promising platform for further investigation of mucosal immune biomarkers and may help accelerate the development of next-generation intranasal influenza vaccines.
Galiza EP, Nakebembe E, Mboizi R, Okek E, Le Doare K. Maternal vaccination to prevent neonatal infections and combat antimicrobial resistance. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2025 Oct 24:101680.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.siny.2025.101680
Editorial comment: There is substantial evidence supporting the role of maternal vaccination in preventing numerous neonatal infections that would otherwise require medical intervention. By protecting both mothers and their infants from infectious diseases, maternal immunization contributes not only to improved perinatal outcomes but also to a reduction in antimicrobial use and, consequently, antimicrobial resistance. When integrated into comprehensive antibiotic stewardship and infection-prevention strategies, maternal vaccination represents a practical and scalable approach to minimizing perinatal antibiotic exposure.
