Pomirchy M, Chung S, Bommer C, Strobel S, Geldsetzer P. Herpes zoster vaccination and incident dementia in Canada: an analysis of natural experiments. Lancet Neurol. 2026 Feb;25(2):170-180.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(25)00455-7
Editorial comment: The authors evaluated the impact of live attenuated herpes zoster vaccination on incident dementia among adults aged ≥70 years using natural experiments in Ontario, Canada, complemented by a quasi-experimental analysis across multiple Canadian provinces. The study included 232,124 individuals born in Ontario. Following program implementation, eligible birth cohorts in Ontario had significantly fewer new dementia diagnoses compared with the same cohorts in provinces without a herpes zoster vaccination program. These findings from natural and quasi-experimental analyses support a likely causal association between herpes zoster vaccination and the prevention or delay of incident dementia.
Lyke KE, Berry AA, Laurens MB, Winkler J, Joshi S, Koudjra AR, Butler L, Billingsley PF, Pascini T, Patil A, Sim BKL, Fitzgerald G, Riegel J, Andrews K, Levi M, Anderson AB, Wells CD, Liu H, Huleatt J, Miller RS. Human monoclonal antibody MAM01 for protection against malaria in adults in the USA: a first-in-human, phase 1, dose-escalation, double-blind, placebo-controlled, adaptive trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2026 Feb;26(2):170-181.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00481-5
Editorial comment: Monoclonal antibodies targeting the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein may simplify malaria prophylaxis. This human challenge trial evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of MAM01, a monoclonal antibody targeting the conserved NANP repeat region. Of 63 participants screened, 38 were enrolled and 37 randomized. Following controlled human malaria infection, parasitaemia occurred in all controls (6/6) and in 18/22 participants receiving MAM01, whereas none of the three participants given 40 mg/kg intravenously developed parasitaemia. MAM01 was well tolerated and demonstrated proof-of-principle protection in malaria-naïve adults.
Van Dijck C, Berens-Riha N, Zaeck LM, Kremer C, Verschueren J, Coppens J, Vanroye F, Willems E, Bosman E, De Cock N, Smekens B, Vandenhove L, Goovaerts O, Van Hul A, Wouters J, Jacobs BKM, Bracke S, Hens M, Brosius I, De Vos E, Bangwen E, Houben S, Tsoumanis A, Dantas PHLF, Rutgers J, Lipman A, Wijnans K, Soentjens P, Bottieau E, Kenyon C, van Griensven J, Reyniers T, Horst N, Ariën KK, Van Esbroeck M, Torneri A, Vercauteren K, Adriaensen W, de Vries RD, Mariën J, Liesenborghs L. Long-term consequences of monkeypox virus infection or modified vaccinia virus Ankara vaccination in Belgium (MPX-COHORT and POQS-FU-PLUS): a 24-month prospective and retrospective cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2026 Feb;26(2):190-202.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(25)00545-6
Editorial comment: Individuals previously infected with MPXV show strong and durable immunological memory lasting up to 2 years after infection, in contrast to the less robust and shorter-lived response observed after MVA-BN vaccination. These findings suggest that MPXV infection confers long-term protection against reinfection, whereas vaccine-induced immunity can wane over time and requires boosting.
Ballivian J, Parker EPK, Berrueta M, Ciapponi A, Argento F, Bardach A, Brizuela M, Castellana N, Comande D, Kampmann B, Mazzoni A, Sambade JM, Stegelmann K, Xiong X, Munoz FM, Stergachis A, Buekens P. Immunogenicity of COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Comparison of Pregnant Versus Nonpregnant Persons. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Feb 1;44(2S):S27-S31.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004633
Editorial comment: This systematic review included 62 studies, predominantly analyzing maternal sera (87%), with limited data from cord, neonatal, and infant samples. Most studies evaluated mRNA vaccines (97%) and focused on primary vaccination (82%), with fewer assessing booster doses (15%). Following primary vaccination, antibodies were detectable in most pregnant individuals, with concentrations comparable to—or modestly lower than—those in nonpregnant individuals (spike-specific IgG ratios >0.7 in 5 of 6 estimates). Although modest differences in antibody quality and kinetics were observed, long-term antibody waning was similar between pregnant and nonpregnant individuals for up to 8 months post-vaccination.
Sturrock S, Cavell B, Alexander F, Apostolakis K, Barro C, Daniel O, Dixon L, Halkerston R, Hall T, Hesp JR, Hill AM, Leung S, Lim S, McStraw N, Otter A, Ramkhelawon L, Watts R, Etti M, T Heath P, Lee-Wo C, Greening V, Khalil A, Turner K, Taylor S, Le Doare K, Ladhani S. Maternal and Placental Antibody Responses in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination and Natural Infection During Pregnancy. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Feb 1;44(2S):S32-S37.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004704
Editorial comment: This prospective, multisite observational study across 14 centers in England (April 2020–December 2022) showed that both maternal vaccination and infection induced antibody responses in all mothers and in most neonates (93.8% and 92.9%, respectively), with persistence at 6 weeks in 95%. The strongest responses occurred in mothers who were both vaccinated and infected. Anti-spike antibody levels declined nearly 25-fold from first- to third-trimester vaccination (P=0.013). Placental antibody transfer varied by assay, with higher transfer ratios for Fc-mediated and IgG-specific responses. Overall, maternal vaccination demonstrated robust immunogenicity and effective neonatal antibody transfer, particularly when administered early in pregnancy.
Deese J, Schaible K, Massierer D, Tingir N, Fell DB, Atwell JE. Systematic Literature Review of Maternal Antibodies in Human Milk Following Vaccination During Pregnancy or Lactation: Tetanus, Pertussis, Influenza and COVID-19. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2025 Feb 1;44(2S):S38-S42.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004634
Editorial comment: This study included 18 studies reporting vaccine-induced antibodies in human milk (HM) or protection against infant illness. HM antibody levels increased following pertussis, influenza, and COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy or lactation. However, limited evidence prevents conclusions about any added benefit of breastfeeding after maternal vaccination during pregnancy beyond the benefits of breastfeeding alone, highlighting the need for dedicated studies to inform vaccine policy.
Pedersen K, Di Silvestre J, Sy S, Portnoy A, Castle PE, Kim JJ, Burger EA. Optimizing Cervical Cancer Screening by Age at Vaccination for Human Papillomavirus: Health and Resource Implications. Ann Intern Med. 2026 Feb 3.
doi: https://doi.org/10.7326/ANNALS-25-03192
Editorial comment: In this Norwegian modeling study, hypothetical cohorts of women vaccinated at seven age ranges (12 to 30 years) with either bivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccines were evaluated. Across all age groups and vaccine types, less frequent cervical screening with intervals longer than the currently recommended 5 years was consistently preferred at a threshold of $55,000 per QALY, although optimal strategies varied by age at vaccination. For women vaccinated between ages 12 and 24 years, the preferred approach involved screening every 15–25 years, corresponding to only two to three lifetime screens.
Honda K, Karaki T, Kunishima Y, Kawaguchi Y, Takemura N, Matsuzaki T, Fukada SI, Saitoh T, Hirai T, Yoshioka Y. Inflammatory mediators of mRNA vaccine-induced adverse reactions in mice. Mol Ther. 2026 Jan 20:S1525-0016(26)00023-7.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2026.01.022
Editorial comment: Researchers led by Koyo Honda at Osaka University provide mechanistic evidence explaining why mRNA vaccines commonly induce short-term adverse reactions such as fever, fatigue, and malaise. Using a controlled mouse model, the study demonstrates that lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)—rather than antigen expression—are the primary drivers of systemic inflammatory responses. These findings are important because they shift the safety discussion away from antigen-related toxicity and perhaps toward delivery-platform design, with direct implications for mRNA vaccines currently in use that rely on first-generation LNP formulations.
Chow FC, Granerod J, Kim CY, Nurye T, Thakur KT. The global threat of vaccine-preventable neurological diseases. Nat Rev Neurol. 2026 Feb;22(2):110-122.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-025-01172-w
Editorial comment: This review highlights the substantial global burden of vaccine-preventable neurological diseases, which cause severe acute and chronic complications and remain associated with high case-fatality rates. Recent outbreaks of dengue, poliomyelitis, measles, pertussis, meningococcal disease, and Japanese encephalitis have been linked to limited vaccine access, strained health-care systems, misinformation about vaccine safety, environmental disruptions, and geopolitical conflict. The authors emphasize that preventing a resurgence of these diseases will require coordinated global strategies, including equitable vaccine access, targeted public education, integration with public health services, and advances in next-generation vaccine technologies, particularly to address antimicrobial resistance and serotype replacement, with a focus on protecting vulnerable populations and safeguarding global health security.
Ko H, Kim CJ, Choi S, Noh J, Kim SW, Lee J, Byun S, Lee H, Park JC, Park HE, Sharma A, Park M, Park J, Lee CG, Cha KH, Im SH. Commensal microbe-derived butyrate enhances T follicular helper cell function to boost mucosal vaccine efficacy. Microbiome. 2026 Jan 21;14(1):37.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-025-02284-7
Editorial comment: The gut microbiota plays a critical role in mucosal immunity, with secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) serving as a key effector in pathogen neutralization and the maintenance of host–microbiota homeostasis. In this study, the authors highlight the pivotal role of the gut microbiota—particularly neomycin-sensitive, butyrate-producing taxa—in regulating Peyer’s patch T follicular helper (PP-Tfh) cell function and IgA production. These findings demonstrate how microbiota-derived signals shape Tfh responses and IgA-mediated immunity, with important implications for optimizing mucosal vaccine efficacy.
Kristoffersen AB, Bøås H, Meijerink H, LeBlanc M, Gjerdrum HSV, Greve-Isdahl M, Seppälä E. Increasing incidence of pertussis before scheduled primary school booster vaccinations in Norway, 1998-2019. Vaccine. 2026 Feb 6;76:128309.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128309
Editorial comment: In Norway, infant pertussis vaccination is scheduled according to date of birth, whereas primary school and adolescent booster doses are administered to entire school cohorts during the 2nd and 10th school years, respectively. As a result, the interval between completion of the infant series and the primary school booster varies widely, ranging from approximately 5.5 to 7.5 years. To assess the adequacy of the primary school booster timing, the authors estimated pertussis incidence among children aged 2–18 years. Among 782,875 children eligible for the primary school booster, 93% had been vaccinated by the end of the 2nd school year. Pertussis incidence increased following school entry, peaking at approximately 15 reported cases per 10,000 children per year, before declining to around 5 cases per 10,000 after booster uptake. These findings suggest that the current timing of the primary school pertussis booster may be suboptimal.
Ma X, Jin L, Li J, Jin P, Liu Y, Wen F, Zeng G, Li J. Long-term protection of an inactivated enterovirus type 71 vaccine against hand, foot, and mouth diseases in children: a modelling study. Vaccine. 2026 Feb 5;76:128286.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128286
Editorial comment: The authors analyzed data from a phase 3 randomized controlled trial in which infants and young children received either two doses of an inactivated EV71 vaccine (400 U per dose) or placebo. Neutralizing antibody (NTAb) responses were assessed in an immunogenicity subcohort followed for up to five years. Using these data and accounting for the current epidemiological patterns of EV71 circulation in China, the two-dose vaccination regimen was estimated to confer durable protection exceeding 72% for at least 20 years.
Akgör U, Temiz BE, Cengiz M, Ege HV, Joura E, Gültekin M. New HPV Vaccines on the Market and Future Trends: A State-of-the-Art Review. Vaccines. 2026; 14(2):140.
doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14020140
Editorial comment: Next-generation human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines include newly licensed and emerging formulations that use alternative platforms, expanded valency, or novel antigenic targets beyond traditional L1-based vaccines. Available data suggests comparable efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety to existing products, although long-term effectiveness and real-world impact data are still needed. Advances in L2-based platforms may further broaden cross-type protection, simplify manufacturing, and enable thermostable formulations, improving suitability for resource-limited settings. Favorable cost-effectiveness analyses underscore the potential of these vaccines to expand access, reduce inequities, and accelerate progress toward cervical cancer elimination.
Wu Y, Zhao Y, Liu Z, Zhu A. Influenza vaccination and the risk of myocardial infarction: a meta-epidemiology study. BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 7.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26541-y
Editorial comment: This meta-epidemiological study highlights the protective role of influenza vaccination in reducing cardiovascular risk, including the incidence of myocardial infarction. By synthesizing evidence across multiple study designs and populations, the findings support influenza vaccination as an effective cardiovascular risk–modifying intervention, particularly among individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease. These results reinforce the importance of influenza immunization not only for infection prevention but also as a complementary strategy in cardiovascular disease prevention and public health policy.
Lim JT, Chong CS, Chang CC, Mailepessov D, Dickens B, Lai YL, Deng L, Lee C, Tan LY, Chain G, Zulkifli MF, Liew JWK, Vasquez K, Chau ML, Ng Y, Lee V, Wong JCC, Sim S, Tan CH, Ng LC; Project Wolbachia–Singapore Consortium. Dengue Suppression by Male Wolbachia-Infected Mosquitoes. N Engl J Med. 2026 Feb 11.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2503304
Editorial comment: Wild-type female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that mate with males infected with the Wolbachia pipientis wAlbB strain produce nonviable offspring due to cytoplasmic incompatibility. Repeated releases of Wolbachia-infected males can therefore suppress mosquito populations and reduce dengue transmission. In a field trial in Singapore, releases of wAlbB-infected male A. aegypti mosquitoes were associated with a 71–72% reduction in dengue risk after 3 to ≥12 months of exposure (odds ratios, 0.28–0.29). Overall, this intervention effectively reduced vector density and dengue incidence.
Ikonen N, Haveri A, Lindh E, Liedes O, Vara S, Pakkanen SH, Kantele A, Nieminen T, Anttila VJ, Välimaa H, Melin M, Savolainen-Kopra C, Nohynek H. Reduced neutralising antibody responses against emerging 2025/26 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 subclade D.3.1 and A(H3N2) subclade K viruses among healthcare workers, Finland, August to October 2025. Euro Surveill. 2026 Feb;31(6).
doi: https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.6.2600094
Editorial comment: In this Finnish study, the authors evaluated neutralizing antibody responses to influenza A strains from the 2024/25 vaccine and the 2025/26 epidemic season in 46 Finnish healthcare workers, assessed before and after vaccination with the 2024/25 influenza vaccine. Although the vaccine contained an identical A(H1N1)pdm09 component, it included a different A(H3N2) strain compared with the 2025/26 vaccine. Neutralizing antibody responses were substantially reduced against the A(H3N2) subclade K virus, and antibody titers against certain A(H1N1)pdm09 strains were also lower.
Carvalho N, Watts E, Oliver VL, Clark A, Ozturk MH, Akauola S, Whelan C, Naseri T, Jenkins K, Mikkelsen-Lopez I, Lam KFK, Rabanal R, McLeod R, Jit M, Russell FM. Evaluation of rotavirus, pneumococcal conjugate and human papillomavirus vaccination in four Pacific island countries: A cost-effectiveness modelling study. PLoS Med. 2026 Feb 12;23(2):e1004604.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004604
Editorial comment: A 10-year vaccination program starting in 2021 was modeled, with lifetime costs and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) discounted at 3%. Vaccine prices were based on PAHO Revolving Fund costs, with lower-priced scenarios also assessed. Introducing HPV vaccine (HPVV), pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), and rotavirus vaccine (RVV) across the evaluated countries was projected to prevent over 1,000 deaths. At PAHO prices, the cost per DALY averted ranged from 42% to 73% of per capita GDP, and from 15% to 58% with lower-priced vaccines. With external support, introduction may represent good value for money in Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, although it would impose substantial financial and operational demands on immunization programs.
Hausdorff WP, Cavaleri M, Gruber MF, Nyarko KA, Pollard AJ, Hasso-Agopsowicz M, Joseph J, Aggarwal R, Agyei-Kwame E, Dull PM, Neels P, Bogaerts HH, Gill CJ, Salts N, Tang W, Giersing BK. Report of a one-day convening on regulatory science, practices, and innovative approaches to facilitate approval of novel combination vaccines. Vaccine. 2026 Jan 23;75:128257.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128257
Editorial comment: As part of efforts to advance combination vaccine development, the World Health Organization and PATH convened a one-day meeting in March 2025 with regulators, vaccine developers, funders, procurement agencies, and public health officials. Discussions focused on innovative approaches to demonstrating vaccine efficacy, including the use of multiple immune markers and controlled human infection models (CHIM), as well as reliance on clinical endpoints when individual component contributions cannot be etiologically distinguished. Regulators emphasized openness to scientifically robust and creative proposals, underscoring that the overall benefit–risk profile of the combination vaccine should remain the primary consideration.
Gomez Rial J, Redondo E, Rivero-Calle I, Mascarós E, Ocaña D, Jimeno I, Gil Á, Linares M, Onieva-García MÁ, González-Romo F, Yuste J, Martinón-Torres F. Immunofitness in the elderly: The role of vaccination in promoting healthy aging. Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026 Dec;22(1):2624234.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2026.2624234
Editorial comment: Vaccination enhances adaptive immune memory, optimizes antigen presentation through adjuvants, and can induce trained innate immunity, conferring benefits beyond the target pathogen. Evidence in older adults shows that influenza, RSV, pneumococcal, COVID-19, and recombinant zoster vaccines reduce respiratory events, cardiovascular outcomes, hospitalization, and mortality. Emerging platforms and precision vaccinology offer opportunities to tailor schedules according to immune age, comorbidity, and frailty. Integrating routine, age-appropriate vaccination with lifestyle interventions represents a practical, high-impact strategy to promote immunofitness.
Melchinger H, Krutika Kuppalli K, Rlharake JA, Omer SB. Malik AA. Intention to vaccinate children against measles: findings from a national survey in the United States. The Lancet Regional Health – Americas. 2026;55:101393.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lana.2026.101393
Editorial comment: The authors conducted a nationally representative survey of 1,166 U.S. adults (≥18 years) to assess knowledge, attitudes, and intentions regarding measles vaccination. Although childhood measles vaccination remains the prevailing social norm—with nearly 80% expressing intent to vaccinate—an important minority of adults reported unwillingness to vaccinate children even if recommended. Given that measles requires vaccination coverage exceeding 90% to maintain population-level protection, this hesitancy poses a significant public health concern.
Velásquez García HA, Wong S, Jeong D, Naveed Z, Mahmood B, McKee G, Janjua NZ. Long-Term Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Population-Based Study in British Columbia, Canada. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2026 Feb;42(2):e70136.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/dmrr.70136
Editorial comment: This retrospective cohort study included all British Columbia residents aged ≥18 years tested for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR between January 2020 and January 2024, excluding individuals with pre-existing diabetes or living in long-term care. Among more than 2 million individuals followed for a median of 874 days, 2.3% developed incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an 18% higher risk of developing T2DM compared with uninfected individuals (HR 1.18; 95% CI 1.15–1.22), with risk increasing according to illness severity. The elevated risk persisted for up to three years and was greatest among unvaccinated and severely ill individuals.
Hominal A, Gualtieri R, Lemaitre B, Pósfay-Barbe KM, Cao-Van H, Blanchard-Rohner G. Vaccine Immunity Against Pneumococcus in Children With Cochlear Implants. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2026 Feb 1;45(2):187-193.
doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000004999
Editorial comment: This study aimed to evaluate adherence to Swiss pneumococcal vaccination guidelines among children with cochlear implants. Fifty children were included, with a median age at implantation of 1.5 years. An overall decline in seroprotection was observed within five years after vaccination, most notably around five years of age. Vaccine-induced immunity varied by serotype: serotypes 6B, 14, and 19 elicited higher antibody levels, whereas serotypes 4, 9V, and 18C were associated with lower responses. Notably, children aged 2–5 years tended to demonstrate lower overall pneumococcal immunity. These findings support the proactive administration of an additional pneumococcal vaccine dose at the time of cochlear implant surgery planning for children aged ≥2 years.
