Vaccine News

Over the past few days, announcements have indicated more people may visit the Republic of El Salvador next year.

On November 1, 2024, Volaris El Salvador and Miami International Airport officials celebrated the launch of four weekly nonstop flights between San Salvador and Miami, Florida. In 2025, additional U.S. cities will also offer direct flights to this Central American destination.

On November 8, 2024, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador reported significantly reducing gang-related activity and associated crime in the last two years. Recognizing these positive changes, the U.S. Department of State reduced its travel advisory to Level 2.

To keep visitors informed of local issues, the State Department recommends using major highways and roads and minimizing travel outside metropolitan areas when visiting El Salvador. It also recommends that visitors enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts and make locating you in an emergency easier.

From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC says dengue outbreaks are a year-round risk in many parts of the world, including El Salvador. As of November 2024, over 7,200 dengue cases were reported, an increase from the 5,788 cases confirmed last year.

Additionally, chikungunya, another mosquito-transmitted disease, has been confirmed in 47 people this year.

"For U.S. travelers with plans to visit El Salvador, it's essential to receive the hepatitis A and typhoid fever vaccines before visiting because you'll want to sample many of the excellent Salvadorian foods while on vacation. Be sure you're up-to-date on all routine vaccines, like hepatitis B, flu, measles (MMR), and tetanus," Jeri Beales, MSN, R.N., informed Vax-Before-Travel.

"Mosquitos are also a problem throughout El Salvador, and cases of dengue fever are on the rise this year. Unfortunately, no vaccine is available in the U.S. to protect people against dengue, so be sure to use an insect repellant with at least 20% DEET."

"But, the good news for U.S. travelers is you can now vaccinate (IXCHIQ®) against the chikungunya illness and travelers no longer need to take malaria medication while in El Salvador because it has been eradicated from all parts of the country," added Beales, who leads Destination Health Clinic. This Boston-area travel health provider specializes in health education and vaccination for international travelers.

The CDC suggests visiting your healthcare provider at least a month before your trip to El Salvador to acquire necessary vaccines such as chikungunya or typhoid. Visit the CDC's page for the latest Travel Health Information. 

The global shift from a 2-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine regimen to a 1-dose schedule began in 2022 to address supply shortages that have historically left individuals from low- and middle-income countries unprotected.

According to a Medical News in Brief published today by The JAMA Network, this transition accelerated on October 4, 2024, when the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified Cecolin®. This HPV vaccine, which protects people against HPV 16 and 18, is the fourth vaccine for single-dose use.

Estimates from the WHO indicate that the switch to a single-dose vaccine schedule resulted in an additional six million girls being vaccinated against HPV globally in 2023.

That year, 27% of girls aged 9 to 14 received a single dose of HPV vaccine, compared with 20% in 2022.

As of September, 57 countries, up from 37 last year, had adopted the new vaccination plan. However, the U.S. CDC recommends either a 2- or 4-dose schedule.

Currently, there are six HPV vaccines in use, and various candidates are conducting clinical studies.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today it has identified a higher-than-expected number of chikungunya cases among U.S. travelers returning from the state of Telangana, India.

On November 8, 2024, the CDC issued a Level 2—Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory to alert travelers to India's ongoing chikungunya outbreak. In 2024, India reported 69,395 chikungunya cases.

Telangana is located in the south-central region of India, with a population of about 35 million. The USA is generally the largest source of foreign tourists arriving in India annually.

As of early November 2024, the CDC reported that 153 people had been infected with chikungunya while traveling abroad. Last year, only 129 cases were confirmed.

People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults, and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. The CDC stated that if you are pregnant, reconsider travel to the state of Telangana, mainly if you are close to delivering your baby. 

The CDC recommends vaccination against chikungunya for (most) adults traveling to a destination with a current outbreak.

In late 2023, the U.S. FDA approved Valneva SE's IXCHIQ®, the first vaccine to address chikungunya virus infections in adults. IXCHIQ is commercially available in the U.S. at most travel clinics and pharmacies.

Health authorities recently reported a yellow fever virus outbreak in the Republic of Colombia.

As of November 7, 2024, the government announced that 26 yellow fever cases were reported primarily in the Tolima province during 2024.

For this reason, Columbia's Ministry of Health and Social Protection and regional health authorities activated the "Epidemic Logical Barrier."

One of the measures taken was to advance a mass vaccination campaign in the priority municipalities. This vaccination activity was carried out on November 2, 2024. In Columbia, the Stamaril yellow fever vaccine is available.

As of week #35 of 2024, 38 confirmed cases of yellow fever have been reported in the Americas Region, including 19 deaths. Outbreaks were reported mainly throughout the Amazon region of Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana.

Yellow fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Its symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, headache, and, in some severe cases, jaundice and bleeding. The fatality rate is up to 50%. Early identification of symptoms is crucial as they can be confused with other diseases.

According to the U.S. CDC, yellow fever vaccination is required and/or recommended for visitors, depending upon specific criteria. In the U.S., the YF-Vax vaccine is available at travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies in 2024.

The CDC has also alerted visitors to Columbia of health risks for chikungunya, dengue, and, most recently, Oropouche outbreaks.

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. The Company's press release disclosed that Third-Quarter 2024 total revenues were $293.8 million, an increase of 9% compared to the prior year.

And that revenues from Smallpox Medical Countermeasures (MCM) products increased 437% compared with Q3 2023. 

Smallpox MCM revenues were $108.0 million from ACAM2000®, VIGIV, and TEMBEXA® product transactions. The revenue increase was primarily due to the timing of U.S. government purchases of ACAM2000® and VIGIV.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded Emergent a contract in September 2019 valued at approximately $2 billion over ten years for the continued supply of ACAM2000 into the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.

"Through disciplined execution and steady, measurable progress, Emergent's financial position is the strongest it has been since 2021, as evidenced by our favorable third-quarter results," stated CEO Joe Papa on November 6, 2024.

ACAM2000 is a second-generation live vaccinia virus, cell-cultured, replication-competent, single-dose vaccine that protects people against mpox and smallpox diseases. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) published 'Vaccines and Immunization for mpox: Interim Guidance, as did the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which expanded access via the Investigational New Drug Protocol, allowing ACAM2000 use to prevent mpox on June 30, 2022. 

In August 2024, the WHO declared the increasing number of mpox cases reported in the African Region a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Mediterranean coast of France is known to many vacationers for its lovely scenery and world-class resorts. In 2023, southern Europe alone accounted for about 500 million arrivals. 

However, in 2024, mainland France may experience a record number of mosquito-transmitted diseases, mainly along the Mediterranean.

As of October 30, 2024, Public Health France reported over 4,000 imported cases of dengue, 18 of chikungunya, and 5 of Zika virus in 2024.

Furthermore, the European CDC recently confirmed that 82 locally-acquired dengue cases have been reported in Var (38), Alpes-Maritimes (19 cases), Vaucluse (18), and other departments.

While France has not yet declared dengue endemic, cases in 2024 have eclipsed the entire 2023 mosquito season. In 2023, France only reported 45 autochthonous (local) dengue infections.

From a disease prevention perspective, chikungunya and dengue have approved vaccines available, but Zika vaccine candidates have yet to be authorized in 2024.

While the U.S. CDC does not suggest these vaccines when visiting France, they are generally available in 2024. The CDC  recommends that international travelers speak with a vaccine expert at least one month before traveling abroad.