influenza vaccine (Pandyflu)

Human vaccine responses regulated by parallel cytokine pathways.

Chen Guangbo G, Guo Jing J, Heath John J, Prestwood Tyler R TR et al.

Human vaccine responses vary widely, but the determinants remain incompletely defined. Here we analyzed 66 cytokines across four inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) cohorts over five seasons (n = 581) and identified baseline serum interleukin (IL)-18 and interferon (IFN)-β as correlates of day 28 antibody responses. To test causality, we evaluated 19 cytokines in human tonsil and spleen organoids and found that type I IFNs, IL-21 and IL-12, but not IL-18 or IFNγ, enhanced antibody production. The addition of IFNβ to IIV recapitulated key features of the live-vaccine cytokine program. IL-12 and IL-21 defined a parallel pathway independent of type I IFNs, with IL-12 inducing IL-21 in humans, unlike in mice. Delivery of IL-21 or IFNβ via mRNA lipid nanoparticles in vivo promoted long-lived plasma cell formation. Together, these findings define parallel pathways that regulate vaccine immunity. Our approach unites high-throughput organoid testing and human cohort studies, establishing a human-centric platform to identify adjuvant candidates.

Maternal and infant immunizations for respiratory diseases, United States, may 2025.

Razzaghi Hilda H, Garacci Emma E, Kahn Katherine E KE, Meghani Mehreen M et al.

To assess end-of-season coverage with influenza, tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap), and COVID-19 vaccines among pregnant women, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization among pregnant women and their infants, during the 2024-25 respiratory illness season. Data from an Internet panel survey conducted during March 26-May 8, 2025, were analyzed. The study included 2738 currently and recently pregnant women; analysis of each immunization product was restricted to a subsample of participants eligible for the specific product (influenza: 1788; Tdap: 885; COVID-19: 2125; maternal RSV: 721; nirsevimab: 1416). Coverage was assessed for individual vaccines, along with demographic characteristics, provider recommendation for immunization, and attitudes, including perceptions on safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Differences in vaccination coverage between groups were assessed using t-tests. Among eligible participants, 51.0% reported receiving influenza vaccine before or during pregnancy, 52.6% reported receiving Tdap vaccine during pregnancy, 32.3% reported receiving the 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine before or during pregnancy, and 49.3% reported receiving an RSV vaccine during pregnancy. Among 1416 women with eligible infants, 62.2% reported their infant received nirsevimab; overall, 70.4% of infants were protected by maternal RSV vaccine, nirsevimab, or both. Vaccination coverage was higher among women with a provider recommendation compared to those without for influenza (65.6% vs. 12.2%), Tdap (69.5% vs. 2.9%), and COVID-19 (56.4% vs. 4.4%) vaccines. Prevalence of provider recommendation for Tdap vaccination was lower among non-Hispanic Black (66.4%) and Hispanic women (60.1%) compared with non-Hispanic White women (83.2%). Women reporting being very/somewhat hesitant about a given vaccine were less likely than non-hesitant women to have received that vaccine. Provider recommendation and vaccine hesitancy were associated with maternal vaccine uptake. Because providers have been found to be trusted information sources for patients, efforts supporting informative vaccine conversations between providers and pregnant women could help increase the proportion of pregnant women and infants protected against severe respiratory illnesses.

Clinical and genomic characterization of Influenza A co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza B: a respiratory surveillance study in Assam, India.

Sarmah Neelanjana N, Siddique Aktarul Islam AI, Dutta Mousumi M, Jakharia Aniruddha A et al.

Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 are the primary contributors to seasonal respiratory infections and frequently co-circulate, creating significant health challenges. The present respiratory surveillance study was conducted in Dibrugarh, Assam, India from January 2025 to August 2025 to investigate the genomic characteristics of circulating viruses and identify potential co-infections. Overall, 4,948 respiratory samples were screened using multiplex real-time PCR, followed by subtyping of Influenza A and Influenza B. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed in selected positives of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A. Genomic analysis included mutational profiling, phylogenetic analysis and N-glycosylation site prediction using bioinformatics tools. Two co-infection cases were detected: one involving Influenza A (H3N2) with SARS-CoV-2 (Omicron XFG lineage) and another involving Influenza A (H3N2) with Influenza B (Victoria lineage). Both patients experienced mild illness without hospitalisation. NGS revealed that the Influenza A (H3N2) viruses belonged to clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2a.3a.1 while SARS-CoV-2 sequence was classified under the Omicron XFG lineage. Mutational analysis of the HA gene showed several amino acid differences compared to the reference vaccine strain A/Darwin/6/2021. N-glycosylation analysis predicted conserved sites at positions 79, 181, 262, and 301 in all strains along with an additional predicted site at position 110 in both co-infection cases. Although the co-infection cases presented with mild clinical manifestations, the observed genomic variations indicate a potential role of co-infecting viruses in shaping viral evolution. Given the limited genomic data available from Northeast India, the study underscores the need for sustained large scale follow up and genomic surveillance to monitor emerging mutations and target future vaccine strategies.

Volume 240 Issue 11 cover: The Golden Remedy or Electrical Panacea by George Cruikshank (1792-1878).

Bairsto Rachel R