Category: Dr. Casey

I have talked at length about the benefits of vaccines, with the most obvious benefit being the prevention of disease. I have touched on immunizations for several different diseases, too, such as mpox, smallpox, COVID, and influenza. However, these are just a handful of the many vaccines that have been thoroughly tested, approved, and are available to protect individuals’ health. Many tend to think about (most) vaccinations as important for protecting one’s health at that particular point in time. For example, an influenza vaccine is intended to protect the recipient from that year’s strain/s of the flu — an immediate threat.

We know that another, somewhat altered influenza vaccine will be needed the following year to protect the same individual from a similar (but altered, as the virus mutates) threat. So, in the case of influenza immunization, the protection it provides is immediate but not long-lasting. The same is true of other vaccines, such as the COVID-19 vaccine, and any vaccine that you may need a “booster” dose at some point.

From extensive conversations I have had with more people than I can count, I have been fascinated to find that — excluding childhood vaccinations — many people think about vaccines in the context that: 1.) most vaccines address short-term, “acute” issues like seasonal illnesses, outbreaks, or epidemics, and/or 2.) most vaccines address problems in the present rather than the long-term. When people think about getting a vaccine, they are thinking about the next 1–5 years, typically not 20+ years.

This leads me to my topic for this piece, which is that vaccines have many more benefits than most people realize, and they can span a lifetime in the case of some vaccines. Today, I’m going to talk about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is one of the most significant areas of my research.

Approximately 42.5 million Americans are infected with some type of HPV, with at least 13 million new infections every year. There are over 200 types of HPV, and while most HPV infections resolve on their own, persistent infection with high-risk strains (also called types) can cause cancer. Strains of HPV are considered high-risk if they can lead to cancer, and these high-risk types of HPV can cause six different types of cancer in both men and women. These cancers are: vaginal, vulvar, penile, anal, oropharyngeal (the back of the throat), and cervical. In this post, I’m going to focus on the impact that HPV vaccination has made and continues to have on cervical cancer. One reason I have chosen this focus is because January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month — so this is a great opportunity to raise awareness!

The basics of cervical cancer

Every year in the U.S., around 11,500 new cases of cervical cancers are diagnosed, and around 4,000 women die from cervical cancer. However, this is just the “tip of the iceberg,” as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, with approximately 196,000 cervical precancers diagnosed each year. These precancers can lead to cervical cancer if left untreated, and both the progression of cervical dysplasia and some treatments for these cervical precancers can be invasive, painful, affect fertility, and potentially increase the risk of miscarriage. Long-lasting infections with high-risk types of HPV cause essentially all cervical cancers and precancers. Two high-risk types of HPV (16 and 18) cause approximately 70% of cervical cancers in the world.

But cervical cancer is preventable!

Nearly all cervical cancers could be prevented by HPV vaccination! Through vaccination, regular screening for cervical cancer, and follow-up treatment when/if needed, cervical cancer could be precluded. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a global strategy for cervical cancer elimination. You read that correctly. We are talking about an actual plan to eliminate a type of cancer. I am including links to the WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative and to the WHO’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer below, and highly suggest that you look into them. They are fascinating, exciting, and inspiring — to think we can accomplish something as monumental as eliminating a type of cancer. Australia is on track to be the first country to eliminate cervical cancer, with a goal date of 2035, and is ahead of schedule in meeting its objectives to achieve this.

What else should I know about the HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and long-lasting. With over 15 years of monitoring and additional research (after passing the multiple clinical trials phases to be approved for patient use), there is extensive data to demonstrate that the HPV vaccine is extremely safe. Also, its safety is continually monitored to ensure that safety is always ensured.

As for its effectiveness, there are plenty of numbers and statistics that demonstrate this, but I will choose just one to highlight here: Since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the U.S., infections with HPV types that cause most HPV cancers have dropped 88%. That is just one of the astounding outcomes we have seen from this vaccine, and only from one of the cancers that it prevents. These outcomes are nothing less than remarkable.

Other Questions?

I don’t know if you are as astounded as I am by the concept that we have the capability and are likely to eliminate a cancer in our lifetimes, but I hope you can sit with that thought and soak in what it means. How many lives will be saved, how many families not be broken by grief, and how much pain and suffering spared.

The vaccine is recommended to start as early as age 9 to complete the 2-dose series by age 12 (it provides the strongest immunity when given at a younger age and before exposure to HPV). Individuals ages 15–26 will need a 3-dose series if they have not been vaccinated to ensure the best immunity. Additionally, adults ages 27–45 who have not been vaccinated should talk to their healthcare providers about receiving the vaccine, as it is approved up to age 45. Both males and females should be vaccinated. Talk to your healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine for you or your children, or your grandchildren. I have personally received the HPV vaccine, and as a mother, I will do anything I can to keep my children safe and healthy. The HPV vaccine is one way I can help keep them healthy even decades from now, so you better believe I am making sure they are protected! As always, don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or requests for topics. And please support cervical cancer awareness this January!

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

For more information about cervical cancer, risk factors, prevention, and related details, I highly recommend the National Institutes of Health’s site here:

https://www.cancer.gov/types/cervical/causes-risk-prevention

As mentioned above, here are links to the WHO’s information and strategies regarding their Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. It is an amazing concept.

WHO Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative:

https://www.who.int/initiatives/cervical-cancer-elimination-initiative

WHO: Global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem:

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240014107

To read Australia’s innovative national strategy and the incredible progress the country is making to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035, click here:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/national-strategy-for-the-elimination-of-cervical-cancer-in-australia.pdf

For more about the safety and effectiveness data of the HPV vaccine, the CDC provides great information here:

https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/hcp/vaccination-considerations/safety-and-effectiveness-data.html

Want to see more details of how the HPV vaccine has impacted cervical cancer? Check here:

https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccination-impact/index.html#:~:text=HPV%20vaccination%20prevents%20cancer%2Dcausing,has%20dropped%20by%2040%20percent.

I don’t know about you, but it seems like everyone I know either has some kind of cold or “bug,” or is just getting over one. Truth be told, I’m not feeling that great, myself. High rates of minor, contagious illnesses are typical around this time of year. Many people have been spending time with friends and family in close quarters during the holiday season, which is a perfect opportunity to share special moments as well as a lot of less special germs and viruses. And then, without meaning to, and usually without even knowing it, we go back to work and school and spread whatever we have picked up to people there.

This year, some of the most common viruses we see this time of year are starting to surge, so it is extremely important to be aware of what is going around, what symptoms to look out for, and how to protect yourself from getting sick. So let’s do a rundown of some of the main infectious diseases in the U.S. this year.

What viruses are surging this year?

The main infectious disease threats this year are not necessarily new, but they are aggressive and cases are definitely rising. The ones to watch out for are: influenza, COVID, RSV, and norovirus. I’ll go into a little more about each of them below.

Influenza

Influenza, or “the flu,” is especially bad across the U.S. this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who monitors rates of illnesses and keeps the public informed about potential outbreaks and health risks, has categorized the risk levels of flu as high or very high all around the U.S., and continues to increase.

Contributing to such high rates is that fewer people seem to be getting the flu vaccine. With fewer people vaccinated, the virus is able to infect more individuals and spread more easily. People who contract the flu are also more likely to have more severe symptoms and a longer recovery time, compared to those who have been vaccinated.

Common Symptoms: Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, feeling tired, runny nose

How Long Does It Last? Flu symptoms usually hit more quickly than a cold

Flu can last from a few days to 2 weeks

COVID-19

The pandemic may be over, but COVID-19 has become part of our accepted lives, in the same way as the flu. The number of cases is nowhere near pandemic numbers, but between October 1, 2024, and December 14, 2024, the CDC estimates there were somewhere between 2.7 million and almost 5 million COVID-19 illnesses. Vaccine rates for COVID-19 are drastically lower than in years past (polling shows only about one-fifth of adults in the U.S. say they have gotten the newest COVID-19 vaccine). COVID-19 is no longer at emergency status, but it still causes more hospitalizations and deaths than flu and RSV.

Common Symptoms: Cough, congestion, runny nose, fever or chills, headache, body aches, sore throat, feeling tired, loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

How Long Does It Last? Mild to moderate cases of COVID-19 usually last an average of 10 days. More severe cases may take longer to recover.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory illness affecting the nose, throat, and lungs with symptoms similar to the common cold and flu. Those most vulnerable to RSV include infants, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Levels of RSV have increased, with levels in half of U.S. states categorized as high or very high through the end of December. Currently, vaccination for RSV is available for infants and young children, adults 60 years and older, and pregnant individuals. However, while rates of RSV vaccination are generally high among infants, they are far below desired in older adults, who face a higher risk of severe RSV, side effects, and hospitalization.

Common Symptoms: Fever, feeling tired/low energy, cough, congestion, sore throat, headache, runny nose

How Long Does It Last? Illness typically appears 4–6 days after exposure.

RSV usually 1–2 weeks, although it depends on how severe the illness is

Norovirus

Norovirus is a common and highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. In the past month, the U.S. has seen a steep surge in cases of norovirus, spreading in the country and on cruise ships. Scientists think part of the reason for this large wave of cases could be that we are dealing with a new strain of norovirus. This new strain has accounted for almost 7 in 10 norovirus outbreaks this season, and only 7% of outbreaks have been linked to the strain that has been most common in the past. Right now, the best we can do is use traditional prevention measures (described below) to protect against norovirus, but there is a norovirus vaccine in development.

Common Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or cramping, nausea, loss of taste, headache, muscle aches, weakness, feeling tired

How Long Does It Last? Illness usually appears suddenly and is typically short, with symptoms lasting 1–2 days

Protect yourself: What can you do?

There are many ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from all of the viruses described above. I’m going to walk through them, but it will probably seem a little silly because many people think of these things as “common sense.” Consider this just a good reminder, if that is the case for you.

• Wash Your Hands. With soap. Scrub. Do this many times throughout the day, especially after using the bathroom, before eating, and before preparing food. And take your time — most sources suggest at least 20 seconds. While hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good option on the go, be aware that it is not effective against norovirus.
• Keep surfaces clean. Particularly for norovirus exposure, you should immediately disinfect surfaces that have come in contact with food or any bodily fluids. Disinfecting with a chlorine bleach solution is recommended by CDC. Remember to wash clothing that may have been exposed, as well. I’m including a link to the CDC’s guide to disinfecting your home below.
• Keep your mouth covered and your hands away from your face. If you need to cough or sneeze, make sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. If one isn’t handy, aim for the inside of your elbow to cover your face, since that will come in less contact with surfaces that will be touched by others. And, of course, wash your hands as soon as possible. And try to keep your hands away from your face. That is an easy way to spread germs from your hands to the mucus membranes of your eyes, nose, or mouth and infect yourself.
• Don’t fall back into pre-pandemic practices. By this, I mean, we are all now more aware of ways to keep ourselves and others from infecting those around us. If you are sick — stay home! Don’t expose others if you have symptoms or suspect you have a virus. And practice social distancing when you know viruses are going around. You can spend time with others without sharing a seat (most of the time).
• Get vaccinated for what you can. Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 are easily accessible (and sometimes places will offer perks like a grocery gift card or discount on a purchase — check their policy/promotion), quick, and pretty painless. They are less painful than the flu and/or COVID-19! Have your children vaccinated, too. Schools are breeding grounds for germs and viruses.

Other Questions?

I wanted to cover these viruses in this post because they are very relevant right now and with their high rates as well as their surging at the same time, some people are even referring to them as the ‘Quad-demic’. But I have just scratched the surface of these most common winter viruses, providing you with the basics of each one, and letting you know what to be aware of this year based on the illness rates we are seeing so far in the U.S. I am including links to more detailed information on each illness below if you want to read more about any or all of them.

I want to call out this link, especially, because I find it very helpful in trying to tell apart some of the respiratory viruses with very similar symptoms. It is from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and is a chart showing how to tell the difference between flu, RSV, COVID-19, and the common cold. I find it handy and pretty interesting:

How to Tell the Difference between Flu, RSV, COVID-19, and the Common Cold

I hope you will take note of the prevention practices I suggest to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. I find life hectic enough without being out of commission for a week or two feeling terrible, and I’m sure you do, too. Please send me questions, comments, thoughts, etc. as you see fit. I love hearing from you and appreciate your engagement!

Until next time…

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

Here, CDC breaks down everything you have ever wanted to know about influenza:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.html

Find answers for any COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccine question you have ever had here:

https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/index.html

CDC details all about RSV here:

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

Information about norovirus, how it spreads, and how to prevent it:

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html

For information on norovirus outbreaks, the CDC has a great page that provides excellent information, including current alerts and advisories:

https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/outbreak-basics/index.html

Here is CDC’s guidance on how to best clean and disinfect your home:

https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/about/when-and-how-to-clean-and-disinfect-your-home.html#:~:text=Clean%20first%20and%20clean%20regularly,viruses%20or%20bacteria%20from%20surfaces.

Interested in keeping up with the respiratory activity levels around the U.S.? CDC tracks this and provides information on the spread of COVID-19, influenza, and RSV here:

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/activity-levels.html

We face health risks every single day in countless areas of life. From germs to improperly prepared food to pollution and countless other exposures, we face countless possible hazards every day. However, one of the most dangerous but underestimated threats to our health and well-being is actually misinformation about health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines misinformation as “false, inaccurate, or misleading information according to the best available evidence at the time.” And health misinformation, specifically, has been identified by countless professionals and health organizations as one of the leading threats to individuals’ health and safety. Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, has said, “Health misinformation is a serious threat to public health. It can cause confusion, sow mistrust, harm people’s health, and undermine public health efforts.” Unfortunately, health misinformation, and particularly misinformation regarding vaccinations, has become an issue of epidemic proportions. Today, I will talk more about the issues surrounding health misinformation, including some of the causes, effects, and ways to stop it.

Why is health misinformation harmful?

People might make decisions about their health based on this untrue or incorrect information. Basing decisions on false information could be dangerous for one’s health. This includes misinformation about diseases, treatments, vaccines, procedures, and healthy lifestyle choices, and more.

How can you know if health information is accurate?

Check with credible sources. Check public health department websites and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/ to fact-check information. Talk to a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional/expert to request any additional information they might have. You can also search online to see if a credible source, such as a governmental agency or peer-reviewed medical journals have verified claims.

**Do not seek factual information from social media. Unfortunately, social media is one of the most common ways to spread misinformation.

**If you aren’t sure if the information is credible, don’t share it.

Another great resource is the “Health Misinformation Checklist” from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General which you can find here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-misinformation-checklist-english.pdf

It is also important to be mindful of our inherent and (often unintentional) biases. Sometimes we may think we are doing our due diligence by looking for facts about an issue, but people naturally tend to hunt and/or be drawn to facts and opinions that support their beliefs and values. It can be difficult for anyone to be objective because we all have at least some kind of inherent opinion, however small or subconscious. So, beware of unintentionally seeking information that reinforces your innate ideas.

Despite several studies finding no association between vaccines and autism, the myth of a link continues to be spread by anti-vaccine activists.

Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort,” he said.

Experts say misinformation contributes to vaccine hesitancy

Health misinformation leaves a legacy

One of the most significant areas of medicine that has been affected by health misinformation is vaccines. In January 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) named vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to global health, and this was long before the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccinations sparked widespread controversy. At the time, the WHO estimated that 1.5 million lives could be saved worldwide if vaccines were more widely accepted. In 2021, some of the top health officials in the U.S. admitted that they had underestimated the vaccine hesitancy issue, thinking people would become increasingly willing to be vaccinated as the benefits of the vaccine became clear. This was not the case, though, and vaccine hesitancy spread beyond the COVID-19 vaccine and on to vaccines that had long been established and accepted as safe and important, particularly for children. Experts have said that the vast amount of health misinformation has significantly contributed to vaccine hesitancy and refusal.

Unfortunately, once these ideas are let loose, regardless of how true (or not) they are, very little can be done to undo the damage of the original claims. For example, despite numerous studies showing no association between vaccines and autism (and the original study making that claim was found to be incredibly fraudulent, the publication withdrawn, and the physician-scientist having lost his license to practice medicine), the myth of a link between vaccines and autism persists and is spread by anti-vaccination activists. Despite being fraudulent, fabricated, disproven, and criminally pursued, the damage done by that first study cannot be undone. From situations like this, countless health professionals and the U.S. Surgeon General insist that “Limiting the spread of health misinformation is a moral and civic imperative that will require a whole-of-society effort.” It is up to all of us to combat these falsehoods to protect the greater good of the people.

Other Questions?

I am frequently asked about misinformation, particularly regarding vaccines, so I thought many readers might have questions about it, too. I wanted to emphasize this topic because we are in the time of year when germs are rampant and the need to protect ourselves is greatest. Also, I have seen an uptick in vaccine misinformation in recent weeks, and I want to emphasize how important it is for people to look at the facts and to fact-check the “facts.” My second cousin’s best friend who is completely unrelated to the medical field is not my go-to for health advice or the latest data. Remember who you are trusting with your health and safety, and that of your family and community. We have an obligation to be mindful for each other. Please continue sending in questions and comments; I love to hear your feedback and answer anything I can! Stay healthy as we enter this chilly season!

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

For a quick overview of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Confronting Health Misinformation, this one page summary is fantastic: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-misinfo-printable-summary.pdf

If you want to take a deeper dive into this topic, you can also read the full advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General on Confronting Health Misinformation, found here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-misinformation-advisory.pdf

The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General has also developed “A Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation” that provides great resources on understanding health misinformation, how to recognize it, how to talk about it with others, and other resources. You can access this toolkit here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-misinformation-toolkit-english.pdf

If this subject really interests you, I suggest this documentary from PBS called Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus. It discusses overcoming personal bias to understand the role vaccines play in community health and saving lives. You can stream it here: https://www.pbs.org/show/vaccination-misinformation-virus/

Given we are in the Halloween season, I thought it would be fitting to talk about an aspect of vaccines that some people find “scary” but might not be in the near future. One of the most common reasons I hear why people are hesitant to get vaccines is because they are afraid of needles. That might sound childish to some, and I know people who have the attitude that getting a shot is not a big deal, that people with this fear need to “get over it.” But it is a very real thing. Did you know there is even a name for it? Trypanophobia is an intense fear of needles, and in severe cases, people with this fear can put themselves at great risk by not getting vaccines or even medical treatment when needed. To be very clear, I am not talking about a dislike of needles. I think most people dislike needles, especially being poked with them. Rather, here I am describing a true, irrational fear of needles that causes anxiety, panic attacks, even fainting, and other consequences. However, for those who have a genuine fear of needles and those who simply don’t like them, there could be good news in the pretty near future…

Another way to vaccinate

Vaccines for several diseases are currently undergoing testing — that can be delivered through a person’s nose! So far, early trials in the United States have had very promising results. For example, trials of two of these nasal spray vaccines have initiated multiple immune system responses against the virus that causes COVID. Results like these have researchers optimistic that there could be an approved COVID vaccine nasal spray available by even 2027! Some other countries, like China and India, are already using approved COVID nasal vaccines because they prioritized developing these types of vaccines during the pandemic. In the U.S. and many other wealthy countries, we chose to remain with our tried-and-true methods of arm injections. Many of the most recent efforts in nasal vaccines in the U.S. have focused on COVID-causing viruses, but nasal vaccines could also be effective against the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and others.

Yes, a handful of nasal vaccines have already been developed in the U.S., but they have had a variety of issues. Maybe the most well-known of these is FluMist (a flu vaccine), but it never became a leading option because its effectiveness was widely debated. What is different about the ones being developed now? They use new technology that can produce stronger immune responses and is safer than the medicines used previously.

Could these vaccines be even better than traditional methods?

It is very possible. Researchers say it is possible that vaccines delivered through nasal spray or possibly inhaling through the mouth can offer stronger (and quicker) protection against respiratory viruses than our long-standing way of injecting into the arm. Why is that? When introduced to the body through inhaling (through nose or mouth), these vaccines stimulate part of the immune system that has adapted specifically for fast, comprehensive protection from airborne germs. This could help an infection from really setting in by fighting it off quickly and completely. While an injected vaccine is good at keeping a disease from spreading, it doesn’t stop the initial infection. A nasal spray, however, is much more effective at this because sprays are targeted where many viruses first enter the body — the nose and nasal tissue (called mucosa, which is a thick, multi-layered tissue that produces mucus, full of immune cells, to fight infections). So mucosal immunity gets your immune system ready to fight off infection, where it starts and offers three different types of protection, while shots provide two types.

Additionally, attacking the invading virus in the nose may prevent it from spreading to other people because it would lower the amount of virus the infected person inhales. Another positive consideration is that, by the spray limiting how far into the body the infection progresses, it is possible that it could prevent long COVID, the chronic, sometimes debilitating condition that so many individuals have faced in the aftermath of infection with COVID. Another pros of these vaccines? They should be less expensive and more convenient to transport to poor areas than the injections we use now (which require rigid, specific temperature regulations, etc.).

Regardless of how it is delivered (through a shot or a spray), developing any new vaccine is extremely complicated and challenging. Researchers have to find that perfect balance where they elicit an immune response intense enough to protect the body from future infections but not too strong so that it harms the individual. There is a delicate balance of individuals’ immune systems, exposures, various cell stimulations, and a host of other factors that will go into fine-tuning these sprays before they can be thoroughly tested and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If you are interested in the nuts and bolts and very nitty-gritty details of immunology, I will include a couple of resources below where you can explore more thorough explanations of T cells and spike proteins and all of that good stuff related to this topic, and you can find plenty out there — it is a hot topic!

But for now, I hope some people might be a little less “spooked” knowing that the future of vaccination may be one free of needles…

Other Questions?

I am always interested to hear from you, to answer your questions and even have just interesting conversation! I love the engagement from readers, and all of you are fantastic. Also, feel free to send in topic suggestions if there is anything related to vaccines or similar that you’d like me to take a deeper dive into. I would love to hear what you are interested in reading more about!

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey

Want to Learn More?

For a fairly brief discussion about the potential future of COVID-19 nasal vaccines, here is a pretty concise overview: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/clinical-trial-begins-generation-nasal-covid-19-vaccine/story?id=111605093

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) began trials of a nasal COVID-19 vaccine back in July of this year. This link will take you to a press release from when those trials first started and gives some information about the trials themselves: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-sponsored-trial-nasal-covid-19-vaccine-opens

This is a lengthier article from Scientific American, but contains a lot of detailed information and is great for anyone who wants to read about the in-depth mechanisms related to immunology and other technical details (particularly later in the article): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/new-nasal-vaccines-offer-stronger-protection-from-covid-flu-and-more-no-needle-needed/

You can find another article (and briefer, if you are looking for more of a quick read) that discusses the potential greater effectiveness that nasal vaccine may have in stopping COVID-19 transmission compared to traditional injections by individuals from the Washington University School of Medicine here: https://scitechdaily.com/better-than-traditional-shots-new-nasal-vaccine-halts-covid-19-transmission/

If you are interested in learning more about what I described quite briefly, above regarding nasal immunity, etc., this article is fantastic. It is all about the immune cells of the nose, specifically, and how their effectiveness could be a great advantage to protecting us: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-02503-5

October 28th marks the 110th anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk’s birth. Jonas Edward Salk was an American virologist, physician, and medical researcher who became known as a “miracle worker” after developing the first safe and effective vaccine for polio in 1955. This vaccine, known as inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), contained killed virus. Since its development, polio vaccination has helped to eliminate wild poliovirus in the United States.

Polio: Before the vaccine

Before the development of Salk’s vaccine, polio was a highly feared disease. One reason it caused so much concern is because it was–and still is–so highly contagious. It paralyzed and killed thousands of people every year. There were frequent polio epidemics, making it one of the most dreaded diseases in the world. Little was known about the virus, and attempted treatments (such as lumbar punctures) were rarely successful. Children infected with polio often survived by depending on an iron lung to help them breathe because the virus can paralyze the muscles used for breathing. Even for those who recovered from the initial polio infection, 25 to 40 people out of 100 were affected by post-polio syndrome which caused many painful, debilitating symptoms. Polio killed millions of people worldwide, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s, before the vaccine was developed. It was a leading cause of death and paralysis internationally. At its peak, polio killed close to half a million people every year, killing thousands of people at a time in individual outbreaks in a single city in the U.S.

Developing the vaccine

Widespread fear of polio led to many researchers working toward a vaccine in the mid-1900s. Different methods were used, but Salk remained focused on developing a vaccine using a “killed” virus (rather than using a vaccine containing live poliovirus). Although this went against common beliefs in the scientific community then, Salk believed the killed virus vaccine could immunize without the risk of infecting the patient. In the early 1950s, Salk found success with his vaccine in laboratory testing. He then tested the vaccine on himself, his family, and a small group of volunteers. After that continued success, he launched an international vaccine trial in 1954 in the United States, Canada, and Finland, testing the vaccine on 1.6 million child volunteers, ages 6–9 years old, who had not had polio, known as the “polio pioneers.” The patients in these trials developed anti-polio antibodies and did not experience adverse reactions to the vaccine. In April 1955, the vaccine was announced as safe and effective and became immediately available for widespread use.

How the vaccine changed the world

After Salk’s inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) was licensed, it was met with overwhelming acceptance by the public, who had suffered from so many deadly polio outbreaks and lived in constant fear. Parents, especially, were eager to vaccinate their children as quickly as possible. Programs were implemented to vaccinate children in school, if desired, to ensure as many children as possible had access to this life-saving vaccine. Programs offering vaccines at schools were extremely successful and continue to be a way to provide equitable preventive healthcare access, particularly for children in rural and medically underserved areas today. Americans were so relieved by and enthusiastic about the polio vaccine that mandatory vaccination policies were never needed. After vaccination became available in April 1955, polio cases in the United States dropped from over 45,000 a year in the 1950s to 910 in 1962. Salk chose not to patent the vaccine or to seek profit from it. His focus and goal was for the vaccine to be as widely distributed as possible, thus Salk never earned any money from his world-changing discovery. Other polio vaccines were developed later, but Salk will always be hailed as developing and implementing the first safe and effective polio vaccine.

The legacy of Salk and the polio vaccine

There have been no cases of wild poliovirus in the United States since 1979, with the disease declared eliminated from the U.S. By 1994, polio was eliminated from the Americas, and by 2000 the disease was eliminated from the Western Pacific. In the 21st century, cases have decreased by over 99% worldwide in under twenty years. However, wild poliovirus cannot be classified as “eradicated” from the world because the virus remains in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This poses a threat that individuals could contract polio in those countries, travel to another country, and an outbreak could occur. This is why it is still important for individuals in all countries to receive the polio vaccination — to protect against accidental infection or, worse, an accidental outbreak. I’ll give a prime example of this in just a minute.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a group of partners worldwide focused on permanently stopping the spread of wild poliovirus and outbreaks of poliovirus variants. Global eradication of this disease is possible! And it was made possible by vaccines. This is another example (of many) showing how diseases, health, and prevention are connected from all parts of the world. It is so important to stay mindful of health issues in the rest of the world and to be as protected as we can be through whatever preventive measures are available to us. A person might never leave the United States or even their home state, but we live in a world without looking for diseases; sometimes, they come to us. The “prime example” I mentioned above occurred in August 2022, when there was a confirmed case of paralytic polio in an unvaccinated young adult without a relevant travel history that would have exposed them to the virus. The virus came to them through an individual who had traveled, been exposed to it, and acted as a carrier back to the community. Because the infected person was not vaccinated against polio, they were vulnerable to the disease. This is frightening and a perfect example of why we must keep ourselves protected even if we don’t think we are at a direct risk–because we never know. Just one case of polio in the U.S. represents an official public health emergency because it suggests that poliovirus could be circulating in the community. It is difficult to be sure at first glance because most poliovirus infections do not show symptoms. Below, I will link to an article about this event, the public health measures, investigation, tracing, costs, and other details associated with finding just this one case of polio.

Other Questions?

Please message my page with questions, comments, musings, or information to share. I am always learning, and it is one of the best parts of my work. I want to leave you with some powerful words from Dr. Salk:

“Our greatest responsibility is to be good ancestors.” –Jonas Salk

Be Well; Be Kind,

Dr. Casey