“In a study published in Nature, the scientists analysed the health records of more than 280,000 adults in Wales between the ages of 71 and 88 years old. They were aiming to understand the effects of a shingles vaccination programme that began in 2013.

They found that older adults (aged 79–80) who had received the shingles vaccine were 20 per cent less likely to develop dementia by 2020, compared to those who hadn’t been eligible to receive it.

What’s more, in a recent follow-up study published in Cell, the same scientists discovered that the shingles vaccine seemed to have a protective effect even among those who’d already been diagnosed with dementia by 2013.”

From BBC Science Focus.

“Brazilian authorities on Wednesday approved the world’s first single-dose dengue vaccine, which they hailed as a ‘historic’ achievement as cases of the mosquito-borne disease soar globally due to rising temperatures.

Dengue, known for intense flu-like symptoms, crushing fatigue and body aches, reached record global levels in 2024 and researchers have attributed its spread to climate change.

Brazil’s health regulatory agency ANVISA authorized the use of Butantan-DV, developed by the Butantan Institute in São Paulo, for people aged 12 to 59.

Currently, the only dengue vaccine available worldwide is TAK-003, which requires two doses administered three months apart, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The single dose, developed after eight years of trials across Brazil, will allow for faster and simpler vaccination campaigns.”

From CTV News.

“Back in December 2022 Gavi made a promise. After years of slow progress, Gavi committed to a historic revitalisation of our human papillomavirus – or HPV – vaccine programme.

With US$ 600 million in new investment, we set a target of increasing the number of girls in the world’s most vulnerable countries protected by this lifesaver almost seven-fold, from 13 million to 86 million, and we gave ourselves just three years to do it. By the end of 2024, coverage in Africa had risen to 44%, surpassing coverage rates in Europe.

It was an ambitious target, which would require reaching new countries with the vaccine and massively expanding existing programmes.

I’m proud to announce that we have met it, ahead of schedule.

The impact of this huge expansion in the availability of and access to the HPV vaccine will be felt for years to come.

An estimated 1 million lives will be saved. US$ 2.3 billion in economic benefits could be realised. And millions of girls across the world will face a future free from the suffering and anguish caused by cervical cancer.”

From Gavi.

“In a significant public health achievement, Cabo Verde, Mauritius and Seychelles have eliminated measles and rubella, becoming the first sub-Saharan countries to attain this milestone.    

The three countries were verified by the African Regional Verification Commission for Measles and Rubella Elimination, established by World Health Organization (WHO).”

From World Health Organization.