Nearly 1,500 researchers, scientists, and public health professionals from around the world participated in the first-ever virtual Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (ACVR) sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) on June 18-19, 2020. Originally scheduled as a live event in March 2020, ACVR was instead held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Top news coverage included the following:
10-Year Review Reveals No New, Unexpected Concerns for Women Vaccinated During Pregnancy (Healio/Infectious Disease News):
A 10-year review of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System presented by Salena Marie Preciado, MS, PhD student at Chapman University School of Pharmacy in Orange, CA, demonstrated no new or unexpected concerns regarding vaccine safety among women who were vaccinated during pregnancy.
More of El Paso’s Youth Get Vaccinated for HPV (KFOX14/CBS4):
El Paso City health officials say more teens are keeping themselves healthy by getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV). Claudia Lozano, Medicaid Waiver Program Manager of the El Paso Department of Health, presented research on the use of community-based strategies to reduce the risk of HPV infections and prevent cervical cancer through vaccination during the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases 2020 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research. Lozano shared best practices such as using a voucher system to track referrals from schools and community organizations; providing mobile, on-site vaccination events; and the importance of tailoring health messaging to teenagers.
Accelerated COVID-19 Vaccine Effort Should Not Mean Compromises, Experts Say (Healio/Infectious Disease News):
Public-private partnerships, collaboration among researchers, and knowledge of existing coronaviruses have all contributed to the accelerated development of COVID-19 vaccine candidates, according to Kathleen M. Neuzil, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Neuzil, a member of the NFID Board of Directors and ACVR Executive Planning Committee, and other presenters opened the NFID Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research with a panel discussion on the current state of vaccine development for COVID-19.
GeoVax to Present COVID-19 Vaccine Program at National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (FOX 40):
GeoVax Labs, Inc., a biotechnology company developing human immunotherapies and vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer, announced that its Chief Scientific Officer, Farshad Guirakhoo, PhD, will be a featured speaker at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research, being held virtually on June 18-19, 2020. Dr. Guirakhoo will discuss GeoVax’s unique multi-antigens approach toward COVID-19 vaccine development, including vaccine design and preclinical testing results to date.
Vaccinology Research Is Critical—Now More Than Ever (Research!America):
When planning began for the 2020 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 had yet to emerge. Since then, the world has changed dramatically. As we look to the promise of new vaccines to combat COVID-19, the field of vaccinology—defined as the science of vaccines, including basic science, immune response, manufacturing and delivery technologies, and clinical evaluation—has never been more important. The science of vaccinology continues to expand, and innovations are continually being made in discovery, development, and the evaluation of vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Dynavax Reports Interim Analysis of Ongoing Clinical Trial Evaluating HEPLISAV-B® in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis (GlobeNewswire):
Dynavax Technologies Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel vaccines, reported immunogenicity and safety data from an interim analysis of the ongoing clinical trial evaluating HEPLISAV-B® in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This data was chosen for oral presentation at the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) 2020 Annual Conference on Vaccinology Research (ACVR), a premier forum for the exchange of scientific and clinical knowledge in vaccinology. Full study data are anticipated in the second half of 2020.
#ACVR Social Media Mentions:
ICYMI: Accelerated COVID-19 vaccine efforts should not require compromises on safety, experts said during a presentation at 2020 Virtual #ACVR. https://t.co/klreWHPb7k
— Infectious Disease News (@InfectDisNews) June 20, 2020
RT @NFIDvaccines: 2020 #NFID Virtual #ACVR Closing Session: Controlling #Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: From Elimination to Eradication https://t.co/zdms295iiV pic.twitter.com/p6pQ8rp0R2 @drgregpoland @worenst @NSCrowcroft
— NFID President (@NFIDPresident) June 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/NSCrowcroft/status/1274662093220798464
A 10-year review of the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System demonstrated no new or unexpected concerns regarding vaccine safety among women who were vaccinated during pregnancy, according to results from #ACVR. https://t.co/19tXnpQszZ
— Infectious Disease News (@InfectDisNews) June 23, 2020
Continuing medical education (CME) credits are available to registered participants who attended the 2020 virtual ACVR on June 18-19, 2020. Online presentations will be available for registered attendees only until July 31, 2020. Learn more at www.nfid.org/acvr.
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