Master in Vaccinology and Drug Development

30/01/2026

🌍 World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day | Leaving No One Behind

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect more than 1 billion people worldwide, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable and underserved communities.

From vaccines and medicines to diagnostics and implementation strategies, science and innovation play a critical role in preventing, controlling, and ultimately eliminating NTDs. Progress is possible — but only through sustained investment, research, and global collaboration.

On World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day, we reaffirm the importance of advancing vaccinology and drug development to close equity gaps and ensure that no disease — and no population — is neglected.

ifgh.org

29/01/2026

For years, the Master in Vaccinology and Drug Development has helped shape the global vaccinology workforce.

Through rigorous academic standards, international collaboration, and real-world impact, the program has trained professionals who now contribute to immunization programs, vaccine development, and public health decision-making worldwide.

Its sustained excellence reflects a long-standing commitment to evidence-based science and global health leadership.

🔗 Learn more about us:
https://ifgh.org/educational-programs/master-in-vaccinology-and-drug-development/

27/01/2026

Remembering Bill Foege — a true public health hero

William “Bill” Foege, MD, legendary epidemiologist credited with developing the ring vaccination strategy that helped eradicate smallpox, has died at 89. He led global health efforts at the CDC, WHO, UNICEF and co-founded the Task Force for Global Health. His work expanded childhood immunizations worldwide and shaped modern public health practice.

🌍 From smallpox eradication to fighting HIV and improving vaccine access, Foege’s legacy of science in the service of humanity will continue to inspire public health leaders everywhere.

🕊️ Thank you, Dr. Foege.

27/01/2026

📢 New NEJM Evidence: High-Dose Flu Vaccine & Hospitalizations in Older Adults

A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine evaluated whether a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine could better prevent hospitalizations from influenza or pneumonia compared to the standard-dose vaccine among adults 65–79 years old.

🔬 Key results: In this large, registry-based, randomized trial in Spain, people aged 65–79 who received the high-dose vaccine had fewer hospitalizations for influenza or pneumonia than those who received the standard dose.

📊 Although hospitalizations were rare overall, the relative effectiveness against combined influenza/pneumonia hospital admissions was notable—and serious adverse events were similarly low in both groups.

💡 Why it matters:
• Influenza remains a major cause of severe illness in older adults.
• Optimizing vaccine strategies—like using high-dose formulations—could help reduce severe outcomes and lighten the burden on health systems during flu seasons.
• These findings support evidence-based decisions on influenza immunization in older populations.

🔗 Read the full article 👉 https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2509834

22/01/2026

📊 New Evidence on RSV Prevention in Newborns

A recent JAMA study compares two strategies to prevent RSV-related hospitalizations in infants: maternal vaccination with the RSVpreF vaccine vs passive infant immunization with nirsevimab.

👶 Key finding: Nirsevimab given directly to infants was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for RSV, as well as fewer severe outcomes—including admissions to intensive care and need for ventilator support—than maternal RSVpreF vaccination.

💉 RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) continues to be a leading cause of lower respiratory infections and hospital admissions in young infants. These results provide valuable real-world evidence on the comparative effectiveness of immunization strategies during the first RSV season.

🔍 Why it matters: As new preventive options become available, understanding which approaches offer the greatest protection can inform clinical decisions, public health strategies, and future research.

🔗 Read the full study 👉 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2843212

This population-based study used data from the French National Health Data System to compare risk associations for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)–related infant hospitalization and other outcomes after use of maternal vaccination with the respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F protein (RSVpreF...

20/01/2026

📘 New Review in The Lancet Infectious Diseases: Tetanus—Recognition and Management

A comprehensive review published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases summarizes the latest evidence on tetanus, a vaccine-preventable but still deadly infectious disease that continues to cause significant morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world.

🔎 This article covers

• Global epidemiology and the impact of vaccination on tetanus cases, including dramatic reductions in deaths over recent decades.

• Clinical features and complications caused by Clostridium tetani toxin.
• Diagnosis and differential clinical recognition.

• Management principles, from antitoxin therapy and antibiotics to supportive care.

💉 Despite progress, tetanus remains a public-health concern—especially where vaccination coverage is low—and highlights the ongoing need for high routine immunization rates and sustained public health efforts.

🔗 Read the full review 👉 https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00292-0/abstract

19/01/2026

📢 Vaccines and autism: what does science say?

The World Health Organization (WHO) reaffirms that there is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism, and no conclusive proof that paracetamol use during pregnancy causes autism.

🔬 High-quality studies conducted worldwide consistently demonstrate that vaccines are safe and do not increase the risk of autism.

💉 Childhood immunization schedules are based on rigorous scientific evaluation and continue to protect millions of lives from serious and preventable diseases.

👩‍⚕️ The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages individuals to rely on evidence-based guidance from healthcare professionals, particularly during pregnancy, and to maintain recommended vaccination schedules.

🧠 Autism is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors. Advancing understanding, inclusion, and support remains a global priority.

🔗 Learn more 👉 https://www.who.int/news/item/24-09-2025-who-statement-on-autism-related-issues

15/01/2026

💉 The shot that saved millions

The history of the polio vaccine is one of the most impactful milestones in global public health. From devastating outbreaks to one of the largest clinical trials ever conducted, this breakthrough reshaped the future of vaccinology and disease prevention.

This story is a powerful reminder of how science, innovation, and global collaboration can change the course of humanity.

Read more about our program 👉 https://ifgh.org/educational-programs/master-in-vaccinology-and-drug-development/

13/01/2026

📊💉 New global evidence highlights the far-reaching impact of Hib vaccination.

A recent analysis from Immunization Economics estimates the disease and economic burden averted by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination across 160 countries over the past three decades. Using advanced machine-learning counterfactual methods, the study shows that Hib immunization has averted millions of deaths and DALYs worldwide, while generating substantial human capital and economic gains.

🌍 Importantly, the findings also reveal persistent inequities in vaccine access, with the remaining burden concentrated in low-resource settings—underscoring the need for continued global commitment to equitable immunization strategies.

📈 Evidence-based analyses like this are essential for informing vaccine policy, program implementation, and investment decisions, and reflect the interdisciplinary approach at the core of the Master in Vaccinology and Drug Development.

🔗 Read the full article here:

Visit the post for more.

08/01/2026

💉📊 Understanding the full value of combination vaccines

A recent article published in PharmacoEconomics proposes a methodological framework to better assess the value of combination vaccines—those that protect against multiple diseases in a single dose.

🔍 Beyond clinical effectiveness, combination vaccines can deliver broader economic and societal benefits, including reduced healthcare visits, simplified immunization schedules, lower logistical costs, and decreased burden on families and health systems.

💡 Key insights from the study:
✔️ Vaccine value goes far beyond acquisition costs
✔️ System efficiency and caregiver time matter
✔️ A structured approach can improve economic evaluations and decision-making

🌍 These findings are highly relevant for public health professionals, policymakers, and vaccinology experts aiming to make informed, value-based immunization decisions.

👉 Read the full article here:

Combination vaccines combine several components in a single dose administration. They offer programmatic and public health advantages, particularly as vaccine schedules become increasingly crowded. They are often more expensive to develop and produce, which discourages manufacturer investment withou...

31/12/2025

2025 in review💫

A year of learning, collaboration, and scientific excellence.

We thank our students, alumni, faculty, sponsors, and partners for being part of the Master in Vaccinology and Drug Development and for their continued contribution to global health.

▪️ifgh.org