Vaccines

William Schaffner, MD. (photo by Erin O. Smith)
September 30, 2025

William Schaffner receives national honor for his vaccination, public health advocacy

The award honors medical school faculty members who have made major contributions to improving public health and health care.

By Bill Snyder
(iStock)
July 8, 2025

Vanderbilt, Parse Biosciences scientists envision an antibody ‘atlas’ for measles, mumps, rubella

Researchers will scan the landscape of plasmablasts, the first antibody-producing, B-type immune cells that respond to MMR infection.

By Bill Snyder
June 30, 2025

Coronavirus pioneer Mark Denison bids farewell to VUMC colleagues after remarkable career

The discoveries about coronavirus biology that Denison and his colleagues made were foundational for the rapid validation of antiviral drugs and development of new vaccines that helped bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control.

By Bill Snyder
December 11, 2024

Vanderbilt joins national effort to develop alphavirus vaccines

The project aims to design computational “tool kits” that can speed development of multi-virus vaccines targeting some of the greatest infectious threats to human health.

By Bill Snyder and Herschel Pollard
(iStock)
October 28, 2024

VUMC discovery aids effort to stop a deadly virus in Rwanda

A close cousin of Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted by fruit bats and by exposure to body fluids from infected individuals. There currently are no approved treatments or vaccines for MVD, which has a roughly 50% fatality rate.

By Bill Snyder
September 20, 2024

VUMC method tracks down rare, broadly reacting antibodies: study

The discovery, reported in the journal PLOS Pathogens, could help open the door to the development of effective vaccines and antibody therapies with an “exceptional breadth of pathogen coverage.”

By Bill Snyder
September 19, 2024

Fight the flu with Flulapalooza; annual event is set for Wed., Sept. 25; shots available at regional hospitals as well at other dates and times

Flulapalooza will happen at the tent between Light Hall and the VA Hospital from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Enter through Light Hall, North Lobby. Stop by to get your flu shot, reconnect with fellow colleagues, and interact with your favorite Nashville mascots.
September 13, 2024

VUMC joins national effort to prevent another pandemic

Developed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, ReVAMPP will support a coordinating center and seven research centers, including VUMC, with a focus on nine virus groups that pose the greatest risk to human health.
By Bill Snyder
September 4, 2024

RSV vaccine in older people cuts risk of hospitalization

A multicenter study conducted in 19 states between October 2023 and March 2024 demonstrated that RSV vaccination was 75% effective in preventing RSV-associated hospitalizations for adults age 60 and older.
By Bill Snyder
August 13, 2024

VUMC, DOD join forces for a hantavirus antibody “sprint”

VUMC’s antibody collaboration with the DOD goes back to 2018, when the medical center signed a five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop protective treatments that can be rushed to health care providers within weeks after a viral outbreak.
By Bill Snyder
July 12, 2024

Wesley Self named to leadership role in global clinical trials network

The Strategies and Treatments for Respiratory Infections and Viral Emergencies network includes more than 300 sites around the world and international experts in clinical trials, infectious diseases, critical care and pandemic preparedness.
By Bill Snyder
June 28, 2024

Antibody trial launched to address enterovirus threat

Enterovirus D68 has caused an increasing number of infections during the past decade and is associated with acute flaccid myelitis, a polio-like condition that mostly affects children and causes sudden weakness and paralysis.
By Bill Snyder
June 12, 2024

Scientists find antibodies that block parainfluenza virus infection

The antibodies may have clinical benefit as antiviral drugs to treat potentially life-threatening infections in elderly and immunosuppressed patients.
By Bill Snyder
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