by Gertrud U. Rey This article marks my 100th contribution to Virology Blog since I published my first post on March 1, 2018. Above all, I have learned that nature does not recognize the boundaries humans use to organize scientific disciplines. My host Vincent Racaniello and the treasure trove of information on the MicrobeTV network […]
Virology Without Borders Read More »
by Gertrud U. Rey On June 18, 2026, the top advisory committee for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unanimously recommended Moderna’s new mRNA influenza vaccine, mRNA‑1010 (mFlusiva), for adults aged 50 and older. The vote marked the committee’s first review of a new vaccine application since 2023 and demonstrated strong support ahead of a
A Better Flu Vaccine Read More »
by Gertrud U. Rey On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern in response to an Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The situation is escalating rapidly, with over 300 confirmed cases and 48 deaths as of today, highlighting the severity
by Gertrud U. Rey Contrary to popular belief, most vaccines don’t actually prevent infection with a pathogen, instead, they prevent the disease that follows infection. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine stands out as a notable exception in this regard. A recent study indicates that antibodies produced in response to the HPV vaccine can neutralize the
The Perfect Vaccine Read More »
by Gertrud U. Rey Vaccination with the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson adenovirus‑based COVID-19 vaccines has been linked to a very rare but serious adverse event known as vaccine‑induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Based on this small but significant risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revoked the emergency use authorization for the Johnson &
A Case of Misdirected Immunity Read More »
by Gertrud U. Rey Across Asia and beyond, rice crops are frequently attacked by planthoppers and leafhoppers – insects that damage plants during feeding and transmit viruses that can wipe out entire harvests. The chemical insecticides typically used by rice farmers can pose environmental and health risks, and they often also become less effective over
A Viral Battle in the Rice Field Read More »
