CIR New and Noteworthy
Information about CIR research, vaccines in the news, infectious diseases, and articles featuring CIR staff and faculty.
Important Message from the Faculty
We at the Center for Immunization Research are deeply troubled by the CDC’s sudden decision to change language on its website with respect to vaccines. Decades of rigorous and scientifically sound research have demonstrated that vaccines do not cause autism. The misleading and false statements on the CDC website are dangerous and will decrease vaccine uptake leading to an increase in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines in the News
Our stance on the current Hepatitis B vaccine recommendations
We as the faculty in the Center for Immunization Research strongly disagree with the ACIP's change in recommendation regarding Hepatitis B vaccination of newborns and believe the extensive high-quality evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of routine administration of hepatitis B vaccination to newborns. We agree with the Maryland Department of Health’s position which can be found here:
Butantan Institute's dengue vaccine, the world's first single-dose vaccine, has been approved by Anvisa.
The Center for Immunization Research conducted 30 Phase 1/Phase 2 clinical trials, in collaboration with the NIH, in the development of this vaccine.
Breakthrough vaccine could eradicate breast cancer, shows 75% immune response in trial
A breakthrough vaccine researchers say could eradicate breast cancer, with more than 75% of women showing a strong immune response, as measured by antibodies on their white blood cells.
Measles Update and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) News - Dr. Anna Durbin
CIR director Dr. Anna Durbin details the current outbreak and how recent changes to public health entities could affect vaccine policies.
CIR Research and Articles featuring Faculty & Staff
Next-gen leaders in diarrheal disease: Q&A with Brittany Feijoo
Brittany Feijoo, MSN, FNP-BC, a research associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is one of those next-generation leaders. We talked to Brittany about her path from nursing to global health, her research on Shigella in Kenya, and her role models both inside and outside the scientific community.
Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination and immunoprophylaxis: realising the potential for protection of young children
In high-income and middle-income countries, two new products have been authorized to prevent RSV in infants. These products are not yet available in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, where most RSV deaths occur. This paper briefly reviews the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of these products and explores potential pathways to broadening their availability.
Phase 3 Study Results for Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Published in NEJM
Study results for a phase 3 trial titled: "Live, Attenuated, Tetravalent Butantan-Dengue Vaccine in Children and Adults" were published on February 1, 2024 in the New England Journal of Medicine. CIR's Team FIRE conducted more than 30 trials for the development of the Butantan Dengue Vaccine (Butantan-DV) used in this study. The study was conducted at 16 sites in Brazil and showed that Butantan-DV prevented symptomatic dengue virus 1 and dengue virus 2 through 2 years of follow up.
Learning more about mosquito transmission may help flavivirus vaccine development
An inpatient challenge study being conducted by CIR's team FIRE aims to learn more about how zika is transmitted between them and humans.
Infecting volunteers with dengue virus shows experimental drug’s promise
Study leader Anna Durbin discusses the power and limits of a provocative human challenge trial
Scientists deliberately gave women Zika — here’s why
Findings from a challenge study conducted by CIR's Team FIRE indicate that the two strains of Zika administered in the trial can be safely and effectively used to infect participants in a Zika vaccine trial.
How Human Challenge Trials Accelerate Vaccine Development
Vaccinated, intentionally infected, and sequestered in a hospital unit, volunteers help researchers fast-track promising vaccine candidates.
Events and Special Interest
Controlled human infection models in vaccine development: what’s new in 2025?
Join us Thursday, May 29th at 11 am for this webinar about Controlled human infection models (CHIMs). CHIMs can speed up vaccine development by rapidly eliminating unsuccessful candidates and de-risking later clinical trials. CIR director, Dr. Anna Durbin, joins the panel of experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges of CHIMs in 2025 and beyond.
3rd Annual Research Day at Eager Park!
Health Research Day allows researchers and the community to network, interact and inform each other about the important work being done at Johns Hopkins!
CIR's Outpatient Clinic at Rangos
The CIR's East Baltimore location is in the Rangos Building!
Effective May 28, 2024 our address is:
855 N. Wolfe Street Suite 601
Baltimore, MD 21205
Hampton House Farewell Celebration
The Hopkins community celebrates the rich history of Hampton House before its demolition to make way for a new state-of-the-art facility.