Category: 8. Health

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron JN.1 lineage, classified as part of the KP.2 subvariant family, prompted urgent regulatory and public health responses to ensure continued protection against evolving COVID-19 viral threats.¹ In late 2024, updated mRNA vaccines targeting this lineage were authorized in the United States and Europe for use in the 2024-2025 booster campaign. Despite regulatory endorsement, real-world safety data on these variant-specific vaccines remained limited. To address this gap, a Danish cohort study conducted by Andersson et al and published in JAMA Network Open provides a comprehensive evaluation of 29 serious adverse events (AEs) following administration of JN.1-containing mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.²

This population-based study provides critical insights for clinicians, policy makers, and payers tasked with navigating vaccination strategies amid ongoing viral evolution and persistent vaccine hesitancy. By assessing safety outcomes in a large, at-risk population under real-world conditions, the findings can help to contextualize benefit-risk assessments and inform future immunization campaigns.

Study Design and Cohort Characteristics

This retrospective cohort study leveraged Denmark’s national health data infrastructure, linking records from the Danish Civil Registration System, Danish Vaccination Register, and the National Patient Register to monitor vaccine safety. The study population included all adults 18 years and older who met government criteria for receiving a JN.1-containing booster—specifically individuals 65 years and older or those categorized as high-risk due to comorbidities. To be eligible, participants were also required to have received at least 3 prior COVID-19 vaccine doses before the study start on May 1, 2024.

Of the 1,585,883 eligible adults, 1,012,400 received the updated JN.1 vaccine during the follow-up period ending March 31, 2025. The mean age of vaccinated individuals was 73.5 years, and the cohort was slightly more female (54.4%) than male. The majority (86.7%) were prioritized due to age rather than underlying high-risk conditions. Common comorbidities included chronic cardiac disorders (20.3% of vaccinated individuals), autoimmune conditions (8.5%), diabetes (6.4%), and malignancy (9.9%).

Outcomes and Statistical Methodology

The investigators focused on 29 predefined serious AEs of special interest (AESIs), compiled from sources including the Brighton Collaboration and FDA’s Biologics Effectiveness and Safety Initiative. These AESIs included cardiovascular conditions (eg, ischemic cardiac events, myocarditis), thrombotic events (eg, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis), neurological syndromes (eg, Guillain-Barré syndrome, seizures), autoimmune and inflammatory conditions (eg, type 1 diabetes, uveitis), and organ-specific failures (eg, acute liver failure, acute kidney injury).

Vaccination status was treated as a time-varying covariate. Each individual contributed person-time to both the “risk period” (the 28 days post vaccination) and “reference period” (person-time outside the 28-day window, beginning either at study start or ≥43 days after any vaccine dose). A 14-day buffer period (days 29-42) was excluded from analysis to mitigate time-related confounding.²

Outcomes were measured as the first recorded hospital contact for each AE. Poisson regression models were used to estimate adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) comparing risk and reference periods. Models were adjusted for sex, age, region, vaccination priority status, calendar time, and number of comorbidities. Statistical significance was defined as a 95% CI not overlapping 1.

Key Study Findings

The central conclusion of the study is that no statistically significant increases in AE rates were observed in the 28 days following vaccination with the JN.1-containing mRNA vaccines. In fact, several IRRs suggested lower event rates during the risk period relative to the reference period, though causality should not be inferred from these associations, according to the study authors.

Notable results include the following:

• Ischemic cardiac events: IRR of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.76-0.94), suggesting a modest reduction in risk
• Cerebrovascular events: IRR of 0.84 (95% CI, 0.77-0.92), including a similar trend for transient ischemic attacks and infarctions
• Pulmonary embolism: IRR of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.62-0.90)
• Acute kidney injury: IRR of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.59-0.77)
• Myocarditis: IRR of 1.12 (95% CI, 0.41-3.10), not statistically significant, indicating no detectable increased risk
• Pericarditis: IRR of 0.42 (95% CI, 0.20-0.89), with fewer observed cases post-vaccination

Only a few outcomes, such as erythema multiforme and subacute thyroiditis, yielded wide CIs due to very low event counts, resulting in limited statistical precision. For 3 outcomes—cerebral venous thrombosis, transverse myelitis, and narcolepsy—no events occurred in the risk period, precluding estimation of IRRs. Importantly, the upper bounds of the CIs for 19 of the 29 AEs were inconsistent with even moderate (≥1.5-fold) increases in risk, reinforcing the conclusion that large safety signals are unlikely.

Contextualizing the Findings

These results build upon prior evaluations of earlier Omicron-adapted vaccines, including those targeting the BA.1, BA.4/5, and XBB.1.5 lineages, which similarly demonstrated no elevated risks for serious AEs. The JN.1 lineage, which rose to dominance globally in late 2024, shares spike protein mutations associated with immune escape, raising concerns about the need for vaccine updates. This study offers reassurance that updating vaccine composition to address antigenic drift has not compromised the safety profile of mRNA platforms.

From a managed care and public health perspective, these findings are crucial. As vaccination fatigue and hesitancy continue to impact booster uptake, particularly among older and high-risk populations, robust safety data remain vital to maintaining trust in public immunization programs. In Denmark, the timely rollout of updated boosters was guided by transparent national registry infrastructure and comprehensive eligibility criteria, enabling efficient pharmacovigilance and coverage estimation.

Recent preclinical research by Ao et al further supports the rationale for JN.1-specific updates, demonstrating that a JN.1-mRNA vaccine elicited robust, long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responses in animal models, with enhanced neutralizing activity against JN.1 and KP.3 variants. These findings highlight the adaptability of mRNA platforms and underscore the importance of timely reformulation to match emerging SARS-CoV-2 subvariants.³

Study Limitations

Andersson et al acknowledge several important limitations that may affect the interpretation of findings.² First, residual confounding remains a concern despite the use of within-individual comparisons to mitigate bias. Unmeasured factors, such as differences in health care–seeking behavior or temporal shifts in baseline health status, may still influence outcomes. Second, the study was underpowered to assess the safety of very rare events. For adverse outcomes such as transverse myelitis or Guillain-Barré syndrome, the low number of cases limited the statistical precision and precluded definitive risk estimation. Third, the relatively short follow-up period of 28 days after vaccination may not capture AEs with longer latency periods or delayed clinical onset. Finally, because the study population was restricted to adults eligible for Denmark’s national JN.1 booster program—primarily older individuals and those at high risk—the findings may not be generalizable to younger, healthier populations or those in different health care settings.

Conclusion

In the context of ongoing SARS-CoV-2 evolution and the need for variant-specific immunization strategies, this large-scale, real-world analysis offers timely and clinically meaningful reassurance about the safety of JN.1-updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The absence of increased risk for any of the 29 serious AEs evaluated—including myocarditis, ischemic cardiac events, and thromboembolic conditions—reinforces the favorable safety profile of mRNA technology, even as antigenic targets evolve. These findings hold particular relevance for managed care organizations, public health authorities, and policymakers who must weigh the risks and benefits of updated booster campaigns amid growing public skepticism and pandemic fatigue.

REFERENCES

1. Ma KC, Castro J, Lambrou AS, et al. Genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants: Circulation of omicron XBB and JN.1 lineages – United States, May 2023-September 2024. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024;73(42):938-945. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7342a1
2. Andersson NW, Thiesson EM, Hviid A. Safety of JN.1-updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2523557. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.23557
3. Ao D, Peng D, He C, et al. A promising mRNA vaccine derived from the JN.1 spike protein confers protective immunity against multiple emerged omicron variants. Mol Biomed. 2025;6(1):13. doi:10.1186/s43556-025-00258-7

A case series describes 41 US children with influenza-related acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) that killed 27% of them—despite receiving multiple treatments and most of them being previously healthy—during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 respiratory virus seasons.

For the study, published yesterday in JAMA, the Influenza-Associated Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy Working Group assessed the clinical characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of children with flu-related ANE, a type of brain damage, at 23 US hospitals. 

The team issued a call for cases through academic societies, public health agencies, and pediatric specialists at 76 US academic centers, requesting information on ANE patients treated from October 2023 to May 2025. Most (76%) children (median age, 5 years; 23 girls) were previously healthy, 12% had complex medical conditions, and only 16% of the 38 patients with an available vaccination history had been vaccinated against flu that year.

ANE causes brain swelling and an outsized immune response. “Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare, but severe, neurologic condition for which epidemiologic and management data remain limited,” the researchers wrote. “During the 2024-2025 US influenza season, clinicians at large pediatric centers anecdotally reported an increased number of children with influenza-associated ANE, prompting this national investigation.”

Two thirds had moderate to severe disability at follow-up

The most common symptoms were fever (93%) and seizures (68%). Thirty-nine patients (95%) had influenza A (14 with H1N1, 7 with H3N2, and 18 with unknown subtype) and 2 had influenza B. Laboratory findings were elevated liver enzymes (indicating liver disease; 78%), thrombocytopenia (low blood platelets; 63%), and elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein (indicating a problem in the central nervous system; 63%). 

Fifteen of 32 patients (47%) who underwent genetic testing carried mutations that may be related to a higher risk for ANE.

Most patients received multiple immunomodulatory treatments, including the corticosteroid methylprednisolone (95%), intravenous immunoglobulin antibodies (66%), the immunosuppressive drug tocilizumab (51%), plasmapheresis (32%), the immunosuppressive drug anakinra (5%), and intrathecal methylprednisolone (5%). 

Most patients (85%) were intubated, 51% had hemodynamic instability, and 24% had acute kidney injury. Median intensive care unit and hospital lengths of stay were 11 and 22 days, respectively. Eleven patients (27%) died a median of 3 days from symptom onset, primarily from cerebral herniation (91%).

Of the 41 children, 27% died within 3 days after symptom onset, 91% of them from cerebral herniation; only 1 had been vaccinated against flu. In total, 63% had moderate to severe disabilities at 90-day follow-up. Of the 30 survivors, 19 regained the ability to sit, 16 could stand without assistance, and 13 could walk independently.

Rapid treatment key to survival

The best approach to ANE is seasonal flu vaccination, which also helps prevent other complications of infection, co-senior author Kevin Van Haren, MD, of Stanford Medicine, said in a Stanford news release.

Geneva (Vax-Before-Travel News)

In light of the ongoing spread of poliovirus and the detection of polio disease in various countries, the Forty-second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations was recently convened by the WHO Director-General.

The Emergency Committee reviewed data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV) in the context of the global goals to interrupt WPV1 transmission and achieve certification of its eradication by 2027.

As well as to interrupt and certify the elimination of cVDPV2 by 2029.

Based on the current situation regarding WPV1 and cVDPVs, along with reports from the affected countries, the Director-General accepted the Committee’s updated assessment.

As of July 11, 2025, the Director-General determined that the poliovirus situation still constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern for both WPV1 and cVDPV.

The WHO’s leader endorsed the Committee’s recommendations for countries defined as ‘States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1, or cVDPV3 with potential risk for international spread,’ ‘States infected with cVDPV2 with potential risk for international spread,’ and ‘States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months,’ effective July 11, 2025, and for an unlimited amount of time.

The United States was added to this list in 2022 but was removed in 2024.

As of July 31, 2025, the WHO recommends preventive vaccination for countries reporting poliovirus detections.

This includes ensuring that all residents and long-term visitors of all ages receive a dose of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between four weeks and 12 months before international travel.

The Committee noted that the novel OPV2 vaccine continues to demonstrate greater genetic stability compared to Sabin OPV2. Since May 2021, approximately 1.2 billion nOPV2 doses have been administered in more than 35 countries.

However, the risk of new cVDPV2 emergence increases when the interval between outbreak response campaigns exceeds four weeks or when vaccination quality is suboptimal, underscoring the need for timely and high-quality immunization efforts.

To alert international travelers to the current polio risk, the U.S. CDC has issued a Travel Health Advisory that identifies 41 countries. The CDC highly recommends that international travelers be fully immunized when visiting these countries.

Additionally, the CDC endorses IPV booster shots for some travelers.

In the United States, various travel clinics and pharmacies offer the IPV vaccine.

Today in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, researchers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) report that 86.7% of survivors of the country’s 2020 Ebola outbreak who received advanced therapies experienced long-term health effects. 

For 1 year, the researchers followed up on 750 adults and children infected from April to October 2020. The median patient age was 32 years. The outbreak, the DRC’s tenth, was the first in which Ebola patients received drugs such as the monoclonal antibodies REGN-EB3, ansuvimab, and ZMapp and the antiviral medication remdesivir.

Untreated Ebola kills 50% to 90% of those infected. Among survivors, short- and long-term symptoms such as fatigue, bone pain, headaches, abdominal pain, and impaired vision or other eye disorders.

“Although new therapeutic agents improved survival, questions remain about their long-term impact,” the investigators wrote. “Research has reported late-onset ocular complications, such as uveitis and neurologic symptoms, even in survivors treated with monoclonal antibodies.” Another study showed that antibody levels waned quickly over time, particularly in ansuvimab recipients.

Neurologic, musculoskeletal symptoms 

In total, 86.7% experienced post-Ebola conditions, including neurologic (61.7%), musculoskeletal (49.7%), and general (38.4%) symptoms for at least 38 months. 

These results underscore the need for targeting long-term care to effectively manage post-Ebola sequelae.

At enrollment (median time to baseline visit, 330 days after hospital release), neurologic symptoms were more common in the REGN-EB3 group (hazard ratio [HR], 2.14) than in remdesivir recipients. 

Musculoskeletal symptoms were linked to age (HR, 1.02), ZMapp treatment (HR, 3.17), and hemorrhagic symptoms during infection (HR, 1.64), while ocular sequelae were tied to age (HR, 1.04). Patients who were female, older, had underlying metabolic conditions, or received REGN-EB3 were more likely to have recurrent neurologic and musculoskeletal symptoms. Recurrent ocular symptoms were slightly more common in adults than in children (HR, 1.02).

“Despite improved survival with monoclonal antibody therapy, our findings highlight a high incidence of neurologic sequelae in the REGN-EB3 group, and musculoskeletal in ZMapp group compared to the Remdesivir group, also among older survivors, women and those with comorbidities,” the authors wrote. “These results underscore the need for targeting long-term care to effectively manage post-Ebola sequelae.”

United Nations officials are warning that an estimated 80,000 children in West and Central Africa could be at high risk of cholera as the rainy season begins.

In a news release yesterday, UNICEF said the increased risk of cholera is being driven by active outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, which is raising the threat of cross-border outbreaks in neighboring countries. The hardest-hit country, DRC, has reported 38,000 cases and 951 deaths through July, with children under 5 accounting for 25% of cases. Nigeria has reported 3,109 suspected cases and 86 deaths.

Cholera spreads through water and food contaminated by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration. Though easily treatable with antibiotics, oral rehydration solution, and intravenous fluids, it can quickly become life-threatening if it goes untreated. 

Other countries experiencing ongoing outbreaks of the highly infectious bacterial disease include Chad, the Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo. In addition, Benin, Cameroon, the Central Africa Republic, Liberia, and Niger are considered vulnerable to outbreaks. On top of known risk factors such as poor hygiene and lack of sanitation, UNICEF officials say heavy rains, widespread flooding, and high levels of displacement in the region are fueling the increased risk of cholera transmission.

“With access to safe water and hygiene conditions already dire, urgent action is needed,” said Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF’s regional director for West and Central Africa. “This is a matter of survival.”

Conflict, displacement fueling DRC outbreak 

DRC has one of the highest cholera incidence rates on the continent. UNICEF said the situation in Kinshasa, DRC’s capital city, has become critical, with cases surging over the past 4 weeks following weeks of intense rainfall and widespread flooding. The case-fatality rate is 8%. 

The situation in DRC has been exacerbated by armed conflict between the government and a rebel group that has resulted in mass displacement, destroyed water and sanitation infrastructure, and an incapacitated healthcare system. Deep cuts to US humanitarian assistance have also hampered the response to the cholera outbreak. 

“This is a full-blown public health emergency,” Manenji Mangundu, PhD, MPH, Oxfam’s country director for DRC, said in a news release. “Families are returning to ruins—no shelters, no toilets, no clean water. In many areas, latrines have been flooded or stripped for firewood, forcing people to defecate in the open and contaminate the only water available.”

UNICEF said children account for most of the displaced population and are living in extremely precarious conditions, adding that children in the country could face the worst cholera crisis since 2017 unless measures to contain the epidemic are intensified.

With access to safe water and hygiene conditions already dire, urgent action is needed…This is a matter of survival.

The increase in cholera cases in West and Central Africa comes amid a continent-wide rise in illness. As of early June, African countries had reported more than 130,000 cases, with 2,700 deaths, and are on pace to pass 2023 and 2024 case numbers. In a June meeting, leaders from 20 African countries endorsed a plan to adopt a continental approach to managing cholera outbreaks. The approach is similar to the strategy African health officials have used to combat mpox.

UNICEF has been delivering water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) supplies for treatment facilities and communities and supporting cholera vaccination efforts in the affected areas. But agency officials said West and Central Africa will need $20 million over the next 3 months to support health, WASH, and risk communication efforts in the region.

“We are in a race against time, working hand in hand with the authorities to deliver essential healthcare, safe water, and proper nutrition to children already at risk of deadly diseases and severe acute malnutrition,” Fagninou said.

Company reiterates its precision prevention commitment with latest expansion of its high-stakes cancer pledge—now targeting lung cancer, the world’s deadliest cancer.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a bold move to challenge one of the deadliest cancers worldwide , Human Longevity, Inc. (HLI) is expanding its high-profile $1 million pledge to include late-stage lung cancer—sending a clear signal that precision prevention is not just a promise, but a guarantee. Reflecting HLI’s unwavering belief in early detection and the power of precision diagnostics, this initiative will offer up to $1 million in clinical support for any qualified member diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer while actively participating in HLI’s Executive Health Program or affiliated 100+ Longevity Programs.

Through its Executive Health Program and 100+ Longevity Programs, Human Longevity has screened over 10,000 members using a comprehensive, AI-driven platform that integrates genomics, imaging, and longitudinal biomarker tracking . The addition of lung cancer to HLI’s pledge program reinforces its commitment to detecting cancers earlier—when treatment is most effective.

This precision strategy includes:

• Whole genome sequencing with hereditary cancer risk assessment
• Whole-body and volumetric MRI + other imaging testing
• Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests
• Continuous respiratory symptom and biomarker monitoring

This integrated approach—offered exclusively through HLI’s Executive Health Program —enables the detection of lung cancer earlier and with greater confidence, empowering members with proactive and personalized care.

How the Initiative Works

Eligible participants must be continuously enrolled in the Executive Health Program or 100+ Longevity Programs, and must complete our pledge and annual lung cancer-specific screenings, including MCED testing and clinical assessments, as part of their protocol. If a participating member is diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer during active membership, HLI will provide up to $1 million in clinical navigation, treatment coordination, and consultation with top thoracic oncology experts .

“With our integrated screening tools and AI – powered risk analysis , we’re transforming how we detect and respond to life-threatening diseases like lung cancer,” said Dr.  Wei – Wu He , Executive Chairman of Human Longevity, Inc. “This pledge reinforces our promise to help our members stay ahead of disease and receive world-class care in every scenario.”

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, often diagnosed in later stages due to subtle or absent early symptoms. By combining advanced imaging, genomic insights, and real-time biomarker data, Human Longevity is redefining what’s possible in early lung cancer detection and preventative care.

This pledge is more than a commitment—it’s a strategic expansion of Human Longevity’s mission to shift healthcare from reactive to proactive. It ensures members benefit from the most advanced diagnostic tools, clinical pathways, and personalized care plans available today.

Media Contact:

[email protected]
https://www.humanlongevity.com/1mlung

Human Longevity, Inc. is a biotechnology company at the forefront of integrating genomics, AI, and multimodal diagnostics to extend human healthspan. Through its flagship Executive Health Program and 100+ Longevity Programs, HLI delivers comprehensive, data-driven evaluations aimed at identifying and preventing disease long before symptoms arise. To learn more or how to enroll, visit  https://www.humanlongevity.com/1mlung.

SOURCE Human Longevity, Inc.

Pregnant women with a college education were more likely to receive a COVID-19 vaccination when compared with those who were not college educated, according to a study published in Vaccine.¹ These findings support previous studies that have shown a positive correlation between vaccination and educational status.

“Once infected with COVID-19, pregnant women are at an increased risk of severe manifestations of COVID-19, resulting in ICU [intensive care unit] admission, mechanical ventilation, and death compared to non-pregnant women,” wrote authors of the study. “Pregnant women with COVID-19 are also at increased risk of preterm birth and may be at risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes, including stillbirth, compared to pregnant women without COVID-19.”

Not only does pregnancy come with an increased risk of severe COVID-19, but those risks are also known to persist for up to a month following birth. Prominent conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are also known to further complicate COVID-19 symptoms among pregnant women. With all these increased risks, pregnant women are among one of the most important populations in need of protection against COVID-19.²

READ MORE: Women With Hypoglycemia Prior to Pregnancy Are More Likely to Have Adverse Outcomes

After several clinical trials as well as continuous research efforts to further improve them, COVID-19 vaccines have been deemed safe and effective for all individuals over 6 months of age.³ This includes all women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or expected to be pregnant in the future. Furthermore, highlighting its safety and effectiveness across pregnant populations, the vaccine has never been associated with any fertility issues among men or women.

“In Kenya, pregnant and lactating women were initially considered ineligible for vaccination,” they continued.¹ “Following global guidance and recommendations, an official social media post from the Kenya Ministry of Health on January 29, 2022, declared all COVID-19 vaccines safe for use for pregnant and breastfeeding women.”

During a similar time period, the CDC released recommendations for pregnant women in the US to receive the COVID-19 vaccine,⁴ dispelling myths that it was not safe or effective in this population. However, despite the evidence and recommendations provided by experts and public health leaders around the world—like the CDC—researchers of the current study wanted to better understand sentiments of the public toward the COVID-19 vaccine.

In Kenya, though, researchers have uncovered previously conflicting associations of education level and socioeconomic status with vaccine uptake. With these conflicting links even more prominent among pregnant women in Kenya, researchers focused on a specific patient population to better understand associations of COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

“Given the varying evidence of the role that socioeconomic factors can have on vaccine decision-making, we conducted this study to better understand the association between socioeconomic and educational status with vaccination attitudes and behaviors among pregnant women seeking health care services in 2 diverse clinics in Nairobi, Kenya,” they wrote.¹

With the study being conducted in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, researchers recruited pregnant women referred to 1 of 2 hospitals in the region: Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and Pumwani Maternity Hospital (PMH). Each participant was given a survey that detailed various characteristics, including vaccine history, potential COVID-19 doses, reasons for or against vaccination, attitudes toward the COVID-19 disease and vaccine, and general socioeconomic characteristics.

The researchers’ final analysis included a total of 400 women (58% between 25 and 34 years old; 72% vaccinated) that completed surveys. Regarding the education splits explored in the study, 271 had at least a college education, and the remaining 129 participants were reported as having less than a college education.

For the survey questions related to history with the COVID-19 vaccine, participants at AKUH and those with at least some college education were more likely to receive the vaccination compared with individuals at PMH and those with no college education, respectively. A greater portion of those that did not receive a college education (36.4%) were more likely not to be vaccinated than those with a college education (24.7%).

“In our study, pregnant women with at least a college education were more likely to have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in the past versus pregnant women without a college education,” concluded the authors.¹ “In a multi-country study examining attitudes among pregnant women, women with no formal education were less willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Kenya. Communicating the benefits of maternal vaccination while also allaying vaccine concerns will help nudge women toward maternal vaccine acceptance.”

READ MORE: COVID-19 Resource Center

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REFERENCES

1. Schue JL, Okwaro F, Gichere I, et al. COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and behaviors among pregnant women in Nairobi, Kenya with diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds. Vaccine. Published online July 12, 2025:127480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127480

2. Understand how COVID-19 might affect your pregnancy. Mayo Clinic. September 7, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/pregnancy-and-covid-19/art-20482639

3. COVID-19 vaccination for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. CDC. September 10, 2024. Accessed July 31, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/pregnant-or-breastfeeding.html

4. Lipkind HS, Vazquez-Benitez G, DeSilva M, et al. Receipt of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and preterm or small-for-gestational-age at birth — eight integrated health care organizations, United States, December 15, 2020–July 22, 2021. MMWR. 2022;71(1):26-30. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101e1