Immunomodulatory cancer therapy is witnessing the rise of viral immunotherapy. The oncolytic influenza A virus, although promising in preclinical investigations, remains to be implemented in clinical practice. Recent progress in genetic engineering, coupled with experiential insights, offers opportunities to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the influenza A virus. This review explores the use of the influenza virus, its attenuated forms, and associated vaccines in cancer immunotherapy, highlighting their respective advantages and challenges. We further elucidate methods for engineering influenza viruses and innovative approaches to augment them with cytokines or immune checkpoint inhibitors, aiming to maximize their clinical impact. Our goal is to provide insights essential for refining influenza A virus-based viral tumor immunotherapies.
Humans ; Neoplasms/immunology* ; Immunotherapy/trends* ; Influenza A virus/immunology* ; Oncolytic Virotherapy/trends* ; Animals ; Cancer Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Oncolytic Viruses ; Genetic Engineering ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

The influenza virus is classified as a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus in Orthomyxoviridae family, with epidemiological properties distinct from common cold. Previous studies have found that influenza infection can cause cardiac damage through various pathways, and patients with cardiovascular diseases are at relatively higher risk of adverse disease outcomes. Influenza vaccination has been proven to provide protective effect on patients with cardiovascular diseases. Currently, there is insufficient emphasis placed by cardiologists and cardiovascular disease patients on the prevention of influenza infection, leading to a low influenza vaccination rate in China. Therefore, based on the current clinical research progress and relevant guidelines, combined with the safety, feasibility and health economic benefits of influenza vaccinating in patients with cardiovascular diseases, as well as clinical experience from experts, this article proposes expert opinions on influenza vaccination in common cardiovascular diseases aiming to raise awareness of influenza prevention and benefiting patients.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control* ; Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Vaccination ; Expert Testimony

OBJECTIVE: Despite the global decrease in influenza infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, seasonal influenza remains a significant health issue. South Korea, known for its robust pandemic response and high influenza vaccination rates, offers a unique context for examining changes in vaccination trends during the pandemic. Using nationally representative data, we aimed to understand the impact of the pandemic on influenza vaccination behavior over a 12-year period and to identify vulnerable groups. METHODS: We analyzed influenza vaccination rates in South Korea between 2011-2022, focusing on pandemic-related impacts. The data of 2,426,139 adults (≥ 19 years) from the Korea Community Health Survey were used to assess demographic and sociological factors influencing vaccination behaviors. RESULTS: We observed an increase in influenza vaccination rates during the pre-COVID-19 period from 2011-2013 (weighted prevalence: 46.68% [95% confidence interval ( CI): 46.55-46.82]) to 2017-2019 (weighted prevalence: 52.50% [95% CI: 52.38-52.63]). However, a significant decline was observed in 2022, the late-COVID-19 pandemic period (weighted prevalence: 55.78% [95% CI: 55.56-56.01]), compared with the mid-pandemic period in 2021 (weighted prevalence: 59.12% [95% CI: 58.91-59.32]), particularly among populations traditionally prioritized for influenza vaccination, including older adults (≥ 65 years) and patients with chronic diseases and low educational and income levels. CONCLUSION The influenza vaccination rate in South Korea was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, showing a notable decrease among vulnerable demographic groups. This suggests the need for targeted public health strategies to address vaccine hesitancy and improve vaccination rates, particularly among high-risk populations.
Humans ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology* ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data* ; Young Adult ; Pandemics ; SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to an increase in demand for pneumococcal and influenza vaccines. Several approaches to improve vaccination rates among different populations were investigated to address this need. Social media may be used as a platform to promote and improve vaccination rates. The study aimed to determine the effect of social media promotion, on the number of patients requesting vaccination in a government tertiary hospital.

The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design. A telehealth-based vaccination delivery system was established. The need for vaccination against flu and pneumonia was then promoted on a social media platform during the first month of the study. Posters on the risk of not being vaccinated and safety profile of vaccines were added on the second month. The number of requests for vaccination for each month was compared. Social media metrics of the two months of the study were likewise described.

A total of 23 requests for vaccination were recorded, 11 on the first month and 12 on the second month. When a boost in advertising for the posts was implemented, twice as many requests were made during the third week of the second month as compared to the previous month (5 vs 10). Social media promotion with poster showed higher average in reach, engagement and comments per week than without poster. The mean differences among the social media metrics, however, were not statistically significant.

Promotion with posters resulted in a slight increase in number of vaccination requests. Further increase in requests may require a more refined social media promotional strategy.

BACKGROUND

A community survey on the immunization status of residents in Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad, Old Balara, Quezon City, reflected a low immunization rate of 8% for influenza and 6% for pneumococcal vaccines. Exploring ways to increase awareness on vaccination is important to improve the delivery of primary prevention.

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of infomercials versus infographics in promoting influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad.

A quasi-experimental study design using systematic sampling where one group of respondents was assigned to the infomercial intervention, and the other group to the infographics intervention. Each participant completed a self-administered 25-item questionnaire assessing perceived barriers to influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare within group changes in scores pre- and post-intervention. Mann-Whitney test was used to determine between group differences in post-intervention scores.

A total of 70 respondents representing 70 households in the barangay participated in the study. Respondents were mostly from the 26-35 age group, females with high school education in the service industry, with < P23,381 average monthly income, and good self-reported health status. Comparison of the pre- and post-intervention mean scores of both groups (infomercial and infographics), showed statistically significant change in post-intervention mean scores from baseline. However, comparison of the post-intervention mean scores between groups was not statistically significant. Identified barriers in both groups were challenges in affordability and accessibility of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.

This study showed that the InfoVax Strategy, using infomercials and infographics, can be effective tools in improving perceptions on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination among residents of Barangay Pinag-Isang Palad. The findings of this study can be applied to communities having similar characteristics. Healthcare providers may improve perceptions on vaccination and subsequent uptake by distributing infographics or playing infomercials aside from public health lectures. Vaccination will help prevent loss of earnings and incrased medication consumption. The local health unit needs to evaluate and address the identified barriers of affordability and accessibility.

Vaccination is the most effective measure for reducing and preventing influenza and related complications. In this study, we analyzed the mutation trend and the antigen dominant site changes of the amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin subunit 1 (HA1) of human influenza A virus (IAV) in the northern hemisphere from 2012 to 2022. According to the HA1 sequences of A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2) and A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1) recommended by the World Health Organization in the 2022 influenza season in northern hemisphere, we employed the mosaic algorithm to design three Mosaic-HA1 antigens through stepwise substitution. Mosaic-HA1 was expressed and purified in 293F cells and then mixed with the alum adjuvant at a volume ratio of 1:1. The mixture was used to immunize BALB/c mice, and the immunogenicity was evaluated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that Mosaic-HA1 induced the production of IgG targeting two types of HA1, the specific IgG titers for binding to H3 protein and H1 protein reached 10⁵ and 10³ respectively. The challenge test showed that Mosaic-HA1 protected mice from H3N2 or H1N1. This study designs the vaccines by recombination of major antigenic sites in different subtypes of IAV, giving new insights into the development of multivalent subunit vaccines against influenza.
Animals ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics* ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; Influenza Vaccines/genetics* ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics* ; Humans ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; Antigens, Viral/genetics* ; Immunoglobulin G/immunology* ; Female ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control* ; HEK293 Cells

Vaccination is an effective method for preventing influenza, and adjuvants can enhance the immune response intensity and persistence of influenza vaccines. However, there are currently shortcomings in clinical adjuvant approvals, ineffectiveness against weak antigens, and a tendency to cause headaches. Therefore, the development of safe and effective novel adjuvants for influenza vaccines is particularly important to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and safety. Given the wide range of sources, high safety, and biodegradability of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), some studies have described it as a vaccine adjuvant. This article reviewed the current status and challenges of influenza vaccine adjuvants, summarized the types of TCM adjuvants, the safety and immunomodulatory effects of natural active ingredients from TCM combined with influenza vaccines, the role of TCM adjuvants in antigen storage, antigen presentation capability, immune cells and cytokines, and immune responses, and analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of TCM adjuvants compared with small molecule adjuvants, with the aim of promoting the clinical development and commercialization of TCM adjuvants for influenza vaccines.
Humans ; Influenza Vaccines ; Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus. Pregnancy is associated with physiologic and immunological changes that may increase the risk for influenza virus infection and influenza-related complications. Influenza vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza virus infection. WHO and many countries have classified pregnant women as a priority population for influenza vaccination, however, there are still many challenges for promoting influenza vaccination in pregnant women in China, influenza vaccination coverage in pregnant women remains low and some influenza vaccine package inserts list pregnancy as an absolute contraindication. In this paper, we summarize the research progress in the effects of influenza infection and influenza vaccination during pregnancy both at home and abroad, then discuss the strategies to promote influenza vaccination in pregnancy for the purpose of providing reference for the related research and policy development in China.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnant Women ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Influenza Vaccines ; Vaccination ; Orthomyxoviridae

INTRODUCTION: Although influenza vaccination reduces rates of pneumonia, hospitalisation and mortality, influenza vaccination uptake remains low in older patients. The primary aim was to compare individualised counselling with educational pamphlets alone in improving influenza vaccination uptake. The secondary aims were to evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards influenza vaccination and factors influencing uptake. METHODS: A randomised controlled study was conducted in two government polyclinics with 160 participants per arm. Patients aged 65 years and above attending for doctor consultation were recruited. All participants received an educational pamphlet on influenza vaccination. The intervention group received additional face-to-face counselling. Participants filled a pre- and postintervention questionnaire assessing knowledge of influenza and attitudes towards the vaccine. Follow-up calls and verification of electronic records was done at three months to determine actual vaccine uptake. RESULTS: At three months, 16 (10%) patients in the intervention group and 20 (12.5%) patients in the control group had completed influenza vaccination (P = 0.48). Factors positively associated with vaccine uptake were willingness to receive vaccination immediately after intervention (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 12.15, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.42-33.38), and male gender (adjusted OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.23-7.12). Individualised counselling was more effective in improving knowledge (P < 0.01). Overall knowledge scores did not influence actual vaccine uptake rates. (adjusted OR 1.10 [0.90-1.3]). CONCLUSION Both arms of patient education increased uptake of influenza vaccination. Individualised counselling was not superior to pamphlets alone in improving uptake. Performing vaccination at the initial point of contact improves actual uptake rates.
Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Vaccination ; Research Design ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

This article reviews the relevant studies on the efficacy and safety of influenza, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination among tumor patients worldwide in recent years. By combing and analyzing the retrieved literature, the results show that influenza and pneumococcal vaccination can significantly reduce the morbidity and hospitalization rate of infectious diseases in tumor patients, reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and death, and significantly improve survival prognosis. COVID-19 vaccination can also protect tumor patients, especially those who have completed full dose vaccination. Authoritative guidelines and consensuses worldwide all recommend that tumor patients receive influenza, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. We should carry out relevant researches, as well as take effective measures to strengthen patient education, so that tumor patients can fully experience the health protection brought by the vaccine to this specific group.
Humans ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Vaccination ; Pneumococcal Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Neoplasms