Although there is currently a polio vaccine, researchers from the University of Southern California have successfully developed a polio vaccine that does not have to be refrigerated.

The new temperature-stable vaccine could potentially eradicate polio worldwide. While the disease has long been eradicated in most countries, some regions still struggle with outbreaks. Some countries, like Papua New Guinea, are experiencing a resurgence of the disease. Nigeria and Pakistan, where constant refrigeration is not always possible, could make strides in polio prevention with the new vaccine.

This new vaccine is promising because the current vaccine has caused damaging effects in these areas. The oral vaccine contains a small amount of the live virus. Vaccinations can then occasionally turn into a form the virus that can cause paralysis instead of preventing polio.

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Everyone knows about flu season.

Starting in the fall, we all usually have some kind of plan to fight off the virus in the coming months. For many people, that involves the flu shot. Some people even need a booster shot during the flu season. Along with the vaccine, we might try to practice better hygiene during the winter months to protect ourselves. Because we know when the flu is likely to be at its worst, we are able to protect ourselves.

But, influenza isn’t the only disease that has a season.

An assistant professor, Micaela Martinez, at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public recently published a calendar that shows the seasons of 69 different infectious diseases. The calendar is known as the “Epidemic Calendar.”

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Ebola has been raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since this past August. Even with some progress in a vaccine for the virus, the World Health Organization fear that it could last another six months.

Since our last update about this outbreak, the confirmed cases of Ebola virus rose to 379, and the death toll rose to just over 245 people. Those numbers make this outbreak the second-worst Ebola epidemic in recorded history.

But, those rising case numbers may not be the most worrisome part of the outbreak.

Ebola is a viral infection, initially transmitted through eating infected meat. Then, the disease spreads from person-to-person through contact with that person’s body fluids.

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The upward trend of meningitis transmission amongst college students has only increased in recent years. Many of the affected schools have even responded with new vaccine requirements.

Before starting their classes, students must be vaccinated for the various meningitis strains. While the new rules will reduce meningitis’ spread, it’s also amplified concern for young adults and their parents.

While vaccinations can keep a person from having to hide at home over meningitis fears, why is the disease so common at colleges?

The answer could help slow risk of the disease, but also provide other health benefits. This is because the principle behind meningitis’ spread also makes college attendees more likely to get many other illnesses such as the flu.

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For many vaccines, booster shots are important to maintaining prevention against diseases. This is true for diseases such as hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, and HPV.

But, what about influenza?

During the flu season, people are wary of the dangerous virus. It’s an exciting thought that a second-dose of the flu shot may increase our immunity to the flu as other booster shots do for other diseases. With even more protection, some might think risks of the flu could disappear.

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