47 Entries

CDC declared measles eliminated from the U.S. (defined as absence of continuous disease transmission for 12+ months). Subsequent outbreaks have been traced to imported cases among unvaccinated populations.

First pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for infants. Dramatically reduced invasive pneumococcal disease in children under 5.

CDC declared measles eliminated from the United States, defined as absence of endemic transmission for 12 or more months. The achievement was attributed to the two-dose MMR vaccination strategy adopted after the 1989-1991 resurgence.

IOM concluded the evidence was inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship between SV40-contaminated polio vaccine (1955-1963) and cancer. Approximately 98 million Americans had been exposed to the contaminated lots.

Following the September 11 and anthrax attacks, the U.S. debated and ultimately expanded smallpox vaccine stockpiles for bioterrorism preparedness. A limited pre-event vaccination program for military and healthcare workers launched in 2002.

Vaccine injury case that would eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court in 2011. The Court ruled 6-2 that the NCVIA preempts state design-defect claims against vaccine manufacturers, affirming federal vaccine injury compensation as the exclusive remedy.

ACIP strengthened recommendations for universal hepatitis B surface antigen screening of all pregnant women at each pregnancy, regardless of prior testing, to prevent perinatal HBV transmission.

By 2002, thimerosal had been removed or reduced to trace amounts in all routinely recommended childhood vaccines except multi-dose influenza. Subsequent studies found no association between thimerosal and autism.

Federal court ruled that the military's mandatory anthrax vaccination program was illegal because the FDA had not completed proper review of the vaccine for inhalation anthrax. Temporarily halted the program.

FluMist licensed as first live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) administered as nasal spray. Offered needle-free alternative for healthy individuals aged 5-49 (later expanded to ages 2-49).

The 2003 SARS epidemic accelerated coronavirus vaccine research, including early work on spike protein-based vaccines and viral vector platforms. Although SARS vaccine candidates reached Phase I trials, the epidemic ended before efficacy trials could begin.

ACIP published the first annual adult immunization schedule, creating a companion to the childhood schedule and standardizing adult vaccine recommendations for the first time.

In response to bioterrorism concerns, the U.S. launched a pre-event smallpox vaccination program. Military compliance was high, but the civilian healthcare worker program stalled due to concerns about myocarditis and other adverse events.

A second ruling in the Doe v. Rumsfeld case reaffirmed that the military could not mandate the anthrax vaccine without informed consent while the FDA licensing question remained unresolved.

The IOM published its comprehensive review concluding that the evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship between MMR vaccine or thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.

British regulators suspended Chiron Corporation's flu vaccine manufacturing license after contamination was discovered, eliminating 46-48 million doses (roughly half the U.S. supply) for the 2004-2005 season.

ACIP strengthened the recommendation for universal hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth, updating the 1991 policy to close gaps in perinatal prevention.

First quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine licensed for adolescents and adults, replacing the older polysaccharide vaccine for routine use.

The Serum Institute of India reached production capacity exceeding 1.5 billion doses annually, becoming the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by volume and a critical supplier for developing countries.

The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act provided broad liability protection for manufacturers, distributors, and administrators of medical countermeasures (including vaccines) during declared public health emergencies.

Kariko and Weissman published their landmark paper showing that modified nucleosides could make mRNA non-immunogenic, solving a key barrier to mRNA therapeutics and vaccines. This work later underpinned COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.

First vaccine targeting a cancer-causing virus. Quadrivalent (types 6, 11, 16, 18).

FDA licensed Gardasil, the first vaccine designed to prevent cancer (cervical cancer caused by HPV types 16 and 18). ACIP recommended routine vaccination for girls aged 11-12.

Merck's RotaTeq, a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine, licensed after clinical trials involving 70,000+ infants showed no increased intussusception risk compared to RotaShield.

GSK's Rotarix, a monovalent human rotavirus vaccine, was first licensed in Mexico and later in the U.S. (2008), providing an alternative to RotaTeq.

Several U.S. states proposed mandatory HPV vaccination for school attendance, triggering opposition from parents, religious groups, and conservative organizations who argued it promoted sexual activity and exceeded government authority.

First shingles vaccine licensed for adults 60 and older. Live attenuated vaccine using a higher dose of the Oka varicella strain.

WHO's Prequalification Programme, which evaluates vaccines for procurement by UN agencies, listed its 100th vaccine product, expanding access to quality-assured vaccines in developing countries.

Awarded for discoveries of principles for introducing specific gene modifications in mice. Gene targeting technology enabled creation of animal models for studying vaccine-preventable diseases.

Courts continued to cite Prince v. Massachusetts (1944), which held that parents' religious freedom does not include the right to expose children or the community to communicable disease. Applied in multiple school vaccine mandate challenges.

Actress Jenny McCarthy began public advocacy linking her son's autism diagnosis to vaccines, appearing on major television shows and writing books. Her visibility amplified vaccine hesitancy despite scientific consensus finding no causal link.

Development began on a high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) containing four times the antigen of standard flu vaccines, designed for adults 65 and older who have weaker immune responses.

CureVac conducted early clinical trials of mRNA-based vaccine candidates for cancer and infectious diseases, building on the modified nucleoside work of Kariko and Weissman.

Special masters ruled against petitioners in all three test cases.

Researchers detected DNA from porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) in both Rotarix and RotaTeq. FDA reviewed and concluded PCV1 posed no safety risk, as the virus does not cause disease in humans.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) reached its milestone of immunizing 250 million children in the world's poorest countries since its founding in 2000.

Novel H1N1 influenza pandemic triggered rapid vaccine development. ~2-3 GBS cases per million noted.

Novel H1N1 influenza pandemic triggered the fastest vaccine development campaign to date, with monovalent H1N1 vaccines authorized within six months of the WHO pandemic declaration.

FDA licensed GSK's Cervarix, a bivalent HPV vaccine targeting types 16 and 18, providing an alternative to Merck's quadrivalent Gardasil.

Pfizer completed development of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, expanding coverage from 7 to 13 serotypes. Licensed in February 2010.

WHO confirmed that wild poliovirus type 2 had not been detected since 1999 and was officially certified as eradicated in September 2015.

FDA licensed Fluzone High-Dose, containing four times the standard antigen, for adults aged 65 and older. Studies later showed 24% better efficacy than standard-dose flu vaccine in this population.

Adjuvanted H1N1 vaccine (Pandemrix) linked to narcolepsy in Scandinavian children. Roughly 1 in 55,000 vaccinated developed narcolepsy. The adjuvanted formulation was not used in the U.S.

Moderna Therapeutics founded to develop mRNA-based therapeutics and vaccines. Building on Kariko and Weissman's modified nucleoside work, Moderna would develop the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine authorized in 2020.

The U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled against petitioners in all six test cases of the Omnibus Autism Proceeding (three testing MMR-thimerosal theory, three testing thimerosal-only theory), finding no evidence that vaccines caused autism.

The Meningitis Vaccine Project (WHO/PATH) completed development of MenAfriVac, a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine designed specifically for sub-Saharan Africa at less than $0.50 per dose.

India's Bharat Biotech completed clinical development of Rotavac, a rotavirus vaccine derived from a naturally attenuated Indian neonatal strain, designed to be affordable for low-income countries. Licensed in 2014.