VACCINES +++

VACCINES CIDRAP: More People Requesting ‘Unvaccinated’ Blood For Themselves Or Their Children https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/more-people-requesting-unvaccinated-blood-themselves-or-their-children?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--fuFl4Ewnp91HBD3VRSa4l_tQxLtTX5LVJwd9qeTz9a5BpO_LEzeN2m7y0L_Eh1Lao2J7ixWhTzVymerSbuHt297zD8Q&_hsmi=411712740&utm_content=411712740&utm_source=hs_email A growing number of patients who need transfusions are asking for blood from unvaccinated donors, a difficult request to honor, given that blood centers don’t ask donors if they’ve been vaccinated and don’t label blood according to vaccinated status. These requests often delay care and, in some cases, harm patients’ health, according to a report published late last week in Transfusion. Health systems need to develop standardized policies, include counseling, to handle these requests, the report’s authors wrote. (Szabo, 3/31) CNN: RFK Jr. Pledged To Fight Lyme Disease. Does That Include Supporting A Vaccine? https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/31/health/lyme-disease-vaccine-kennedy?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9MhsUbgixq2621YDu0sUWd4IurIXxYJazci2YG_gifo7DbcUmreFqpTzXSkeHULGRe81IimPqyPZwYVgoSDVds5piblg&_hsmi=411712740&utm_content=411712740&utm_source=hs_email As secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has promised to take on Lyme disease, which is an even bigger problem now than it was 40 years ago. At a roundtable discussion he convened in December with patients, clinicians and researchers, he pledged greater support for improving diagnostics and treatment. (Tirrell, 3/31) Bloomberg: New Study Tests Vaccine’s Potential To Block Fentanyl’s Deadly Effects https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-31/fentanyl-vaccine-begins-trial-in-new-effort-to-prevent-overdose?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--ddup_GsQpthC1CCK_BDqKxRLTPLC9YXFGgH9pmz2gbIoLpAoaTfJkro2qVUCKjdpb20kiOY1T8XfRi_3wM2FdqB7xwg&_hsmi=411712740&utm_content=411712740&utm_source=hs_email Biotech startup ARMR Sciences Inc. said it has begun a human trial of its anti-fentanyl vaccine in an early study that could one day lead to a inoculation offering months-long protection from the deadly respiratory effects of the powerful synthetic opioid. The trial is the culmination of years of research. It aims to show that a vaccine, unlike existing emergency remedies, could prevent a fentanyl overdose from ever happening. (Langreth, 3/31)