Vaccine

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides immunity to a specific disease. It usually contains a weakened or inactive form of the disease which then stimulates the body's immune system to recognize it as a threat and destroy it, giving it the means to destroy any further versions of it that it may encounter in the future.

Vaccines have been proven to be the most effective method of preventing and eradicating infectious diseases. The complete eradication of smallpox and significant reduction of polio, measles, and tetanus have proven as such.

Vaccines lead to a phenomenon known as "herd immunity" in which diseases cannot spread with ease as the majority of a population are vaccinated. However, herd immunity can only work if a certain percentage of the population is vaccinated.

Most vaccines are delivered via injection, although notable exceptions include the polio vaccine which is often delivered orally. This method was found to have certain advantages as it allowed for administration by staff without formal training, and reduced the risk of blood contamination. 

Israeli researchers develop world's first mRNA-based vaccine against bacterium

The team from Tel Aviv University developed a vaccine to combat the bacterium that causes the black plague, using the same system as with the COVID-19 vaccines.

 The research team (Left to right) Prof. Dan Peer, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy & Shani Benarroch.
 A baby vaccines book at a family health center ("Tipat chalav") on March 5, 2019.

Health Ministry launches digital vaccination record

US Attorney-General Pam Bondi arrives to speak during the visit of US President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice to address its workers, in Washington, March 14, 2025.

Trump's attorney general drops fraud case tied to COVID vaccinations

Cases of the measles rise in Israel.

At least 62 Israelis infected with measles amid outbreak, Health Ministry says


Indonesia teams up with Bill Gates for pivotal TB vaccine trials

Subianto emphasized tuberculosis causes approximately 100,000 deaths annually, making its prevention a government priority.

 Indonesia teams up with Bill Gates for pivotal TB vaccine trials.

Surprising find: Same-arm vaccine shots enhance immunity

Antibodies from same-arm vaccinations showed increased effectiveness against variants.

 Surprising find: Same-arm vaccine shots enhance immunity.

In a world first, Brazil approves chikungunya vaccine

The country is considered the epicenter of the disease in the Americas, with epidemics reported over the years.

 In a world first, Brazil approves chikungunya vaccine.

Shingles vaccine linked to 20 percent lower dementia risk in older adults

Researchers exploit a natural experiment in Wales to isolate the vaccine’s protective effect against dementia.

 Shingles vaccine linked to 20 percent lower dementia risk in older adults.

Technion close to develop oral consumption of medications to tackle COVID, flu, instead of vaccines

Imagine if antibodies, hormones for fertility, proteins like insulin, and vaccines could be swallowed instead of taken by injection.

 PROF. ASSAF ZINGER’S team at work.

US CDC plans study into vaccines and autism, sources say

It is unclear whether US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has long promoted anti-vaccine views, is involved in the planned CDC study or how it would be carried out.

 Polio vaccine by injection.

Israeli teen diagnosed with polio, Health Ministry investigates

“The primary way to protect children from paralysis is through the inactivated polio vaccine,” the Health Ministry stated.

A coronavirus vaccine dose is seen being administered at a Meuhedet vaccination center in Jerusalem, on February 16, 2021.

Learning to count our blessings despite war, COVID, hurricanes, and more - opinion

Israel and the world both seem to be in a terrible mess at the moment. Wars, famine, droughts, hurricanes, massacres. Count our blessings? What blessings?

Olim from North America arrive on a special " Aliyah flight" to the Ben Gurion airport

Trump repeats warning to Hamas to release hostages soon or face consequences

Trump said he would discuss ways to bring an end to the Ukraine war with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

 (Illustrative) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president-elect Donald Trump over a backdrop of hostage posters.

A new Israeli clinical trial is testing a tuberculosis vaccine to prevent Alzheimer's - opinion

If – God forbid – I show the biomarkers associated with the probable development of Alzheimer’s, I will receive three doses of the vaccine, which has minimal side effects.

 REAL BRAIN exhibit at Bristol Science Centre, UK.

This week in Jewish history: Blood libels are not new

A highly abridged weekly version of the daily Dust & Stars.

The Simon of Trent blood libel: Illustration in Hartmann Schedel’s Weltchronik, 1493