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Respiratory syncytial virus is continuing to spread later into the spring than usual, driving most states to extend the window for RSV immunizations for eligible infants and toddlers. RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes a mild illness like a cold. But it can cause serious illness for young children. The RSV season usually starts in the fall, peaks in the winter and continues into spring. Immunization is recommended through the end of March in most states, but this year, nearly all of those states have extended the immunization period through the end of April. (McPhillips, 4/6)

Influenza vaccines were effective at preventing hospitalizations and outpatient visits among U.S. kids in recent years, but uptake remained low and fell further in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found. (Henderson, 4/6)

Two kinds of bacteria that naturally occur in the respiratory microbiome may help protect against long COVID when present in higher amounts, according to a new study published in Microbiology Spectrum. The findings highlight how differences in the bacterial composition of the upper respiratory tract may be linked to long-COVID severity. (Bergeson, 4/6)

Bangladesh is conducting emergency measles-rubella vaccinations while trying to contain an ongoing outbreak that has killed more than 100 children in less than a month. The government in partnership with the World Health Organization, the U.N. children’s agency and the Gavi vaccine alliance began working to vaccinate children age 6 months to 5 years old in 18 high-risk districts Sunday and will expand nationwide in phases from next month, a joint statement said. (4/7)

Scientists are working on developing mRNA vaccines that would work to fight cancer once it’s detected, said Andrew Pekosz, professor and vice chair at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, in a recent briefing. From a technological sense, they would work similar to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that were developed to fight COVID-19. These vaccines would be considered “therapeutic vaccines” rather than preventative ones, he explained. “So once you develops the cancer, you can then design a vaccine that targets some of the unique proteins and other things that the cancer cells are showing to your body, and therefore your immune system can get ramped up and target those very specific cancer antigens that the cells are showing.” (Martichoux, 4/5)