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US approves 1st vaccine for RSV after decades of attempts
Published
3 years agoon
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. approved the first vaccine for RSV on Wednesday, shots to protect older adults against a respiratory virus that’s most notorious for attacking babies but endangers their grandparents, too.
The Food and Drug Administration decision makes GSK’s shot, called Arexvy, the first of several potential vaccines in the pipeline for RSV to be licensed anywhere.
The move sets the stage for adults 60 and older to get vaccinated this fall — but first, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must decide if every senior really needs RSV protection or only those considered at high risk from the respiratory syncytial virus. CDC’s advisers will debate that question in June.
After decades of failure in the quest for an RSV vaccine, doctors are anxious to finally have something to offer — especially after a virus surge that strained hospitals last fall.
“This is a great first step … to protect older persons from serious RSV disease,” said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, who wasn’t involved with its development. Next, “we’re going to be working our way down the age ladder” for what’s expected to be a string of new protections.
The FDA is considering competitor Pfizer’s similar vaccine for older adults. Pfizer also is seeking approval to vaccinate pregnant women, so their babies are born with some of mom’s protection.
There isn’t a vaccine for kids yet but high-risk infants often get monthly doses of a protective drug during RSV season — and European regulators recently approved the first one-dose option. The FDA also is considering whether to approve Sanofi and AstraZeneca’s one-shot medicine.
“This is a very exciting time with multiple potential RSV solutions coming out after years of really nothing,” said Dr. Phil Dormitzer, chief of vaccine research and development for GSK, formerly known as GlaxoSmithKline.
RSV is a cold-like nuisance for most people but it can be life-threatening for the very young, the elderly and people with certain high-risk health problems. It can impede babies’ breathing by inflaming their tiny airways, or creep deep into seniors’ lungs to cause pneumonia.
In the U.S., about 58,000 children younger than 5 are hospitalized for RSV each year and several hundred die. Among older adults, as many as 177,000 are hospitalized with RSV and up to 14,000 die annually.
Why has it taken so long to come up with a vaccine? The field suffered a major setback in the 1960s when an experimental shot worsened infections in children. Scientists finally figured out a better way to develop these vaccines — although modern candidates still were first tested with adults.
GSK’s new vaccine for older adults trains the immune system to recognize a protein on RSV’s surface, and contains an ingredient called an adjuvant to further rev up that immune reaction.
In an international study of about 25,000 people 60 and older, one dose of the vaccine was nearly 83% effective at preventing RSV lung infections, and reduced the risk of severe infections by 94%.
To see how long protection lasts, GSK is tracking study participants for three years, comparing some who get just one vaccination during that time and others given a yearly booster.
Shot reactions were typical of vaccinations, such as muscle pain and fatigue.
There was a hint of a rare but serious risk — one case of Guillain-Barre syndrome, which can cause usually temporary paralysis, and two cases of a type of brain and spinal cord inflammation. The FDA said it was requiring the company to continue studying if there really is a link to the vaccine.
If the CDC ultimately recommends the vaccination for some or even all seniors, it will add another shot for the fall along with their yearly flu vaccine – and maybe another COVID-19 booster.
“We’ll have to educate the population that this virus that not everyone has heard about is actually an important threat to their health in the wintertime,” said Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University. ___
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Florida Freedom Stay Perfect at Home as Nashville Stampede Win Sixth Straight at PBR Freedom Days
Published
1 week agoon
August 10, 2026By
FNN SPORTSSUNRISE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Florida Freedom remained perfect on their home dirt Saturday night, defeating the New York Mavericks 89-86.8 for their second consecutive victory at PBR Teams Freedom Days at Amerant Bank Arena.
The victory improved Florida to 5-2 on the season and extended its overall winning streak to three games, keeping the Freedom one game behind the league-leading Nashville Stampede.
Nashville improved to 6-1 after defeating the Texas Rattlers 259.45-89.15 for its sixth consecutive victory.
Florida Freedom Go 2-for-2 at Home
Florida needed only one qualified ride to secure its second victory of the homestand.
Austin Richardson delivered it in the opening frame, riding Blazin Halos Late Night Toss for 89 points. The score ultimately proved enough to secure the Freedom’s 89-86.8 victory.
New York’s Leonardo Castro responded with an 86.8-point ride aboard EmmDee, his first qualified ride of the season, but the Mavericks could not overtake Florida.
The Freedom finished 1-for-5, while New York also went 1-for-5.
Florida entered Saturday after winning its Freedom Days opener Friday and has now won three consecutive games dating back to the league’s Oklahoma City event.
With a 5-2 record, Florida sits alone in second place behind Nashville.
Nashville Stampede Extend Historic Winning Streak
The Nashville Stampede continued their league-leading start by defeating Texas three rides to one.
Nashville entered Saturday having established an organization record with its fifth consecutive victory Friday. The Stampede extended that record to six Saturday.
Alan de Souza opened Nashville’s scoring with an 87.2-point ride aboard Dealer’s Choice.
Texas briefly moved ahead when Brady Fielder posted an 89.15 aboard Texas Slim, but it would be the Rattlers’ only qualified ride of the game.
Rogério Venâncio put Nashville back in front with 88.55 points aboard Political Cowboy before Daniel Feitosa added 83.7 points on Lights Out during a re-ride opportunity.
Nashville finished with 259.45 points to Texas’ 89.15, improving the Stampede to a league-best 6-1.
Texas dropped to 4-3.
Austin Gamblers Rebound Against Missouri
The Austin Gamblers bounced back from Friday’s loss with a 178.1-90.6 victory over the Missouri Thunder.
Three-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme opened the scoring for Austin with an 89.05-point ride aboard Linebacker.
Missouri’s Felipe Furlan answered with the highest-scoring ride of the game, posting 90.6 points aboard Geralt.
Sage Steele Kimzey then delivered Austin’s decisive ride, scoring 89.05 aboard King Ding A Ling.
Austin improved to 3-4, while Missouri also moved to 3-4.
Defending Champion Carolina Cowboys Move Above .500
The defending PBR Teams champion Carolina Cowboys improved to 4-3 with a 261.95-175.45 victory over the Oklahoma Wildcatters.
Oklahoma’s Trace Redd opened with an 88.5-point ride aboard Diamond Back, but Carolina answered with three consecutive qualified rides.
Guilherme Valleiras scored 84.95 points aboard Organized Chaos, followed by Keyshawn Whitehorse’s 88.95 aboard Hoobastank. Adriano Salgado completed the Cowboys’ scoring with an 88.05-point ride on Hay Train.
Oklahoma’s Kase Hitt added 86.95 points aboard XIT Socks In A Box.
The Wildcatters fell to 3-4.
Arizona Ridge Riders Defeat Kansas City
The Arizona Ridge Riders improved to 4-3 after defeating the Kansas City Outlaws 266.9-174.4.
Luciano De Castro led Arizona with an 89.55-point ride aboard The Heat. Eduardo Aparecido added 88.6 points on Chili Mango, while Elizmar Jeremias scored 88.75 aboard Power Trip.
Kansas City’s Sandro Batista scored 87.05 points on Free Flight, while Hayden Welsh added 87.35 aboard Strawberry.
Arizona finished 3-for-5, while Kansas City went 2-for-5 and dropped to 2-5.
PBR Teams Standings After Saturday
Following Night 2 in Sunrise, Nashville leads the league at 6-1, with Florida alone in second place at 5-2.
- Nashville Stampede — 6-1, 1,589.9 points
- Florida Freedom — 5-2, 1,249.85
- Arizona Ridge Riders — 4-3, 1,500.2
- Texas Rattlers — 4-3, 1,153.45
- Carolina Cowboys — 4-3, 1,062.75
- Austin Gamblers — 3-4, 1,281.2
- Missouri Thunder — 3-4, 1,070.35
- Oklahoma Wildcatters — 3-4, 884.25
- Kansas City Outlaws — 2-5, 966.35
- New York Mavericks — 1-6, 1,132.35
Freedom Days Finale
The Florida Freedom will look to complete an undefeated homestand when PBR Teams Freedom Days concludes Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena.
Competition is scheduled to begin at 1:45 p.m. ET, with live television coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on The CW.
Nashville will enter the finale looking for a seventh consecutive victory, while Florida has an opportunity to keep pressure on the league leaders and close its home event with a perfect record.
Florida
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, Randy Fine Endorse Joe Strada for Congress
Published
4 weeks agoon
July 24, 2026ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Republican congressional candidate Joe Strada announced endorsements Thursday from House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and U.S. Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and Randy Fine of Florida, adding support from prominent conservative leaders to his campaign for Florida’s 11th Congressional District.
Strada, founder of Strada Services, said the endorsements reflect confidence in his business experience and commitment to advancing conservative priorities in Congress.
Conservative Leaders Rally Behind Strada
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Strada’s private-sector leadership and pledged his support for the campaign.
“Joe Strada is a strong conservative Republican who will stand with President Trump to help us deliver on the America First agenda for hardworking families in Central Florida and across the country,” Scalise said. “Joe Strada has my full endorsement because, as a businessman, Joe knows firsthand what it takes to solve problems, create jobs and empower those who are willing to work for their piece of the American Dream.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan highlighted Strada’s workforce development efforts and business record.
“Joe Strada has built the American Dream for countless families in Florida and across this great nation,” Jordan said. “He’s tackled the skilled worker shortage by building his own training program and graduating students directly into the workforce. Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Joe Strada in Congress because he is a problem solver who will stand up for our shared conservative values and with President Trump.”
Florida Congressman Randy Fine also endorsed Strada, citing their shared business backgrounds and longtime friendship.
“Joe Strada doesn’t just talk about the American Dream—he’s helped thousands of Floridians live it,” Fine said. “While Washington created problems, Joe built solutions by creating his own workforce training program and putting graduates directly into good-paying jobs across Central Florida. President Trump needs fighters who know how to get things done, and I want Joe standing with President Trump and me in Congress.”
Business Background
Strada is the founder of Strada Services, which the campaign describes as the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned provider of air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and security services. His campaign has emphasized his experience as a self-made businessman and employer, arguing that his private-sector leadership prepares him to address workforce and economic challenges in Congress.
Campaign Message
According to the campaign, Strada is running on a conservative platform focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, strengthening workforce development, expanding job opportunities, and promoting pro-business policies.
The endorsements from Scalise, Jordan, and Fine are expected to bolster Strada’s campaign by highlighting support from influential Republican leaders with strong ties to the House Republican Conference and the conservative movement.
Looking Ahead
Florida’s 11th Congressional District is expected to draw significant attention during the 2026 election cycle. As the campaign progresses, endorsements from national and state Republican leaders are likely to remain an important part of candidates’ efforts to build support among primary voters.
Florida
Byron Donalds Courts Latino Voters in Kissimmee as Florida Governor Campaign Expands
Published
2 months agoon
June 8, 2026By
Willie DavidKISSIMMEE, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds continued his campaign for governor by engaging Latino voters during a stop on his “Defending the Florida Dream” tour in Kissimmee, where he shared his vision for Florida’s future and discussed key issues impacting Hispanic communities.
Florida National News was on hand to capture the event as Donalds met with supporters and community leaders while emphasizing economic opportunity, education, public safety, and preserving what he described as the “Florida Dream.”
Latinos for Byron Coalition Launch
The Kissimmee event follows Donalds’ May 2026 launch of the Latinos for Byron Coalition, a statewide effort designed to strengthen support among Hispanic voters ahead of Florida’s Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Trump-endorsed congressman announced the coalition during a rally at Hialeah Park in Miami-Dade County, drawing approximately 300 supporters. Many attendees waved American and Cuban flags as Donalds outlined his vision for Florida and highlighted the growing influence of Latino voters in state politics.
Republican Leaders Show Support
Joining Donalds at the Hialeah event were several Republican elected officials, including Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, the city’s youngest mayor and a lifelong resident. State leaders in attendance included Sen. Bryan Avila and Reps. Juan Porras, David Borrero, and Alex Rizo.
Donalds said Hispanic communities play a vital role in Florida’s economy, culture, and future, and he pledged to continue policies focused on economic growth, educational excellence, and public safety.
Building a Statewide Coalition
The Defending the Florida Dream tour is expected to continue across Florida as Donalds works to build a broad coalition of supporters ahead of the 2026 election cycle. His campaign has placed a particular emphasis on engaging Hispanic voters, who represent one of the fastest-growing and most influential voting blocs in the state.
As the gubernatorial race develops, Latino outreach efforts are expected to play a significant role in shaping the Republican primary and the general election.
Florida National News will continue to follow the Defending the Florida Dream tour and provide updates from campaign stops across the state.
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