A new vaccine candidate called WRSs2 has demonstrated 89% effectiveness at preventing shigellosis, one of the leading causes of diarrheal deaths worldwide. The rigorous clinical trial, conducted by researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Emory Vaccine Center, involved deliberate exposure to the bacteria and showed that nearly 90% of vaccinated participants avoided illness compared to the placebo group. Diarrheal diseases claim over 1 million lives annually, with children under 5 accounting for nearly half of those deaths, particularly in regions with poor sanitation. Researchers describe the results as remarkable and the most effective efficacy ever seen for a vaccine targeting this disease.
Original Article Source Link:
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/07/g-s1-137456/diarrhea-disease-vaccine-childhood-deaths-shigella