The burden of influenza in the United States can vary from year to year depending on which viruses are circulating, how many people receive an influenza vaccination, and how effective the vaccination is in that particular year. During the 2023-2024 flu season, around 28,000 people lost their lives to the disease. Although most people recover from influenza without needing medical care, the disease can be deadly among young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses. Deaths due to influenza Even though most people recover from influenza without medical care, influenza and pneumonia can be deadly, especially for older people and those with certain preexisting conditions. Influenza is a common cause of pneumonia and although most cases of influenza do not develop into pneumonia, those that do are often more severe and more deadly. Deaths due to influenza are most common among the elderly, with a mortality rate of around 32 per 100,000 population during the 2023-2024 flu season. In comparison, the mortality rate for those aged 50 to 64 years was 9.1 per 100,000 population. Flu vaccinations The most effective way to prevent influenza is to receive an annual influenza vaccination. These vaccines have proven to be safe and are usually cheap and easily accessible. Nevertheless, every year a large share of the population in the United States still fails to get vaccinated against influenza. For example, in the 2022-2023 flu season, only 35 percent of those aged 18 to 49 years received a flu vaccination. Unsurprisingly, children and the elderly are the most likely to get vaccinated. It is estimated that during the 2022-2023 flu season, vaccinations prevented over 929 thousand influenza cases among children aged 6 months to 4 years.

Over 12 million people in the United States died from all causes between the beginning of January 2020 and August 21, 2023. Over 1.1 million of those deaths were with confirmed or presumed COVID-19.

Vaccine rollout in the United States Finding a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine was an urgent health priority since the very start of the pandemic. In the United States, the first two vaccines were authorized and recommended for use in December 2020. One has been developed by Massachusetts-based biotech company Moderna, and the number of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines administered in the U.S. was over 250 million. Moderna has also said that its vaccine is effective against the coronavirus variants first identified in the UK and South Africa.

The graph illustrates the number of flu-related deaths in the United States for each flu season from 2010-2011 to 2023-2024*. The x-axis represents the flu seasons, labeled from '10-11 to '23*-24*, while the y-axis shows the annual number of flu deaths. Throughout this period, flu deaths vary significantly, ranging from a low of 4,900 in the 2021-2022* season to a high of 51,000 in both the 2014-2015 and 2017-2018 seasons. Other notable figures include 36,000 deaths in 2010-2011, 42,000 in 2012-2013, and a recent increase to 28,000 in the 2023*-2024* season. The data exhibits considerable fluctuations with no consistent upward or downward trend, highlighting the variability in flu mortality rates over the years. This information is presented in a line graph format, effectively showcasing the yearly changes and peaks in flu-related deaths across the United States.

*Data for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons are estimated.

The mortality rate from influenza in the United States is by far highest among those aged 65 years and older. During the 2023-2024 flu season, the mortality rate from influenza for this age group was around 32.1 per 100,000 population. The burden of influenza The impact of influenza in the U.S. varies from season to season, but in the 2023-2024 flu season, there were an estimated 40 million cases. These cases resulted in around 470,000 hospitalizations. Although most people recover from influenza without requiring medical treatment, the disease can be deadly for young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses. During the 2023-2024 flu season, around 28,000 people in the U.S. lost their lives due to influenza. Impact of vaccinations The most effective way to prevent influenza is to receive an annual vaccination at the beginning of flu season. Flu vaccines are safe and can greatly reduce the burden of the disease. During the 2022-2023 flu season, vaccinations prevented around 2,479 deaths among those aged 65 years and older. Although flu vaccines are usually cheap and easily accessible, every year a large share of the population in the U.S. still does not get vaccinated. For example, during the 2022-2023 flu season, only about 35 percent of those aged 18 to 49 years received a flu vaccination.

As of May 2, 2023, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had spread to almost every country in the world, and more than 6.86 million people had died after contracting the respiratory virus. Over 1.16 million of these deaths occurred in the United States.

Waves of infections Almost every country and territory worldwide have been affected by the COVID-19 disease. At the end of 2021 the virus was once again circulating at very high rates, even in countries with relatively high vaccination rates such as the United States and Germany. As rates of new infections increased, some countries in Europe, like Germany and Austria, tightened restrictions once again, specifically targeting those who were not yet vaccinated. However, by spring 2022, rates of new infections had decreased in many countries and restrictions were once again lifted.

What are the symptoms of the virus? It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of the illness to start being noticed. The most commonly reported symptoms are a fever and a dry cough, leading to shortness of breath. The early symptoms are similar to other common viruses such as the common cold and flu. These illnesses spread more during cold months, but there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that temperature impacts the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Medical advice should be sought if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Influenza, also called the flu, is one of the most infectious diseases worldwide. Its symptoms range from mild to severe, and include sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, headache, and muscle pain, but can also cause severe illness and death among high-risk populations such as the elderly and children. During the 2023-2024 flu season, there were 40 million cases of influenza in the United States. Influenza deaths Although influenza does not require medical attention for most people, it can be deadly, and causes thousands of deaths every year. The impact of influenza varies from year to year. The number of influenza deaths during the 2023-2024 flu season was 27,965. The vast majority of deaths attributed to influenza during the 2023-2024 flu season occurred among those aged 65 years and older. Vaccination An annual influenza vaccination remains the most effective way of preventing influenza. During the 2022-2023 flu season, influenza vaccinations prevented an estimated 2,479 deaths among U.S. adults aged 65 years and older. Although, flu vaccinations are accessible and cheap, a large share of the United States population still fails to get vaccinated every year. In 2022-2023, only 35 percent of those aged 18 to 49 years received a flu vaccination, much lower compared to children and the elderly.

Market Overview:

The global seasonal Influenza Vaccine market is expected to grow from USD 7.5 billion in 2017 to USD 11.8 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2030. The growth in the market can be attributed to the increasing incidence of seasonal influenza, raising awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and technological advancements in vaccine production. Based on type, the global seasonal influenza vaccine sales market is segmented into trivalent influenza vaccine and quadrivalent influenza vaccine.

Product Definition:

A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Sales usually refers to the sale of vaccines used to prevent seasonal influenza, also known as the flu. The importance of seasonal influenza vaccine sales is that they help protect people from getting sick during the flu season.

Trivalent Influenza Vaccine:

The trivalent influenza vaccine is a type of vaccine that provides protection against three strains of the flu; there are two types of vaccines available on the market, one trivalent and the other quadrivalent. Trivalent Influenza Vaccines have been available for many years whereas quadrivalent ones are relatively new. The difference between them is only in the number of viruses included in their composition, both provide a similar level of protection against the seasonal flu virus.

Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine:

The quadrivalent influenza vaccine is a type of influenza vaccine that protects against four different strains of the flu. It is approved for use in people over 65 years of age and individuals with chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, or immunosuppression. The seasonal flu vaccination has been recommended by the CDC since 2010 to reduce hospitalizations by 30% and deaths by 50%.

Application Insights:

Based on application, the global seasonal influenza vaccine market is segmented into children, adults, and the elderly. The adult segment held around 60% of the overall revenue share in 2015. This can be attributed to growing awareness about health hazards associated with circulating viruses and increasing healthcare spending in developed countries like the U.S., Germany, etc. The growing geriatric population across the globe is expected to boost demand for vaccines in upcoming years which would drive growth further during the forecast period. The elderly segment held another 40% of the overall revenue share in 2015 due to the growing incidence of diseases related to old age such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson disease, etc., especially in high-income countries like Japan and Italy respectively owing to which these two segments are expected generate significant demand for seasonal influenza vaccine over next eight years (through 2030).

Regional Analysis:

North America dominated the global market in terms of revenue share in 2020 with a value of USD X billion and is expected to grow at a lucrative rate over the forecast period. The presence of high-income countries such as the U.S., favorable government initiatives, and increasing awareness about seasonal vaccines are some factors attributing to its largest market share throughout the forecast period. Asia Pacific is anticipated to be one of the fastest growing regional markets from 2022 to 2030 owing to the rising demand for Flu Vaccine across this region due to the increasing number of susceptible people along with rapid economic development in emerging economies including China and India which are among top 10 countries where most people get infected each year (as per WHO). These two countries alone account for more than 50% population who get infected every year thus creating huge potential for seasonal influenza vaccine sales within the Asia Pacific region over the next eight years (as per GSK).

Growth Factors:

• Increasing awareness about the benefits of the seasonal influenza vaccine among people.
• Government initiatives and campaigns to promote vaccination against seasonal influenza.
• Growing demand for preventive healthcare services.
• Rising incidence of seasonal influenza outbreaks.
• Technological advancements in the manufacturing of seasonal influenza vaccines.

Report Scope

Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

Since December 2019, COVID-19 has aroused global attention. Studies show the link between obesity and severe outcome of influenza and COVID-19. Thus, we aimed to compare the impacts of obesity on the severity and mortality of influenza and COVID-19 by performing a meta-analysis. A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, EMASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science from January 2009 to July 2020. The protocol was registered onto PROSPERO (CRD42020201461). After selection, 46 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed. We found obesity was a risk factor for the severity and mortality of influenza (ORsevere outcome = 1.56, CI: 1.28-1.90; ORmortality = 1.99, CI: 1.15-3.46). For COVID-19, obesity was a significant risk factor only for severe outcome (OR = 2.07, CI: 1.53-2.81) but not for mortality (OR = 1.57, CI: 0.85-2.90). Compared with obesity, morbid obesity was linked with a higher risk for the severity and mortality of both influenza (OR = 1.40, CI: 1.10-1.79) and COVID-19 (OR = 3.76, CI: 2.67-5.28). Thus, obesity should be recommended as a risk factor for the prognosis assessment of COVID-19. Special monitoring and earlier treatment should be implemented in patients with obesity and COVID-19.

Among the ten major virus outbreaks in the last 50 years, Marburg ranked first in terms of the fatality rate with 80 percent. In comparison, the recent novel coronavirus, originating from the Chinese city of Wuhan, had an estimated fatality rate of 2.2 percent as of January 31, 2020.

Alarming COVID-19 fatality rate in Mexico More than 812,000 people worldwide had died from COVID-19 as of August 24, 2020. Three of the most populous countries in the world have reported particularly large numbers of coronavirus-related deaths: Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. Out of those three nations, Mexico has the highest COVID-19 death rate, with around one in ten confirmed cases resulting in death. The high fatality rate in Mexico indicates that cases may be much higher than reported because testing capacity has been severely stretched.

Post-lockdown complacency a real danger In March 2020, each infected person was estimated to transmit the COVID-19 virus to between 1.5 and 3.5 other people, which was a higher infection rate than the seasonal flu. The coronavirus is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, and transmission commonly occurs when people are in close contact. As lockdowns ease around the world, people are being urged not to become complacent; continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing, which can help to prevent further infections.

Influenza viruses know no boundaries, representing an example of rapid virus evolution combined with pressure exerted by the host’s immune system. Seasonal influenza causes 4–50 million symptomatic cases in the EU/EEA each year, with a global death toll reaching 650,000 deaths. That being the case, in 2014 North Macedonia introduced the sentinel surveillance in addition to the existing influenza surveillance in order to obtain more precise data on the burden of disease, circulating viruses and to implement timely preventive measures. The aims of this study were to give a comprehensive virological and epidemiological overview of four influenza seasons (2016–2020), assess the frequency and distribution of influenza circulating in North Macedonia and to carry out molecular and phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) from ILI and SARI patients. Our results showed that out of 1,632 tested samples, 46.4% were influenza positive, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 accounting for the majority of cases (44%), followed by influenza B (32%) and A(H3N2) (17%). By comparing the sentinel surveillance system to the routine surveillance system, we showed that the newly applied system works efficiently and gives great results in the selection of cases. Statistically significant differences (p = < 0.0000001) were observed when comparing the number of reported ILI cases among patients aged 0–4, 5–14, 15–29, and 30–64 years to the reference age group. The phylogenetic analysis of the HA sequences unveiled the resemblance of mutations circulating seasonally worldwide, with a vast majority of circulating viruses belonging to subclade 6B.1A. The PROVEAN analysis showed that the D187A substitution in the receptor binding site (RBS) of the A(H1N1)pdm09 HA has a deleterious effect on the its function. The A(H3N2) viruses fell into the 3C.2a and 3C.3a throughout the analyzed seasons. Molecular characterization revealed that various substitutions in the A(H3N2) viruses gradually replaced the parental variant in subsequent seasons before becoming the dominant variant. With the introduction of sentinel surveillance, accompanied by the advances made in whole-genome sequencing and vaccine therapeutics, public health officials can now modify their approach in disease management and intervene effectively and in a timely manner to prevent major morbidity and mortality from influenza.

4 Valent HPV Vaccine (4VHPV) Market Outlook

The global market size for the 4 Valent HPV Vaccine (4VHPV) was approximately USD 1.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 11.1% during the forecast period. The significant growth in this market can be attributed to increasing awareness about the human papillomavirus (HPV) and its association with various cancers and genital warts, the rising incidence of HPV-related diseases, and government initiatives to promote HPV vaccination programs.

One of the major growth factors driving the 4VHPV market is the increasing prevalence of HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths in 2020. The introduction of the 4VHPV vaccine, which protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, has significantly contributed to reducing the incidence of these cancers. Additionally, increased awareness campaigns about the importance of vaccination in preventing HPV-related diseases have further propelled market growth.

Another critical factor contributing to market expansion is the strong support from governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for HPV vaccination programs. Governments across various regions have recognized the importance of HPV vaccination in their public health agendas and have initiated widespread immunization campaigns, often providing the vaccine at no cost or subsidized rates. Moreover, collaborations between vaccine manufacturers and healthcare organizations have led to improved access and distribution channels, ensuring that a larger population can benefit from the vaccine.

Technological advancements in vaccine development and manufacturing are also playing a pivotal role in the growth of the 4VHPV market. Innovative production techniques, such as recombinant DNA technology, have enhanced the efficacy and safety profiles of HPV vaccines. Additionally, ongoing research and development activities aimed at improving existing vaccines and developing new formulations are expected to create new growth opportunities in the market. The increasing investment in R&D by key market players is anticipated to drive further advancements in HPV vaccines, thus fostering market growth.

The Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine has been a significant development in the field of influenza prevention, offering protection against four different flu virus strains. This vaccine is particularly important as it broadens the scope of immunity compared to traditional trivalent vaccines, which only cover three strains. The inclusion of an additional B strain in the quadrivalent formulation is designed to enhance protection, especially in seasons where multiple strains circulate. The adoption of the Quadrivalent Flu Vaccine has been encouraged by health authorities worldwide, as it helps reduce the incidence of flu-related complications and hospitalizations. As the flu virus continues to evolve, the quadrivalent approach provides a more comprehensive defense, making it a critical component of public health strategies aimed at controlling seasonal influenza outbreaks.

From a regional perspective, North America holds the largest share of the 4VHPV market, primarily due to high awareness levels, robust healthcare infrastructure, and favorable government policies. The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by increasing awareness, rising healthcare expenditure, and growing government initiatives to curb HPV-related diseases. Furthermore, the region's large population base provides a significant target market for vaccine manufacturers.

Type Analysis

The 4VHPV vaccine market is segmented into two main types: quadrivalent and nonavalent vaccines. The quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against four HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18), has been widely used and has significantly contributed to reducing HPV-related diseases. The extensive use of the quadrivalent vaccine in national immunization programs, particularly in developed countries, has resulted in a substantial decrease in the prevalence of cervical cancer and genital warts. The established safety and efficacy profile of the quadrivalent vaccine has made it a preferred choice among healthcare providers and patients.

On the other hand, the nonavalent

BackgroundEstimating the global influenza burden in terms of hospitalization and death is important for optimizing prevention policies. Identifying risk factors for mortality allows for the design of strategies tailored to groups at the highest risk. This study aims to (a) describe the clinical characteristics of hospitalizations with a diagnosis of influenza over five flu seasons (2016–2017 to 2020–2021), (b) assess the associated morbidity (hospitalization rates and ICU admissions rate), mortality and cost of influenza hospitalizations in different age groups and (c) analyze the risk factors for mortality.MethodsThis retrospective study included all hospital admissions with a diagnosis of influenza in Spain for five influenza seasons. Data were extracted from the Spanish National Surveillance System for Hospital Data from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2021. We identified cases coded as having influenza as a primary or secondary diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, J09-J11). The hospitalization rate was calculated relative to the general population. Independent predictors of mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression.ResultsOver the five seasons, there were 127,160 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of influenza. The mean influenza hospitalization rate varied from 5/100,000 in 2020–2021 (COVID-19 pandemic) to 92.9/100,000 in 2017–2018. The proportion of influenza hospitalizations with ICU admission was 7.4% and was highest in people aged 40–59 years (13.9%). The case fatality rate was 5.8% overall and 9.4% in those aged 80 years or older. Median length of stay was 5 days (and 6 days in the oldest age group). In the multivariable analysis, independent risk factors for mortality were male sex (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.08–1.20), age (

India reported over 2,752 cases of swine flu, also known as influenza A (H1N1) between in 2020, with 44 deaths. The country saw an outbreak of this disease in 2015, recording over 42 thousand cases and 2,990 deaths.

The influenza A (H1N1) strain of virus was first recognized in 1919 but was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in 2009, lasting until August 2010 across the world.

For the week ending July 5, 2025, weekly deaths in England and Wales were 639 below the number expected, compared with 567 below what was expected in the previous week. In late 2022 and through early 2023, excess deaths were elevated for a number of weeks, with the excess deaths figure for the week ending January 13, 2023, the highest since February 2021. In the middle of April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were almost 12,000 excess deaths a week recorded in England and Wales. It was not until two months later, in the week ending June 19, 2020, that the number of deaths began to be lower than the five-year average for the corresponding week. Most deaths since 1918 in 2020 In 2020, there were 689,629 deaths in the United Kingdom, making that year the deadliest since 1918, at the height of the Spanish influenza pandemic. As seen in the excess death figures, April 2020 was by far the worst month in terms of deaths during the pandemic. The weekly number of deaths for weeks 16 and 17 of that year were 22,351, and 21,997 respectively. Although the number of deaths fell to more usual levels for the rest of that year, a winter wave of the disease led to a high number of deaths in January 2021, with 18,676 deaths recorded in the fourth week of that year. For the whole of 2021, there were 667,479 deaths in the UK, 22,150 fewer than in 2020. Life expectancy in the UK goes into reverse In 2022, life expectancy at birth for women in the UK was 82.6 years, while for men it was 78.6 years. This was the lowest life expectancy in the country for ten years, and came after life expectancy improvements stalled throughout the 2010s, and then declined from 2020 onwards. There is also quite a significant regional difference in life expectancy in the UK. In the London borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for example, the life expectancy for men was 81.5 years, and 86.5 years for women. By contrast, in Blackpool, in North West England, male life expectancy was just 73.1 years, while for women, life expectancy was lowest in Glasgow, at 78 years.

Since 2020, outbreaks of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) have led to a global rise in deaths of both wild birds and poultry, as well as an increase in reported cases of HPAI detected in mammals. These outbreaks have had negative impacts on poultry producers, trade, and wild bird populations. Risk governance frameworks for emerging infectious diseases such as HPAI encourage outbreak policies to be grounded in a variety of stakeholder perspectives and for there to be effective, transparent communication between all those involved. However, the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified how collaboration is not always easy to implement, leading to potentially sub-optimal outbreak response processes. To our best knowledge, there is limited to no current research assessing the stakeholder landscape and outbreak decision-making and response processes in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA) for the recent HPAI outbreak. In this study, 20 key stakeholders involved in outbreak decision-making and response in the United Kingdom and United States were asked to provide their insights into the structure of stakeholder landscape, communication pathways, and challenges in decision-making and response implementation for their respective countries. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from the United Kingdom and United States; participants included policy advisors, veterinarians, researchers, and poultry industry representatives all involved in HPAI outbreak processes in their country. From these interviews, stakeholder maps for all those involved in HPAI decision-making and response were created for the UK and USA. This study concluded that smallholders and backyard poultry owners need to be better represented in policy-industry communication pathways and that improved information sharing at the policy-science and policy-industry interfaces is essential to ensure an efficient outbreak response.

As per Cognitive Market Research's latest published report, the Global mRNA vaccine market size was $1.45 Billion in 2022 and it is forecasted to reach $3.86 Billion by 2030. mRNA vaccine Industry's Compound Annual Growth Rate will be 12.8 % from 2023 to 2030. Whereas a Self-amplifying mRNA Vaccines Market Share was 61.25%, a leading type of mRNA Vaccine. What is Driving mRNA vaccine Industry Growth?

Rise in the prevalence of infectious diseases:

Recently, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are posing a public health threat across the globe. This era has witnessed a wave of severe infectious disease outbreaks which has had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods around the globe. It has been studied that increasing resistances, international traveling, the risk of bio-war attacks, and infectious diseases concern the whole world.

The infectious agents not only disrupt cell growth and proliferation but also weaken the immune system which considerably decreases the body’s ability to fight cancer-causing infections. Some viruses, bacteria and parasites also cause chronic inflammation, leading to cancers.

Further, environmental changes, caused by the intensive development of industry, as a result of globalization, which in turn affects human health. It has stimulated high prevalence of infectious diseases. For instance, a high prevalence of influenza results in mild to severe illness and even death. In industrialized countries, most deaths associated with influenza occur among people aged 65 or older.

In such cases, mRNA vaccines are widely used as both RNA and delivery vehicles exhibit intrinsic immunogenicity. By triggering pattern recognition receptors within cells, synthetic RNA leads to the production of type one interferon (IFN). Thus, the rise in the prevalence of infectious diseases drives the market of mRNA vaccines market.

Mounting R&D Investment:

Health is a prime focused parameter for regulatory bodies across the world. With the increasing prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases, the rate of mortality has been increased dramatically. Hence the authorities are focusing on improving the healthcare system.

With the increasing healthcare requirements and associated priorities for research and development, governments and companies are investing more monetary funds into the research and development activities. For instance, the United States has invested $194.2 billion in medical and health research and development which was grew by 6.4% from 2017 to 2018.

Fuelled by the successful utilisation of the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, RNA therapeutics is expected to make larger strides in 2023. Hence, companies are harnessing RNA research through collaborations. Researchers say this has impacted not just companies with clinical stage-products, but also individual academic labs, which will now likely result in more RNA-focused projects in the next few years.

For instance, Sanofi has launched a dedicated vaccines mRNA Center of Excellence and has invested approximately €400 million to accelerate end-to-end R&D of next-generation vaccines, fully financed through resource reallocation. Introduction of mRNA Vaccine

mRNA is a biological substance that is given in a series of shots to protect the body from developing a disease. It works by triggering the immune system to create antibodies. These antibodies then fight bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Most mRNA vaccines are multi-antigen vaccines, where mRNA has advantages over peptide-based vaccines. For more than 30 years, healthcare providers are using this technology to prevent infectious and oncological diseases. They are also studying mRNA vaccines to treat diseases like multiple sclerosis.

Moreover, mRNA vaccines are used to prevent severe illness from COVID-19 infection. Thus, 2020 was a breakout year for mRNA therapeutics with the launch and widespread use of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.

The child mortality rate in the United States, for children under the age of five, was 462.9 deaths per thousand births in 1800. This means that for every thousand babies born in 1800, over 46 percent did not make it to their fifth birthday. Over the course of the next 220 years, this number has dropped drastically, and the rate has dropped to its lowest point ever in 2020 where it is just seven deaths per thousand births. Although the child mortality rate has decreased greatly over this 220 year period, there were two occasions where it increased; in the 1870s, as a result of the fourth cholera pandemic, smallpox outbreaks, and yellow fever, and in the late 1910s, due to the Spanish Flu pandemic.

After entering Italy, the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread fast. The strict lockdown implemented by the government during the Spring 2020 helped to slow down the outbreak. However, the country had to face four new harsh waves of contagion. As of January 1, 2025, the total number of cases reported by the authorities reached over 26.9 million. The north of the country was mostly hit, and the region with the highest number of cases was Lombardy, which registered almost 4.4 million of them. The north-eastern region of Veneto and the southern region of Campania followed in the list. When adjusting these figures for the population size of each region, however, the picture changed, with the region of Veneto being the area where the virus had the highest relative incidence. Coronavirus in Italy Italy has been among the countries most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Moreover, the number of deaths due to coronavirus recorded in Italy is significantly high, making it one of the countries with the highest fatality rates worldwide, especially in the first stages of the pandemic. In particular, a very high mortality rate was recorded among patients aged 80 years or older. Impact on the economy The lockdown imposed during the Spring 2020, and other measures taken in the following months to contain the pandemic, forced many businesses to shut their doors and caused industrial production to slow down significantly. As a result, consumption fell, with the sectors most severely hit being hospitality and tourism, air transport, and automotive. Several predictions about the evolution of the global economy were published at the beginning of the pandemic, based on different scenarios about the development of the pandemic. According to the official results, it appeared that the coronavirus outbreak had caused Italy’s GDP to shrink by approximately nine percent in 2020.