Vaccines Today—March 20, 2026

This week’s Vaccines Research update highlights regulatory expansions, long-term efficacy data, platform innovation, and advancing clinical and preclinical programs across infectious and oncology vaccines.

In Today’s Newsletter

Dive deeper

💉 GSK broadens Arexvy into younger high-risk adults [1] [US • 13 Mar 2026]

https://www.biopharmadive.com/news/gsk-arexvy-fda-approve-rsv-younger-adults/814652
Context: Arexvy (GSK; RSV vaccine) was already approved in older adults and certain at-risk adults aged 50–59 years.
Key point: FDA expanded approval to adults aged 18–49 years at increased risk for RSV lower respiratory tract disease; source says the decision was based on immune-bridging and consistent safety.
Implication: Introduces competition that may affect pricing and formulary access.

🦟 Butantan reports durable Phase 3 dengue protection [2] [Brazil • 15 Mar 2026]

https://www.contagionlive.com/view/butantan-s-single-dose-dengue-vaccine-shows-durable-protection-in-phase-3-trial
Context: Butantan-DV (Butantan Institute; tetravalent dengue vaccine) was studied in a large Phase 3 trial across Brazil with five-year follow-up.
Key point: Source reported durable protection against severe dengue with warning signs, reduced symptomatic infection, and no hospitalizations among vaccinated participants during follow-up.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.

🧊 Stablepharma advances a fridge-free tetanus-diphtheria vaccine [3] [UK • 16 Mar 2026]

https://www.emjreviews.com/emj-gold/news/fridge-free-vaccine-shows-promise-in-early-trial/
Context: SPVX02 (Stablepharma; thermostable tetanus-diphtheria vaccine) was evaluated in an early human study with support from UKHSA.
Key point: Early trial findings suggested the vaccine remained potent after storage at 30°C for two years, with larger comparative testing planned.
Implication: May expand screening, initiation, and follow-up at scale.

🧬 Evaxion adds AACR visibility for EVX-01 and glioblastoma work [4] [Denmark • 17 Mar 2026]

https://evaxion.ai/investors/press-releases/?press_release_id=10936
Context: EVX-01 (Evaxion; personalized cancer vaccine) is in Phase 2 with pembrolizumab in advanced melanoma; a second abstract covers glioblastoma vaccine design using AI-Immunology™.
Key point: Evaxion said AACR accepted abstracts covering new EVX-01 biomarker and immunogenicity data and a personalized vaccine strategy for glioblastoma.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

🪱 Hookworm vaccine candidate moves toward pivotal development [5] [18 Mar 2026]

https://pharmaphorum.com/news/hope-rises-vaccine-against-hookworm-parasite Context: Na-GST 1/Al–CpG was tested in a Phase 2 controlled human infection study in healthy adults.
Key point: Investigators reported promising protective efficacy and said the program would move into pivotal trials, as a standalone candidate or part of a combination approach.
Implication: Could inform practice and payer discussions; interpretation depends on study design and confounding control.

🦠 Elaris licenses Valneva antigen technology for a C. difficile vaccine [6] [Austria • 18 Mar 2026]

https://www.stocktitan.net/news/VALN/elaris-secures-exclusive-global-license-from-valneva-for-c-difficile-4v9hvria1nwq.html
Context: Elaris licensed technology related to Valneva’s C. difficile vaccine candidate VLA84 and plans a next-generation program with added proprietary components.
Key point: Elaris secured exclusive global rights, with IND-enabling development planned and clinical studies targeted around 2027.
Implication: Signals pipeline investment and modality expansion.

Why it matters

GSK’s expanded approval for its RSV vaccine and Butantan-DV’s continued success in preventing severe dengue, which could significantly impact global public health.[1][2]
Technological innovations, such as Stablepharma’s fridge-free vaccine and Evaxion’s personalized cancer vaccine, are paving the way for more accessible and efficient healthcare solutions, particularly in areas with logistical challenges.
The hookworm vaccine development also promises to alleviate the global burden of soil-transmitted helminths in endemic regions.[3[[4]
The C. difficile vaccine program from Elaris FlexCo signifies an important step forward in addressing hospital-acquired infections[5][6]

🚀 Accelerate your success. Contact us now

📂 Explore our case studies. See examples of our work.

💡 Read our insights. Learn from our latest reports and analysis

🧰 See our full range of services. Discover how we can help you.

📚 View the full Vaccines archive on our research hub page.

🎯 Catch up on the Top Vaccine news from the past two weeks, curated by the LucidQuest team. 🎬 Watch on YouTube.

FAQ

What changed for Arexvy at GSK?

GSK’s RSV vaccine, Arexvy, received FDA approval in adults aged 18–49 years who are at increased risk for RSV lower respiratory tract disease. The source says this extends use beyond older and certain previously cleared at-risk groups. [1]

What is notable about Butantan-DV’s latest dataset?

The Butantan Institute’s single-dose tetravalent dengue vaccine showed durable five-year protection in Phase 3 follow-up. The source also reported no hospitalizations among vaccinated participants during the monitoring period. [2]

Why does SPVX02 matter beyond immunogenicity?

Stablepharma’s SPVX02 is designed to be thermostable, which could reduce dependence on refrigerated distribution. The reported early human result focused on retained potency after prolonged storage at 30°C. [3]

What did Evaxion actually announce?

Evaxion announced AACR abstract acceptances, not pivotal efficacy results. One abstract covers new biomarker and immunogenicity data for EVX-01 in advanced melanoma, and the other covers a glioblastoma vaccine strategy using its AI-Immunology™ platform. [4]

How advanced is the hookworm vaccine program?

The Na-GST 1/Al–CpG candidate reported Phase 2 controlled infection results and is being positioned for pivotal development. The source frames this as a potential first hookworm vaccine, but broader validation still depends on later-stage studies. [5]

What does the Elaris–Valneva deal do?

Elaris licensed Valneva’s antigen technology related to VLA84 for C. difficile and plans to build a next-generation vaccine program around it. The companies said development would move through IND-enabling work, with clinical studies targeted around 2027. [6]

Entities / Keywords

GSK, Arexvy, RSV vaccine, respiratory syncytial virus, lower respiratory tract disease
Butantan Institute, Butantan-DV, tetravalent dengue vaccine, dengue, severe dengue, Brazil
Stablepharma, SPVX02, thermostable vaccine, fridge-free vaccine, tetanus, diphtheria, UKHSA
Evaxion, EVX-01, AI-Immunology, personalized cancer vaccine, advanced melanoma, glioblastoma, AACR
Na-GST 1/Al–CpG, hookworm vaccine, Necator americanus, soil-transmitted helminth, controlled human infection
Elaris, Valneva, VLA84, Clostridioides difficile, C. difficile vaccine, CDI