local
Vaccine to treat ‘neglected disease’ shows promising results
By Drew Howarton at Odessa American (oaoa.com)
· June 30, 2026
· 3 min read
For a vaccine to be effective, it must do two things. First, it must trigger an immune response. Second, the vaccine must train the body to remember the response so it can fight that same disease in the future. Now, new research shows that the only vaccine being tested to prevent and treat schist...
Key takeaway Now, new research shows that the only vaccine being tested to prevent and treat schistosomiasis can do both, and the researcher who made it possible is Afzal Siddiqui, Ph.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The breakthrough in developing a vaccine to treat schistosomiasis has significant implications for the Permian Basin area, where Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is based. As a major medical research institution in the region, TTUHSC's work on SchistoShield underscores the importance of local expertise in addressing global health issues. The fact that Afzal Siddiqui, a renowned researcher at TTUHSC, has devoted decades to creating this vaccine demonstrates the institution's commitment to tackling neglected diseases. With the vaccine showing promising results, the next step of expanding trials to thousands of people will be crucial. The Permian Basin community can take pride in being at the forefront of this medical advancement, and local residents may have opportunities to participate in future trials or benefit from the vaccine's development. As the research moves forward, it will be important to watch how TTUHSC's work on SchistoShield contributes to the global effort to combat this devastating disease.
About this story
Original reporting by Odessa American (oaoa.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Odessa American (oaoa.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: Odessa American (oaoa.com) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? For a vaccine to be effective, it must do two things. First, it must trigger an immune response. Second, the vaccine must train the body to remember the response so it can fight that same disease in the future. Now, new research shows that the only vaccine being tested to prevent and treat schist...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by Odessa American (oaoa.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Drew Howarton at Odessa American (oaoa.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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