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According to the National Institutes of Health, recent tests involving a vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (S. aureus) have successfully protected certain subjects for a short time. These tests were conducted among patients with kidney disease who were receiving dialysis treatment and were thus were at high risk of contracting a staph infection. The vaccine provided protection against two strains of S. aureus.

Booster shots are being tested to determine whether the length of immunity provided by the experimental vaccine can be extended to provide protection for longer periods of time. In addition, research continues into making the vaccine effective against other strains of staph bacteria.

This research is a product of decades-long study into developing vaccines to protect infants and young children against Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).