Jan 25, 2010
Kentucky shuts down its H1N1 hotline
After receiving about 10,000 calls since it began in October, Kentucky's hotline for questions on pandemic and seasonal influenza has been shut down as demand has waned, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Public health officials say the hotline can be reactivated if needed, but in the meantime those seeking flu-related answers can go to the state's Health Alerts Web site (http://healthalerts.ky.gov).
Hong Kong finds H1N1 vaccine safe for fetuses
Despite receiving reports of four recent spontaneous abortions in vaccinated women, Hong Kong has seen no increase in fetal death among women receiving the H1N1 vaccine, according to a press release today from Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The normal rate of fetal mortality in Hong Kong is 0.3% to 0.5% of total deliveries, compared with a rate so far of 0.2% in pregnant women receiving the vaccine.
Physicians' views on H1N1 vary by country
A seven-country survey by the market research firm Synovate found wide differences in physicians' views about the H1N1 pandemic. Only 20% of Chinese doctors agreed that pregnant women should be vaccinated, versus 90% of US doctors. Overall, 51% of the doctors said they had been vaccinated, with a range from 21% in Spain to 76% in Taiwan. Sixty-two percent believed that the vaccine is effective, while 27% were uncertain. The survey focused on Synovate's proprietary physician panel.
http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=111491
Jan 22 Synovate news release
Tampa health agencies vaccinating homeless people
Public health agencies in and around Tampa, Fla., are working with homeless outreach organizations to vaccinate homeless people against H1N1 flu, according to the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times. With the virus still circulating, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged communities across the nation to focus attention on the homeless, the story said.
Jan 25 St. Petersburg Times report
