H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Vaccine news, Microsoft's online tool

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Oct 7, 2009

Study: Seasonal vaccine may help fight H1N1
Contrary to most other evidence, a study from Mexico suggests that seasonal flu vaccine may offer some protection against the novel H1N1 virus. Researchers compared the vaccination status of 60 H1N1 case-patients and 180 control patients at a specialty hospital. The H1N1 patients were less likely to have had a seasonal flu shot. But the authors say the study is limited by its small size, retrospective design, and the high prevalence of vaccination and chronic conditions in the control group.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/339/oct06_2/b3928
Oct 6 British Medical Journal study

Microsoft offers online flu self-assessment
Microsoft launched a new Web site today, H1N1 Swine Flu Response Center, to help patients assess flu-like symptoms and decide their next step. The self-assessment is licensed from experts at Emory University. Dr. Arthur Kellermann, professor of emergency medicine at Emory, said in a Microsoft release that the tool "can encourage those who are severely ill or at risk for serious illness to contact their doctor, and reassure everyone else that it is safe and prudent to recover at home."
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/oct09/10-07h1n1responsecenterpr.mspx
Oct 7 Microsoft news release

EU approves Baxter's cell-based vaccine
The European Commission today approved Baxter International's pandemic H1N1 vaccine, Celvapan, for use in the European Union, the company announced. It is the first cell culture-based H1N1 vaccine as well as the first non-adjuvanted product to win European approval. The EU authorization calls for using two doses of the vaccine in adults and children; the company is awaiting trial results to determine if one dose will be sufficient in adults.
http://www.baxter.com/press_room/press_releases/2009/10_07_09-celvapan.html
Oct 7 Baxter news release

Novartis ships seasonal, H1N1 vaccines to US
Vaccine manufacturer Novartis said yesterday it has completed shipments of its seasonal flu vaccine, Fluvirin, to the United States after delivering 27 million doses. The Swiss company originally had said it planned to supply about 30 million doses to the US market. Yesterday the firm also said it started shipping swine flu vaccine on Sept. 27, 2 weeks after the formulation received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.
http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2009/1345850.shtml
Oct 6 Novartis press release

This week's top reads

  1. US measles total climbs to 800 cases, 10 outbreaks

    As more states report outbreaks, the country is well on track to reach the most cases since measles was eliminated in 2000.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy measles fever

  2. Vietnam reports H5N1 avian flu case with encephalitis

    Tests on respiratory samples were negative, but results were positive for the cerebrospinal fluid sample.

    Lisa Schnirring
    ICU monitors

  3. Five people, 27 animals tested positive for tularemia in Minnesota last year

    Two of the infected people reported recently mowing over animal carcasses.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Tick

  4. Studies across 14 nations show 25% to 30% rate of long COVID

    Among the 25% of participants in 1 study who said they experienced long-COVID symptoms, 13% reported sleep disorders.

    Stephanie Soucheray

  5. CDC advisers update recommendations for meningococcal, RSV, chikungunya vaccines

    The group recommended RSV vaccination for more at-risk adults and took into account a safety consideration for seniors for the first-approved chikungunya vaccine.

    Lisa Schnirring
    man vaccinated

  6. Novavax says its COVID vaccine produces fewer, milder reactions than Pfizer version

    On average, workers who received Novavax had 1.7 systemic symptoms, compared with 2.8 in Pfizer recipients. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  7. Mexico's fatal H5N1 case involved D1.1 genotype, which has been tied to serious illness

    No poultry outbreaks were reported in the patient's state, but there were detections in wild birds.

    Lisa Schnirring
    H5N1 gold blue

  8. Studies detail high rates of long COVID among healthcare, dental workers

    The most common symptom reported by healthcare workers was fatigue.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    health worker in mask

  9. Public ignorance, apathy toward avian flu could threaten containment, researchers say

    Only about a quarter of survey respondents knew H5N1 can spread to people, and over half were unaware that pasteurized milk is safer than raw milk.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Two chickens at food trough

  10. CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project to help safeguard US vaccine use

    The steering committee will make recommendations on how non-governmental groups can help ensure that vaccine use is evidence-based.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    MMR vaccine vial on table

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