H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Leftover vaccine, record vaccination program

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Contrasting vaccine supplies in Malta, Kuala Lumpur
Only 92,043 doses of pandemic H1N1 vaccine were dispensed in Malta, and the government has 239,620 remaining. No decision has been made on what to do with the leftovers. It is estimated that the country spent 2.5 to 3 million euros on the stockpile. The situation is reversed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to bernama.com, the country's national news agency. Only about 31,000 doses remain of the 400,000 purchased.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100615/local/239-620-swine-flu-doses-in-stock
Jun 15 Times of Malta article

Record numbers vaccinated in New Zealand
The health minister of New Zealand says more than 1 million in the country have received flu vaccinations this year, setting a record, according to the New Zealand Press Association (NZPA). Last year 960,000 people were vaccinated. This year's flu shot includes the H1N1 pandemic strain. Cases of flu-like illness have increased in New Zealand over the past 2 weeks, with 18 pandemic H1N1 cases so far this year, and health officials are continuing to promote vaccination.

Jun 15 NZPA report

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. 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

  3. 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

  4. Texas measles outbreak grows; Michigan, Pennsylvania report new outbreaks

    Texas has 20 new measles cases. 

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles

  5. More H5N1 detections in US dairy cows and poultry; WHO unveils H5 surveillance guide

    In other H5N1 developments, the WHO releases surveillance guidance for human cases, and the USDA announces new funding to mitigate livestock diseases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

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