The future of influenza vaccines.

The future of influenza vaccines.: "

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The future of influenza vaccines.

BMJ. 2009;339:b4014

Authors: de Jong MD, Sanders RW

PMID: 19808769 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Experts advise WHO on pandemic vaccine policies and strategies

Experts advise WHO on pandemic vaccine policies and strategies: "The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, which advises WHO on policies and strategies for vaccines and immunization, devoted a session of its 27–29 October meeting to pandemic influenza vaccines. The experts reviewed the current epidemiological situation of the pandemic worldwide and considered issues and options from a public health perspective."

H1N1 Rapid Tests: Poor Sensitivity

H1N1 Rapid Tests: Poor Sensitivity: "

Rapid tests for seasonal influenza generally have relatively low sensitivity; their sensitivity for detecting the 2009 H1N1 virus seems even worse. READ MORE …

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CDC H1N1 Flu | Prevention Of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary To Seasonal And 2009 H1N1 Influenza

CDC H1N1 Flu Prevention Of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary To Seasonal And 2009 H1N1 Influenza: "Prevention Of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary To Seasonal And 2009 H1N1 Influenza
October 23, 2009, 4:30 PM ET
What is Pneumococcal Disease?
Pneumococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). When these bacteria invade the lungs, they can cause pneumonia. They can also invade the bloodstream (bacteremia) and/or the tissues and fluids surrounding the brain and spinal cord (meningitis). Pneumococcal infection kills thousands of people in the United States each year, most of them 65 years of age or older.
What are the Symptoms of Pneumococcal Disease?
The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. The symptoms of pneumococcal meningitis include stiff neck, fever, mental confusion and disorientation, and visual sensitivity to light (photophobia). The symptoms of pneumococcal bacteremia may be similar to some of the symptoms of pneumonia and meningitis, along with joint pain and chills.
Why is Prevention of Pneumococcal Disease Important during Influenza Season?
Influenza infections can make people more likely to develop bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. Pneumococcal infections are a serious complication of seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza infections and can cause death."


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Update: 2009 H1N1 Flu: Free Resources

Update: 2009 H1N1 Flu: Free Resources: "ADDED: Certain Medical Conditions Information about the Flu including the new H1N1 Flu for People with Certain Medical Conditions"

New Antiviral Safety Information Web Page

New Antiviral Safety Information Web Page: "This page will be updated periodically with new antiviral safety-related information as it becomes available. Includes: information on new warnings regarding administration of Relenza (zanamivir) Inhalation Solution by nebulizer."

2009-2010 Influenza Season Triage Algorithm for Children (18 years or Younger) With Influenza-Like Illness (PDF)

2009-2010 Influenza Season Triage Algorithm for Children (18 years or Younger) With Influenza-Like Illness (PDF): "This algorithm was developed for use by physicians and those under their direct supervision to help in discussions and providing advice to parents or other caregivers of ill children regarding seeking medical care for an influenza-like illness. The algorithm can be used regardless of whether or not the child has been vaccinated for influenza. (Caregivers of children who may have potentially life threatening signs and symptoms, such as unresponsiveness, or respiratory distress and/or cyanosis [blue-colored skin], should be instructed to dial 911.)"

A Billion for a Billion

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Clinical features of severe cases of pandemic influenza

Clinical features of severe cases of pandemic influenza: "To gather information about the clinical features and management of pandemic influenza, WHO hosted a three-day meeting at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization in Washington, DC on 14–16 October. Findings and experiences were presented by around 100 clinicians, scientists, and public health professionals from the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania."

What You Should Know about Flu Antiviral Drugs

What You Should Know about Flu Antiviral Drugs: "Factsheet about flu antiviral drugs for both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu"

Questions and Answers: Opening and Mixing Tamiflu Capsules with Liquids if Child Cannot Swallow Capsules

Questions and Answers: Opening and Mixing Tamiflu Capsules with Liquids if Child Cannot Swallow Capsules: "This document contains questions and answers about how to open and mix Tamiflu capsules if a child cannot swallow capsules. Tamiflu capsules may be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids, such as regular or sugar-free chocolate syrup and given that way."

Pediatric Supplement: Recommendations for use of antiviral medications for 2009 H1N1 influenza in children and adolescents

Pediatric Supplement: Recommendations for use of antiviral medications for 2009 H1N1 influenza in children and adolescents: "This document provides clinician guidance regarding use of antiviral medications for the management of 2009 H1N1 influenza in children and adolescents. Questions and answers regarding high risk groups, considerations for antiviral therapy, pharmaceutical considerations, and considerations for post-exposure chemoprophylaxis. Additional resources are included."

Questions and Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection For Preventing 2009 H1N1 Influenza Among Healthcare Personnel

Questions and Answers Regarding Respiratory Protection For Preventing 2009 H1N1 Influenza Among Healthcare Personnel: "Questions and Answers which provide additional information intended to assist healthcare facilities in optimizing implementation of recommended respiratory protection practices in the context of shortages of respiratory protection equipment."

CDC Releases 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Schedules

CDC Releases 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Schedules: "

Children aged 6 months through 9 years should receive two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine roughly 4 weeks apart, the CDC announced in MMWR.

The report details the differing age-range approvals for the manufacturers:

• CSL’s vaccine is approved for use in people 18 years and older (one dose, IM);


• Novartis’, for ages 4 and up (one dose, IM, except for children under 10, who get two);


• Sanofi Pasteur’s, for ages above 6 months (one dose, IM, except for children under 10);


• MedImmune’s, for ages 2 to 49 (one dose, intranasally, except for children under 10).

The injectable formulations are adjuvant-free and contain inactivated virus; the intranasal formulation contains live attenuated virus and shouldn’t be administered to children under 2, adults over 49, pregnant women, people with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu complications, and children under 5 who’ve had a wheezing episode within a year. All the vaccines contain egg protein, and the article’s table provides details on those containing mercury.

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H1N1 flu taking off in us, officials say - Reuters

H1N1 flu taking off in us, officials say - Reuters: "

Washington Post

H1N1 flu taking off in us, officials say Reuters Although it is not quite at epidemic levels yet, H1N1 is spreading in many states at a time when normally there is little or no influenza, the US Centers ... The abcs of H1N1Edmonton Sun Seasonal flu vaccine lessens H1N1 impactNDTV.com Children's deaths increase from H1N1 virus, protection is critical: CDCFood Consumer Washington Post -Cleveland Daily Banner -Livingston Daily all 6,288 news articles »

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Internet Explorer 8: Videos

Internet Explorer 8: Videos: "Interested in Internet Explorer 8 and want to make sure you're getting the most out of it? Check out a range of tutorial videos that takes you step-by-step through the new features and benefits that make browsing faster, easier, and safer than ever."

Flu Widespread in 37 states; 3.7 Million Vaccine Doses Ordered by the States

Flu Widespread in 37 states; 3.7 Million Vaccine Doses Ordered by the States: "Dr. Anne Schuchat, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, today reported that the H1N1 flu is widespread in most states and there has been an increase in outpatient visits, hospitalizations and deaths. All states and Washington, D.C. have now placed orders for the H1N1 vaccine. As of yesterday, 6.8 million doses are available to be ordered and 3.7 million doses had been ordered by states, with requests and disbursement numbers changing by the hour."

MMWR: Update on Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines

MMWR: Update on Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines: "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) October 9, 2009 / 58(39):1100-1101"

Surgical Masks as Efficient as N95 Respirators Against Flu

Surgical Masks as Efficient as N95 Respirators Against Flu: "

Standard surgical masks are as effective as fit-tested N95 respirators in protecting healthcare workers against influenza, according to a JAMA report published online.

Some 450 Ontario nurses working in emergency departments, medical units, and pediatric units were randomized to use either a fit-tested N95 respirator or a surgical mask when caring for patients with febrile respiratory illnesses during the 2008-2009 flu season. By study’s end, roughly 23% of each group had suffered a laboratory-confirmed influenza infection, showing the noninferiority of surgical masks for protection.

The authors warn that their results “should not be generalized to settings where there is a high risk for aerosolization, such as intubation or bronchoscopy, where use of an N95 respirator would be prudent.”

Editorialists say that masks and respirators should be considered the “last line of defense” in infection control in influenza, with the first being annual vaccination of healthcare personnel.

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H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu: What You Should Know About Flu Antiviral Drugs: "The CDC provides information and advice about antiviral drugs, such as what the benefits are to taking them, who should take them, and how long they should be taken."

WHO: Recommended Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for use in the 2010 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season

WHO: Recommended Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for use in the 2010 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season: "It is recommended that vaccines for use in the 2010 influenza season (southern hemisphere winter) contain the following:"

Updated: H1N1 Clinicians Questions and Answers

Updated: H1N1 Clinicians Questions and Answers: "New questions answered: What should a 2009 H1N1 vaccination provider do if there are people requesting 2009 H1N1 vaccine who are not in the initial target groups? When will vaccine be available for those who aren't in the 5 initial target groups?"

Brochure: "2009 H1N1 Flu and You"

Brochure: "2009 H1N1 Flu and You": "How does 2009 H1N1 flu spread?
How long can a sick person spread 2009 H1N1 flu to others?
How severe is illness associated with this 2009 H1N1 flu virus?
and more..."

Support for developing countries’ response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic

Support for developing countries’ response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic: "24 September 2009 -- Four months ago, WHO declared the first influenza pandemic in 40 years. This H1N1 pandemic is spreading far and wide – and moving fast. This joint statement by the UN Secretary-General and the WHO Director-General identifies the most urgent actions neede"

Online First September 30, 2009, from the New England Journal of Medicine

Online First September 30, 2009, from the New England Journal of Medicine: "

PERSPECTIVE

Novel H1N1 Influenza and Respiratory Protection for Health Care Workers

K.I. Shine, B. Rogers, and L.R. Goldfrank

Guidelines from the CDC recommend the use of an N95 filtering facepiece respirator. Drs. Kenneth Shine, Bonnie Rogers, and Lewis Goldfrank discuss the efficacy of personal respiratory protection measures, medical masks, and respirators.

Full Text PDF

CORRESPONDENCE

CDC and FDA Response to Risk of Confusion in Dosing Tamiflu Oral Suspension

D.S. Budnitz and Others

Together, the CDC and the FDA have acted promptly to provide information that emphasizes appropriate dosing and dispensing of Tamiflu for oral suspension.

Full Text PDF

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WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan Address to the Regional Committee of the Americas: Pandemic Flu

WHO Director General Dr. Margaret Chan Address to the Regional Committee of the Americas: Pandemic Flu: "Mr President, honourable ministers, distinguished delegates, Dr Roses, friends and colleagues in the UN system, ladies and gentlemen, We are meeting at a time when the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century continues to sweep around the world. When the pandemic comes to an end, sometime in the future, we will see a flurry of assessments of the event, its impact, and how it was managed."

Updated Questions and Answers: Use of Antiviral Medicines for the Treatment and Prevention of Flu among Pregnant Women for the 2009–2010 Season

Updated Questions and Answers: Use of Antiviral Medicines for the Treatment and Prevention of Flu among Pregnant Women for the 2009–2010 Season: "Pregnant women who are healthy have had severe illness from the 2009 H1N1 flu (also called “swine flu”). Compared with people in general, pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 flu have been more likely to be admitted to hospitals."

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors: "Questions and Answers about 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Seniors"