News & Perspective

Editor’s Note: This article covers research conducted in part by CIDRAP researchers. Please note that CIDRAP News operates independently in relation to CIDRAP's research and policy programs.

See also: Strict meta-analysis raises questions about flu vaccine efficacy

(CIDRAP News) – Survey results presented at a medical conference today suggest that younger doctors may be a little more skeptical about vaccines than their older counterparts are, but that most pediatricians work to overcome parental reluctance to have their children vaccinated.

(CIDRAP News) – A national group that represents infection control experts said today that a recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documenting low flu vaccination rates among healthcare workers raises patient safety concerns.

(CIDRAP News) – Sanofi Pasteur's intradermal influenza vaccine, which involves a shallow needle prick into the skin instead of deep into muscle tissue, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company announced today.

(CIDRAP News) – Sanofi Pasteur has reported encouraging preliminary results in clinical trials of two novel influenza vaccines—a four-strain vaccine containing two influenza B strains and an intradermal vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – Speaking at a Senate committee hearing today, US Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said a cell-based seasonal influenza vaccine from Novartis could be on the US market in time for the 2011-12 flu season.

Editor's note: This story was revised Sep 1 to reflect a recent change in the Infectious Diseases Society of America's position on mandatory flu vaccination for healthcare workers.

(CIDRAP News) – The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has formally asked federal health officials to recommend making influenza vaccination mandatory for healthcare workers (HCWs), saying this is probably the best way to protect patients from contracting flu in healthcare facilities.

(CIDRAP News) – At an Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) symposium in Washington, DC, today on seasonal and pandemic influenza, a group of experts fielded questions from reporters on some of the new trends and emerging issues, including prepandemic strategies for H5N1 avian influenza vaccines, now that some countries are stockpiling them.