News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – Scientists have found an answer to a nagging question about how best to protect children under age 3 against influenza, reporting that any combination of injected or nasal-spray vaccines, given in any order, yields similar protective antibody responses in the recommended two-dose prime-boost strategy.

(CIDRAP News) – A team of US researchers reported this week that a set of antibodies derived from 2009 H1N1 influenza patients showed an ability to react with a number of other flu strains, strengthening hopes that it will eventually be possible to create a broadly protective flu vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – A standard dose of H1N1 influenza vaccine appears to work well in people who have asthma, but older patients with severe asthma may need a higher dose, a government-sponsored trial has shown.