Sep 2, 2009
New York City to offer kids free pandemic flu shots
New York City's school district said yesterday it will offer free novel H1N1 flu vaccine to all its students, according to the Associated Press (AP). Hundreds of US school districts will provide vaccinations in schools as the vaccine becomes available, projected to occur next month. Brenda Greene, director of school health programs for the National School Boards Association, said New York, with its more than 1 million schoolchildren, could be "a great role model."
Other large US cities detail their plans
In addition to New York's immunization plan, other large US cities are announcing steps, according to Bloomberg News. Los Angeles will administer vaccine at its fairgrounds, Boston is allowing city employees to leave work for 2 hours for vaccine, and Chicago's schools for the first time plan to track real-time attendance to pinpoint trends. Los Angeles and Boston are also setting up swine flu centers to administer vaccinations.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=azZOjY_e1.6Y
Sep 1 Bloomberg report
Egyptian H5N1-H1N1 coinfection report debunked
A story out of Egypt about a man infected with both the novel H1N1 virus and the deadly H5N1 avian flu is not accurate, according to an official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The story by an Egyptian newspaper was picked up yesterday by the widely read electronic surveillance system ProMED mail. However, Nancy Cox, head of the CDC's influenza division, told the blog ScienceInsider, "Our reliable sources indicate that this report is incorrect."
http://blogs.sciencemag.org/scienceinsider/2009/09/specious-report.html
Sep 2 ScienceInsider blog entry
China nears decision on one-dose vaccine
China is close to approving domestic novel flu vaccines that manufacturers claim can protect people with just a single dose instead of the two doses that most officials believe will be necessary, according to the AP today. China's vaccines could boost global health efforts if the one-dose administration proves effective. China's State Food and Drug Administration said at least two pandemic vaccines are near approval and another four are under review.
WHO expert: Mutations no obstacle for H1N1 vaccine
Novel H1N1 vaccines should offer effective protection even if the pandemic flu virus mutates as it spreads, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said today, according to Reuters. Marie-Paule Kieny, director of the WHO vaccine research program, said, "Based on the extensive knowledge available on seasonal vaccines and the results obtained through evaluation of H5N1 avian influenza vaccines, there is no doubt that it will be possible to make effective H1N1 pandemic vaccines."
http://www.reuters.com/article/internal_ReutersNewsRoom_ExclusivesAndWins_MOLT/idUSTRE5813JF20090902
Sep 2 Reuters article
Novel flu may cause deaths in heart patients
Physicians have raised concerns that pandemic flu may hit heart patients hard, according to the AP. Thus, some specialists at a European cardiology meeting said that such patients should receive vaccine priority. Although most heart patients are 60 or older and therefore may have some immunity to novel H1N1, "It's almost a given that any influenza exposure is going to cause more mortality in heart patients," said Alfred Bove, president of the American College of Cardiology.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2009/09/02/swine_flu_may_hit_heart_patients_hardest
Sep 2 AP story
iPhone app may help track flu near you
A new iPhone application, created by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston, is said to enable users to track and report outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as H1N1 pandemic flu, in real time. The application, "Outbreaks Near Me," employs the online resource HealthMap, which collects, filters, and maps information about emerging infectious diseases and pinpoints outbreaks near the user.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-09/chb-nia090109.php
Sep 1 Children's Hospital Boston press release
