H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Glut of vaccine in Turkey, increase in cases in Rwanda

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Turkey seeks to return some vaccine doses
Turkey is negotiating with vaccine companies to return some of its unused doses of H1N1 flu vaccine, the Anatolia News Agency reported today. Health Minister Recep Akdag said the government had ordered 43 million doses of vaccine but actually purchased 17 million. Officials are talking with manufacturers about giving "a significant part" of that amount back, but will keep 2 to 3 million doses for emergencies, he said. Akdag said in January that more than 600 people in Turkey had died of H1N1.
http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-203811-105-turkey-in-talks-with-drugmakers-to-give-swine-flu-vaccines-back.html
Mar 9 Anatolia News Agency report

Rwanda reports increase in flu cases
Pandemic flu cases in Rwanda are starting to increase again after dropping in early February, The New Times in Kigali reported today. A health ministry official said an increase was noted in Burera district of Northern province, with six confirmed cases in the past week. He said seasonal flu cases are also being reported and that a stockpile of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is available. He added that the flu uptick calls for more vigilance but said there is no cause for alarm.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201003090112.html
Mar 9 New Times story

This week's top reads

  1. FDA significantly limits COVID-19 vaccine recommendations

    Critics said today’s announcement is more evidence of the current administration’s willingness to undermine public trust in vaccines.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    FDA building

  2. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  3. HHS expected to discontinue COVID vaccine recommendations for some groups

    When CDC advisers widened their recommendation in 2023, most members were swayed by data, including those for long COVID, showing that no group is at low risk for the virus.

    Lisa Schnirring

  4. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  5. US measles outbreak grows to 1,024 cases

    Texas remains the country's hot spot, with 718 cases. 

    Chris Dall
    Doctor treating child with measles

  6. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

    Moderna's combination vaccine was intended for adults 50 and older. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  7. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

    Responding to the surge is a major focus, partly to prevent the spread to other West African countries. 

    Lisa Schnirring
    mpox virus

  8. FDA vaccine advisers recommend sticking with JN.1 strain for next COVID vaccines

    The group weighed considerations about newer variants and raised concerns that a strain recommendation might interface with the FDA's new proposed COVID vaccine framework.

    Lisa Schnirring
    woman vaccinated

  9. Viewpoint: Making key COVID vaccine decisions without input, transparency is a public disservice

    Newly announced rules that limit the use of COVID vaccines suggest that federal officials are opposed to open discussion and transparency.

    Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
    COVID vaccine vial and syringe

  10. Family likely infected with histoplasmosis in bat-colonized cave

    They reported seeing bats and coming into contact with bat droppings while crawling through tight spaces during the 2-hour tour.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Bats in cave

Our underwriters