H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Korean aid; vaccine inequality, poor uptake, and excess

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

South Korea may aid North Korea's flu fight
Today South Korean President Lee Myung-bak offered to send H1N1 vaccine to North Korea amid reports that the novel flu has killed dozens and is spreading fast in that nation, according to the Associated Press (AP). The Seoul-based aid group Good Friends reported that pandemic H1N1 has killed about 40 people in Sinuiju, near China, and 7 in the capital, Pyongyang. North Korea has yet to confirm any H1N1 outbreak. South Korea is studying ways to send the vaccine without conditions.

Vaccine inequality may pose security threat
Shortages of H1N1 vaccine in developing nations may pose a global security risk if the pandemic worsens, David Heymann, a former World Health Organization (WHO) official, told Bloomberg News. "Globally I think we're not probably as prepared as we need to be in more equitable access to vaccines," Heymann said, adding that high mortality could lead to "extreme destabilization of global security." About 200 million vaccine doses have been donated to the WHO for use in 95 poorer nations.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=agzYPugYiGUgl
Dec 8 Bloomberg News article

Wary Europeans slow to get vaccinated
Concerns over vaccine safety and low death rates from pandemic H1N1 flu apparently are keeping European vaccination rates low, according to Bloomberg. Several nations have vaccination rates under 10%, compared with 20% in Europe in a typical flu season. Scandinavia, however, is reporting rates from 19% to 33%. Public concerns that the H1N1 vaccine may cause adverse effects have kept some Europeans from being vaccinated, which means Europe may have more doses to donate to other nations.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&sid=alPm1GLywWRs
Dec 8 Bloomberg News article

Germany has excess vaccine to sell
Germany's health minister said yesterday that states have asked the federal government to sell 2.2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine to other nations, according to an Agence France-Press (AFP) story. Another possibility would be to donate the vaccine, which is available because of low demand. The country has ordered 20 million doses to arrive by the end of December and 50 million by the end of March. So far about 4 million Germans, or 5% of the population, have received the vaccine.

This week's top reads

  1. Top virologists urge world leaders to act on rising avian flu threat

    Global Virus Network scientists highlight the need for robust surveillance, enhanced biosecurity, and readiness for potential human-to-human viral transmission.

    Mary Van Beusekom

  2. Long COVID has unique symptoms, persistence not seen in flu, pneumonia, research suggests

    With increasing time since diagnosis, only the severe infections continued to cause symptoms. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Older man wiping brow

  3. CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project to help safeguard US vaccine use

    The steering committee will make recommendations on how non-governmental groups can help ensure that vaccine use is evidence-based.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    MMR vaccine vial on table

  4. US measles cases climb higher, approach 900

    Thirty states have cases, and 83% of infections are part of outbreaks, the largest centered  in West Texas.

    Lisa Schnirring
    young boy with measles

  5. USDA withdraws proposal to reduce Salmonella in poultry

    The Biden-era rule would have prevented the sale of raw chicken or turkey with certain levels or strains of Salmonella.

    Chris Dall
    Raw poultry in processing plant

  6. Measles cases in Europe, the Americas skyrocket

    Almost 90% of the European cases were reported in Romania.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    measles vax

  7. Tick-borne meat allergy may be related to urbanization in mid-Atlantic US

    The study identified open-space development and low population density as risk factors for Alpha-gal syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Lone star tick

  8. H5N1 avian flu surges in Idaho's dairy cattle

    There are currently 59 herds quarantined in 4 Idaho counties.

    Lisa Schnirring

  9. 'On the precipice of disaster': Measles may be endemic in 25 years if vaccine uptake stays low, model predicts

    A 10% decline in vaccine uptake could lead to 11.1 million cases of the highly contagious illness in that timeframe.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Measles virus

  10. HHS, NIH announce universal vaccine platform, promote placebo trials for new vaccines

    The Wall Street Journal reports the Trump administration is investing $500 million in the universal vaccine project.

    Stephanie Soucheray
    flu vax

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