H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Pediatric deaths, 'false pandemic' charges, targeting minorities, vaccine for Nigeria

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jan 21, 2010

Pediatric flu deaths triple past 3 season average
In an overview of flu activity during the 2009-10 flu season that started Aug 30, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said pediatric deaths from the pandemic virus are three times higher than the average for the past three seasons. Flu activity peaked on Oct 24, much earlier than the February peaks of the most recent flu seasons. The CDC pointed out that multiple waves were seen during the three most recent pandemics, emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5902a3.htm?s_cid=mm5902a3_x
Jan 22 MMWR article

WHO to write response to 'false pandemic' charges
In response to a request from India's health secretary, the World Health Organization (WHO) will write formal letters to all countries to clarify the facts about the H1N1 pandemic, to counter charges that the threat was exaggerated, the Indian government said in a statement yesterday. In requesting the WHO action, the Indian official said the reports of a "false pandemic" were hurting public health measures taken by governments. India also asked for more details about vaccine contracts.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=57124
Jan 20 Indian government statement

Massachusetts flu effort targets minority groups
Hoping to ease racial disparities in pandemic flu illness, Massachusetts officials said they will target $1 million of its federal funding toward community groups that can help promote vaccination in these groups. The state's public health officials have reported that the disease has taken a heavier illness, hospitalization, and death toll on black, Hispanic, and Asian groups.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2pressrelease&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Government&L2=Departments+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Public+Health&sid=Eeohhs2&b=pressrelease&f=100115_flu_illness&csid=Eeohhs2
Jan 15 Massachusetts health department release

Nigeria cites progress in securing vaccine
Following the first deaths and illnesses from pandemic H1N1 flu, Nigeria's health ministry said yesterday that it is in advanced talks with theWHO to receive the vaccine, AllAfrica news reported today. The ministry said Nigeria wasn't previously on the WHO's priority list because it had not detected any illnesses but now said the country could receive vaccine doses by February. Nigeria has confirmed two H1N1 deaths and eight illnesses.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201001210404.html
Jan 21 AllAfrica news 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. Flu vaccine efficacy 41% overall and 26% in older adults, per 2023-24 estimates

    Estimated effectiveness was 68% against influenza B and 32% against type A.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Flu shot going into arm

  9. Testing ties Listeria outbreak to ready-to-eat sandwiches

    An earlier investigation hinted at hospital food as a source, but evidence didn't reveal a specific item.

    Lisa Schnirring

  10. 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

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