H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Scientists support WHO efforts; vaccine news

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

WHO gains scientists' support for H1N1 response
Some have accused the World Health Organization (WHO) of hyping novel H1N1 flu, but scientists defended the agency in an Agence France-Presse (AFP) story today. They pointed out that the WHO acted appropriately, given the uncertain nature of the virus. One expert explained, "This virus is not dead yet. It is on a trajectory, and we don't know where it is going to end up," adding that H1N1 is still mutating. Another pointed out that in the last pandemic, 70% of deaths occurred in a third wave.
http://www.terradaily.com/afp/100224112817.8o9d40zn.html
Feb 24 AFP article

Almost 30% of Americans now vaccinated
At today's meeting of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP), Dr. James Singleton of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that, as of Feb 13, about 86 million Americans had received the pandemic vaccine, or about 29% of the population. Total vaccine doses administered had reached an estimated 97 million, or about 78% of the doses shipped.
http://tinyurl.com/feb2010acip-agenda
Feb 24-25 ACIP agenda

Defense Department invests in tobacco-based vaccine
A Texas-based consortium today announced funding for vaccine technology using tobacco plants instead of chicken eggs to produce H1N1 flu vaccine, according to a news release. The consortium, which comprises G-Con, LLC, and Texas A&M, designed Project GreenVax to eventually produce 100 million doses per month. According to a Wall Street Journal article today, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is providing $40 million of the $61 million cost to produce 10 million initial doses.
http://tamunews.tamu.edu/2010/02/24/texas-based-consortium-announces-project-greenvax
Feb 24 Texas A&M release

Czechs open vaccine to general public
This week Czech Republic officials opened up the country's estimated 700,000 doses of novel H1N1 vaccine to the general public free of charge. Although vaccine uptake has been low in that country, officials hope the announcement will spur vaccination, especially in children. The vaccine will be available in vaccination centers, not in doctors' offices.
http://www.radio.cz/en/article/125336
Feb 23 Czech Radio report

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. '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

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

    There are currently 59 herds quarantined in 4 Idaho counties.

    Lisa Schnirring

  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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