WHO praises pandemic vaccine donations
The World Health Organization (WHO) today applauded the donation of the United States and eight other developed countries of pandemic H1N1 vaccine to poorer nations. The donation announcement yesterday shows a commitment to fairness, the WHO said in a statement. Given that demand will exceed the global supply of vaccine, the WHO noted that the country donations, plus those previously announced by some manufacturers, will ensure vaccine for nations that lack resources for their own stockpiles.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/pandemic_vaccine_donations_20090918/en/index.html
Sep 18 WHO statement
WHO lowers pandemic vaccine estimate
The WHO has scaled back its projection of how much pandemic H1N1 vaccine that will be produced globally, spokesman Gregory Hartl told the media today, according to the Associated Press (AP). Output will be "substantially less" than the WHO's previous forecast of 94 million doses a week and 4.9 billion doses in the next year, Hartl said. Estimates are lower because some companies are still making seasonal vaccine, and some have experienced production problems.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32911603/ns/health-swine_flu/
Sep 18 AP story
Piglets in Northern Ireland test positive for H1N1
Some piglets in Northern Ireland have tested positive for the novel H1N1 virus, the jurisdiction's Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced yesterday. A BBC News report said the finding is the first such case in Europe. "Given that this virus is currently circulating in humans this finding is not unexpected," the department said in a news release. Officials did not list the location of the affected farm.
http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dard/newsdard-170909-test-results-indicate.htm
Sep 17 Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture statement
Australia approves CSL's H1N1 vaccine
The Australian government has approved a pandemic H1N1 vaccine made by CSL Ltd. for use in adults, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported today. The government has bought 21 million doses, which Health Minister Nicola Roxon said will be enough for all adults, and doses are expected to be available starting Sep 30. The government is awaiting clinical trial results before approving the vaccine for use in children. The virus has killed 172 people in Australia.
http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-rollout-as-swine-flu-vaccine-approved-20090918-fuyz.html
Sep 18 AAP story
Minnesota says to keep ill preschoolers home longer
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) says that children up to age 5 who have flu should be kept home from day care and school for 7 days after they get sick or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, a more cautious approach than the federal one, the Star Tribune reported. The CDC recommended in August that children be kept home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the help of medication. Minnesota, which now has widespread flu activity, still uses that advice for older children.
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/59650722.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiacyKU7DYaGEP7vDEh7P:DiUs
Sep 17 Star Tribune story
