Jan 5, 2010
Leaders line up for flu shots
More high-profile leaders are getting their pandemic flu vaccine, including Margaret Chan, the director-general of the World Health Organization, who got her shot on Dec 30, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, state lawmakers from Indiana had a chance to get vaccinated today at a clinic held as the legislative session reconvened, the Associated Press reported. The state's health commissioner said she hoped the lawmakers would set a good example for constituents by getting their shots.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6040TH
Jan 5 Reuters story
Researchers create insect-cell H1N1 vaccine
In an effort to develop new strategies to more quickly produce pandemic vaccine, Austrian researchers have used an insect cell technique to create a recombinant virus-like particle H1N1 vaccine for use in mouse studies. Their report appeared in Biotechnology Journal. They wrote that the process took 10 weeks. US researchers have already developed a similar system for making seasonal flu vaccine. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123227482/abstract
Dec 29 Biotechnol J abstract
National flu vaccine week takes shape
Last month federal officials delayed National Influenza Vaccination Week to coincide with more plentiful pandemic vaccine, and they recently announced themes for each day of the week, which starts Jan 10. On Jan 11, efforts will focus on the general public and healthcare workers. The following 2 days will target those at high risk for flu complications, followed by children, pregnant women, and infant caregivers. Jan 14 messages will aim for young adults, and the next day will feature seniors.
http://www.flu.gov/news/nivw.html
Jan 2 HHS news release
IOM issues report on impacts of pandemic
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently published a report on the US and international impacts of the H1N1 pandemic, based on a workshop that was held in mid September and involved a committee of about 25 experts. The report outlines the course of the pandemic to that point and describes the scientific and public health responses to it. The body of the report runs about 75 pages, but numerous appendices and related materials swell its total length to several hundred pages.
http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12799&page=R1
IOM report title page
