H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Vaccine updates, spring-break alert

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Dutch officials seek to return surplus vaccine
The Dutch health ministry has signaled that it is in talks with GlaxoSmithKline to possibly return a large portion of its surplus H1N1 flu vaccine, Reuters reported. The ministry had ordered 34 million doses at a time when experts thought each person would need two doses. Of that total, 11 million doses have been administered, and the government is holding 2.2 million as an emergency reserve.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6251NW20100306
Mar 6 Reuters story

ACHA, CDC caution spring break travelers
In an effort to prevent a repeat of last year's post spring break flu spread, the American College Health Association (ACHA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised students with travel plans to get the pandemic H1N1 vaccine and take other measures to protect themselves. The two groups warned in a Mar 5 letter that the virus is still circulating in the United States and abroad and that some colleges have recently reported increases in flu activity.
http://www.acha.org/general/HHS_ACHA_SpringBreak_letter.pdf
Mar 5 ACHA and CDC letter

UK health records helped vaccination program
Britain's system of electronic health records made it easier for medical providers to notify people targeted for H1N1 vaccination than was the case for US providers, said CDC Director Thomas Frieden at a recent conference. While Americans mostly decided on their own if and when to get vaccinated, British providers used the electronic records to identify people with high-risk conditions and invited them to come in for vaccination, he said.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0525886220100305
Mar 5 Reuters report

Spain to give vaccine to Latin America
Spain plans to donate 4 million doses of H1N1 vaccine to the countries of Latin America, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced recently. Trinidad Jimenez, Spain's minister of health, announced the donation at a Mar 4 meeting with Dr. Socorro Gross, assistant director of PAHO.
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2554&Itemid=1926&lang=en
Mar 4 PAHO announcement

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. 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

  3. Moderna pulls licensing submission for combo flu-COVID vaccine

    Moderna's combination vaccine was intended for adults 50 and older. 

    Stephanie Soucheray

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 'A national scandal': US excess deaths rose even after pandemic, far outpacing peer countries

    The United States has been in a "protracted health crisis" for decades, the researchers say.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Grave markers with flowers

  7. Viewpoint: Making key COVID vaccine decisions without input, transparency is a public disservice

    Newly announced rules that limit the use of COVID vaccines suggest that federal officials are opposed to open discussion and transparency.

    Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
    COVID vaccine vial and syringe

  8. Family likely infected with histoplasmosis in bat-colonized cave

    They reported seeing bats and coming into contact with bat droppings while crawling through tight spaces during the 2-hour tour.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Bats in cave

  9. Multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to whole cucumbers

    The outbreak has sickened 26 people in 15 states and is linked to a grower and distributor in Florida.

    Chris Dall

  10. Researchers report mpox DNA, live virus on surfaces and in air from patients' rooms

    On viral culture, 4 of 21 environmental samples (19%) contained infectious virus.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Sink and faucet in hospital room

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