H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Effect on business planning; cases in Australia, India; adjuvanted vaccine in kids; Mexico steps down

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Jun 30, 2010

Business planners withstand global response complaints
In the wake of criticisms, mainly from European politicians, that global health officials overreacted to the H1N1 pandemic, Continuity Central conducted an online poll of its business continuity readership. Of 99 respondents, 26% said their pandemic planning efforts have been ridiculed and 52% said they had not. Also, 23% said their organizations now have less respect for preparedness efforts, while 71% reported no drop in respect. Some said their plans are on hold or have been shelved.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0794.html
Jun 30 Continuity Central report

Outbreak reported in Australia's Northwest Territories
At least 29 pandemic H1N1 cases have been reported in recent days in Nhulunbuy, a town in Australia's Northwest Territories (NT). The NT Centre for Disease Control confirmed the cases and urged high-risk groups to get vaccinated, according to an NT News story. Prior to this outbreak, only 2 cases had been reported in the territory.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/06/30/160251_ntnews.html
Jun 30 NT News story

Another state in India reports H1N1 cases
Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, has reported pandemic flu cases. "In Tamil Nadu, 21 persons who were affected by H1N1 were admitted and getting treatment in various hospitals," state Health Minister M. R. K. Panneerselvam said, adding that the state was screening travelers at its borders and had adequate antivirals, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). The neighboring states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have been among the hardest hit.
http://www.ptinews.com/news/750396_21-swine-flu-cases-in-Tamil-Nadu
Jun 29 PTI report

Adjuvanted vaccine shows promise in young kids
Spanish researchers conducting a trial of GlaxoSmithKline's adjuvanted pandemic H1N1 vaccine in children ages 6 to 35 months found that one dose was highly immunogenic and safe, according to a study in Vaccine. The trial included 157 children who received two standard doses or a higher-dose formulation 21 days apart. The first doses in both groups produced similar robust responses that exceeded European regulatory criteria. Reactions were more common after the second dose.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.06.065
Jun 29 Vaccine study

Mexico ends pandemic alert
Mexico lifted its alert for pandemic H1N1 flu yesterday, officially ending the health emergency that began 14 months ago in that country, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Secretary of Health Jose Angel Cordova said only 10% of influenza cases in May were pandemic flu, down from 90% in October. Mexico has officially logged 72,546 H1N1 cases and 1,289 deaths, the last in May.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2012239791_swineflu30.html
Jun 29 AP article

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. '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

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

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. WHO adds NB.1.8.1 as SARS-CoV-2 variant under monitoring

    Experts say illnesses don't seem more severe and more studies are needed to further assess the risk of antibody escape.

    Lisa Schnirring

  7. 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

  8. FDA approves formula for fall COVID vaccines

    The agency told vaccine makers that COVID-19 vaccines used in the US starting in fall 2025 should be based on JN.1 lineage strains, preferably the LP.8.1 strain.

    Chris Dall

  9. Iowa, Nebraska announce first measles cases

    Iowa's patient is an unvaccinated adult, and Nebraska's is a vaccinated child who had not traveled outside the state.

    Lisa Schnirring
    measles torso

  10. 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

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