H1N1 NEWS SCAN: Wasted vaccine in Hong Kong, epidemiology of pandemic in Greece

H1N1 2009 Pandemic Influenza

Much of Hong Kong vaccine to be tossed
Only 200,000 of the 3 million H1N1 vaccine doses available in Hong Kong were administered, and the expiration date on the 2.8 million unused doses is approaching. The doses destined for the trash in October cost about $28.2 million US. Hong Kong offered the vaccine free to health professionals, pregnant women, babies, the elderly, and patients at risk, but safety concerns in the population after several complications in recipients reduced demand.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-business/Hong-Kong-to-dump-28-mn-doses-of-swine-flu-vaccine/articleshow/6032111.cms
Jun 10 Economic Times article

Greece data profile two waves of H1N1
Data gathered in Greece from May 18, 2009, through Feb 28, 2010, showed two waves of H1N1, a milder one in July-August and a stronger one that peaked Nov 23 to 29. A total of 18,075 lab-confirmed cases were reported, including 294 admissions to intensive care and 140 deaths. Of patients who died, 115 (82.1%) had at least one underlying medical condition, the most common being obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease; 89 (63.5%) were under 60 years of age, with 8 (5.7%) under 19.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5922a2.htm
Jun 11 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 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. Woman dies of Creutzfeldt-Jakob almost 50 years after taking prion-contaminated growth hormone

    The patient, who presented with gait imbalance and tremors, wasn't diagnosed until she was in a coma, shortly before she died.

    Mary Van Beusekom
    Woman in hospital bed

  3. Meta-analysis: Zika-infected pregnant moms 4 times more likely to have babies with microcephaly

    Five of 22 studies noted that over 50% of newborns had microcephaly, and the same number of studies observed that over 5% had congenital Zika syndrome. 

    Mary Van Beusekom

  4. 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

  5. WHO advisers say current strains OK for COVID vaccine production

    Current vaccine strains show high neutralization against the latest variants, but the LP.8.1 antigen may provide similar or moderately higher cross-reactive antibody response.

    Lisa Schnirring
    senior vaccination

  6. 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

  7. Texas announces more measles cases, including first in Dallas area

    Two cases near the Dallas area are now included in the large outbreak, which now totals 717 cases.

    Lisa Schnirring

  8. Saudi Arabia confirms 9 MERS cases, including hospital cluster

    Since 2023, the country has ramped up MERS-CoV testing as part of sentinel surveillance.

    Lisa Schnirring
    hospital isolation

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

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

    Stephanie Soucheray

  10. Mpox activity escalates in Sierra Leone

    Responding to the surge is a major focus, partly to prevent the spread to other West African countries. 

    Lisa Schnirring
    mpox virus

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