H1N1 FLU BREAKING NEWS: Vaccine updates, WHO to weigh lowering alert level, possible third wave

Influenza, General

Feb 23, 2010

CDC will reduce H1N1 vaccine stockpiles
Over the next 2 months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to reduce by half the amount of H1N1 vaccine it has pre-positioned in distribution depots around the country managed by McKesson Corp. The CDC has maintained 30 million doses at the sites. The agency said the main strategy will be not replacing 3 million doses that have been recalled, along with 15.3 million doses that are reaching their expiration dates between March and June.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/reduction_of_inventory_and_allocations.htm
Feb 22 CDC bulletin

Hong Kong probes possible flu-shot reactions
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection is studying illnesses in several residents that arose after they received the H1N1 influenza vaccine, the region's government said Tuesday. The cases include a 34-year-old man who experienced double vision, a 28-year-old pregnant woman whose fetus died, and paralysis in a 75-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man. The government was careful to say there are cases of paralysis and stillbirth in the territory every year.

WHO to decide whether to stand down pandemic alert
The pandemic emergency committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) will announce Wednesday whether it plans to step down from its 9-month-old phase 6 pandemic alert. The committee was scheduled to reconsider the pandemic declaration in a confidential teleconference that was to be held today. By WHO protocol, any public announcement will be delayed until director-general Dr. Margaret Chan informs the 193 member states of the decision.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20100223-254965/WHO-scientists-decide-if-flu-pandemic-has-passed-peak
Feb 23 Agence France-Presse story

Possibility of H1N1 third wave depends on many factors
Scientists on the alert for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu are evaluating the influence of many factors that could affect the virus's resurgence, the Washington Post reported today. They include how much of the population—particularly schoolchildren—is already immune, whether uninfected people are gathering in close quarters, and how much the virus is affected by winter temperatures and humidity. Even without a third wave, a variant of pandemic H1N1 is likely to circulate for years.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/22/AR2010022203638.html
Feb 23 Washington Post story

Study: Seasonal vaccines would not have slowed H1N1
A ferret study suggests seasonal flu vaccines would not have contained novel H1N1, which emerged at the end of the 2008-09 flu season, but veterinary vaccines might have limited spread in pigs. A Canadian team administered two 2008-09 seasonal formulas, a veterinary vaccine and a newly developed H1N1 vaccine to ferrets, then infected the animals with a virulent strain of novel H1N1. The swine and H1N1 vaccines were at least partially protective, but the H1N1 would have required a second dose.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/651171
Feb 19 Journal of Infectious Diseases abstract

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. 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

  6. 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

  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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