Sep 3, 2009
Novartis H1N1 vaccine may be effective after 1 dose
After a pilot trial of its cell-based pandemic flu vaccine, Novartis reported today that 80% of volunteers had a potentially protective immune response after only one shot. The trial, using 100 healthy adults, showed 90% of subjects had protective immunity after two doses of the vaccine, to be called Celtura. The vaccine was administered with an immune-boosting adjuvant and was well tolerated, according to Novartis. Cell-based vaccines can be produced faster than traditional vaccines.
http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2009/1339223.shtml
Sep 3 Novartis press release
China approves 1-dose H1N1 vaccine
China has granted approval for the country's first domestic pandemic flu vaccine, which its maker Sinovac says is effective after only one dose, according to Agence France-Press (AFP). "The Sinovac H1N1 vaccine is officially approved," said the head of China's State Food and Drug Administration's registration department, adding that trials showed the vaccine to be "very safe."
http://health.yahoo.com/news/afp/healthfluchinavaccine_20090903042445.html
Sep 2 AFP story
Tracking system tallies 1,640 campus flu cases
A tracking system set up by the American College Health Association Students has logged 1,640 cases on college campuses from Aug 22 to 28, with the highest rates in the Southeast and Northwest, according to the New York Times. The system uses reports from campus health services at 165 universities nationwide but does not delineate between pandemic and seasonal flu cases.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/health/research/03brfs-SYSTEMTRACKS_BRF.html
Sep 3 New York Times item
Obama adds $2.7 billion for antivirals, vaccine
President Barack Obama's administration will spend an additional $2.7 billion for antiviral drugs and vaccines to fight pandemic influenza, according to Reuters. This is in addition to $1.8 billion the administration earmarked in July. Obama said the added funds would go toward buying vaccines and antiviral drugs as well as a vaccination campaign. The money has already been appropriated by Congress.
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE5816TC20090902
Sep 2 Reuters report
US orders $52 million in flu supplies
The US government has ordered $52 million in flu products from the UK firm Becton Dickinson and Co, according to a Reuters story today. The order includes syringes, needles, sharps collectors, and alcohol swabs through March of next year.
http://www.iii.co.uk/news/?type=afxnews&articleid=7506553&subject=economic&action=article
Sep 3 Reuters story
