MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'immunizations'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:01:06 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953061&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fdoes-father-know-best-when-it-comes-pediatric-phrs My musings in a recent blog about my pie-in-the sky dream of an effective pediatric personal health record (PHR) for parents were turned on their head recently when I came across news about a California-based company creating just such a product. (I should know by now that I’ll always be at least three steps behind the development gurus of healthcare IT.) read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953061 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:16:54 +0100 4953061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872473&cid=t_107358_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FliBV1h4EAXA%2F File this under sticking point. The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations is coming under fire because a large vaccine maker that provides most of its income is about to become a pharma representative on its board. The move is prompting concerns about conflicts of interest amid demands for lower vaccine prices, The Financial Times writes. In July, Johnson & Johnson’s recently acquired Crucell unit will replace GlaxoSmithKline on the GAVI board (see this), which next month meets in London in hopes of raising $3.7 billion. But some non-governmental organizations say GAVI, which last year sent $825 million in donor funds to vaccination programs in poor countries, is not doing enough to lower prices paid for vaccines. “We think some conflicts are too big to manage,”... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872473 Fri, 27 May 2011 13:02:26 +0100 4872473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872123&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F05%2Fpolio-eradication.html A short excellent brand new Video on progress from epidemiologist, Bruce Aylward,   http://www.ted.com/talks/bruce_aylward_how_we_ll_stop_polio.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-05-24&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872123 Thu, 26 May 2011 14:19:23 +0100 4872123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862676&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fspinning-rhio-story A recent publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine has gotten quite a bit of attention in Health IT related media: RHIOs struggling to meet Meaningful Use Few RHIOs Meet Basic Criteria for Meaningful Use, Researchers Find No sticky read more (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862676 Tue, 24 May 2011 14:01:45 +0100 4862676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762780&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F04%2Fhpv-surpasses-smoking-as-leading-cause-for-oral-cancer.html The New York Daily News (4/19, Goldwert) reports that human papillomavirus (HPV), with "strains that causes genital warts and cervical cancer in women," is now the leading cause of "oral cancer in men, beating out smoking and drinking," according to reports from the "New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Oncology," as well as other research. Notably, while the number of smokers in the US has steadily declined in the past 50 years, the oral cancer rate has "remained relatively steady, and recently been on the increase." Researchers say the reason is an "increase in HPV-16 in the US population." Presently, about "20-million Americans" are infected with HPV; and another "6-million people become newly infected each year," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762780 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:48:00 +0100 4762780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4501583&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Ftheres-still-time-for-a-flu-shot%2F2011.02.21 It’s not too late to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Influenza is about to enter its peak season in the United States. Now is the time to be vigilant in protecting against and preventing the spread of flu. Washing your hands, staying home from work or school, and covering your cough can be incredible steps. But the most effective way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated. If you haven’t had a flu shot, get one this week. Your child can be immunized if over six months of age, and remember that many children under age nine will need a second dose (booster shot). Find out how to determine if your child needs a second dose. 1o Things To Know About Influenza 1. Influenza peaks in February and March in the United States. Look at the CDC data that reflects ongoing in... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4501583 Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:00:38 +0100 4501583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399527&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdiscussing-immunization-the-injustice-of-interviewing-dr-wakefield%2F2011.01.25 When Dr. Andrew Wakefield was interviewed on ABC’s “Good Morning America” [recently], an injustice occurred. For children, I mean. And it occurred inadvertently, I suspect. But I believe this injustice happens all the time when it comes to children’s health and wellness. What the media covers really changes how we think and feel about protecting and parenting our children. The media’s effort to inform and educate — just like that of physicians and nurses, social workers and ancillary staff, researchers, and students — can get lost and misconstrued. ABC worked hard to inform us of the accusations against Dr. Wakefield with a two-minute introduction by Dr. Richard Besser, a pediatrician and medical editor/correspondent. Yet when the interview was over, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399527 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:00:46 +0100 4399527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399529&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Feffect-of-autism-vaccine-fraud-not-easily-undone%2F2011.01.24 Eighteen percent of American believe that vaccines can cause autism, 30 percent remain unsure, and 52 percent of Americans don’t think vaccines can cause autism, according to public opinion polling done after research linking vaccines to the condition was reported as fraudulent. While 69 percent of respondents said they had heard about an association between vaccination and autism, 47 percent knew that the original Lancet study had been retracted, and that recently the research is reported as being fraudulent. The poll also found that 86 percent of parents who have doubts about the vaccine said that their children were fully vaccinated, compared to 98 percent of parents who believe vaccines are safe, and that 92 percent of children are fully vaccinated. The poll was conducted... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399529 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4399529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394443&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Famericans-are-quickly-rethinking-the-autism-vaccine-link%2F2011.01.24 Eighteen percent of American believe that vaccines can cause autism, 30 percent remain unsure, and 52 percent of Americans don’t think vaccines can cause autism, according to public opinion polling done after research linking vaccines to the condition was reported as fraudulent. While 69 percent of respondents said they had heard about an association between vaccination and autism, 47 percent knew that the original Lancet study had been retracted, and that recently the research is reported as being fraudulent. The poll also found that 86 percent of parents who have doubts about the vaccine said that their children were fully vaccinated, compared to 98 percent of parents who believe vaccines are safe, and that 92 percent of children are fully vaccinated. The poll was conducted... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394443 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4394443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4352713&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-slippery-slope-of-anti-vaccine-complacency%2F2011.01.15 I got a package in the mail today: My very own (complimentary) copy of Paul Offit’s new book, “Deadly Choices; How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All.” Needless to say, I can’t wait to read it. Not coincidentally, Dr. Offit has been making the rounds of interviews in the wake of the book’s release. Although I haven’t heard any of them directly, I did see a reference to this NPR interview on the FaceBook page of an old friend, who quoted from it thusly: IRA FLATOW:  You write that some pediatricians will not see kids who are not vaccinated. Is that a good solution to the problem? DR. PAUL OFFIT: I don’t know what’s a good solution to that problem. And I feel tremendous sympathy for the clinician who’s in private practice. On the one hand, and my wife sort ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4352713 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:00:02 +0100 4352713 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4322529&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2011%2F01%2Fbritish-medical-journal-declares-mmr-study-an-elaborate-fraud----autism-claims-likened-to-piltdown-m.html (January 6, 2011) -- The British Medical Journal has declared the 1998 Lancet paper that implied a link between the MMR vaccine and autism "an elaborate fraud." Comment: It is unfortunate than a number of major journals still print articles with very poor research data and later have to retract the article. What is even worse is the cost to national health programs around the world that then have to prove to the populations they serve that immunizations work and do not have these unanticipated side effects. I know that when I was Commissioner of health for Virginia we had to perform a number of studies that took away from services to the general population because legislators wanted to know that the activist statements were all crap it were not correct. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4322529 Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:16:34 +0100 4322529 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4133711&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwhat-does-anti-vaccine-really-mean%2F2010.11.04 We write a lot about vaccines here at Science-Based Medicine. Indeed, as I write this, I note that there are 155 posts under the Vaccines category, with this post to make it 156. This is third only to Science and Medicine (which is such a vague, generic category that I’ve been seriously tempted to get rid of it, anyway) and Science and the Media. There is no doubt that vaccines represent one of the most common topics that we cover here on SBM, and with good reason. That good reason is that, compared to virtually any other modality used in the world of SBM, vaccines are under the most persistent attack from a vocal group of people, who, either because they mistakenly believe that vaccines caused their children’s autism, because they don’t like being told what to do by The Man, because... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4133711 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 12:00:04 +0100 4133711 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4118991&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F10%2Fimmunizations.html While looking at my daily science progress  lists today I cannot help but be struck by the recommendations for whooping cough boosters for seniors, and meningitis boosters for adolescents. As we learn more about immunity and the value of immunizations the issue has become so complex that is as it is essential that all health facilities become fully computerized with databases that trigger notices to the doctors and nurses when an immunization is due, as well as for preventive and appropriate screening services, and the ability to ensure that when multiple drugs are given one does not interfere with another. It is unfortunate that our profession that collects and uses so much data has almost totally failed to keep up with technology that enhances data management. (Source: Dr. Buttery's... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4118991 Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:21:09 +0100 4118991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4097991&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F10%2Fpertussis-claims-10th-victim-in-california.html  CNN (reports that pertussis "has claimed the 10th victim in California, in what health officials are calling the worst outbreak in 60 years." Notably, "all of the deaths occurred in infants under the age of three months, says Michael Sicilia, a spokesman for the California Department of Public Health." Sicilia also noted that "California Health Department epidemiologists estimate 50 percent of the children who have gotten sick were infected by their parents or caregivers." For that reason, it is important for all people who have close contact with infants to get vaccinated against pertussis. Ollison Patti, a spokeswoman for the CDC, emphasized that the pertussis vaccine "does not protect you for life," so people must remember to get booster shots. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4097991 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:25:17 +0100 4097991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3899392&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fhealth-tips-for-back-to-school%2F2010.08.24 I was lucky enough to be asked by one of the local TV stations to talk about some back-to-school issues when it comes to health. I don’t know about where you’re at, but most of the local schools around here started [yesterday, August 23rd]. Keeping up-to-date on immunizations is always important. Other important issues are getting kids back on their school sleep schedules and making sure the backpack isn’t overwhelmingly heavy. Check out the video below. Also check out the Back To School Video 2 and the Back To School Video 3 (Yup, that’s right — three segments in one day.) If you find those helpful, I encourage you to check out my You Tube page and click on “My TV Interviews” for more health segments from local TV news. Enjoy! *This bl... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3899392 Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0100 3899392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790785&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fprotecting-privacy As we all implement Meaningful Use stages 1, 2, and 3 from 2011-2015, we will increasingly share data among payers, providers and patients. Protecting privacy is foundational and we should only exchange data per patient preference. How will we achieve that in Massachusetts? Stage 1 In the first stage of meaningful use, there are limited data exchanges - ePrescribing, a demonstration of pushing data from provider to provider, and public/population health exchanges for lab, immunizations, and syndromic surveillance. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790785 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:07:18 +0100 3790785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3753914&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmeaningful-use-and-standards-are-finalized Tuesday at 10 am, CMS and ONC released the final rules that will guide electronic health record rollouts for the next 5 years. Here's my analysis of the key changes in the Final Rule: 1. HHS has adopted the HIT Policy Committee recommendation to frame Meaningful Use as core requirements and discretionary requirements. In so doing, they have reduced the total number of requirements and introduced choice. In the NPRM there were 25 requirements for Eligible Professionals and 23 for hospitals. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3753914 Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:25:05 +0100 3753914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706696&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F06%2Flow-immunization-rates-may-be-linked-to-epidemic-spread-of-whooping-cough-in-california.html California is one of only 11 states that does not require middle school students to receive a booster shot against whooping cough. As a result, just 43.7% of California adolescents had the vaccine for whooping cough, known as Tdap, in 2008, according to the CDC.  What's more, the state is the only one in the nation to report such a dramatic surge in pertussis. Comment: this is not particularly surprising considering the activism about autism on the West Coast and the misinformation engendered by the West Coast media. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706696 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:36:17 +0100 3706696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3706697&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F06%2Fkaiser-study-finds-safer-way-to-use-mmrv-vaccine-in-toddlers.html A new study of 459,000 children nationwide, led by Kaiser Permanente's Vaccine Study Center in Oakland, discovered a disturbing side effect from the quadruple-hit vaccination: It doubles the risk of febrile seizures in children between ages 1 and 2. The study is published today in the journal Pediatrics. Comment: the attempt to reduce the total number of vaccine shots by combining more vaccines seems a credible approach in theory but in practice may not work out, As more vaccines are recommended the schedule becomes even more confusing and contributes to part of the problem of inadequate immunization rates. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3706697 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:34:34 +0100 3706697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3656809&cid=t_107358_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fbuzzy-pain-relief-for-kids%2F2010.06.13 Here’s Buzzy, a reusable pain relief device developed by a pediatrician. It works based on the gate control theory of pain: Buzzy is a newly developed reusable pain relief device that children can bring to the doctor’s office with them to help dull the pain of shots! As the brainchild of Pediatrician Amy Baxter, Buzzy rapidly reduces pain when pressed onto the skin. Buzzy is especially helpful for children who receive shots often, like those suffering from diabetes. Buzzy can also be used for the small things, like taking splinters out! Not only is Buzzy a kid-favorite, but it’s safe, effective immediately on contact, FDA compliant, and environmentally friendly, too. *This blog post was originally published at ScienceRoll* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3656809 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 12:00:09 +0100 3656809 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560256&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F05%2Frotavirus-vaccine-led-to-decline-in-hospitalizations-for-gastroenteritis.html From the AMA Morning Rounds we find that Epidemiologist Aaron T. Curns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and his colleagues studied hospitalizations for gastroenteritis in 18 states accounting for almost 50% of the U.S. population. They compared rates for children hospitalized from 2000 to 2006 to those in the following two years. The team reported online in the Journal of Infectious Diseases that hospitalization rates for acute gastroenteritis dropped by 16% in 2007 and by 45% in 2008 compared with the earlier period. They estimated that about 55,000 hospitalizations were prevented during 2008 by the vaccinations, suggesting that the vaccine was highly effective at preventing most rotavirus cases. Seed also the CDC web page on Rotavirus (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560256 Thu, 13 May 2010 16:09:49 +0100 3560256 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499251&cid=t_107358_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FO2yp61K5EXE%2F Shortly after your baby is born, the vaccinations begin. In the first 18 months of a child’s life, most pediatricians recommend 20 different vaccinations that protect against 11 diseases. And each state has immunization requirements when children enter public schools. But should you blindly accept what is being injected into your kids? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and American Medical Association will all tell you that the slight risks of vaccinations are outweighed by the benefits. However, many parents are still questioning whether their kids need all these vaccines. Approximately one percent of children in the U.S. are not immunized. Parents worry about the mercury in Thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines, though it was removed fr... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499251 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 22:30:24 +0100 3499251 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424879&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F03%2Falmost-half-of-all-us-h1n1-vaccines-unused.html The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , "Nearly half the 163 million doses of H1N1 vaccine produced to fight the deadly flu in the United States have gone unused, and some batches have either expired or are nearing their expiration date." In Pennsylvania, "some 4.6 million doses of H1N1 vaccine have been distributed, but state officials say they don't know how many were administered, how many are still available or how many have expired." CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said, "We're developing a plan for providers on what to do with unused vaccine, and we'll be sharing that plan soon." Comment. How much of the excess was engendered by political interference?  If we can’t predict vaccine needs how can we possibly predict the increasing cost of health care? (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BL... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424879 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:34:30 +0100 3424879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362403&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F03%2Fpeace-through-vaccine-diplomacy.html In today’s journal Science, is an excellent Editorial on “Peace through Diplomacy” which  discusses the upcoming visit to Indonesia by President Obama and hopefully agreement on a Joint Vaccine Programs. The same editorial also reminds us that vaccine programs cut across battlegrounds as the Taliban working with the USA and WHO to eliminate poliomyelitis in  Afghanistan. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362403 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:52:29 +0100 3362403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3322376&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F03%2Fcdc-recommends-annual-flu-immunization.html In a press release issued on Feb 24  the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP),  expanded the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010 - 2011 influenza season. The new recommendation seeks to remove barriers to influenza immunization and signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population. The content of the Vaccine for he fall of 2010 has been modified in view of recent pandemics and sufficient doses of vaccine will be available for everyone. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3322376 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:08:33 +0100 3322376 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311699&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fcdcs-acip-recommends-universal-annual-influenza-vaccination.html A panel of immunization experts voted today (February 24, 2010) to expand the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people aged 6 months and older. The expanded recommendation is to take effect in the 2010 - 2011 influenza season. The new recommendation seeks to remove barriers to influenza immunization and signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population. More influenza vaccine doses will be required to vaccinate all adults. However, based on current projections, more licensed types and brands of seasonal influenza vaccines will be available in the 2010-11 influenza season than has ever been available before. Historically, uptake of seasonal influenza vaccine has been less than half of the number of persons with a specific recommendation... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311699 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:04:08 +0100 3311699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287758&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Finfluenza-vaccines-poor-evidence-for-effectiveness-in-elderly.html Once again another study shows evidence for the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines in the over 65s is poor, despite the fact that vaccination has been recommended for the prevention of influenza in older people for the past 40 years. These are the conclusions of a new Cochrane Systematic Review. "As the evidence on effectiveness in the elderly is so scarce at the moment, we should be looking at other strategies to complement vaccinations. Some of these are very simple things like personal hygiene, and adequate food and water," says Jefferson. "Meanwhile, we need to undertake a high quality, publicly funded trial that runs over several seasons to try to resolve some of the uncertainties we're currently facing." (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287758 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:18:34 +0100 3287758 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254469&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fsafety-of-h1n1-shots.html One in every 10,000 Californians who contracted H1N1 died, statistics from the State Department of Health show.  Out of 13 million Californians who were vaccinated for H1N1, three people died. In one case, the patient already had the flu and a streptococcus infection when vaccinated. One was a cardiac patient whose death the coroner ruled was related to pre-existing heart problems. And the final case is still being reviewed by health officials.  Comment: Yet the anti immunization activists continue to get Media space, despite study after study showing how much safer immunizations are than the diseases they control. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254469 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:45:12 +0100 3254469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248546&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fnew-malaria-vaccine-is-safe-and-protective-in-children.html From the Maryland University Center for vaccine development ( with cooperation with several other major research groups we learn that a study on effectiveness of a new vaccine against Falciparum Malaria, the most common and most dangerous strains,  appears to be successful in stimulating antibody protection as great or greater than that of adults who have survived many years of exposure to become resistant to malaria.  While this is good news for the millions of children who would otherwise die from malaria each year the international community must ensure that agricultural productivity in increased in developing countries so that further generations of children no longer killed by malaria do not survive just to die from starvation. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248546 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:11:40 +0100 3248546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338332&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=38598&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpediatricsnow.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2Fthe-wakefield-paper-retraction-a-violation-of-medical-ethics-is-always-bad-news%2F%3Futm_source%3Drss%26utm_medium%3Drss%26utm_campaign%3Dthe-wakefield-paper-retraction-a-violation-of-medical-ethics-is-always-bad-news Discussions are ongoing as to whether Wakefield should now lose his medical license, with good reason given the few facts we do know. If nothing else, one does not conduct medical research at a birthday party. Wakefield took advantage of a vulnerable group of parents. I hope as the dust settles they begin to see that, become incredibly angry and start to look at the true facts. Perhaps then, they’ll see there really are people working hard in the autism world to help their kids – and those people don’t have to conduct research at birthday parties. Related posts:Good News for Vaccines, Bad News for Toys Medical Blogging: Good or Bad? A Lesson From The Bad News Bears (Source: Dr. Gwenn Is In) Dr. Gwenn Is In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338332 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:09:57 +0100 3338332 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223304&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F01%2Fthe-swine-flu-backlash.html In the Lancet today is a valuable article on ”swine flu backlash” [Volume 375, Issue 9712, 30 Jan, 2010, Page 367] where the author considers whether the recent pandemic is the weakest on record, and how much the pharmaceutical industry and power politics caused needless waste of medical resources, engendering unnecessary fear. The author also asks “how was it that a new virus turned out on closer inspection not to be so new after all? Epidemiologists  knew it was likely to be mild almost from the beginning, but we feared that because it was ‘new’ it would spread widely and kill a lot of people by virtue of the sheer numbers infected. Comment:  It is always easy to second guess recent events, but science was overwhelmed again by politics as it was fo... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223304 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:58:02 +0100 3223304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2894520&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F10%2Fvaccinating-boys-against-human-papillomavirus-hpv-not-cost-effective.html In a new study, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that if vaccine coverage and efficacy are high in girls, a universal recommendation to vaccinate young boys is unlikely to provide comparatively good value for resources, compared with vaccinating girls only. The study was reported in the BMJ  October 9.. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2894520 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:10:47 +0100 2894520 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2824019&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F09%2Fnew-rabies-vaccine-may-require-only-a-single-shot-not-six.html ScienceDaily (Sep. 20, 2009) — A person, usually a child, dies of rabies every 20 minutes. However, only one inoculation may be all it takes for rabies vaccination, according to new research published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases by researchers at the Jefferson Vaccine Center. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2824019 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:04:53 +0100 2824019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814524&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fwhat-providers-should-consider-regarding-phrs On Friday last week, Chilmark Research participated in the session, “PHRs and EHRs, Should They Be Linked?” as part of the Health IT Stimulus Summit that was put on by Health Data Management.  With meaningful use criteria that was approved on July 16th clearly stating that providers are to provide a PHR to their customers by 2013, we thought this question to be nonsensical.  Of course PHRs and EHRs are to be linked, how else might a provider offer a PHR to their customers?  By the way, o (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814524 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:34:25 +0100 2814524 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2814436&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F09%2Ftoo-much-hype.html In an op-ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (9/17), Jim Fortenberry, MD, pediatrician-in-chief at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, discusses how, "time after time, parents are bringing children with flu symptoms to the emergency" department "when it's not an emergency." Dr. Fortenberry points out that even though the H1N1 "flu is a new strain, at present it is acting just like a mild-to-moderate case of the flu with the same type of outcomes as seasonal influenza." Therefore, he suggests that "parents take away that H1N1 label and name, and think of this as the flu." COMMENT: Overkill by the medical politicians overloads the system, time after time.  We saw the same behavior with swine flu in 1976 when the White House insisted everyone be vaccinated, yet evidence for severe outco... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2814436 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:18:35 +0100 2814436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737754&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Fhalf-of-penile-cancers-linked-to-human-papilloma-virus-hpv-infection.html Around half of all tumors [including malignant] of the penis are linked to the most common forms of the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV), suggest research published ahead of print in the Journal of Clinical Pathology. Comment: Perhaps males as well as females should be immunized against HPV. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737754 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:17:22 +0100 2737754 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2734059&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Fresearcher-questions-federal-guidelines-for-seasonal-and-swine-flu-vaccines.html New research published by Yale School of Public Health has found that more people are likely to avoid illness if vaccines are given out first to those most likely to transmit viruses, rather than to those at highest risk for complications. This research differs from current vaccination recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The Yale study appears in the August 20 issue of the journal Science online at the Science Express website, http://www.sciencemag.org/sciencexpress . (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2734059 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:04:54 +0100 2734059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719721&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Ftobacco-plants-yield-the-first-vaccine-for-the-dreaded-cruise-ship-virus.html Scientists have used a new production technology to develop a vaccine for norovirus, the unpleasant package of diarrhea and vomiting that has destroyed the costly holidays of thousands of cruise ship vacationers.  Norovirus is the second most common viral infection in the U.S. after the flu, “can spread like wildfire through passenger liners, schools, offices and military bases.” (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719721 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:38:13 +0100 2719721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2719724&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Fpush-to-expand-coverage-highlights-shortage-of-primary-care-doctors.html Scientists have used a new production technology to develop a vaccine for norovirus, the unpleasant package of diarrhea and vomiting that has destroyed the costly holidays of thousands of cruise ship vacationers.  Norovirus is the second most common viral infection in the U.S. after the flu, “can spread like wildfire through passenger liners, schools, offices and military bases.” (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2719724 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:24:31 +0100 2719724 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712134&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Fhhs-announces-delay-in-h1n1-vaccine-distribution.html ABC World News reports, "Protection against the swine flu is going to be delayed for millions of Americans. Federal officials now say that only about a third of the swine flu vaccine the country is counting on will be available by mid-October. That's when the mass vaccination campaign is scheduled to begin." Comment: It is not surprising that politically dominated decisions about medial subjects rarely pan out as intended.  The usual rush to judgment was made without adequate scientific input, or else such input was ignored, the most likely event. At the same time we must not let ourselves be diverted from ensuring that children get all the recommended current immunizations. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712134 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:40:28 +0100 2712134 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678648&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Feffective-vaccine-for-malaria-possible.html Scientists in Singapore, the Netherlands and France report that they have developed a novel immunization method that will induce fast and effective protection in humans against the life-threatening malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, which infects 350 to 500 million people world-wide and kills over one million people each year. [Protection against a Malaria Challenge by Sporozoite Inoculation. The New England Journal of Medicine, 361;5, July 30, 2009] Comment. While I hope this vaccine proves better than previous ones we must also wonder how the countries that use the vaccine will deal with the famine that may result from the increased population. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678648 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:13:13 +0100 2678648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678649&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F08%2Fwho-flu-count.html I note that the WHO Today is giving daily counts of H1N1 flu deaths WORLDWIDE, currently in the hundreds!  However they give no data for comparison of death and disability during regular flu seasons which are in the hundreds of thousands if not millions.  Neither do they compare these with the millions of deaths each year from heart disease, cancer and stroke, which are often amenable to actions by individuals.     (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678649 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:11:22 +0100 2678649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442146&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.33charts.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2009%2F05%2Fwhen-autism-divides-neighbors.html Recently Facebook connected me with some old friends from the neighborhood where I grew up.  It’s amazing to connect with friends who have been out of reach for so long.  But social networking can uncover some real differences. Last week I commented on Jenny McCarthy video that pokes fun at her anti-vaccine agenda.  Some of my Twitter posts feed into Facebook.  This was picked up by one of my childhood neighbors who I learned has a son with autism.  She took real offense to my link and sent along a message making her position clear. While I felt bad that I may have been insensitive, I found myself in a strange position: Do I temper my contempt for the anti-vaccine movement in the face of a friend with an autistic child who may feel passionate about a conne... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442146 Fri, 22 May 2009 02:34:34 +0100 2442146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2353910&cid=t_107358_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fmayo-microsoft-big-name-collaboration-even-more-potential-come Mayo Clinic and Microsoft are today launching a combined product called the Mayo Clinic Health Manager (and they’ll be showing it Thursday 23rd at the Health 2.0 Meets Ix conference). (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2353910 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:02:19 +0100 2353910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2285193&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F03%2Fnew_methods_of_delivering_vacc.html From ScienceDaily researcher from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has developed a new oral vaccine using probiotics, the healthy bacteria that are found in dairy products like yogurt and cheese. He has successfully used the approach in a preclinical study to create immunity to anthrax exposure. He also is using the method to develop a breast cancer vaccine and vaccines for various infectious diseases. This new generation vaccine has big benefits beyond eliminating the "Ouch!" factor. Delivering the vaccine to the gut -- rather than injecting it into a muscle -- harnesses the full power of the body's primary immune force, which is located in the small intestine. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2285193 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:01:35 +0100 2285193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190430&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F02%2Flandmark_court_ruling_refutes.html A special federal court declared that vaccines are not to blame for autism. The court ruled there was little if any evidence to support claims of a vaccine-autism link. One special master who decided the case called the evidence "weak, contradictory and unpersuasive." While the special court expressed sympathy for the claims of the three families who brought the case, pediatricians welcomed the news. "Hopefully this decision will put an end to this sad chapter in the search for the cause and treatment of autism spectrum disorders," says Leonard Rappaport MD, MS, chief of the Division of Developmental Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190430 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:54:30 +0100 2190430 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2187728&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2009%2F02%2Fwakefield-and-the-fall-of-the-vaccineautism-connection.html It’s been a tough week for he anti-vaccine movement.  Mounting evidence of fraudulent manipulation of data by Andrew Wakefield has all but put the light out on the MMR autism connection.  The U.S. Court of Federal Claims put the kibosh on the compensation of thousands of families by the U.S. government when it found no evidence linking vaccines with autism.  And over at Age of Autism, anger is advancing to bargaining and acceptance like the Kubler-Ross progression of a terminally ill patient.  Gone are the glory days of thimerosal.  And what’s become of the man who started it all? The emasculated Andy Wakefield, unable to practice medicine in the U.K., has taken safe refuge at the Thoughtful House in Austin where Texas law allows him onl... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2187728 Sat, 14 Feb 2009 19:25:45 +0100 2187728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2077769&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2009%2F01%2Fus-news-and-world-report-fuels-anti-vaccine-agenda.html If you are interested in understanding how the anti-vaccine movement works to influence the minds of concerned parents you have to go no further than Deborah Kotz’s post in the US News and World Report Blog, On Medicine.  This week she posted commentary on Dr. Paul Offit’s recent deconstruction of the Sears alternate vaccine schedule as published in The Vaccine Book. In his article, “The Problem with Dr. Bob’s Vaccine Schedule,” published in Pediatrics Dr. Offit constructs a systematic breakdown of the Sears “alternate vaccine schedule” with references and explains in plain terms how Dr. Bob Sears’ book misinforms parents.  Most importantly, the article details with extensive references why the Sears “alternate vaccine schedule” is dangerous for children.&#... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2077769 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:21:16 +0100 2077769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074056&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2009%2F01%2Fus-news-and-world-report-fuels-anti-vaccine-agenda.html If you are interested in understanding how the anti-vaccine movement works to influence the minds of concerned parents you have to go no further than Deborah Kotz’s post in the US News and World Report Blog, On Medicine.  This week she posted commentary on Dr. Paul Offit’s recent deconstruction of the Sears alternate vaccine schedule as published in The Vaccine Book. In his article, “The Problem with Dr. Bob’s Vaccine Schedule,” published in Pediatrics Dr. Offit constructs a systematic breakdown of the Sears “alternate vaccine schedule” with references and explains in plain terms how Dr. Bob Sears’ book misinforms parents.  Most importantly, the article details with extensive references why the Sears “alternate vaccine schedule” is dangerous for children.&#... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074056 Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:21:16 +0100 2074056 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074057&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F12%2Fthe-public-evisceration-of-dr-bob-sears-a-sign-of-change.html After having the chance to fully review Dr. Paul Offit’s carefully crafted analysis of The Vaccine Book, I can’t help but think that the American Academy of Pediatrics may be on to something.  More than a humiliating exposure of how Sears has misrepresented vaccine science, Offit’s beautifully written piece represents an AAP endorsed, frontline offensive on a very popular, very visible medical family on the front pages of its journal, Pediatrics.  As an organization prone to neutrality, this represents a fundamental change in the way of handling the growing assault on vaccines.  I might suggest that a piece like Dr. Offit’s may never have seen the pages of an AAP publication as recently as five years ago.  This is progress. While careful, thorough dissect... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074057 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:50:00 +0100 2074057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074058&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F12%2Foffit-takes-on-the-sears-vaccine-schedule.html It looks as though Dr. Paul Offit is finally going to the head of the beast by taking on Dr. Robert Sears' "alternate" vaccine schedule as detailed in "The Vaccine Book."  In a harshly worded review of the Sears book, Offit apparently makes the argument that the alternative vaccine schedule for infants and toddlers is flawed, misguided, and puts children at significant risk of preventable diseases.  Wow, and I thought the fireworks weren't until New Years Eve. WebMD got to the key players in a well-done piece you can find here.  The most entertaining part of the article is watching Dr. Bob try to have it both ways as a pediatrician interested in increasing immunization rates while simultaneously pandering to the base that buys his books.&#0160... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074058 Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:41:04 +0100 2074058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2067679&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F5ZMkWnSt7HQ%2F Seems a pity that, on seeing the words “top 10 unfounded health scares,” the first thing I thought about was……….vaccines and autism. Many speak of a “debate” about an alleged vaccine-autism link and that there’s a “controversy” brewing here, but it’s a false controversy. 2008 saw the publication of more studies refuting a link, and yet there’s been a call for more studies—-among the $1 billion in research initiatives noted in the Strategic Plan of the IACC is an item about the “different health outcomes in vaccinated, unvaccinated and alternatively-vaccinated groups”—so it’s not as if this particular topic is going to go away. Sometimes, one starts to wonder, will this particular topic eve... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2067679 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:41:50 +0100 2067679 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065374&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FwRDVkZ1yWrs%2F The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) has issued a list of Top 10 Unfounded Health Scares of 2008 and take a wild guess about one item, specifically #8……. it involves autism and a word that starts with a ……………………..v. Stumped? Hint: Something involving “greening.” Hint: Something involving a certain former MTV starlet. Yeah, it’s something that gets brought up too much in discussions about autism, namely, the hypothesis, unsupported by the scientific evidence, that vaccines can be linked to autism. Here’s the ACSH’s bottom line: Not only are childhood vaccines safe, they are necessary to protect both individual children and the larger population from dangerous diseases. Despite the ever-pre... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065374 Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:02 +0100 2065374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052839&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FccVGdnlzW9A%2F We do not, as I’ve noted from time to time, have a TV set—a fact which, when I happened to mention it to my students a while back, completely shocked them. “What do you do?” they sputtered. The class was my Elementary Latin class and it was one of those “teachable moments” when I could have launched into a discussion about “how did the Romans spend their free time” and “what about those giadiator fights.” It was the week before exams and we had so much to review and so I let the moment past, and got back to the fourth conjugation of verbs. Apparently I’d made an impression on my students, as they brought up the not-having-a-tv business a couple of times (mostly, I suspect, to avoid having to think about that inevitable entit... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052839 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 08:23:07 +0100 2052839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2010814&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F12%2Fchildhood_vaccines_cause_finan.html The costs that health care providers are charged and reimbursed for childhood vaccines vary widely, and the high cost of some immunizations is leading to significant financial strain for some physicians, according to a pair of new studies from the University of Michigan Health System. The studies found that the price-per-dose of one brand of hepatitis B vaccine, for example, ranged from $4.26 to $13.06 at different medical practices. Reimbursements of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine ranged from $16.77 to $59.02. Many physicians in the survey expressed dissatisfaction with the price and reimbursement levels of vaccines. While few physicians in the survey indicated that they had considered no longer providing all vaccines to privately insured children (11 percent overall; 5 perc... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2010814 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:56:36 +0100 2010814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2006555&cid=t_107358_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Funderstanding-biologics-how-they-differ-from-drugs-and-why-they-cost-more%2F Many of our readers either already have or will in the future encounter the possibility of being treated with a biologic medication. This is because biologics have revolutionized the treatment of such chronic illnesses as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, and are widely used in treating a variety of cancers. To name just a few, these products include Enbrel, Humira, Remicade (infliximab), Avonex (inteferon beta-1a), Betaseron (interferon beta-1b), Tysabri, Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Herceptin (trastuzumab), Rituxan (rituximab), Neupogen (filgrastim), Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) and Leukine (sargramostim). So just what are biologics, how do they differ from more traditional drugs, and why are they so expensive?Although some b... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2006555 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:06:00 +0100 2006555 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1996401&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FZIwO-tSz2KY%2F Patternicity. It’s a term that refers to “the tendency to find meaningful patterns in meaningless noise,” as noted by Michael Shermer in the November Scientific American: Traditionally, scientists have treated patternicity as an error in cognition. A type I error, or a false positive, is believing something is real when it is not (finding a nonexistent pattern). A type II error, or a false negative, is not believing something is real when it is (not recognizing a real pattern—call it “apatternicity”). However, as Shermer notes, we don’t have a “Baloney Detection Network in the brain to distinguish between true and false patterns”—-patternicity does seem to be at work when it comes to theories of autism causation. There’s no doubt that s... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1996401 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:02:57 +0100 1996401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1984965&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FzJHFMdRw6TM%2F Towards the end of a review of Dr. Paul Offit’s book Autism False Prophets: Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure in today’s Washington Times, Malcom A. Kline writes: This writer recently heard a social worker warn the parents of autistic children to avoid certain doctor’s offices “where 90 percent of the children come out with an autism diagnosis.” What is even less widely known, though, is the degree to which the autism spectrum has expanded on the other end — the more severe cases. Now what’s going on at those “certain doctor’s offices”? Is it that said doctor is particularly attentive to parents seeking an autism diagnosis for a child, as they know that such a diagnosis can come with more services? Is there some&#... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1984965 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:50:14 +0100 1984965 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1868572&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FkutojrHLPQk%2F Jim noted to me last night that the stock market is now pretty much back to where it was around the time Charlie was born. Having spent the past ten days writing about vaccines and autism for the Science Blogs Book Club, it’s occurred to me that the whole vaccine-autism issue has been part of, and even dominated, public discussion about autism for most of Charlie’s life. It was in 1998 that Dr. Andrew Wakefield announced that he had found the cause of autism—-the MMR vaccine—and launched far more than a thousand discussions, diatribes, and disputed claims. 10 years, 11 years and counting of a good life with our boy. Tags: andrew wakefield, asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, disabilities blog, disability, economic crisis, Education, Health, immunizations, mercury, m... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1868572 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:25:17 +0100 1868572 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825622&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F09%2Fantivax-warrior.html Today Jenny McCarthy had center stage on the Oprah Show once again promulgating misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiment.  Ms. McCarthy’s appearance as a self-appointed expert on vaccines and autism conveniently coincides with the appearance of her latest book, Mother Warriors.  And while she can no longer lay the foundation of her assault against vaccines on the merits of the thimerisol argument, Ms. McCarthy used her network pulpit to take aim against the latest autism culprit:  the vaccine schedule. Beyond Ms. McCarthy’s ideas on how the CDC should be operating, the Oprah website is hosting a “Jenny McCarthy Autism Q&A.” Everything from “glucose allergies” to her recommended prescription medications for Candida are detailed with the requisite disclaimer ... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825622 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:39:53 +0100 1825622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1824448&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F09%2Fmothers_flu_shot_protects_newb.html SEATTLE A team of researchers led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reports online toda: y in the Journal of Clinical Oncology the validation of a potential "HIV-test" equivalent for the early detection of lung cancer. The test, which relies on immune-system signals, much like an HIV test, can detect the presence of lung cancer a year prior to diagnosis, long before symptoms appear. "This kind of immune response won't necessarily kill the tumor, but it can act as a canary in a coal mine, signaling lung cancer at an early stage, before actual symptoms emerge," said Hanash, head of the Molecular Diagnostic Program in the Public Health Sciences Division at the Hutchinson Center. "It is an important step toward developing a biomarker-based blood test for the early detection of lung can... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1824448 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:29:42 +0100 1824448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1815099&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F09%2Fmothers_flu_shot_protects_newb.html SEATTLE A team of researchers led by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reports online toda: y in the Journal of Clinical Oncology the validation of a potential "HIV-test" equivalent for the early detection of lung cancer. The test, which relies on immune-system signals, much like an HIV test, can detect the presence of lung cancer a year prior to diagnosis, long before symptoms appear. "This kind of immune response won't necessarily kill the tumor, but it can act as a canary in a coal mine, signaling lung cancer at an early stage, before actual symptoms emerge," said Hanash, head of the Molecular Diagnostic Program in the Public Health Sciences Division at the Hutchinson Center. "It is an important step toward developing a biomarker-based blood test for the early detection of lung can... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815099 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:29:42 +0100 1815099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1742733&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F08%2Fvaccinate-your.html This month Every Child By Two launched a new site, Vaccinate Your Baby. As someone fed up with a web filled with self-proclaimed vaccine authorities, it'€™s refreshing to see private resources allocated to such a beautifully designed and dead-on accurate site. Under the direction of some of the country's most esteemed pediatric infectious disease experts, this site does it right. From overburdening the immune system to thimerisol, the facts are spelled out in plain english. And check out the Research & Studies page - loads of links to the spades of data that dispel the quackery pervading the media. Note to self: Send my patients to Vaccinate Your Baby. (Source: Parenting Solved) Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1742733 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 06:00:00 +0100 1742733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1664354&cid=t_107358_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F349618567%2F Here’s a familiar one for parents of autistic kids: Doctors and Patients, Now At Odds, the July 29th New York Times’s trumpets. Jim and I  do have our arsenal of just really terrible, not happening, not helpful, stories with pediatricians, child psychiatrists, neurologists, an immunologist, the psychologist who was on the team that diagnosed Charlie, and the ENT who told not-quite-2-year-old Charlie “adios.” Then there’s been the pediatric neurologist we drive almost two hours a couple times a year to see. He listens, he observes, he and Jim and I have a conversation (he inevitably mentions his own kids), he fiddles and gets distracted and asks questions and we get distracted; he makes a passing comment that’s just enough outside the box so we know that... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1664354 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:56:17 +0100 1664354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1595922&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F07%2Fnational_vaccine_advisory_comm.html Vaccinating infants and toddlers is an almost universal practice in the United States. Vaccines to prevent flu are a regular part of medical care for senior citizens and at-risk patients. But, according to a study published in the August 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the US healthcare system is not very effective in getting vaccines to the adolescent population. The traditional role of the primary care physician to administer vaccines may not be effective for adolescents, who tend to enter the healthcare system only for acute problems. Additional healthcare settings that can provide additional access include pharmacies, family planning and sexually transmitted infection clinics, obstetrician–gynecologist offices, emergency departments, teen clinics and health... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1595922 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:06:59 +0100 1595922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1577294&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F07%2Fparents-magazin.html I don’t see this every day: a major publication devoting significant space to tell parents precisely why children need vaccinations. Reference Parents Magazine and their July 2008 feature, Why Babies Need Shots. Their interview with Dr. Ari Brown also offers real answers to real questions. Refreshing really when you consider how often the main stream media supports the loud voice of a misinformed anti-vaccine minority peddling fear and conspiracy theories. Hats off to Parents Magazine for using their valuable platform to help advocate for children. (Source: Parenting Solved) Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1577294 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:25:51 +0100 1577294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1472744&cid=t_107358_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fshingles-reduce-your-risk-with-vaccination%2F Shingles is a painful rash caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, and there are about 1 million episodes of it in the United States every year. If you’ve ever had chicken pox, you are at risk for developing shingles – and your risk increases with age, especially over the age of 50 and increasing thereafter. Recently issued guidelines are now recommending immunization for all individuals over the age of 60 with a vaccine designed to prevent shingles, even if they’ve previously had an episode of shingles and even if they have a chronic medical illness. The vaccine has been available in the United States since May of 2006 and is called Zostavax. It is made using the same virus that’s in the chicken pox vaccine, which is routinely given to children and has been in use since ... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1472744 Tue, 27 May 2008 20:11:07 +0100 1472744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1439546&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F05%2Fmeasles-on-the.html Measles is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control reports 64 measles cases between January and April 2008, the highest number in recent years. Declining immunization rates and immigration are felt to be responsible and this has created the setting for a major outbreak. Britain is experiencing its worst outbreak in 20 years. London's Daily Mail blames the Andrew Wakefield and his debunked vaccine claims which resulted in an 80% plummet in MMR vaccinations. While the autism-vaccine connection has been disproven repeatedly, the prophets of the anti-vaccine movement are too caught up in their own opinions to understand that measles actually kills children. Consider this: Before introduction of measles vaccination in 1963, approximately 3 to 4 million suffered with measles annually in... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1439546 Tue, 13 May 2008 05:05:00 +0100 1439546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1368369&cid=t_107358_127_f&fid=34828&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrclouthier.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fmumps-break-out-in-highly-immunized.html Much like the Pertussis outbreak in Washington, DC in the late 90's, we have another example of immunizations not doing there job. There are more stories just like this around, you just have to look for them. Don't just accept what your pediatrician or family says you should do with regard to immunizations. Make sure you educate yourself and make your own decisions. (Source: Dr. Steve Clouthier) Dr. Steve Clouthier blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1368369 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 19:17:00 +0100 1368369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1363604&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F04%2Fmumps_resurgence.html Since Mumps vaccine was introduced there has been a significant drop in new cases, as seen in this graph. However in 2006 a resurgence of mumps ocurred in the upper central USA. There was only moderate uptake of a second dose of mumps vaccine putting adolescents and young adults at risk. This shows a similar pattern to the Measles outbreak in South Texas twenty years ago which lead to recommendation of a second dose of vaccine in middle school. The difference was that 98%+ of the Texas students had received their vaccine dose as recommended. This was not the case with the mumps vaccine. Part of the problem is anxiety anong parents about supposed ill effects from vaccines, grossly overestimated but pushed by the media for its value as a scary story. Future studies will help to evaluate the... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1363604 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:02:44 +0100 1363604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1310998&cid=t_107358_127_f&fid=34828&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdrclouthier.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fvaccinations-or-no-vaccinations-that-is.html The following post is no substitute for the advice of a licensed professional or for your own education. It is in no way intended to sway or direct a reader to make any particular choice regarding immunizations and vaccinations. The information contained here is for the purpose of education and is not in any way a conveyance of advice of specific treatment.Link 1Link 2Link 3Link 4I have not included many pro vaccination links because this is the information that is regularly churned out by the medical associations and public health agencies. You can get lots of information on TV, Radio, and billboards if you would like it. (Source: Dr. Steve Clouthier) Dr. Steve Clouthier blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1310998 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:27:00 +0100 1310998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1295918&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2008%2F03%2Fautism_and_vaccines.html With all the concern about autism and John McCain injecting himself into the debate, politics takes another low road. Politicians will do anything to get a few extra votes. The problem occurs when a rare incident is used as representing a common occurrence. Clinical investigation and analysis is a difficult enough task to perform properly. My belief is that less than 10%, probably a lot less, of published articles meet good scientific evidence. If this is the case among careful educated scientists, how on earth can we expect laymen to understand all the ins and outs of such research. Then we have the lawyers and activists who rush in and say "You haven't proved nothing happened". There is no way to prove the absence of an effect, only its presence. Study after study, performed at great eff... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1295918 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:48:49 +0100 1295918 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1284898&cid=t_107358_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fsenator-john-mccain-and-healthcare-way-off-base-on-vaccines-mercury-and-autism%2F Senator John McCain’s recent comments providing support to the incorrect notion that childhood vaccines might be associated with autism are not just wrong, but completely irresponsible. Such pandering should be left to political issues and not to medical ones. The facts are these: • Mercury (from the preservative thimerosal) was removed from all the routine pediatric vaccines in 2001 (the last remaining batches manufactured before that expired in 2003) • Autism rates did not go down after that, in fact, they have gone up So even if we were to postulate that there had been a causal association between mercury in vaccines and autism (which many studies have definitively refuted), it would not be relevant today. It’s a moot point. This is why his comments are irresponsible. Because th... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1284898 Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:47:40 +0100 1284898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1283670&cid=t_107358_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Fsenator-john-mccain-is-way-off-base-on-vaccines-mercury-and-autism%2F Senator John McCain’s recent comments providing support to the incorrect notion that childhood vaccines might be associated with autism are not just wrong, but completely irresponsible. Such pandering should be left to political issues and not to medical ones. The facts are these: • Mercury (from the preservative thimerosal) was removed from all the routine pediatric vaccines in 2001 (the last remaining batches manufactured before that expired in 2003) • Autism rates did not go down after that, in fact, they have gone up So even if we were to postulate that there had been a causal association between mercury in vaccines and autism (which many studies have definitively refuted), it would not be relevant today. It’s a moot point. This is why his comments are irresponsible. Because t... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1283670 Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:40:24 +0100 1283670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1191604&cid=t_107358_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fzimney%2Feli-stone-abc-drama-premieres-misleading-program-linking-vaccines-and-autism%2F In a move that has already ignited a firestorm of criticism from doctors’ groups, ABC still plans to premiere its new legal drama “Eli Stone” tonight (January 31, 2008) in which a mother, whose child allegedly developed autism after receiving a mercury-containing vaccine, wins a $5.2 million dollar lawsuit against a fictional drug company. The show’s premise is based on a long-standing belief held by childhood immunization critics that thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative, formerly used in vaccines, is a primary cause of autism in children. There are just two basic problems with this. First, countless medical studies have failed to show any link between vaccination and autism. But let’s say you don’t care about scientific studies or just don’t believe them. Well, the ... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1191604 Thu, 31 Jan 2008 19:39:32 +0100 1191604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1187132&cid=t_107358_123_f&fid=34778&url=http%3A%2F%2Fparentingsolved.typepad.com%2Fparenting_solved%2F2008%2F01%2Fwalt-disney-ass.html Walt Disney it would seem is having a tough time of it when it comes to credibility with parents. Last year it was the Baby Einstein kerfuffle. This year they’re in hot water with the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you haven’t heard, their problems surround Eli Stone, a new legal drama making its debut on ABC January 31st. Apparently the attorney title character in some sort of crisis of conscience represents the family of an autistic child seeking vaccine related damages. As you can only imagine, the jury awards the plaintiff $5.2 million. Just for grins, listen to the closing arguments Attorney Stone makes to the jury: “Is there proof that mercuritol causes autism? Yes. Is that proof direct or incontrovertible proof? No. But ask yourself if you’ve ever believed in anything o... Parenting Solved blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1187132 Wed, 30 Jan 2008 05:21:32 +0100 1187132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1054019&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F11%2Fcholera_can_be_controlled_with.html Endemic cholera, a potentially fatal diarrheal disease found in the world's most impoverished countries, could be effectively controlled by orally vaccinating half of the affected populations once every two years for only pennies per dose, according to new findings by an international team of researchers led by Ira M. Longini Jr., Ph.D., a biostatistician in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1054019 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:29:49 +0100 1054019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1024149&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F11%2Fvaccine_effectiveness.html From JAMA today: A greater than 92% decline in cases and a 99% or greater decline in deaths due to diseases prevented by vaccines recommended before 1980 were shown for diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, and tetanus. Endemic transmission of poliovirus and measles and rubella viruses has been eliminated in the United States; smallpox has been eradicated worldwide. Declines were 80% or greater for cases and deaths of most vaccine-preventable diseases targeted since 1980 including hepatitis A, acute hepatitis B, Hib, and varicella. Declines in cases and deaths of invasive S pneumoniae were 34% and 25%, respectively. [Sandra W. Roush, MT, MPH; Trudy V. Murphy, MD; and the Vaccine-Preventable Disease Table Working Group-JAMA. 2007;298(18):2155-2163.] (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1024149 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:16:40 +0100 1024149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=976270&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F10%2Fprojected_supply_of_pandemic_i.html According to the latest report from the WHO Recent scientific advances and increased vaccine manufacturing capacity have prompted experts to increase their projections of how many pandemic influenza vaccine courses can be made available in the coming years. Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research at WHO, said today. "However, although this is significant progress, it is still far from the 6.7 billion immunization courses that would be needed in a six month period to protect the whole world." If we have to wait until six months after a pandemic is declared the majority of susceptible people will have had the flu. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=976270 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:54:20 +0100 976270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=938609&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F10%2Fanthrax_vaccine_and_antitoxin.html The new study, led by Scripps Research scientists was recently published in PLoS Pathogens*. "The new anti-anthrax agent that we developed is an important and potentially critical development for anyone who works with the bacterium or those who might be exposed to it in a bioterrorism attack," Schneemann said. "While other strategies are being pursued to develop improved anthrax vaccines, none of these offer the distinct advantage of combining the function of a vaccine with a potent antitoxin." (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=938609 Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:07:25 +0100 938609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=788044&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F08%2Funderinsured_children_may_be_m.html In Today's JAMA there are articles and editorials about access to immunization. Among the snippets is the following: "New vaccines recommended for children have doubled in the past five years and the cost to fully vaccinate a child -- about $1,170 -- is 7.5-times higher in 2007 than it was in 1995." The research was based a survey of "state immunization program managers in 48 states from January to June 2006." (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=788044 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:14:05 +0100 788044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=542982&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F04%2Fphysicians_may_be_unable_to_of.html The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is alarmed that the soaring costs of vaccines. Often payments are below the cost of the vaccine. Gardasil, the new cervical cancer vaccine, costs physicians $360 for the recommended series of three doses per person. RotaTeq, the vaccine against diarrhea-causing rotavirus, costs $190 for the recommended three doses. Even the routine measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine costs $86 for the recommended two doses. In addition to the cost of the vaccine, additional costs of ordering, storing, inventory control, insurance and spoilage expenses need to be considered. Once more the long term effects of law suits are interferring with good medical care. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=542982 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:40:34 +0100 542982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=542987&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F04%2Fcontrolling_poliomyelitis_in_i.html From Imperial College. London a new monovalent vaccine against type 1 polio has been developed. Type1 is the most prevalent polio virus in India. To get 80% protection against this virus needs 14 doses of the current vaccine. The new vaccine will give the same results with 3 shots! (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=542987 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:14:40 +0100 542987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=526123&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F04%2Flife_saving_treatment_or_giant.html IS HPV really worth the current furore. The article this week in the BMJ [Coombes R:2007;334:721-723] is worth reading for highlighting unanswered questions in the international rush to immunize. Has Merck had too much influence? Is the science clear enough for a vaccine that has only had a 5 year trial but is proprosed for all females? (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=526123 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:17:08 +0100 526123 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=508680&cid=t_107358_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2007%2F03%2Fone_more_vaccine_for_the_senio.html From this week's NEJM [Volume 356:1338-1343 March 29, 2007 Number 13] is a recommendation for that a single dose of the Zoster vaccine be universally administered to persons over 60, provided there is no contraindication. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=508680 Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:14:00 +0100 508680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=551309&cid=t_107358_140_f&fid=35479&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarhousewife.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fgetting-some-sleep.html . . . finally!My son got the immunization that he was supposed to have gotten on Monday, and now I can stop losing sleep over it. I really hate when he has to get shots, partly because I have to stand there helplessly while someone injures my boy, and partly because I never know what kind of reaction he will have afterward. Will there be fevers, pains, fussiness, lack of appetite? I don't know. And it could make my week a lot tougher, caring for him and trying to care for myself in the meantime. Well, it went fine. He got a lollipop and all was well. He has had soreness and lack of appetite, but that's about all. Some Tylenol and he's fine. I hate hearing him cry and even beg for medicine, it just seems very sad. And I feel like an evil witch for having subjected him to such torture quite ... The Bipolar Housewife Experiment blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=551309 Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:45:00 +0100 551309