MedWorm: Bird Flu (H5N1 Avian Influenza) Vaccine

Scientists call for curbs on own research on deadly bird flu virus

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0100

Virus experts in the US say outbreak of genetically engineered bird flu could be worst influenza pandemic in historyA group of the leading virus experts in the US has called for new, permanent restrictions on research in the face of a new genetically engineered flu virus that could kill half the population of the world.Scientists are currently observing a 60-day moratorium on research into the bird flu virus, after two groups found a way to make it infectious through airborne transmission.An outbreak of this virus could be worse than the 1918 Spanish flu that killed tens of millions of people, warned Michael Osterholm – who has led research into previous dangerous outbreaks – at a public meeting on censorship in science in New York on Thursday night."Frankly, I don't want a virus out t...

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Neurologic adverse events following influenza A (H1N1) vaccinations in children

Pediatrics International — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Post‐vaccine NAEs were mainly motor weakness due to poly‐neuropathy, which had a good prognosis of complete improvement within a few months without sequelae.© 2012 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2012 Japan Pediatric Society (Source: Pediatrics International)

Influenza Vaccination in the Face of Immune Exhaustion: Is Herd Immunity Effective for Protecting the Elderly?

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:22:18 +0100

At the start of the 21st century, seasonal influenza virus infection is still a major public health concern across the world. The recent body of evidence confirms that trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIVs) are not optimal within the population who account for approximately 90% of all influenza-related death: elderly and chronically ill individuals regardless of age. With the ever increasing aging of the world population and the recent fears of any pandemic influenza rife, great efforts and resources have been dedicated to developing more immunogenic vaccines and strategies for enhancing protection in these higher-risk groups. This paper describes the mechanisms that shape immune response at the extreme ages of life and how they have been taken into account to design more effe...

The role of nuclear technologies in the diagnosis and control of livestock diseases—a review

Tropical Animal Health and Production — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:54:44 +0100

Abstract Nuclear and nuclear-related technologies have played an important role in animal health, particularly in relation to disease diagnosis and characterization of pathogenic organisms. This review focuses primarily on how and where nuclear technologies, both non-isotopic and isotopic methods, have made their impact in the past and where it might be expected they could have an impact in the future. The review outlines the extensive use of radiation attenuation in attempts to create vaccines for a multiplicity of pathogenic organisms and how the technology is being re-examined in the light of recent advances in irradiation techniques and cryopreservation/lyophilization that might obviate some of the problems of maintenance of viable, attenuate vaccines and their transpo...

Full-length characterization and phylogenetic analysis of hemagglutinin gene of H9N2 virus isolated from broilers in Iran during 1998–2007

Comparative Clinical Pathology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:26:50 +0100

Abstract H9N2 avian influenza A viruses (AIV) have become panzootic in Eurasia over the last decade and are endemic in Iran since 1998, and inactivated vaccine has been used in chickens to control the disease. The hemagglutinin (HA), one of eight protein-coding genes, plays an important role during the early stage of infection. To study their evolution and zoonotic potential, we conducted an in silico analysis of H9N2 viruses that have infected broiler in Tehran Province, Iran between 1998 and 2007. The complete coding region of HA genes from nine H9N2 subtypes isolated from chicken flocks in Tehran Province during 1998–2007 was amplified and sequenced. Sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies of H9N2 subtype viruses on the basis of data of 9 viruses in this study and ...

Notice to Readers: Revised Estimates of the Public Health Impact of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccination [From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

JAMA — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

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Bird flu scientists suspend work amid epidemic fears

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:07:42 +0100

Researchers announce 60-day suspension to allow debate about security of their attempts to prevent spread of virusScientists trying to prevent bird flu from killing millions of people have suspended their work because of fears they might accidentally cause the epidemic they hope to stop, according to a letter published on Friday in scientific journals.Researchers from around the world signed a letter in the Nature and Science journals in which they announced a 60-day suspension to allow a public debate about the security of their work.The letter comes after developments in the study of bird flu in which scientists have created a similar virus that can be passed between mammals.Bird flu can only be caught by humans from birds such as chickens but it is usually lethal. Scientists fear that b...

Protective efficacy of an H1N1 cold-adapted live vaccine against the 2009 pandemic H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H5N1 influenza viruses in mice.

Antiviral Research — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Shi J, Wen Z, Guo J, Zhang Y, Deng G, Shu Y, Wang D, Jiang Y, Kawaoka Y, Bu Z, Chen H Abstract Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing influenza virus infections. Here, we generated a reassortant virus (SC/AAca) containing the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes from a 2009 pandemic influenza virus A/Sichuan/1/2009 (H1N1) (SC/09) and six internal genes from the cold-adapted virus A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) (AAca). The SC/AAca reassortant induced a sound humoral immune response and complete protection against homologous SC/09 virus challenge in mice after intranasal administration of an at least 10(6) 50% egg infectious dose (EID(50)) of SC/AAca. SC/AAca inoculation also induced significant CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and provided solid protection against heterologou...

Influenza Virus Resistance to Neuraminidase Inhibitors: Implications for Treatment

Current Infectious Disease Reports — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:14:02 +0100

Abstract Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are the two main Neuraminidase inhibitors used for the treatment of Influenza. Oseltamivir resistance has been identified in non-pandemic influenza viruses, as well as H1N1 pandemic Influenza A viruses. Resistance is associated with increased morbidity, and poorer outcomes in severely immunocompromised hosts. Newer neuraminidase inhibitors, increased vaccination and combination therapy may be alternatives for the treatment of Influenza in this setting. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Upper Respiratory, Head, and Neck Infections ( I. Brook, Section Editor)Pages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11908-012-0236-xAuthors Shivanjali Shankaran, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23249, USAGonzalo M. L. Bearm...

Safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent MF59(®)-adjuvanted A/H1N1 vaccine in HIV-infected children and young adults.

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: One dose of MF59-adjuvanted vaccine was sufficient to provide adequate levels of seroprotection against A/H1N1 influenza disease in HIV-positive children. However, a two-dose vaccination schedule may be optimal for this population. PMID: 22261282 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biologicals : Journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization)

Recombinant protein vaccines produced in insect cells.

Vaccine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cox MM Abstract The baculovirus-insect cell expression system is well known as tool for the production of complex proteins. The technology is also used for commercial manufacture of various veterinary and human vaccines. This review paper provides an overview of how this technology can be applied to produce a multitude of vaccine candidates. The key advantage of this recombinant protein manufacturing platform is that a universal "plug and play" process may be used for producing a broad range of protein-based prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for both human and veterinary use while offering the potential for low manufacturing costs. Large scale mammalian cell culture facilities previously established for the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies that have now become ob...

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A cell-based backup to speed up pandemic influenza vaccine production.

Trends in Microbiology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee MS, Hu AY Abstract Influenza vaccines are currently produced through egg-based methods, with one drawback being that this system is slow to respond to the surging global demand during an influenza pandemic. Alternative influenza vaccine production strategies, such as using a cell-based strategy, should be considered in pandemic situations. PMID: 22257962 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Trends in Microbiology)

Adjuvanticity of compound polysaccharides on chickens against Newcastle disease and avian influenza vaccine.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, appropriate dose of APS-sEPS may be a safe and efficacious immune stimulator candidate suitable for vaccines. PMID: 22266329 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules)

A Novel Vaccine Using Nanoparticle Platform to Present Immunogenic M2e against Avian Influenza Infection

Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:11:41 +0100

Using peptide nanoparticle technology, we have designed two novel vaccine constructs representing M2e in monomeric (Mono-M2e) and tetrameric (Tetra-M2e) forms. Groups of specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens were immunized intramuscularly with Mono-M2e or Tetra-M2e with and without an adjuvant. Two weeks after the second boost, chickens were challenged with 107.2 EID50 of H5N2 low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus. M2e-specific antibody responses to each of the vaccine constructs were tested by ELISA. Vaccinated chickens exhibited increased M2e-specific IgG responses for each of the constructs as compared to a non-vaccinated group. However, the vaccine construct Tetra-M2e elicited a significantly higher antibody response when it was used with an adjuvant. On the other hand, virus ...

Influenza viruses and cross-reactivity in healthy adults: Humoral and cellular immunity induced by seasonal 2007/2008 influenza vaccination against vaccine antigens and 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic influenza virus.

Vaccine — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Iorio AM, Bistoni O, Galdiero M, Lepri E, Camilloni B, Russano AM, Neri M, Basileo M, Spinozzi F Abstract We analyzed humoral and cellular immune responses against vaccine antigens and the new A(H1N1) virus in healthy adults before and after immunization with the 2007/2008 commercially available trivalent subunit MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine during the Fall 2007, prior to the emergence of the new virus. Antibody titers were significantly boosted only against the three vaccine antigens. Seasonal vaccination boosted pre-existing cellular responses upon stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells not only with the homologous three vaccine antigens, but also with the heterologous new 2009 A(H1N1) and with a highly conserved peptide present in the stalk region of hem...

Cloned cDNA of A/swine/Iowa/15/1930 internal genes as a candidate backbone for reverse genetics vaccine against influenza A viruses.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this report, the internal genes from rg1930 were used for construction of reverse genetics viruses carrying a cleavage site-modified hemagglutinin (HA) gene and neuraminidase (NA) gene from a highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. The resulting virus (rg1930H5N1) was low pathogenic in vivo. Inactivated rg1930H5N1 vaccine completely protected chickens from morbidity and mortality after challenge with highly pathogenic H5N1. Protective immunity was obtained when chickens were immunized with an inactivated vaccine consisting of at least 2(9) HA units of the rg1930H5N1 virus. In comparison to the PR8-based reverse genetics viruses carrying the same HA and NA genes from an H5N1 virus, rg1930 based viruses yielded higher viral titers in MDCK and Vero cells. In addition, the reverse genetics derived H3...

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Surveillance in Eastern India (2007-2009) Revealed Reassortment Event Involving NS and PB1-F2 Gene Segments among Co-circulating Influenza A Subtypes

Virology Journal — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Overall the study highlights reassortment event involving gene segments other than HA and NA in the co-circulating A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 strains and their importance in complexity of influenza virus genetics. In contrast, NS and PB1-F2 genes of all A/H3N2 eastern India strains were highly conserved and homologous to the concurrent A/H3N2 vaccine strains suggesting that these gene segments of H3N2 viruses are evolutionarily more stable compared to H1N1 viruses. (Source: Virology Journal)

Influenza Research Database: an integrated bioinformatics resource for influenza research and surveillance

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The IRD provides a wealth of integrated data and information about influenza virus to support research of the genetic determinants dictating virus pathogenicity, host range restriction and transmission, and to facilitate development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Seroprevalence following the First Wave of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in Turkey, 2009.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we sought to describe the community seropositivity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in order to estimate immunity shortly after the peak of the first pandemic wave in two provinces in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the provinces of Diyarbakir and Ankara, after the first wave of H1N1 incidences in 2009. It was designed to evaluate 276 houses in Diyarbakir and 455 houses in Ankara. Everyone living in these houses was included in the study. An antibody titer of ≥1:40 was considered as a positive result for all age groups. Antibody titers of ≤1:20 were considered as 1 while calculating the log titer and geometric mean. The pandemic H1N1 seropositivity was found to be 24.1% for Ankara and 27.7% for Diyarbakir. In Ankara, seropositivity was statistically ass...

The determinants of 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 influenza vaccination: A systematic review.

Vaccine — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine coverage during the pandemic varied widely across countries and population sub-groups. We identified some consistent determinants of this variation that can be targeted to increase vaccination during future influenza pandemics. PMID: 22214889 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Vaccines for Pandemic Influenza

Springer Biomedical Sciences titles — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:07:00 +0100

series:Current Topics in Microbiology and ImmunologyRecent years have seen unprecedented outbreaks of avian influenza A viruses. In particular, highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses have not only resulted in widespread outbreaks in domestic poultry, but have been transmitted to humans resulting in numerous fatalities. The rapid expansion in their geographic distribution and the possibility that these viruses could acquire the ability to spread from ... (Source: Springer Biomedical Sciences titles)

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Active surveillance of adverse events following immunization against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Korea.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Choe YJ, Cho H, Song KM, Kim JH, Han OP, Kwon YH, Bae GR, Lee HJ, Lee JK Abstract Surveillance of vaccine safety is one of the public health interventions used to investigate the causal relationship between vaccines and adverse events. Using active surveillance data, we aimed to compile a detailed summary describing the safety of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Computer-assisted telephone interview was used to investigate adverse events for 9,000 subjects who had received non-adjuvanted vaccines between November 2009 and January 2010, and for 19,000 adults who received adjuvanted vaccines from January through March 2010. The participants were interviewed to obtain information about local and systemic adverse events. Among subjects who received the non-adjuvanted v...

Efficacy of a heterologous vaccine and adjuvant in ferrets challenged with influenza virus H5N1

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:08:22 +0100

Conclusions Altogether, the data suggest that the heterologous vaccine in combination with the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant offers maximum protection against challenge with A/Vietnam/1203/04 when compared to the unvaccinated control animals or animals vaccinated without any adjuvant. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

US government urges scientists to censor findings on new strain of bird flu

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:11:00 +0100

Scientists warn that redacting information from new research on H5N1 virus could hinder the discovery of a vaccineMoves by the US government to restrict the publication of papers describing potentially dangerous new strains of bird flu could do more harm than good by hampering progress towards a vaccine, scientists warn.The US biosecurity watchdog has asked two leading scientific journals, Science and Nature, to remove sensitive details from the papers amid fears the research might fall into the hands of bioterrorists. But scientists involved in the research discussed their experiments at public conferences earlier this year, leading some experts to doubt whether redacting the papers will have much effect."There is a cause for concern, but to restrict publication now is shutting the stable...

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

I hope that fear of terrorism will not lead to the suppression of valuable research about engineering the H5N1 virusA few months ago, Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier made what he hoped would be a low-key announcement at a conference on influenza in Malta. After a series of painstaking experiments, Fouchier announced he had achieved the holy grail of influenza research: engineering the H5N1 bird flu virus so that it could pass easily between mammals. The "airborne" virus had been created, Fouchier explained, not by using sophisticated, lab-based genetic technology but by the relatively low-tech method of passaging H5N1 repeatedly through ferrets.The significance of the discovery was not lost on the assembled delegates. If ferrets could be infected this way, then so could humans. Fouchier had ...

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist | Mark Honigsbaum

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

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Health Highlights: Dec. 21, 2011

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:22:00 +0100

HPV Vaccination Efforts Should Focus on Girls: Study U.S. Population Growth Slowest Since Before Baby Boomers ShoulderFlex Massager Poses Strangulation Risk: FDA HIV Vaccine Receives FDA Approval for Human Safety Tests French Officials Consider Recommending Breast Implant Removal U.S. Government Asks Scientists to Withhold Data on New 'Bird Flu' Strain (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

Antibody breadth and protective efficacy is increased by vaccination with computationally optimized hemagglutinin but not with polyvalent hemagglutinin based h5n1 vlp vaccines.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this report, the immune responses elicited by the COBRA HA virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine were compared to responses elicited by a mixture of VLPs expressing representative HA molecules from clade 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 primary H5N1 isolates (polyvalent). COBRA HA VLP elicited higher titer antibodies to a panel of H5N1 HA proteins. Both COBRA and polyvalent vaccines protected vaccinated mice and ferrets from experimental infection with highly lethal H5N1 influenza viruses, but COBRA vaccinated animals had decreased viral replication, less inflammation in the lungs of mice, and reduced virus recovery in ferret nasal washes. Both vaccines had similar cellular responses post-challenge indicating that higher titer serum antibody likely restricts the duration of viral replication. Furthermore,...

European CHMP recommends approval of Vepacel (A/H5N1 pre-pandemic influenza vaccine)

NeLM - News — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA) Area: News The European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the approval of Vepacel (A/H5N1 pre-pandemic influenza vaccine, whole virion, vero cell derived, inactivated) intended for the prophylaxis of H5N1 subtype of influenza A in either a pre-pandemic or pandemic situation in adults aged 18 years and older. (Source: NeLM - News)

Vaccination against 2009 pandemic H1N1 in a population dynamical model of Vancouver, Canada: timing is everything

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Delays in vaccine production due to technological or logistical barriers may reduce potential benefits of vaccination for pandemic influenza, and these temporal effects can outweigh any additional theoretical benefits from population targeting. Careful modeling may provide decision makers with estimates of these effects before the epidemic peak to guide production goals and inform policy. Integration of real-time surveillance data with mathematical models holds the promise of enabling public health planners to optimize the community benefits from proposed interventions before the pandemic peak. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Development of a recombinant ELISA using yeast (Pichia pastoris)-expressed polypeptides for detection of antibodies against avian influenza A subtype H5.

Journal of Virological Methods — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, the results demonstrate the potential applicability of the rELISA for the determination of antibodies to H5 influenza virus in chickens and ducks. PMID: 22197190 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Virological Methods)

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Detection of Respiratory Viruses Among Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia During the Time of a Declared Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic

Journal of Travel Medicine — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. We found very low pandemic influenza A(H1N1) prevalence among arriving pilgrims and no evidence that amplification of transmission had occurred among departing pilgrims. (Source: Journal of Travel Medicine)

MF59(®) Adjuvanted Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Vaccines.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:48:02 +0100

Authors: Tsai TF Abstract MF59-adjuvanted seasonal trivalent inactivated (ATIV) vaccine licensed since 1997 and MF59-adjuvanted pandemic H1N1 vaccines have been distributed to approximately 80M persons. Addition of the emulsion adjuvant to inactivated vaccine formulations provides for higher levels of antibody to the viral hemagglutinin (HA) in less responsive older adults, infants and children which, in the case of the pandemic vaccine, allowed only 3.75 µg of the HA to be immunogenic. The adjuvant also stimulates production of more broadly-reactive antibodies against strains that are mismatched to those in the vaccine, a potential advantage in the face of perennial influenza virus antigenic drift. In a field trial, ATIV was 89% efficacious in preventing laboratory-confirmed infl...

Influenza vaccine and adjuvant.

Yakugaku Zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:48:02 +0100

Authors: Nakayama T Abstract Adjuvant is originated from the Latin word "adjuvare" which means "help" in English to enhance the immunological responses when given together with antigens. The beginning of adjuvant was mineral oil which enhanced the immune response when it was given with inactivated Salmonella typhimurium. Aluminium salt was used to precipitate diphtheria toxoid and increased level of antibody response was demonstrated when administered with alum-precipitated antigens. Since 1930, aluminium salt has been used as DTaP (diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine) adjuvant. Many candidates were tested for adjuvant activity but only aluminum salt is allowed to use for human vaccines. New adjuvant MF59, oil-in-water emulsion type, was developed for influenza vaccine f...

Modeling Optimal Age-Specific Vaccination Strategies Against Pandemic Influenza.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee S, Golinski M, Chowell G Abstract In the context of pandemic influenza, the prompt and effective implementation of control measures is of great concern for public health officials around the world. In particular, the role of vaccination should be considered as part of any pandemic preparedness plan. The timely production and efficient distribution of pandemic influenza vaccines are important factors to consider in mitigating the morbidity and mortality impact of an influenza pandemic, particularly for those individuals at highest risk of developing severe disease. In this paper, we use a mathematical model that incorporates age-structured transmission dynamics of influenza to evaluate optimal vaccination strategies in the epidemiological context of the Spring 2009 A (H...

Maternal Immune Response and Neonatal Seroprotection From a Single Dose of a Monovalent Nonadjuvanted 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) Vaccine: A Single-Group Trial.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: A single dose of a nonadjuvanted influenza A(H1N1) vaccine with 15 mcg of hemagglutinin triggered a strong immune response in pregnant women and a high rate of neonatal seroprotection. Primary Funding Source: French National Institute of Health and Medical Research. PMID: 22147712 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

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Immunogenicity and safety of an AS03(A)-adjuvanted H5N1 influenza vaccine in a Taiwanese population.

J Formos Med Assoc — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The AS03(A)-adjuvanted H5N1 influenza vaccine formulations induced stronger immune response against the vaccine-homologous and heterologous strains than the nonadjuvanted formulations. The AS03(A)-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine demonstrated a good immunogenicity and an acceptable safety profile in the Taiwanese population. PMID: 22248833 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Formos Med Assoc)

Using surveillance data to estimate pandemic vaccine effectiveness against laboratory confirmed influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection: two case control studies, Spain, season 2009-2010

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Point estimates of the pandemic influenza vaccine effectiveness suggested a protective effect of the pandemic vaccine against laboratory-confirmed influenza A(H1N1)2009 in the season 2009-2010. Both studies were limited by the low vaccine coverage and the late start of the vaccination campaign. Routine influenza surveillance provides reliable estimates and could be used for influenza vaccine effectiveness studies in future seasons taken into account the surveillance system limitations. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses Induced by Recombinant Lactobacillus Expressing the Hemagglutinin of the Avian Influenza Virus.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wang Z, Yu Q, Gao J, Yang Q Abstract To develop a safe, effective and convenient vaccine for the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), we have successfully constructed two recombinant lactobacilli (LA4356-pH and DLD17-pH) that express the foreign HPAI protein, hemagglutinin 1 (HA(1)). The mucosal and systemic immune responses that are triggered by these two recombinant lactobacilli following the oral administration to BALB/c mice were evaluated. The results showed that both LA4356-pH and DLD17-pH could significantly increase the specific anti-HA(1) IgA antibody level in the mucosa and the anti-HA(1) IgG level in sera as well as stimulate the splenic lymphocyte proliferative reaction through the increased expression of IL-4. Compared with LA4356-pH, DLD17-...

Yeast expressed recombinant Hemagglutinin protein of Novel H1N1 elicits neutralising antibodies in rabbits and mice

Virology Journal — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Currently available vaccines for the pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 produced in chicken eggs have serious impediments viz limited availability, risk of allergic reactions and the possible selection of sub-populations differing from the naturally occurring virus, whereas the cell culture derived vaccines are time consuming and may not meet the demands of rapid global vaccination required to combat the present/future pandemic. Hemagglutinin (HA) based subunit vaccine for H1N1 requires the HA protein in glycosylated form, which is impossible with the commonly used bacterial expression platform. Additionally, bacterial derived protein requires extensive purification and refolding steps for vaccine applications. For these reasons an alternative heterologous system for rapid, easy and economic...

Annual Flu Vaccine May Weaken Kids' Pandemic ImmunityAnnual Flu Vaccine May Weaken Kids' Pandemic Immunity

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0100

A study has found signs that seasonal influenza vaccinations can weaken children's resistance to future seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Who knew? Awareness of being recommended for influenza vaccination among US adults

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Our results highlight that a majority of US adults do not know that they are recommended for annual influenza vaccination by the government. The fraction of adults who are unaware of their recommendation status is especially large among newly recommended healthy young adults. The universal vaccination recommendations will only be successful if they reach both patients and physicians and lead to changing vaccination practices. The universal nature of the new recommendation simplifies vaccination‐related outreach and compliance with government vaccination guidelines considerably, as it does not require any identification of specific recommendation groups based on complex personal or health risk factors. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Retrospective observational study of adults with suspected H1N1 admitted to the Regional Infection Unit in Aberdeen: Category: Scientific free paper

Journal of Infection — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:46 +0100

On 11 June 2009 WHO declared a global pandemic of influenza A (H1N1), and designated the virus "pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus". Over its course, according to WHO the virus "killed more than 18,000 people around the world and sparked mass vaccination programs". Our aim was to review suspected influenza A (H1N1) admissions to a Regional Infectious Diseases Unit during the pandemic of 2009-10. A retrospective review of case records was conducted of adult patients admitted to the Infection Unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with suspected H1N1 between 01/07/09-20/01/10. Data on demographics, body weight, co-morbidities, H1N1+ve/-ve and outcome was collected over 8 weeks. Notes not available during this time were excluded. Categorical data was analysed using Chi-square analysis. 148 of 2...

Novel inpatient surveillance in tertiary paediatric hospitals in New South Wales illustrates impact of first‐wave pandemic influenza A H1N1 (2009) and informs future health service planning

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: PAEDS is a valuable surveillance tool that documented the impact of the H1N1 (2009) pandemic in NSW children's hospitals. High numbers of complications, often in previously well children, suggest an important role for early diagnosis, antiviral therapy and influenza vaccination. Observed regional differences identify areas potentially at greater risk in a subsequent wave. (Source: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)

With new Gaithersburg lease, Novavax also moves HQ

bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:36:49 +0100

A significant addendum to the Novavax Inc. news we told you about yesterday: The Rockville biotech is indeed taking 74,000 square feet in Gaithersburg to support its expanded lab and manufacturing operations – and its headquarters is coming with it, too. Novavax's new Gaithersburg campus spans two addresses – 20 and 22 Firstfield Road, both of which are owned by Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc. (NYSE: ARE). The biotech, which earlier this year landed an HHS contract worth as much as $179 million to develop its seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines, will turn the 20 Firstfield location into its main vaccine production plant, while 22 Firstfield will become its new corporate headquarters... (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Pharmaceuticals headlines)

[Articles] DNA priming and influenza vaccine immunogenicity: two phase 1 open label randomised clinical trials

The Lancet Infectious Diseases — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:05:03 +0100

SummaryBackgroundBecause the general population is largely naive to H5N1 influenza, antibodies generated to H5 allow analysis of novel influenza vaccines independent of background immunity from previous infection. We assessed the safety and immunogenicity of DNA encoding H5 as a priming vaccine to improve antibody responses to inactivated influenza vaccination.MethodsIn VRC 306 and VRC 310, two sequentially enrolled phase 1, open-label, randomised clinical trials, healthy adults (age 18–60 years) were randomly assigned to receive intramuscular H5 DNA (4 mg) at day 0 or twice, at day 0 and week 4, followed by H5N1 monovalent inactivated vaccine (MIV; 90 μg) at 4 or 24 weeks, and compared with a two-dose regimen of H5N1 MIV with either a 4 or 24 week interval. (Source: The Lancet Infectio...

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The Course and Management of the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza.

Primary Care — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:25:11 +0100

Authors: Kimmel SR Abstract The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic provided a major test to the public health system in the United States and abroad. Although the virus was rapidly identified, it took longer than expected to bring an effective vaccine to market. During the interim the virus demonstrated a predilection for infecting younger persons, particularly those with medical conditions such as asthma or pregnancy, placing them at risk. Early treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors was found to be of some benefit. When the 2009 H1N1 influenza A vaccine became available, there were distribution issues in matching the number of doses to areas of need. PMID: 22094140 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Primary Care)

p53 Serves as a Host Antiviral Factor That Enhances Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses to Influenza A Virus.

Journal of Immunology — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Muñoz-Fontela C, Pazos M, Delgado I, Murk W, Mungamuri SK, Lee SW, García-Sastre A, Moran TM, Aaronson SA Abstract Several direct target genes of the p53 tumor suppressor have been identified within pathways involved in viral sensing, cytokine production, and inflammation, suggesting a potential role of p53 in antiviral immunity. The increasing need to identify immune factors to devise host-targeted therapies against pandemic influenza A virus (IAV) led us to investigate the role of endogenous wild-type p53 on the immune response to IAV. We observed that the absence of p53 resulted in delayed cytokine and antiviral gene responses in lung and bone marrow, decreased dendritic cell activation, and reduced IAV-specific CD8(+) T cell immunity. Consequently, p53(-/-) mice show...

Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Among Adults with Asthma, U.S., 2010

American Journal of Preventive Medicine — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:39:41 +0100

Conclusions: Vaccination coverage among adults aged 25–64 years with asthma was only 25.5% and varied widely by state and demographic characteristics. National and state-specific 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage data for adults with asthma are useful for evaluating the vaccination campaign and for planning and implementing strategies for increasing vaccination coverage in possible future pandemics. (Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine)

Rapid and specific influenza virus detection by functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and mass spectrometry

Journal of Nanobiotechnology — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The assay combining efficient magnetic separation and MALDI-MS readout offers a rapid and sensitive method for virus screening. Direct on-MNP detection by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) provided high sensitivity (~103 EID50 per mL) and a timely diagnosis within one hour. The magnetic nanoparticles encapsulated with monoclonal antibodies could be used as a specific probe to distinguish different subtypes of influenza. (Source: Journal of Nanobiotechnology)

The 2009 Influenza Pandemic: Promising Lessons for Antiviral Therapy For Future Outbreaks.

Current Medicinal Chemistry — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bavagnoli L, Maga G Abstract The influenza A virus is the main circulating influenza virus in the human population. It can cause disease also in birds and other mammals and is responsible for annual epidemics and occasional pandemics. The most known and deadly pandemic was the "Spanish flu" (influenza type A/H1N1), which struck the human population between 1918 and 1919, with probably the heaviest toll ever recorded in terms of human lives. The most recent flu pandemic, caused in 2009 by the swine-origin reassortant virus (pH1N1), has raised several critical issues in terms of our preparedness in responding fast to new pandemic influenza strains. Probably, the most instructive lesson that has been learned from the 2009 pandemic, was that the speed of manufacturing and dist...

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Reproducibility of serology assays for pandemic influenza H1N1: Collaborative study to evaluate a candidate WHO International Standard.

Vaccine — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wood JM, Major D, Heath A, Newman RW, Höschler K, Stephenson I, Clark T, Katz JM, Zambon MC Abstract Haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and virus neutralisation (VN) assays are used to evaluate immunogenicity of pandemic H1N1 vaccines; however these bioassays are poorly standardised leading to inter-laboratory variation. A candidate International Standard (IS) for antibody to H1N1pdm virus (09/194) was prepared from pooled sera of subjects who had either recovered from H1N1pdm infection or who had been immunised with an adjuvanted subunit vaccine prepared from reassortant virus NYMC X-179A (derived from A/California/7/2009 virus). Ten laboratories from seven countries tested the candidate IS, 09/194 and a panel of human sera by HI and VN using the A/California/7/2009 virus...

Characterization of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses isolated from poultry in Pakistan 2006–2008

Virus Genes — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:57:12 +0100

Abstract Nine avian influenza viruses (AIV), H5N1 subtype, were isolated from dead poultry in the Karachi region of Pakistan from 2006 to 2008. The intravenous pathogenicity indices and HA protein cleavage sites of all nine viruses were consistent with highly pathogenic AIV. Based on phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes, these isolates belong to clade 2.2 and both the HA and NA are closely related to each other (nucleotide identities above 99.0%) and to other Middle Eastern H5N1 AIV isolates (nucleotide identities above 98.0%). The phylogenetic data suggest that the virus in both epornitics of H5N1 HPAIV in commercial poultry in the Karachi region of Pakistan between 2006 and 2008 were from a very closely related source, however, there is inadequate epidemiological data t...

H1N1v at a seroepidemiological glance: is the nightmare over?

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 06:50:09 +0100

The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies against H1N1v by hemagglutination-inhibition test (HI) after the second wave. We compared our recent findings with our data obtained after the first pandemic in 2009/2010. Between March and May 2011 we collected serum samples from 600 persons aged 1 to 84 years admitted to University Hospital Frankfurt/Main and analysed the titres of anti-H1N1v by HI. The overall seroprevalence of anti-H1N1v has risen from 36.9% (95% confidence interval (95%CI), 33–41) in unvaccinated persons after the first wave to 57.3% (95%CI, 53.1–61.2) in vaccinated and unvaccinated. The highest rate of seropositivity was detected in the age group of 10–19 years (66%; 95%CI, 55.8–75.2), whereas the lowest was found in...

Flu Season News: Vaccinations and Virus Tracking

NurseZone.com Nursing News — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:37:21 +0100

October 27, 2011 - “The good news about this year’s flu season is that the vaccine seems to be perfectly formulated for the strains of flu--the pandemic influenza A [H1N1], seasonal [H3N2] and influenza B--that have been most commonly seen in the Southern Hemisphere. And, what happens in the Southern Hemisphere is typically a good predictor of what will happen in the Northern,” noted Paul J. Poduska, CIC, M(ASCP), infection control preventionist for Poudre Valley Health System (PVHS) in Fort Collins, Colo. “Even so, nurses need to understand that we really can’t predict how this flu season is going to develop.” (Source: NurseZone.com Nursing News)

Expression of the influenza M2 protein in three different eukaryotic cell lines.

Journal of Virological Methods — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Esghaei M, Monavari SH, Tavassoti-Kheiri M, Shamsi-Shahrabadi M, Heydarchi B, Saleh M, Fotouhi F Abstract Current influenza virus vaccines provide protection in part by antibodies induced to the two surface glycoproteins, the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase. As a result of the continuous antigenic drift of these glycoproteins, a frequent update of the composition of influenza vaccines is required. The search for more conserved viral epitopes which would induce protective immunity against seasonal influenza viruses and eventually also to novel pandemic influenza viruses has a long history. The ectodomain of the Influenza A Virus M2 Protein has been identified as a possible candidate immunization against influenza. The present study describes the expression of cloned M2 ...

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High effectiveness of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination in healthcare workers from a Portuguese hospital

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:52:19 +0100

Conclusion Vaccination reduced the pH1N1 infection risk considerably. The pandemic plan to contain the pH1N1 infection was successful. Nurses had the highest risk of pH1N1 infection and are therefore a target group for vaccination measures. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s00420-011-0714-8Authors José Torres Costa, Occupational Health Division, S. João Hospital, EPE, Porto, PortugalRui Silva, Occupational Health Division, S. João Hospital, EPE, Porto, PortugalMargarida Tavares, Medical School, Oporto University, Porto, PortugalAlbert Nienhaus, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Institute for Health Service Research in Dermatology and Nursing, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany Journal International ...

Effectiveness of Pandemic H1N1 Vaccine Against Influenza-Related Hospitalization in Children

PEDIATRICS — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: In children aged 6 months to 9 years, a single pediatric dose of the AS03-adjuvanted pH1N1 vaccine was highly protective against hospitalization beginning at 10 and 14 days after vaccination. (Source: PEDIATRICS)

Influenza viruses in Thailand: 7 years of sentinel surveillance data, 2004–2010

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These data suggest that March–April may be the most appropriate months for seasonal influenza vaccination in Thailand. This system provides a robust profile of the epidemiology of influenza viruses in Thailand and has proven useful for public health planning. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Oseltamivir in seasonal, pandemic, and avian influenza: a comprehensive review of 10-years clinical experience.

Advances in Therapy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This article is a nonsystematic review of the experience gained from the first 10 years of using oseltamivir for influenza infections since its launch in early 2000, emphasizing recent advances in our understanding of the product and its clinical utility in five main areas. The article reviews the pharmacokinetics of oseltamivir and its active metabolite, oseltamivir carboxylate, including information on special populations such as children and elderly adults, and the co-administration of oseltamivir with other agents. This is followed by a summary of data on the effectiveness of oseltamivir treatment and prophylaxis in patients with all types of influenza, including pandemic (H1N1) 2009 and avian H5N1 influenza. The implications of changes in susceptibility of circulating influenza viruse...

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Absence of Influenza A(H1N1) During Seasonal and Pandemic Seasons in a Sentinel Nursing Home Surveillance Network in the Netherlands

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

ConclusionNeither seasonal nor pandemic influenza A(H1N1) viruses were detected in the network, despite widespread community transmission of seasonal and influenza A(H1N1) virus. ILI incidence trends corresponded to virological trends. Sentinel surveillance of ILI combining clinical and virological data in NHs increases understanding of transmission risks in this specific vulnerable population. (Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society)

Postvaccination Influenza 2009 H1N1 Respiratory Failure Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:52:59 +0100

The spread of pandemic Influenza A (H1N1-2009) was believed to have been attenuated by the effectiveness of worldwide vaccination initiatives. Despite the immunogenicity of a safe vaccine, we report a case of vaccine failure resulting in catastrophic influenza-associated respiratory failure. (Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology)

Vaccination by delayed treatment of infection.

Vaccine — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Stromberg SP, Antia R Abstract Two medical interventions allow us to combat infectious diseases: vaccination which can be administered well in advance of exposure, and antimicrobials which are most often administered contemporaneously with exposure. In this paper we show how they can, in principle, be combined - with infection followed by treatment being used as a form of vaccination. We use mathematical models to examine how appropriately administered antimicrobial treatment following natural infection can be used to reduce the pathology caused by the infection, and also generate long-lasting immunological memory to the pathogen. The models explore the tradeoff between reduction in pathology and strength of immunization. This tradeoff suggests a limited treatment window d...

Virus-like particle vaccine containing hemagglutinin confers protection against 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hossain MJ, Bourgeois M, Quan FS, Lipatov AS, Song JM, Chen LM, Compans RW, York I, Kang SM, Donis RO Abstract Immunization of the world population before an influenza pandemic such as the 2009 H1N1 spreads globally is not possible with current vaccine production platforms. New influenza vaccine technologies, such as virus-like-particles (VLP), offer a promising alternative. Here, we tested the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a VLP vaccine containing HA and M1 from the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus (H1N1pdm) in ferrets and compared IM and IN routes of immunization. Vaccination of ferrets with VLPs containing the M1 and HA proteins from A/California/04/2009 (H1N1pdm) induced high antibody titers and conferred significant protection against virus challenge. VL...

Antibodies From Humans Receiving Investigational Influenza Vaccine Are Effective Against H5N1 (Avian Influenza)

MedlinePlus Health News — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:41:39 +0100

Source: Food and Drug Administration Related MedlinePlus Page: Bird Flu (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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Flu Vaccine Protects Pregnant Woman's Baby And Does Not Cause Miscarriage

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:00:00 +0100

Apart from protecting a newborn infant from flu for four months, the flu vaccine does not raise the risk of miscarriage, Kathleen Neuzil, MD, member of the Infectious Disease Society of America's Pandemic Influenza Task Force explained at their 49th Annual Meeting. Various presentations at the meeting are showing that pregnant mothers are getting the message not only about the flu shot's importance, but also its safety... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Profiling of humoral immune responses to influenza viruses by using protein microarray

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 06:57:08 +0100

AbstractThe emergence of pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 influenza showed the importance of rapid assessment of the degree of immunity in the population, the rate of asymptomatic infection, the spread of infection in households, effects of control measures, and ability of candidate vaccines to produce a response in different age groups. A limitation lies in the available assay repertoire: gold standard methods for measuring antibodies to influenza virus are hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays and virus neutralization tests. Both assays are difficult to standardize and may be too specific to assess possible partial humoral immunity from previous exposures.Here, we describe the use of antigen‐microarrays to measure antibodies to HA1 antigens from 7 recent and historic seasonal H1, H2 and H3 infl...

Differences in pandemic influenza vaccination policies for pregnant women in Europe

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Differences in pandemic vaccination policy and practice might relate to variation in perception of vaccine efficacy and safety, operational issues related to vaccine manufacturing and procurement, and vaccination campaign systems. Increased monitoring of pandemic influenza vaccine coverage of pregnant women is recommended to enable evaluation of the vaccine safety in pregnancy and pandemic vaccination campaign effectiveness. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

Risk of convulsions in children after monovalent H1N1 (2009) and trivalent influenza vaccines: A database study.

Vaccine — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Stowe J, Andrews N, Bryan P, Seabroke S, Miller E Abstract The monovalent H1N1 (2009) pandemic influenza vaccine used predominantly in the UK in 2009/10 was a split virion vaccine with a novel oil-in-water adjuvant (ASO3). While this was highly immunogenic it was also reactogenic especially for fever in children. There is a paucity of comparative data on reactogenicity of trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). Using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) we investigated whether there was an increased risk of convulsions in children vaccinated with monovalent H1N1 influenza vaccine in the 2009/10 season and also the risk after vaccination with the seasonal TIVs using the self-controlled case-series method. A total of 2366 children aged under 10 years with at least one co...

Comparison of the novel ResPlex III assay and existing techniques for the detection and subtyping of influenza virus during the influenza season 2006–2007

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:00:35 +0100

Abstract Influenza virus is a major cause of disease worldwide. The accurate detection and further subtyping of influenza A viruses are important for epidemiologic surveillance, and subsequent comprehensive characterization of circulating influenza viruses is essential for the selection of an optimal vaccine composition. ResPlex III is a new multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based method for detecting, typing, and subtyping influenza virus in clinical specimens. The ResPlex III assay was compared with other methods with respect to sensitivity and accuracy, using 450 clinical specimens obtained from subjects throughout Germany during the 2006–2007 influenza season. Samples were analyzed for the presence of influenza virus in Madin-Darby ca...

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Knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of public health doctors towards pandemic influenza compared to the general population in Italy.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: During the spread of the pandemic flu, a lot of information was propagated chaotically. The information given were not always truthful and often they were interpreted incorrectly or sometimes only partially understood by the population, and this needs to be taken into account for future successful communication in cases of emergency. PMID: 22006167 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health)

Guillain–Barré syndrome associated with the D222E variant of the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus: Case report and review of the literature

Journal of the Neurological Sciences — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated disorder of the peripheral nervous system and a triggering infectious event is often reported in the weeks before the disease onset. Influenza viruses have been associated with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), both after infection and, in rare cases, after vaccination. However, GBS has rarely reported to be a neurological complication of the recent pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus infections. Here we describe the case of a young man, who developed acute severe motor inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy during influenza A(H1N1)2009 infection. Peculiar features are the findings of a mutated haemagglutinin gene (D222E variant), which has never previously been associated with neurological involvement, and...

Neurological and autoimmune disorders after vaccination against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) with a monovalent adjuvanted vaccine: population based cohort study

NeLM - News — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News The risk of neurological and autoimmune disorders of special interest in people vaccinated against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) with Pandemrix were compared with unvaccinated people over 8-10 months in a retrospective cohort study in Sweden. The study involved all people registered in Stockholm county on 1 October 2009, of whom 1,024,019 were vaccinated against H1N1 and 921,005 were unvaccinated. The main outcome measures were neurological and autoimmune diagnoses according to the European Medicines Agency strategy for monitoring of adverse events of special interest defined using ICD-10 codes for: Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bell's palsy, multiple sclerosis, polyneuropathy, anaesthesia or hypoaesthesia, paraesthesia, narcolepsy (added), and autoimmune condi...

Protective immunity elicited by a pseudotyped baculovirus-mediated bivalent H5N1 influenza vaccine.

Antiviral Research — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This study suggests that baculovirus-delivered multi-hemagglutinin proteins might serve as a candidate vaccine for the prevention of pre-pandemic and pandemic H5N1 influenza viruses. PMID: 22020305 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antiviral Research)

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Adjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine highly protective in children

Modern Medicine — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Ten days after administration, a single pediatric dose of adjuvanted vaccine against pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (pH1N1) is more than 80% effective for preventing hospitalization in children, a Canadian team reports in the November issue of Pediatrics. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Analysis of antigen epitopes and molecular pathogenic characteristics of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza A virus in China.

Acta Virologica — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:20:02 +0100

Authors: Zhou JJ, Tian J, Fang DY, Liang Y, Yan HJ, Zhou JM, Gao HL, Fu CY, Liu Y, Ni HZ, Ke CW, Jiang LF Abstract In order to further predict the epidemic trend and develop vaccines for 2009 H1N1 virus, we monitored its epitopes and molecular pathogenic characteristics during the epidemic process. We also analyzed the similarity of antigenic and genetic characteristics among the novel 2009 H1N1, representative seasonal H1N1 strains, and vaccine strains. 2009 H1N1 isolates had high similarity of hemagglutinin (HA) antigenic sites with H1N1 viruses isolated before 1940 and up to 80.0% similarity with 1918 H1N1. The elderly people born before 1940 have relatively low 2009 H1N1 infection rate, which might be responsible for their previous infection with either 1918 H1N1 virus or an ea...

Preparation of commercial quantities of a hyperimmune human intravenous immunoglobulin preparation against an emerging infectious disease: the example of pandemic H1N1 influenza.

Transfusion — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the feasibility of producing a H-IVIG preparation at large scale relatively rapidly, with a significant enrichment in antibodies to the H1N1 influenza, achieved by donor self-identification. PMID: 21981280 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Transfusion)

Prime Immunization With DNA Vaccine Makes Traditional Flu Vaccine More Effective And May Help Fortify Against Future Pandemics

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +0100

Findings published online first in The Lancet Infectious Diseases demonstrate that results from two new phase 1 human trials indicate that prime (initial) immunization with a DNA vaccine against H5N1 influenza followed by a booster dose of conventional influenza vaccine has a higher effect than administering two doses of traditional influenza vaccines; a treatment strategy that could be used to fortify against future pandemics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Avian Flu Vaccine More Effective When Primed With DNA Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The immune response to an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine was greatly enhanced in healthy adults if they were first primed with a DNA vaccine expressing a gene for a key H5N1 protein, researchers say. Their report describes results from two clinical studies conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Priming Shot Boosts Response to Bird Flu Vaccine (CME/CE)

MedPage Today Geriatrics — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:55:52 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- Antibody responses to a potential pandemic H5N1 "bird flu" vaccine were markedly increased in patients receiving a priming shot containing a small bit of viral DNA, researchers said. (Source: MedPage Today Geriatrics)

Priming with DNA Vaccine Makes Avian Flu Vaccine Work Better

MedlinePlus Health News — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:27:08 +0100

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Related MedlinePlus Page: Bird Flu (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

Priming with DNA vaccine makes avian flu vaccine work better: Proof of concept for universal influenza vaccine

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:52:52 +0100

Nanotherapeutics’ GelVac™ Nasal Dry-Powder H5N1 Influenza Vaccine...

PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:46:12 +0100

A novel dry-powder formulation nasal flu vaccine for the H5N1 strain, GelVac™ Nasal Dry-Powder H5N1 Influenza, was proven to be safe in an early stage clinical trial. Other preliminary data is...(PRWeb October 03, 2011)Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/10/prweb8844555.htm (Source: PRWeb: Medical Pharmaceuticals)

New Strategies for the Development of H5N1 Subtype Influenza Vaccines: Progress and Challenges

BioDrugs — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:00:09 +0100

(Source: BioDrugs)

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Priming with DNA vaccine makes avian flu vaccine work better

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) The immune response to an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine was greatly enhanced in healthy adults if they were first primed with a DNA vaccine expressing a gene for a key H5N1 protein, researchers say. Their report describes results from two clinical studies conducted by researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Global health security in an era of global health threats.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Caceres SB Abstract To the Editor: Global health security is the protection of the health of persons and societies worldwide. It includes access to medicines, vaccines, and health care, as well as reductions in collective vulnerabilities to global public health events that have the potential to spread across borders. For example, transboundary zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza (H5N1) infections affect animals and humans, thereby threatening health security worldwide because of their high death rates (≈60% in humans) (1). PMID: 22000385 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Notice to Readers: Revised Estimates of the Public Health Impact of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccination

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:01:24 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

An intensive 5-year-long influenza vaccination campaign is effective among doctors but not nurses

Infection — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:18:45 +0100

Conclusions Overall, the vaccination rates did not increase over the 7-year study period. Interventions were successful for physicians but not for nurses. The vaccine uptake was significantly higher during the threat of avian influenza and the influenza A/H1N1v pandemic. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0193-6Authors A. Friedl, Infectious Diseases/Department of Medicine Kantonsspital Baden, Switzerland Kantonsspital Baden AG, 5404 Baden, SwitzerlandC. Aegerter, Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, SwitzerlandE. Saner, Department of Nursing, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, SwitzerlandD. Meier, Department of Medicine, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, SwitzerlandJ. H. Beer, Department of Medici...

Assessing vaccine safety communication with healthcare providers in a large urban county

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

ConclusionHealthcare professionals who provide immunizations need additional information on their role in vaccine safety and AE reporting. Strengthening both passive and active reporting systems can enhance surveillance efforts during real‐time events, such as mass immunization during a pandemic and other large‐scale emergency countermeasure distribution programs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety)

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The Course and Management of the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Influenza

Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic provided a major test to the public health system in the United States and abroad. Although the virus was rapidly identified, it took longer than expected to bring an effective vaccine to market. During the interim the virus demonstrated a predilection for infecting younger persons, particularly those with medical conditions such as asthma or pregnancy, placing them at risk. Early treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors was found to be of some benefit. When the 2009 H1N1 influenza A vaccine became available, there were distribution issues in matching the number of doses to areas of need. (Source: Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice)

HEALTH: China Scrambles Against Mutant Bird Flu

IPS Inter Press Service - Health — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:58:34 +0100

Veterinary experts in China and Vietnam are scrambling to produce a vaccine capable of beating a new strain of the deadly avian influenza (AI) virus, reports an official of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). (Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health)

Triple combinations of neuraminidase inhibitors, statins and fibrates benefit the survival of patients with lethal avian influenza pandemic

Medical Hypotheses — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: The high mortality of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses infection in humans gives rise to considerable concern that it might someday cause another lethal pandemic. At present there is no other effective alternative besides the early and enough administration of neuraminidase inhibitors, which may be crucial for the patient management. However, its efficacy is sometimes limited because of the late administration in some patients especially the seriously ill ones and the continual occurrence of oseltamivir resistant A (H5N1) strains. The specific candidate vaccine are still under development and the practical value of passive immunization is hard to be widely applied because of the scarcity of convalescent human plasma, especially in the early stage of a serious an...

Efficacy of Double Vaccination With the 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine During Pregnancy.

Obstetrics and Gynecology — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 18:51:36 +0100

CONCLUSION: : Single vaccination induces sufficient immune response and transfer of immunity to the fetus in pregnant women with no pre-existing antibodies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: : III. PMID: 21934453 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in households with young children

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions This study demonstrates the feasibility of nasal swab sampling by parents in investigation of household transmission of influenza. The results support influenza vaccination of all household contacts of young children. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

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Low Influenza Vaccination Rates Among Child Care Workers in the United States: Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Journal of Community Health — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 06:38:38 +0100

Abstract Influenza can spread quickly among children and caregivers in child day care settings. Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza. We determined 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1) and seasonal influenza vaccination rates during the 2009–2010 influenza season among child care center employees, assessed knowledge and attitudes regarding the vaccines, and determined factors associated with vaccine receipt. Using a cross-sectional study design, from January 30–March 1, 2010, we surveyed 384 (95%) of 403 employees at 32 licensed child centers in the United States about personal and work characteristics, vaccine receipt, and knowledge and attitudes regarding each vaccine. Forty-five (11%) and eighty five (22%) respondents reported receiving ...

Structure-function relationship of the saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum for hemolytic and adjuvant activity.

International Immunopharmacology — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sun H, Chen L, Wang J, Wang K, Zhou J Abstract To assess the contribution of the aglycone and sugar chain to the biological activity of saponins from Platycodon grandiflorum, seven structurally consecutive saponins, platycodin D (PD), D2 (PD2), D3 (PD3), platycoside A (PA), E (PE), deapioplatycoside E (DPE), and polygalacin D2 (PGD) were compared for their hemolytic activities and adjuvant potentials on the immune responses to Newcastle disease virus-based recombinant avian influenza vaccine (rL-H5) in mice. Among seven compounds, the order of the hemolytic activity was PGD≈PD>PD2>PA>PD3>PE>DPE. PD, PD2, PA, and PGD significantly not only promoted concanavalin A (Con A)-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, but enhanced ...

Attitudes of dental healthcare workers towards the influenza vaccination.

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental health — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wicker S, Rabenau HF, Betz W, Lauer HC Abstract Influenza viruses are highly contagious. Medical personnel are at risk of occupational exposure to influenza. Data on dental healthcare workers (DHCWs) immunization status has not been published. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of DHCWs and dental students at a German dental university hospital. Surveys, completed between October 2010 and March 2011, focused on reasons of DHCWs for accepting or declining the influenza vaccination. Furthermore, we characterized attitudes towards influenza infection due to the emergence of the H1N1/2009. Compliance rates with the influenza vaccination among DHCWs were low (31.6%). The main reason for not getting vaccinated against the pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus in the 2009/2010 seaso...

Antisense oligonucleotides targeting the RNA binding region of the NP gene inhibit replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.

International Immunopharmacology — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we designed and synthesized three AS ODNs (NP267, NP628, NP749) that were specific for the RNA binding region of nucleoprotein (NP) based on AIV structure. Results showed that all three AS ODNs could inhibit viral replication in MDCK cells. The NP628 showed the best antiviral effect of all through viral titers, quantitative RT-PCR and indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) assays. In addition, the liposome mediated NP628 could partially protect the mice from a lethal H5N1 influenza virus challenge. Moreover, the NP628 group had a lower viral titer and lung index in the infected mice when compared with the viral control. Our results showed that AS ODN targeting of the AIV NP gene could potently inhibit AIV H5N1 reproduction, thus, formulating a candidate for an emergent therapeuti...

Analysis of Antibody Response on Surface of Yeast [Immunology]

Journal of Biological Chemistry — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Host antibody response is a crucial defense against pathogenic infection. Here, we report a novel technique allowing quantitative measurement of polyclonal antibody response in vivo. This involves expression of a combinatorial library of target proteins from a candidate pathogen on the surface of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. After mixing with serum/plasma from infected or immunized subjects, positive yeast clones were isolated via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Using this technique, we have studied mouse immunized serum with recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein from a human influenza H5N1 strain (A/Anhui/1/2005) and convalescent plasma from an infected human in China. Our technique has identified novel antigenic domains targeted by serum/plasma and allowed calculation of ...

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Influenza A/H1N1 Vaccine in Patients Treated by Kidney Transplant or Dialysis: A Cohort Study.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The influenza A/H1N1-adjuvanted vaccine is of limited efficacy but is safe in renal disease populations. The humoral response is lower in transplanted versus hemodialyzed patients. Further studies are needed to improve the efficacy of vaccination in those populations. PMID: 21921153 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN)

Long‐lasting immunogenicity and safety of a 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) MF59‐adjuvanted vaccine when co‐administered with a 2009–2010 seasonal influenza vaccine in young patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus

Diabetic Medicine — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: One injection of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) MF59‐adjuvanted vaccine is immunogenic and safe in young patients with Type 1 diabetes who are at increased risk of influenza morbidities. Pandemic vaccine can be safely co‐administered with seasonal influenza vaccine. (Source: Diabetic Medicine)

Why One Great Vaccine Researcher Wasn't Afraid Of Bird Flu

Forbes.com Healthcare News — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:12:32 +0100

"Contagion," a movie in which a mysterious airborne virus kills Gwyneth Paltrow and thousands of other people, was this weekend's top box office hit, generating $23 million in ticket sales. Many researchers are trying to ride on the movie's coattails to get attention for the risks of an infectious disease epidemic and our lack of preparedness when it comes to dealing with disease outbreaks. (Source: Forbes.com Healthcare News)

Male predominance of pneumonia and hospitalization in pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 infection

BMC Research Notes — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Among the confirmed cases of H1N1, the ICU admission rate was < 1% and the case fatality rate was 0.1%. Male had a significantly higher rate of pneumonia and hospital admission. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing vaccination and treatment strategies. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

Maternal and Infant Outcomes Among Severely Ill Pregnant and Postpartum Women with 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) --- United States, April 2009--August 2010.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which found that, among 347 severely ill pregnant women, 75 died from 2009 H1N1, and 272 were admitted to an intensive-care unit (ICU) and survived. Women who survived received antiviral treatment sooner after symptom onset than women who died. Pregnant women with severe influenza who delivered during their influenza hospitalization were more likely to deliver preterm and low birth weight infants than those in the general U.S. population; infants born after their mother's influenza hospitalization discharge were more likely to be small for gestational age. These data document the severe effects of 2009 H1N1 on pregnant women and their infants, emphasize the importance of vaccinating pregnant women against influenza, and demonstrate the v...

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Inactivated and adjuvanted whole-virion clade 2.3.4 H5N1 pre-pandemic influenza vaccine possesses broad protective efficacy against infection by heterologous clades of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in mice.

Vaccine — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a candidate attenuated H5N1 pre-pandemic influenza vaccine of clade 2.3.4, rgAnhui, which was reverse genetically generated from highly virulent A/Anhui/01/2005 (H5N1) wild-type virus. When a low-dose antigen (0.3μg HA) vaccine was combined with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, virus neutralization and anti-HA IgG antibodies induced in the sera of vaccinated mice showed similar levels as those in mice vaccinated with non-adjuvanted high-dose antigen (3μg HA) vaccine. Serum antibodies had broad reactivity against highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses of both homologous and heterologous clades. All mice vaccinated with adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted rgAnhui vaccines at low and high antigen doses survived, without any significant...

Immortalized chick embryo cell line adapted to serum-free growth conditions and capable of replicating human and reassortant H5N1 influenza strains for vaccine production.

Vaccine — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Coussens PM, Smith KA, Weber PS, Colvin CJ Abstract The current process of influenza vaccine production can take 6-9 months and is dependent on the availability of embryonated eggs. Additionally, this process selects for receptor-binding variants with reduced antigenicity and requires significant downstream production for purification. We have established an immortalized chick embryo cell line, termed PBS-12SF, which is adapted to growth in serum free conditions, and is capable of replicating human and reassortant H5N1 influenza strains to high titers. In many cases, PBS-12SF cells produced higher growth titers of influenza virus than those of primary chick embryo kidney (CEK) cells, Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells and African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) infect...

Recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys as a vector-based vaccine against highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza and Marek's disease.

Vaccine — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li Y, Reddy K, Reid SM, Cox WJ, Brown IH, Britton P, Nair V, Iqbal M Abstract A major challenge for poultry vaccination is the design of vaccines that protect against multiple pathogens via a single protective dose delivered through mass vaccination methods. In this investigation, we examined herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) as a vaccine vector for delivery of haemagglutinin (HA) antigen of highly pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza virus that can act as a dual vaccine against avian influenza and Marek's disease. The HVT vector was developed using reverse genetics based on an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone of HVT. The BAC carrying the HVT genome was genetically modified to express the HA gene of a highly pathogenic H7N1 virus. The resultant recombinant BAC ...

FAO Warnings Follow Rise In Replikins Count For Both H5N1 And Swine Flu (H1N1); Replikins Synthetic TransFlu™ Vaccine Tested

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 08:00:00 +0100

The possible combination of influenza strains H1N1 (high infectivity) and H5N1 (high lethality) is a matter of global concern (1, 2). Bioradar UK Ltd announced (3) first, that the Replikin Counts of the two virus strains have risen simultaneously, not seen previously. Additionally, the rise is to their highest levels in 50 years (H1N1, 16.7; H5N1, 23.3), and that clinical outbreaks of each strain are now occurring... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Immunomodulatory and physical effects of oil composition in vaccine adjuvant emulsions.

Vaccine — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fox CB, Baldwin SL, Duthie MS, Reed SG, Vedvick TS Abstract Squalene-based oil-in-water emulsions have been used for years in some seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. However, concerns have been expressed regarding squalene source and potential biological activities. Little information is available regarding the immunomodulatory activity of squalene in comparison with other metabolizable oils in the context of oil-in-water emulsions formulated with vaccines. The present work describes the manufacture and physical characterization of emulsions composed of different classes of oils, including squalene, long chain triglycerides, a medium chain triglyceride, and a perfluorocarbon, all emulsified with egg phosphatidylcholine. Some differences were apparent among the non-s...

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Excess mortality from seasonal influenza is negligible below the age of 50 in Israel: implications for vaccine policy

Infection — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 05:51:14 +0100

Conclusion Annual mortality associated with seasonal influenza is highly variable. Under the age of 50 years, there is minimal seasonal influenza associated mortality. This information provides an important baseline for evaluating the severity of the A(H1N1) 2009 influenza pandemic, where persons under 50 years of age were often disproportionately represented. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical and Epidemiological StudyPages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s15010-011-0153-1Authors Y. Linhart, Tel Aviv District Health Office, Ministry of Health, 12, Ha’arba’a St, Tel-Aviv, 61203 IsraelT. Shohat, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, IsraelM. Bromberg, Israel Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Tel Hashomer, IsraelE. Mendelson, Sac...

Immunogenicity and safety of monovalent influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in HIV-infected Thai children.

Vaccine — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Phongsamart W, Sirisanthana V, Wittawatmongkol O, Maleesatharn A, Sudjaritruk T, Chearskul P, Aurpibul L, Sirisanthana T, Chokephaibulkit K Abstract To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of the monovalent pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 (pH1N1) vaccine in HIV-infected Thai children, 2 doses, 28days apart, of non-adjuvant monovalent pH1N1 vaccine (Panenza(®) by Sanofi Pasteur, 15μg/dose) provided by the National Health Promotion Program of the Thai Ministry of Public Health were given to HIV-infected children. Immunogenicity was measured by hemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) using two antigens, pH1N1 (A/Thailand/104/09) and seasonal influenza A H1N1 (A/Brisbane/59/07-like), at baseline, and 28days after each dose. Serologic response was defined as four-fold risin...

Low level of seroconversion after a novel influenza A/H1N1/2009 vaccination in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the 2009 season

Rheumatology International — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:11:27 +0100

We examined change in the antibody titre against pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 before and after vaccination in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This observational study was conducted with the participation of five hospitals in Japan. A total of 89 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in this study. The seroprotection and seroresponse rates to vaccination with the pandemic influenza A/H1N1/2009 vaccine were analysed. The seroprotection rates prior to the vaccination were 5.6% in the Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The seroprotection rates after subcutaneous vaccination were 55.1%. The seroresponse rate after subcutaneous vaccination was 50.6% in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both the seroprotection and seroresponse rates obtained after t...

Determination of H5N1 vaccine potency using reference antisera from heterologous strains of influenza

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The data demonstrate the feasibility of using heterologous antiserum for potency determination of at least some candidate vaccines in case of a shortage or delay of homologous antiserum. Further, the results suggest the prudence of stockpiling a broad library of potency reagents including many strains of influenza viruses with pandemic potential to provide an added measure of assurance that reagent production would not be a bottleneck to vaccine production during a pandemic. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Epidemiological and Serological Surveillance of Human Pandemic Influenza A Virus Infections during 2009-2010 in Thailand.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Prachayangprecha S, Makkoch J, Vuthitanachot C, Vuthitanachot V, Payungporn S, Chieochansin T, Theamboonlers A, Poovorawan Y Abstract Since April 2009, the outbreak of human pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus (pH1N1) infection has spread from North America to other parts of the world, and currently, pH1N1 is the predominant circulating strain of influenza viruses. Our objectives were to perform a serological survey of medical personnel at the Chumphae Hospital in Thailand and to investigate the prevalence of pH1N1 in randomly selected patients diagnosed with respiratory tract disease. Prevalence of pH1N1 in the patients was determined by performing real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The study was carried out between July 2009 and November 2010. Serop...

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Comparative safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of several anti‐H5N1 influenza experimental vaccines in a mouse and chicken models (Testing of killed and live H5 vaccine)

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The high yield, safety, and protectivity of VN‐Len and Ku‐Len made them promising strains for the production of inactivated and live vaccines against H5N1 viruses. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

NSW Annual Report Describing Adverse Events Following Immunisation, 2010.

New South Wales Public Health Bulletin — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The large number of reports in 2010 is attributable to the high rates of fever and febrile convulsions in children after vaccination with 2010 seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine, as well as pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine. PMID: 22060057 [PubMed - in process] (Source: New South Wales Public Health Bulletin)

Bird flu deaths in Asia prompt call for scrutiny

Reuters: Health — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:22:04 +0100

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Virologists warned on Tuesday that there was no vaccine against a mutant strain of H5N1 bird flu now spreading in China and Vietnam and called for closer monitoring of the disease in poultry and wild birds to stop it spreading to people. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Low health risk from bird flu

NHS News Feed — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The United Nations has this week warned of a possible global resurgence of the bird flu virus, which has been widely covered in the media. News sources, such as the BBC, have also reported the circulation of a mutant strain that is able to “sidestep” current vaccines. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization issued the warning after rises in the numbers of birds infected with the H5N1 strain of avian flu virus. The virus is not readily passed to humans but since it first appeared in 2003 the H5N1 strain has infected 565 people globally, 331 of whom died. However, these people were overwhelmingly individuals farming birds or raising poultry within their own homes. There is also evidence of birds in Vietnam and China becoming infected with a mutant strain that existing vaccines do no...

Avian glycan-specific IgM monoclonal antibodies for the detection and quantitation of type A and B haemagglutinins in egg-derived influenza vaccines.

Journal of Virological Methods — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Legastelois I, Chevalier M, Bernard MC, de Montfort A, Fouque M, Pilloud A, Serraille C, Devard N, Engel O, Sodoyer R, Moste C Abstract Two IgM monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), Y6F5 and Y13F9, were selected during a screening of clones obtained immunising BALB/c mice with purified envelop proteins of the A/Sydney/5/97 (H3N2) IVR108 influenza strain. These MAbs recognised avian glycans on the haemagglutinin (HA) of the virus. This broad recognition allowed these MAbs to be used as enzyme-labelled secondary antibody reagents in a strain specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in combination with a capture MAb that recognised and allowed the quantitation of the strain specific HA protein present in an egg-produced influenza vaccine. Advantage was taken of these MAbs t...

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Mutant strain of bird flu is spreading... and it's resistant to existing vaccines, warns UN

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:22:49 +0100

A mutant strain of the disease is said to be spreading through Asia and at least eight people have died in Cambodia this year of bird flu. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Bird Flu Back Again, U.N. Agency Warns

MedPage Today Public Health — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:13:10 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- A new vaccine-resistant strain of avian H5N1 influenza has begun circulating in poultry flocks in Vietnam and China, posing "unpredictable risks to human health," the Food and Agriculture Organization warned on Monday. (Source: MedPage Today Public Health)

Bird flu deaths in Asia prompt call for scrutiny

Reuters: Health — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 11:54:07 +0100

Experts issue warning over bird flu resurgence

OnMedica Latest News — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

New strain of avian flu in and beyond Asia prompts UN warningRelated items from OnMedicaScottish Bill passed to protect public from contaminationRetired doctors may be recalled during a flu pandemic Plea for swine flu vaccinations to continue despite falling casesJust-in-case flu sick days likely to hurt economyPregnant GPs should avoid flu patients (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Bird flu fear as strain mutates

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:50:12 +0100

Avian flu shows signs of a resurgence, while a mutant strain - able to sidestep vaccines - could be spreading in Asia, the United Nations warns. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

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Bird Flu Flies Again, Prompting UN Advisory

RWJF News Digest - Public Health — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization warned today about a "possible major resurgence" of H5N1 influenza, including a mutant virus that appears to be unfazed by available vaccines. (Source: RWJF News Digest - Public Health)

Commentary

Annals of Emergency Medicine — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:36:44 +0100

Each year, influenza affects approximately 5% to 20% of the US population, resulting in more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 to 49,000 deaths. EDs, as a key point of entry into the health care system, are responsible for initial management and treatment of a substantial proportion of influenza patients. It is therefore essential that ED clinicians maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current trends, treatments, and recommendations for the care of patients with influenza. Although vaccination and treatment of high-risk patients was recommended for seasonal influenza, patient and practitioner compliance has been poor. The emergence of a new pandemic influenza strain and widespread concern for increased mortality due to H1N1 influenza, along with an increasing body of research on the e...

Predictors of immune response and reactogenicity to AS03B-adjuvanted split virion and non-adjuvanted whole virion H1N1 (2009) pandemic influenza vaccines.

Vaccine — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Andrews NJ, Walker WT, Finn A, Heath PT, Collinson AC, Pollard AJ, Snape MD, Faust SN, Waight PA, Hoschler K, Sheasby L, Waddington C, Kerridge S, Chalk J, Reiner A, John T, Fletcher M, Allen R, Fineman N, Wilkins S, Casey M, Michaelis L, Oeser C, Okike I, Ladhani S, Miller E Abstract In 2009, 943 children aged 6 months to 10 years were randomised to receive two doses of an oil-in water AS03B-adjuvanted split virion or a non-adjuvanted whole virion H1N1 (2009) vaccine. The large numbers allowed investigation of possible predictors of immune response and reactogenicity. We used regression analysis to examine the effect of variables including past receipt of seasonal vaccine, antipyretics post-vaccination, interval between doses and pre-existing antibodies to H1N1 (2009) on ...

Guillain-Barré syndrome and H1N1 (2009) pandemic influenza vaccination using an AS03 adjuvanted vaccine in the United Kingdom: Self-controlled case series.

Vaccine — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Andrews N, Stowe J, Al-Shahi Salman R, Miller E Abstract In 1976 a swine influenza vaccine was associated with an increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Although subsequent studies did not find an increased risk of GBS following seasonal influenza vaccine, there was concern that the monovalent H1N1 vaccines developed against the swine influenza pandemic of 2009 might increase the risk of GBS. In the UK a split-virion AS03 oil-in-water adjuvanted vaccine (Pandemrix™) was predominantly used. To determine whether the risk of GBS increased after Pandemrix administration, we sought GBS cases during the period of vaccine use from neurologists and a patient support group, and following the vaccination period from hospital episode statistics (HES) in England. We obtai...

An analysis of national target groups for monovalent 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine and trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines in 2009-10 and 2010-11

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Differences in target groups between countries may reflect variable objectives as well as uncertainties regarding the transmission dynamics, severity and age-specific immunity against influenza viruses before and after vaccination. Clarification on these points is essential to elucidate optimal and object-oriented vaccination strategies. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

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Impact of the A (H1N1) pandemic influenza (season 2009–2010) on patients with cystic fibrosis

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A (H1N1) influenza infection caused transient but significant morbidity in most of the patients with CF. However, in a small number of patients with severe lung disease, A (H1N1) influenza was associated with respiratory deterioration, mechanical ventilation and even death. (Source: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis)

Efficacy of Influenza A H1N1/2009 Vaccine in Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplant Patients.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion The novel influenza A 2009 H1N1 vaccine was safe in renal patients, although administration of a single dose of adjuvanted vaccine induced a poor response in these patients. PMID: 21852661 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN)

Self-reported adverse reactions in 4337 healthcare workers immunizations against novel H1N1 influenza

BMC Research Notes — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our data together with available data from several national and international institutions points to a safe pandemic influenza vaccine. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Responses to Monovalent 2009 Influenza A/H1N1 and Seasonal Trivalent Influenza Vaccines in High-Risk Children

The Journal of Pediatrics — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Objective: Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to monovalent 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1/2009) and seasonal trivalent influenza (TIV) vaccines were evaluated in healthy children and children with asthma, sickle cell disease (SCD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and solid organ transplantation (SOT).Study design: Blood was collected from 112 subjects at the time of H1N1/2009 vaccination and 46 ± 15 days later for hemagglutination inhibition titers and γ-interferon ELISPOT responses to H1N1/2009 vaccine and TIV; unvaccinated children also received TIV at enrollment.Results: A significant increase in the percentage of subjects with seroprotective hemagglutination inhibition titers to both vaccines was observed in all high-risk groups. Children with asthma and SCD were most l...

Antiviral activity of the MEK-inhibitor U0126 against pandemic H1N1v and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in vitro and in vivo.

Antiviral Research — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Droebner K, Pleschka S, Ludwig S, Planz O Abstract The emergence of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic swine influenza A virus is a good example of how this viral infection can impact health systems around the world in a very short time. The continuous zoonotic circulation and reassortment potential of influenza A viruses (IAV) in nature represents an enormous public health threat to humans. Beside vaccination antivirals are needed to efficiently control spreading of the disease. In the present work we investigated whether the MEK inhibitor U0126, targeting the intracellular Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway, is able to suppress propagation of the 2009 pandemic IV H1N1v (v=variant) as well as highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) in cell culture and also in vivo in the mouse ...

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Therapy With m‐TOR Inhibitors Decreases the Response to the Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 Vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

American Journal of Transplantation — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Concern has been raised regarding the response to vaccination in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) undergoing immunosuppressant regimens and the possibility of rejection related to the immune response associated with pandemic influenza H1N1–2009 vaccination. The goal of this study was to assess the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of the pandemic vaccine in SOTR. We performed a multicenter prospective study in SOTR receiving the pandemic vaccine. Immunological response was determined in serum 5 weeks after vaccination by microneutralization assays, and immunoglobulins were measured by ELISA. Three hundred and forty‐six SOTR were included. Preexisting seroprotection was detected in 13.6% of cases and rates of seroconversion and seroprotection after vaccination were 73.1% and 8...

α-Galactosylceramide potently augments M2e-induced protective immunity against highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus infection in mice.

Vaccine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we believe that M2e-peptide supplemented with α-galactosylceramide in alum adjuvant would be a promising vaccine formulation to combat the next influenza pandemic. PMID: 21839133 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Virus aggregating peptide enhances the cell-mediated response to influenza virus vaccine.

Vaccine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Jones JC, Settles EW, Brandt CR, Schultz-Cherry S Abstract Given the poor immunogenicity of current H5N1 influenza vaccines, additives and adjuvants remain a viable solution for increasing efficacy. Here, we demonstrate that a 20-amino acid peptide (EB) possessing influenza antiviral activity also enhances the immune response to H5N1 vaccination in mice. The addition of EB to formalin-inactivated whole-virus vaccine induced virion aggregation and these aggregates were readily engulfed by phagocytic cells in vitro. In vivo, mice vaccinated with a suboptimal dose of inactivated vaccine containing EB peptide had reduced morbidity, improved viral clearance, and faster recovery than mice receiving vaccine alone. This phenomenon was not accompanied by an increase in virus-specif...

Improving influenza vaccine virus selectionReport of a WHO informal consultation held at WHO headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland, 14–16 June 2010

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Executive summary• For almost 60 years, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) has been the key player in monitoring the evolution and spread of influenza viruses and recommending the strains to be used in human influenza vaccines. The GISRS has also worked to continually monitor and assess the risk posed by potential pandemic viruses and to guide appropriate public health responses.• The expanded and enhanced role of the GISRS following the adoption of the International Health Regulations (2005), recognition of the continuing threat posed by avian H5N1 and the aftermath of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic provide an opportune time to critically review the process by which influenza vaccine viruses are selected. In addition to identifying potential areas for impr...

Reduced Antibody Responses to the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Vaccine after Recent Seasonal Influenza Vaccination.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Choi YS, Baek YH, Kang W, Nam SJ, Lee J, You S, Chang DY, Youn JC, Choi YK, Shin EC The vaccination program against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza (2009 H1N1) provided a unique opportunity to determine if immune responses to the 2009 H1N1 vaccine were affected by a recent, prior vaccination against seasonal influenza. In the present study, we studied the immune responses to the 2009 H1N1 vaccine in subjects who either received the seasonal influenza vaccination within the prior three months or did not. Following 2009 H1N1 vaccination, subjects previously given a seasonal influenza vaccination exhibited significantly lower antibody responses, as determined by hemagglutination inhibition assay, than subjects who had not received the seasonal influenza vaccination. This result ...

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Work towards 'universal flu vaccine'

NHS News Feed — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:30:00 +0100

Conclusion This laboratory research has identified an antibody which can target group 1 and 2 influenza A viruses. This is reported to be the first time an antibody with this type of coverage has been identified; a property which may help researchers to develop a “universal flu vaccine” that can tackle a wide range of flu viruses. The antibody was then shown to protect mice and ferrets against group 1 and 2 flu viruses. Further testing will be required to test the antibody’s efficacy in humans. While the antibody has been shown to be effective against influenza A strains tested thus far, there are also other, less common types of influenza virus that can infect humans: influenzas B and C. The antibody has not yet been tested against these strains. Therefore, the antibody identified d...

Factors associated with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccination acceptance among university students from India during the post-pandemic phase

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

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Immune response to pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza a vaccination in pediatric liver transplant recipients

Liver Transplantation — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 05:08:43 +0100

In conclusion, a single dose of a pandemic influenza A vaccine does not elicit a reliable immune response in adolescent pediatric liver transplant patients. A second dose of the vaccine is warranted in this group of patients, at least in a pandemic scenario. There is an urgent need to further assess vaccine strategies in this high‐risk group. Liver Transpl 17:914–920, 2011. © 2011 AASLD. (Source: Liver Transplantation)

Co-expression of multiple target proteins in plants from a tobacco mosaic virus vector using a combination of homologous and heterologous subgenomic promoters

Archives of Virology — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 18:07:33 +0100

Abstract To co-express multiple target proteins, we engineered a single-component chimeric tobacco mosaic virus (TMV)-based vector containing homologous and heterologous capsid protein subgenomic RNA promoters. Delivery of this vector into Nicotiana benthamiana plants via agroinfiltration resulted in co-expression of two reporter genes within a single cell. Furthermore, co-expression of a host-specific antisense RNA or a silencing suppressor protein from this vector augmented the accumulation of green fluorescent protein or a vaccine antigen, hemagglutinin from avian influenza virus A/Vietnam/1194/04. These findings suggest that this chimeric vector utilizing the homologous and heterologous subgenomic TMV promoters has a potential for high-level production of multiple thera...

Factors associated with infection by 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus during different phases of the epidemic

International Journal of Infectious Diseases — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our results provide the first serological evidence to suggest a protection effect from receiving an ISIV against pH1N1 infection only when the HI titer reaches 40 or higher during the pre-epidemic period. This study gives an important insight into the control and intervention measures required for preventing infections during future influenza epidemics. (Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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Effectiveness of a MF-59TM-adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine to prevent 2009 influenza A/H1N1-related hospitalisation; a matched case-control study

BMC Infectious Diseases — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The number of breakthrough infections, resulting in modest VE estimates, suggests that the MF-59TM adjuvanted vaccine may have had only a limited impact on preventing 2009 influenza A/H1N1-related hospitalisation in this setting. As the main aim of influenza vaccination programmes is to reduce severe influenza-related morbidity and mortality from influenza in persons at high risk of complications, a more effective vaccine, or additional preventive measures, are needed. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Vaccination coverage with seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines in children in France, 2009-2010 season.

Vaccine — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Weil-Olivier C, Lina B For a number of years now, GEIG, the Groupement d'Expertise et d'Information sur la Grippe (Influenza Expertise and Action Group) has conducted surveys to monitor seasonal trivalent vaccine uptake in France in adults. During the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, this survey was conducted to determine vaccination uptake for both pandemic and seasonal vaccines. An additional specific questionnaire was used to collect data on vaccination in children under 15 years of age. This additional study was carried out because pandemic vaccination (PV) was offered to the French population and children were listed as a priority target group by the national health authorities, whereas seasonal trivalent inactivated vaccines (TIV) are not recommended in children in France. Overall...

Pekin and Muscovy ducks respond differently to vaccination with a H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) commercial inactivated vaccine.

Vaccine — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, differences in response to infection and vaccination were observed between the two domestic duck species. This information should be taken into account when developing effective vaccination programs for controlling H5N1 HPAI in different species of ducks. PMID: 21771626 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Responses after one dose of a monovalent influenza A (H1N1) 2009 inactivated vaccine in Chinese population-A practical observation.

Vaccine — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: A single 15-μg dose of a monovalent, unadjuvanted inactivated 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine was well tolerated, and induced a protective immune response in the majority of subjects aged 18-60 years (clinical trials gov number, NCT01055990). PMID: 21767595 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)