MedWorm: Vaccines

SAROTUP: Scanner and Reporter of Target-Unrelated Peptides

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:08:40 +0100

In this study, we present SAROTUP, a free web tool for scanning, reporting and excluding possible target-unrelated peptides from real mimotopes. Preliminary tests show that SAROTUP is efficient and capable of improving the accuracy of mimotope-based epitope mapping. It is also helpful for the development of mimotope-based diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. (Source: Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology)

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Biovest Announces Upcoming Conference Calendar to Present on Personalized Cancer Vaccine Targeting B-cell Lymphomas

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:55:15 +0100

TAMPA, Fla. & MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2010 - Biovest International, Inc. (Other OTC:BVTI) today announced that the company is confirmed to present its personalized cancer vaccine, BiovaxID®, at the following... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Natural compound in bananas could hold key to stopping HIV

NaturalNews.com — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School scientists have found a potent substance that could block the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus believed to cause AIDS. This HIV preventative isn't a potent new drug or chemical-laden vaccine. Instead, it's a natural substance derived from a popular, inexpensive fruit -- bananas.In their study, just published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the researchers noted that HIV/AIDS remains a world-wide epidemic. "HIV is still rampant in the U.S. and the explosion in poorer countries continues to be a bad problem because of tremendous human suffering and the cost of treating it," study senior author David Marvovitz, M.D., professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, said in a statement to media.Bottom line: new way...

Study Shows Prevenar 13* Is Immunogenic In Young Children Previously Vaccinated With Prevenar*

Drugs.com - Clinical Trials — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:19:42 +0100

Other Data Support the Inclusion of Pneumococcal Serotypes 6A and 19A in Prevenar 13 NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 17, 2010 - According to results from a Phase III safety and immunogenicity study presented today, Prevenar 13* (Pneumococcal... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

Health headlines: Eczema, triplets and growing pains

Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:00:05 +0100

Other stories we’ve been reading: Another court case rules that vaccines don’t cause autism. Eczema drugs need tougher warnings. Deep brain stimulation reduces epileptic seizures. [Read one patient’s story of how brain stimulation is keeping her epileptic seizures at bay.] Kids do outgrow their growing pains. More strides are seen in pediatric orthopedic surgery. Naughty children are more likely to report chronic pain as adults. Babies are born to dance. There’s a rise in triplet births, but the death rates are high. The First Lady tells food makers to hurry up on making healthy food. PepsiCo pledges not to sell sugary beverages in school. Kraft plans to cut sodium levels in food products. [Read Thrive’s stories on childhood obesity and healthful eating.] MTV launches an online �...

A cost-utility analysis of adding a bivalent or quadrivalent HPV vaccine to the Irish cervical screening programme

The European Journal of Public Health — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:45:28 +0100

Conclusion: HPV vaccination has the potential to be very cost effective in Ireland. The quadrivalent vaccine is more cost effective than the bivalent vaccine. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

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Manufacturing Antibodies

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

EUREKA project E! 3424 RECAN has developed a range of unique and highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies - the proteins produced in the blood which counteract bacteria, viruses or cancerous cells. This was achieved by first producing a number of recombinant proteins which are important components of cellular signalling pathways. These proteins themselves have direct uses in immunisation and experimental studies... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Inflammatory Effect On Intestinal Lining Explained By Feedback Loop

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Signals released by immune cells during a bout of inflammatory bowel disease interfere with intestinal cells' ability to regenerate. Yet people with inflammatory bowel diseases have a significantly higher risk of developing colon cancer: a hyper-activation of growth in those same intestinal cells... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Manufacturing Antibodies

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

EUREKA project E! 3424 RECAN has developed a range of unique and highly specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies - the proteins produced in the blood which counteract bacteria, viruses or cancerous cells. This was achieved by first producing a number of recombinant proteins which are important components of cellular signalling pathways... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Impact of alcohol on hepatitis C virus replication and interferon signaling.

World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:48:49 +0100

Authors: McCartney EM, Beard MR Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main etiological factors responsible for liver disease worldwide. It has been estimated that there are over 170 million people infected with HCV worldwide. Of these infected individuals, approximately 75% will go on to develop a life long necroinflammatory liver disease, which over decades, can result in serious complications, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently there is no effective vaccine and whilst antiviral therapies have been improved, they are still only effective in approximately 50% of individuals. HCV infection stands as a major cause of global morbidity and suffering, and places a significant burden on health systems. The second highest cause of liver disease in the western world is a...

TB booster appears promising

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:27:01 +0100

WORCESTER, South Africa, March 19 (UPI) -- Researchers in South Africa say a booster may help tuberculosis resistance in already vaccinated adults. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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FDA approves new quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:55 +0100

Authors: Thompson CA PMID: 20237372 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Everyone needs seasonal flu vaccination, CDC advisers say.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:46 +0100

Authors: Traynor K PMID: 20237375 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Vaccine may stop cervical cancer return

Health News - UPI.com — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:56:56 +0100

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 19 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers said the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer may also protect against post-surgical recurrence of the disease. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Reduction of imatinib dose and persistence of complete molecular response after p210 multipeptide vaccine in chronic myeloid leukaemia treated with dose escalation for acquired resistance

British Journal of Haematology — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: British Journal of Haematology)

Family Vaccination Practice Assessment

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:08:09 +0100

In the vaccination assessment for 2010, we invite you to test your knowledge and assess your practice in comparison with your peers. Medscape Family Medicine (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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H1N1 fears worse than virus, expert says

CBC | Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:54:39 +0100

In the year since the first human case of H1N1 influenza was diagnosed in Mexico, public health efforts worldwide focusing on a vaccination campaign have increasingly come under question. (Source: CBC | Health)

AP: NASA, Royal Caribbean, Wall Street banks got flu shots

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:49:35 +0100

Last fall, as swine flu cases mounted and parents desperately sought to protect their kids, the hard-to-get vaccine was handed ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

'Flying vaccinator': Can genetically engineered mosquitoes provide a new strategy against malaria?

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:10:10 +0100

Mosquitoes transmit infectious diseases to millions of people every year, including malaria for which there is no effective vaccine. New research reveals that mosquito genetic engineering may turn the transmitter into a natural "flying vaccinator," providing a new strategy for biological control over the disease. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Fergus On Flu

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:57:52 +0100

Latest swine flu vaccine uptake figures (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Adjuvant dendritic cell-based tumour vaccination for children with malignant brain tumours.

Clinical Trials And Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:12:00 +0100

(Source: Clinical Trials And Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors)

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Adjuvant dendritic cell-based tumour vaccination for children with malignant brain tumours.

Clinical Trials And Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:12:00 +0100

(Source: Clinical Trials And Noteworthy Treatments For Brain Tumors)

SGO: HPV Vaccine Stops Recurrence After Surgery (CME/CE)

MedPage Today OB/GYN — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:43:11 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- Vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) significantly reduced the risk of recurrence after surgery for HPV-related cervical lesions, according to data reported here. (Source: MedPage Today OB/GYN)

Pregnant women wanted for N.B. H1N1 study

CBC | Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:42:48 +0100

New Brunswick's Department of Health is looking to study women who were pregnant during last fall's H1N1 vaccination regime to examine their attitudes surrounding whether they decided to get immunized. (Source: CBC | Health)

Optimization of Leukocyte Collection and Monocyte Isolation for Dendritic Cell Culture

Transfusion Medicine Reviews — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:31:43 +0100

Leukapheresis is the method of choice to collect monocytes for dendritic cell (DC) culture. Improvement of cell separators and cell collection software have enabled the collection of 109 monocytes for the generation of monocyte-derived DCs, which is sufficient to prepare a DC vaccine series. However, leukapheresis works with the technique of differential centrifugation which is not applicable to selectively collect mononuclear cells of similar density. After leukapheresis, thus, additional preparation steps are required to isolate and enrich the desired monocyte population. The cell isolation and cultivation techniques depend on the quality of the original leukocyte harvest due to the monocyte yield and the content of residual erythrocytes and platelets. Monocyte elutriation from the leuka...

Health warning as mumps cases soar 300% in wake of MMR scare

the Mail online | Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:20:27 +0100

Since 1998 the vaccine has been shunned by many parents who feared it was linked to incidences of autism in young children following a report by Dr Andrew Wakefield. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

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RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS: Use of a Reduced (4-Dose) Vaccine Schedule for Postexposure Prophylaxis to Prevent Human Rabies: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:41:06 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

New TB booster shows promise

ScienceDaily Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

A booster shot appears to improve tuberculosis (TB) resistance in previously vaccinated adults, according to new research in South Africa. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

Theme: Acute bacterial meningitis

Emergency Medicine Journal — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:45:06 +0100

(Source: Emergency Medicine Journal)

Football fans urged to get swine flu jabs

Nursing Times Breaking News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:02:00 +0100

Football fans heading to the World Cup in South Africa are being urged to have swine flu vaccinations to protect themselves during the country’s flu season. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Uganda: Govt Urged to Prioritise Cancer Fight

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:06:12 +0100

Parliament has urged the Government to prioritise the fight against cervical cancer by providing vaccination to all adolescent girls. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Study Shows Prevenar 13 Is Immunogenic In Young Children Previously Vaccinated With Prevenar

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

According to results from a Phase III safety and immunogenicity study presented today, Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, [13-valent, adsorbed]) was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated in healthy young children who had received at least three prior doses of Prevenar (Pneumococcal Saccharide Conjugated Vaccine, Adsorbed). These data were presented today at the 7th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) in Tel Aviv, Israel... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Study Shows Prevenar 13 Is Immunogenic In Young Children Previously Vaccinated With Prevenar

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

According to results from a Phase III safety and immunogenicity study presented today, Prevenar 13 (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine, [13-valent, adsorbed]) was shown to be immunogenic and generally well tolerated in healthy young children who had received at least three prior doses of Prevenar (Pneumococcal Saccharide Conjugated Vaccine, Adsorbed)... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Study Details Machinery Of Immune Protection Against Inflammatory Diseases Like Colitis

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Scientists report a protein made by a gene already associated with a handful of human inflammatory immune diseases plays a pivotal role in protecting the intestinal tract from colitis. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators led the research, which points to possible new strategies for combating colitis... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

The Immune System May Offer Method For Stopping Infection-Caused Inflammation By Targeting Blood Vessels

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Treating virulent influenza, sepsis, and other potentially deadly infections long has focused on looking for ways to kill viruses and bacteria. But new research from the University of Utah and Utah State University shows that modulating the body's own overeager inflammatory response to infection may help save more lives. In a study published March 17 in Science Translational Medicine, researchers led by U of U cardiologist Dean Y. Li, M.D., Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The Immune System May Offer Method For Stopping Infection-Caused Inflammation By Targeting Blood Vessels

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Treating virulent influenza, sepsis, and other potentially deadly infections long has focused on looking for ways to kill viruses and bacteria. But new research from the University of Utah and Utah State University shows that modulating the body's own overeager inflammatory response to infection may help save more lives... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

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'Flying Vaccinator': Can Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes Provide A New Strategy Against Malaria?

Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Mosquitoes transmit infectious diseases to millions of people every year, including malaria for which there is no effective vaccine. New research published in Insect Molecular Biology reveals that mosquito genetic engineering may turn the transmitter into a natural 'flying vaccinator', providing a new strategy for biological control over the disease... (Source: Biology / Biochemistry News From Medical News Today)

Hepatitis B Prevalence Among Asian Americans in Michigan: An Assessment to Guide Future Education and Intervention Strategies

Journal of Community Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 06:50:36 +0100

Abstract Free HBV (hepatitis B virus) screening was offered at 8 health fairs to Asian Americans in Southeast and West Michigan for two and a half years as a community service to study the prevalence of hepatitis B among Asian Americans in Michigan as a first step in reducing the incidence of hepatitis B. The screening included a 4 ml blood sample and a questionnaire assessing demographics and family history of hepatitis B; tests included the HBV surface antigen and antibody. 567 people participated in the study. About 6% of the participants had chronic hepatitis B (HBV carriers), 54% had the antibody (either had the disease before or were vaccinated) and 40% had no antibody or antigen (never infected by HBV and should be vaccinated to get protection). More than 95% o...

Poorer girls not getting HPV vaccine for cervical cancer

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 02:20:47 +0100

A vaccine that fights cervical cancer is not getting to many of the girls who need it the most, a new study shows. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

Report Says China Sold Bad Vaccines To Hospitals

NYT > Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:36:12 +0100

A newspaper article has reawakened a controversy over whether provincial authorities improperly stored vaccines, rendering them ineffective, and then let them be administered to children. (Source: NYT > Health)

Study: Gardasil not going to girls with greatest need

USATODAY.com Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:19:07 +0100

A cervical cancer vaccine is not getting to many of the girls who need it the most, a new study shows. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

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The latest buzz in vaccination

Scotsman.com News - Health — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

A MOSQUITO, genetically engineered so it vaccinates as it bites, has been developed by scientists. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Differential effects of Paclitaxel on dendritic cell function

BMC Immunology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The effect of paclitaxel on human monocyte derived DC is complex, but in the clinical context of patients receiving preloaded and matured DC vaccines, its immunostimulatory potential and resistance to direct cytotoxicity by paclitaxel would indicate potential advantages to co-administration with vaccines. (Source: BMC Immunology)

[Comment] Gardasil: from bench, to bedside, to blunder

LANCET — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The 2006 approval of Merck's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Gardasil) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exemplified the potential of bench-to-bedside research. This vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer received immediate recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for routine use in girls aged 11 and 12 years, along with catch-up vaccination for girls and women aged 13–26 years. The vaccine was incorporated into the CDC's Vaccines for Children Program at the same time. Some public health professionals speculated that the vaccine's rapid FDA approval and lightning-fast inclusion in CDC programmes would be followed by a colossal failure in the delivery system. Specifically, al...

[World Report] Experts concerned about vaccination backlash

LANCET — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Public health professionals are worried about the increasingly vocal anti-vaccination lobby in the USA and other western countries and their effect on immunisations globally. Priya Shetty reports. (Source: LANCET)

Measles outbreaks in displaced populations: a review of transmission, morbidity and mortality associated factors

BMC International Health and Human Rights — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Measles patterns have varied over time among populations displaced by natural and man-made disasters. Appropriate risk assessment and surveillance strategies are essential approaches for reducing morbidity and mortality due to measles. Learning from past experiences of measles outbreaks in displaced populations is important for designing future strategies for measles control in such situations. (Source: BMC International Health and Human Rights)

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The development and preliminary evaluation of a new Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine comprising Ag85b, HspX and CFP-10:ESAT-6 fusion protein with CpG DNA and aluminum hydroxide adjuvants

FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Ag85b and HspX of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) (H37Rv) were expressed and purified in this study. These two proteins were combined with another fusion protein CFP-10:ESAT-6 (C/E) (Ag), then mixed with the adjuvants CpG DNA and aluminum hydroxide and used to vaccinate mice and guinea pigs challenged with Mtb (H37Rv). The number of spleen lymphocytes secreting Ag85b, HspX and C/E-specific interferon-[gamma] were significantly higher in the Ag+Al+CpG group than in the Ag and CpG groups. The combination of Ag, Al and CpG induced the highest concentrations of anti-Ag85b, anti-HspX and anti-C/E immunoglobulin G in mouse serum. Mouse peritoneal macrophages from the Ag+Al+CpG group secreted significantly higher levels of interleukin-12 compared with macrophages from the other groups. The total...

Pandemic H1N1 (2009) swine flu vaccines can now be used for travellers to the Southern Hemisphere

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News The Director of Immunisation has written to GPs to inform them that the H1N1 (2009) swine flu vaccine can be provided for protection of travellers to Southern Hemisphere countries during their influenza season. The swine flu vaccine can be given to reduce the risk of people travelling to these countries catching swine flu whilst abroad and bringing the virus back. This is in accordance with advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), as outlined in a previous letter from the Department of Health (18/02/10 - see below). The Southern Hemisphere influenza season is expected to start shortly - further information on this is available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (website: ww...

Menveo® meningococcal vaccine approved in the EU

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: PharmaLive Area: News According to PharmaLive, the European Commission has approved Menveo® (Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y conjugate vaccine) in all 27 European member states. Menveo® is indicated for the active immunisation of adolescents (from 11 years of age) and adults at risk of exposure to Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, W135 and Y, to prevent invasive disease. Menveo® is the first conjugate vaccine commercially available in Europe that helps protect against four major groups of meningococcal disease. Novartis intends to submit additional data to the EMEA to support the use of Menveo in other age groups (it is currently in Phase III clinical studies in infants and toddlers). (Source: NeLM - News)

Pandemic H1N1 vaccine uptake figures for England by SHA and PCT

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News The Department of Health has published preliminary data on swine flu vaccinations given up to 28 February 2010 at the SHA and PCT/Trust levels, to both patients and front line healthcare workers. Please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

EU recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccine composition for the season 2010/2011

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: EMEA Area: News Having considered information on international surveillance, the CHMP BWP Ad hoc Influenza Working Group has recommended that the WHO recommendation on the composition of influenza vaccines for 2010/2011 should be followed. This is a trivalent vaccine an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. The acceptable strains for the purpose of manufacture are listed; please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

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Use of a reduced (4-dose) vaccine schedule for postexposure prophylaxis to prevent human rabies: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices.

MMWR Recomm Rep — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes new recommendation and updates previous recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent human rabies (CDC. Human rabies prevention---United States, 2008: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. MMWR 2008;57[No. RR-3]). Previously, ACIP recommended a 5-dose rabies vaccination regimen with human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) or purified chick embryo cell vaccine (PCECV). These new recommendations reduce the number of vaccine doses to four. The reduction in doses recommended for PEP was based in part on evidence from rabies virus pathogenesis data, experimental animal work, clinical studies, and epidemiologic surveillance. These studies indicated that 4 vaccine doses in c...

AP Enterprise: NASA, Cruise Line Got Flu Shots

WDSU.com - Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:41:12 +0100

Last fall, as swine flu cases mounted and parents desperately sought to protect their kids, the hard-to-get vaccine was handed out in some surprising places: the Royal Caribbean cruise line, the headquarters of drug giant Merck, the Johnson Space Center and a Department of Energy office in Idaho. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)

FDA Approves Orphan Drug Status for Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:37:33 +0100

The FDA has approved orphan drug status for a therapeutic vaccine to treat pancreatic cancer. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

No Full Record Of Where All H1N1 Vaccine Went

WDSU.com - Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:31:27 +0100

WHO, UNICEF Suspend Use of Shantha Bio's Vaccine: Report

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:52:18 +0100

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have suspended the use and purchase of the Shan5 vaccine from Sanofi Aventis owned Shantha Biotechnics pending a quality investigation. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

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World Cup travellers urged to get swine flu jab

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:35:56 +0100

Football fans travelling to the World Cup in South Africa should be vaccinated against swine flu, the Department of Health has warned. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Genetically modified mosquitos could be used to spread vaccine for malaria

Telegraph Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:01:07 +0100

A genetically engineered mosquito that vaccinates as it bites has been developed by scientists. (Source: Telegraph Health)

In this issue – April 2010

Australian Veterinary Journal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:39:56 +0100

Intrasynovial catheterisation for antimicrobial administration into equine joints · Foot measurements in Kaimanawa feral horses · Myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma after equine influenza vaccination · Prepartum diet and blood metabolites in dairy cows · Potential non-surgical alternative to mulesing · Myelodysplasia in two beef calves · Parenteral barium selenate for selenium deficiency in cattle (Source: Australian Veterinary Journal)

Identification of an MSI-H Tumor-Specific Cytotoxic T Cell Epitope Generated by the (−1) Frame of U79260(FTO)

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:29:23 +0100

Microsatellite instability (MSI-H) induced by defects of the DNA mismatch repair system results in insertion or deletion of single nucleotides at short repetitive DNA sequences. About 15% of sporadic and approximately 90% of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancers display MSI-H. When affecting coding regions, MSI-H results in frameshift mutations and expression of corresponding frameshift peptides (FSPs). Functional tumor promoting relevance has been demonstrated for a growing number of genes frequently hit by MSI-H. Contrary, immune reactions against FSPs are involved in the immune surveillance of MSI-H cancers. Here, we provide conclusive data that the (−1) frame of U79260(FTO) encodes an HLA-A0201-restricted cytotoxic T cell epitope (FSP11; TLSPGWSAV). T cells specific...

Anal HPV infection in Slovenian men who have sex with men

Central European Journal of Medicine — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:39:18 +0100

Abstract Anal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection commonly affects men who have sex with men (MSM) and is associated with the development of anal cancer, with the highest prevalence in MSM who are positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anal HPV infection and genotype distribution in Slovenian MSM and its correlation with behavioral patterns in order to predict the possible impact of quadrivalent HPV vaccine in this population. To our knowledge, this is the first study of prevalence and genotype distribution of anal HPV infection in MSM from any of the Eastern European countries. The study included 136 MSM who visited two outpatient offices from January 2007 through December 2008. All participants were ...

MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.

Candidate TB Booster Vaccine Shows Promise in Phase 1 Study

Medscape Today Headlines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:36:21 +0100

The AERAS-402 vaccine was safe and induced a robust and durable immune response in BCG-primed healthy Mycobacterium tuberculosis-uninfected adults from South Africa. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Dr. Thomas Hofstaetter Named President and CEO of VaxInnate; Dr. Alan Shaw Assumes New Role as Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board

HSMN NewsFeed — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:36:12 +0100

CRANBURY, N.J.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--VaxInnate Corporation today announced that Thomas Hofstaetter, PhD has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Alan Shaw, PhD, who previously held that position, has assumed the newly created role of Chie... Biopharmaceuticals, PersonnelVaxInnate, vaccine (Source: HSMN NewsFeed)

Polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination of nephrotic children at disease onset–long-term data

Pediatric Nephrology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:24:50 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Letter to the EditorsDOI 10.1007/s00467-010-1492-3Authors Bilal Aoun, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Armand-Trousseau Hospital Avenue du Docteur Netter 75012 Paris FranceHala Wannous, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Armand-Trousseau Hospital Avenue du Docteur Netter 75012 Paris FranceChristine Azéma, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Armand-Trousseau Hospital Avenue du Docteur Netter 75012 Paris FranceTim Ulinski, Assistance Publique–Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP) Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Armand-Trousseau Hospital Avenue du Docteur Netter 75012 Paris France Journal Pediatric Nephro...

China Accused of Selling Bad Vaccines

NYT > Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:55:11 +0100

Effect of fresh dietary garlic powder on some of the serum biochemical parameters in broiler chicks

Comparative Clinical Pathology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:14:21 +0100

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of garlic, in powder form, on protein fractions of broiler chicks' sera. Two hundred and eighty, 2-day-old Ross chicks were randomly divided into four groups: A and B (52 each) and C and D (88 each). The chicks in groups A and B were fed control diet, but those in groups C and D received diet supplemented with 1% and 3% garlic powder, respectively. To evaluate the effect of consumption period of garlic on immune response, half of the chicks in groups C and D were separated after the second bleeding as groups E and F and were fed control diet until the end of the experiment (6 weeks). All groups except A were inoculated against Newcastle disease, avian influenza, and infectious bursal disease. Fifteen ...

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EU approves meningococcal vaccine

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:11:22 +0100

Swiss drug giant Novartis has won approval from Europe's health regulator for its new meningococcal vaccine following support from US authorities last month. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Nature News Examines GAVI Alliance's Budget Gap

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Nature News examines GAVI Alliance's multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall ahead of a donors meeting in The Hague on March 25-26. The meeting, which marks "the first time that the global-health partnership, based in Geneva, Switzerland, has brought together all of its major donors - countries and philanthropic organizations - at a single fund-raising event," also demonstrates "the current woes at the organization, which since its creation in 2000 has taken vaccination rates in low-income countries to record highs," the news service writes... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Vaccine Suspension; E. Africa Food Security; GMOs; Somali President Responds; China's Food Security

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

WHO Suspends Distribution, Purchase Of Pentavalent Vaccine A WHO spokeswoman announced Wednesday that the agency "has suspended the distribution and purchase of the Shan5 vaccine, produced by Sanofi-Aventis's Indian unit Shantha Biotechnics, pending a quality investigation," after several reports of white sediment on the walls of the vaccine vials, the Wall Street Journal reports... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Nature News Examines GAVI Alliance's Budget Gap

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Nature News examines GAVI Alliance's multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall ahead of a donors meeting in The Hague on March 25-26... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Vaccine Suspension; E. Africa Food Security; GMOs; Somali President Responds; China's Food Security

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

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Research Team Demonstrate For The First Time The Important Role Of 2 Proteins In The Process Of Inflammation And Colon Cancer

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Every day, our gut comes in contact with bacteria, inducing an inflammatory response that is tolerated and controlled. Sometimes the control of inflammation is lost and this can lead to inflammatory bowel disease that may predispose to colon cancer... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

WHO Suspends Vaccine By Sanofi-Aventis Subsidiary Because Of White Sediment Inside Vials

Drugs.com - Pharma News — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:55:27 +0100

GENEVA -- The U.N. health agency said Wednesday it has suspended its approval of a vaccine against tetanus and four other diseases produced by Sanofi-Aventis SA subsidiary because of a white substance forming inside some vials. The World Health... (Source: Drugs.com - Pharma News)

New Path To Therapeutic HIV Vaccine Discovered By Studying Immunologic Profile Of Rare HIV Controllers

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Based on encouraging results from pre-clinical research, Bionor Immuno AS today announced intentions to take the therapeutic and potentially preventative HIV-vaccine candidate Vacc-C5 into a Phase I/II clinical trial. The research results indicate that Vacc-C5 may induce a protective antibody response in HIV patients similar to that found in patients with slow or non-progressing disease... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

New Path To Therapeutic HIV Vaccine Discovered By Studying Immunologic Profile Of Rare HIV Controllers

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Nigeria: Akwa Ibom - Commissioner Dismisses Rumour Over Immunization Deaths

AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:41:54 +0100

COMMISSIONER of Health, Akwa Ibom State Dr. Louisa Ukpeh has urged parents to ignore rumour making the rounds that 10 children died in the state after receiving immunization vaccine, stating that the rumour was not true. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)

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Universal Detection Technology Addresses First Responder Anthrax Vaccinations

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, issued a response today to a growing interest in the security and emergency response communities to immunize first responders most susceptible to anthrax exposure. The issue was brought to the forefront recently at the annual EMS Today Conference in Baltimore, where Dr... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Research By VGTI Florida Science Director Demonstrates How HIV Disables The Immune System

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

New research conducted by the scientific director for VGTI Florida and his colleagues at the University of Montreal, in collaboration with scientists from the NIH and the McGill University Hospital center, may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Universal Detection Technology Addresses First Responder Anthrax Vaccinations

Bio-terrorism / Terrorism News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies and counter-terrorism training programs to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats, issued a response today to a growing interest in the security and emergency response communities to immunize first responders most susceptible to anthrax exposure... (Source: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism News From Medical News Today)

Protecting Patients Via Health-Care Worker Vaccination

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Healthcare personnel influenza immunization rates have remained low, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading healthcare organizations that all healthcare personnel receive annual flu vaccines. Experts say these levels are perilous. Increasing vaccination rates substantially improves patient safety, lowering flu deaths by 40 percent... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New TB Booster Shows Promise

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

A booster shot appears to improve tuberculosis (TB) resistance in previously vaccinated adults, according to new research in South Africa. The study has been published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. "The world urgently needs new, better vaccines against TB," said Willem Hanekom, M.B.Ch.B., associate professor and co-director, South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI). "It is important to test the safety of these vaccines in settings where TB is very common, such as South Africa... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Protecting Patients Via Health-Care Worker Vaccination

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

New TB Booster Shows Promise

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

A booster shot appears to improve tuberculosis (TB) resistance in previously vaccinated adults, according to new research in South Africa. The study has been published online ahead of print publication in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. "The world urgently needs new, better vaccines against TB," said Willem Hanekom, M.B.Ch.B... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

China says probing report on deadly faulty vaccines

Reuters: Health — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:23:50 +0100

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's Health Ministry is probing a report in a domestic newspaper that faulty vaccines in northern Shanxi province were responsible for killing four children and making dozens of others sick. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Workers get flu shot if co-workers do

Health News - UPI.com — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:13:37 +0100

IOWA CITY, Iowa, March 18 (UPI) -- Increasing vaccination rates of healthcare personnel substantially improves patient safety, lowering flu deaths by 40 percent, researchers suggest. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

'Flying vaccinator': Can genetically engineered mosquitoes provide a new strategy against malaria?

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) Mosquitoes transmit infectious diseases to millions of people every year, including malaria for which there is no effective vaccine. New research published in Insect Molecular Biology reveals that mosquito genetic engineering may turn the transmitter into a natural "flying vaccinator," providing a new strategy for biological control over the disease. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

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Scottish GPs set for QOF threshold drop after vaccination success

HealthcareRepublic Independent Nurse News — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:14:00 +0100

Scottish practices are set to receive relaxed QOF thresholds after achieving higher swine flu vaccine uptake rate than last year's seasonal flu vaccine. (Source: HealthcareRepublic Independent Nurse News)

Solution structure of a Plasmodium falciparum AMA-1/MSP 1 chimeric protein vaccine candidate (PfCP-2.9) for malaria

Malaria Journal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These data indicate that the fusion of AMA-1(III) and MSP1-19 as chimeric protein did not change their structures, supporting the use of the chimeric protein as a potential malaria vaccine. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Vaccination coverage of Greek paediatric healthcare workers against seasonal and A/H1N1 influenza

Acta Paediatrica — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Acta Paediatrica)

New genetic associations detected in a host response study to hepatitis B vaccine

Genes and Immunity — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: S Davila, F E M Froeling, A Tan, C Bonnard, G J Boland, H Snippe, M L Hibberd & M Seielstad (Source: Genes and Immunity)

Myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma with multifocal osseous metaplasia at the site of equine influenza vaccination

Australian Veterinary Journal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe a fibrosarcoma in a 12-year-old Quarterhorse × Arabian gelding as a sequela to equine influenza vaccination. Shortly after the second vaccination, swelling at the site was noticed by the owner and it continued to increase in size over the following 6 months. Biopsy of the mass indicated a fibrosarcoma had developed at the vaccination site. It was approximately 20 cm in diameter and elevated well above the level of the skin. There was no clinical evidence of metastases to the lungs or local lymph nodes. Surgical resection of the mass was performed and the wound healed by first and second intention. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma with multifocal osseous metaplasia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the fir...

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NHS Choices assessment of press reports that vitamin D supplements can prevent flu

NeLM - News — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: NHS Choices Area: News Following press reports that "vitamin D is better than vaccines at preventing flu, an assessment of the source of these reports has been carried out by NHS Choices. The reports were based on a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition which described the findings of a randomised, placebo-controlled trial investigating how vitamin D supplementation affects the incidence of seasonal flu in 430 school children in Japan. The trial was conducted in 12 hospitals between December 2008 and March 2009. General medical questionnaires were completed by the parents who were given vitamin D or a placebo and told that the children should take three tablets, twice daily (total dose 1200 IU of vitamin D, or inactive placebo). ...

Antibodies against multiple merozoite surface antigens of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum inhibit parasite maturation and red blood cell invasion

Malaria Journal — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The findings reported provide further support for the development of vaccines based on MSP-1/6/7 and AMA-1, which would possibly include a combination of these antigens. (Source: Malaria Journal)

Effectiveness of the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine against invasive pneumococcal disease in people 60 years or older.

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These findings confirm the effectiveness of the 23-valent PPV against IPD, and they also support the benefit of vaccination in preventing invasive infections among high-risk and older people. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Differential expression of genes in salivary glands of male Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in response to infection with Anaplasma marginale

BMC Genomics - Latest articles — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Characterization of differential gene expression in salivary glands of R. microplus in response to A. marginale infection expands our understanding of the molecular mechanisms at the tick-pathogen interface. Functional studies suggested that differentially expressed genes encoding for subolesin, putative von Willebrand factor and flagelliform silk protein could play a role in A. marginale infection and multiplication in ticks. These tick genes found to be functionally relevant for tick-pathogen interactions will likely be candidates for development of vaccines designed for control of both ticks and tick-borne pathogens. (Source: BMC Genomics - Latest articles)

Allelic variation in colonization factor CS6 of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from acute diarrhoeal patients and controls.

Journal of Medical Microbiology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sabui S, Ghosal A, Dutta S, Ghosh A, Ramamurthy T, Nataro JP, Hamabata T, Chatterjee NS Colonization factor antigens (CFAs) are important virulence factors in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Using a multiplex PCR and RT-PCR, we tested presence of common colonization factor-encoding genes and their expression in 50 ETEC strains isolated from stool specimens. The samples were from acute diarrhoeal patients admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital, Kolkata, India, children suffering from diarrhoea (cases) and normal children (controls) below five years age from the community. Our results indicated that CS6 was the most prevalent CFA (78%) expressed by these ETECs. Sequence analysis of both the CS6 structural genes, i.e., cssA and cssB, in different ETEC isolates revea...

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Communication challenges of HPV vaccination

Family Practice — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:41:56 +0100

Conclusions. Success of the national immunization programme will depend on overcoming the challenges of providing explanations to ensure that individuals understand the potential benefits of HPV vaccination. Primary care can play an important role, but this study suggests there are fundamental issues that need further clarification. (Source: Family Practice)

Pharmacologic Advances in the Treatment and Prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:21:46 +0100

This article reviews these obstacles and presents the novel development strategies used to overcome many of them. Also discussed are promising new antiviral treatment candidates and their associated mechanism of action, the significant advances made in vaccine development, and exciting, new studies directed at improving outcomes through pharmacologic manipulation of the host response to RSV disease. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

NIH Clinical Center to Open State-of-the-Art Pharmaceutical Development Facility

National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:06:00 +0100

Members of the media are invited to tour the new one-of-a-kind National Institutes of Health Clinical Center pharmaceutical development facility. Originally established in 1956, the resource enables NIH intramural researchers to design studies with tailored drug treatment. Facility staff manage, analyze, and create experimental medications and vaccines used in clinical research studies at the Clinical Center, NIH's clinical research hospital. (Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH) News Releases)

Rescuing the Bottom Billion Through Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases

Videocast - All Events — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:17:00 +0100

The 2010 John Ring LaMontagne Lecture Speaker: Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D. Walter G. Ross Professor and Chair Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Tropical Medicine The George Washington University President, Sabin Vaccine Institute Air date: 4/22/2010 2:00:00 PM (Source: Videocast - All Events)

Swine flu threat to children 'not taken seriously'

Pulse — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:17:00 +0100

Medical leaders have been accused of not taking the threat to young children from swine flu seriously enough, as time runs out for parents to have their under-fives vaccinated. (Source: Pulse)

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Swine flu threat to children 'not taken seriously'

Pulse — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:17:00 +0100

Medical leaders have been accused of not taking the threat to young children from swine flu seriously enough, as time runs out for parents to have their under-fives vaccinated. (Source: Pulse)

Also In Global Health News: Profiles Of CDC, USAID Leaders; HIV/AIDS In Kenya; Food Aid In Tanzania; Hunger In North Korea; More

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

New York Times Features Profiles Of USAID's Shah, CDC's Frieden The New York Times examines the recent changes at the CDC - "considered one of the world's premier public health agencies, responsible for tracking the spread of infectious disease, distributing vaccines and monitoring the causes of sickness and deaths" - since Director Thomas Frieden took over in June (Harris, 3/15). The New York Times' blog, "The Caucus," also features a video interview with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, where he reflects on U.S. government's response to the Jan... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Also In Global Health News: Profiles Of CDC, USAID Leaders; HIV/AIDS In Kenya; Food Aid In Tanzania; Hunger In North Korea; More

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 +0100

New York Times Features Profiles Of USAID's Shah, CDC's Frieden The New York Times examines the recent changes at the CDC - "considered one of the world's premier public health agencies, responsible for tracking the spread of infectious disease, distributing vaccines and monitoring the causes of sickness and deaths" - since Director Thomas Frieden took ove... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Vitamin D supplements and flu

NHS News Feed — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:27:00 +0100

Conclusion This randomised controlled trial of 430 schoolchildren found that taking daily vitamin D supplements for the four winter months reduced children’s risk of being diagnosed with seasonal flu compared to taking an inactive tablet. There are a few important points: The Times headline, “Vitamin D better than vaccines”, is misleading, as it implies that the vitamin has been trialled against vaccines. It has only been compared with an inactive placebo drug, so there is no evidence that the vitamin is more effective than seasonal flu vaccines or any other vaccine, including the swine flu vaccine. Subgroup analyses found that there were some differences in the effect of vitamin D depending on certain characteristics, such as if the child had never taken supplements before, or...

Interim Results: Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Coverage -- United States, October-December 2009

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:04:29 +0100

The vast majority of US adults at increased risk for complications from swine flu remains unvaccinated despite ample vaccine supply. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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It's Time To Reassess Where We Stand With An HIV Vaccine As Numbers Infected Rise In UN Study

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

HIV Vaccine Strategy Expands Immune Responses

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

It's Time To Reassess Where We Stand With An HIV Vaccine As Numbers Infected Rise In UN Study

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

According to a recent United Nations study, HIV infection rates among high-risk groups such as gays, drug users and sex workers are on the rise around the world. U.N. AIDS agency chief Michel Sidibe is saying the increase may be due to worsening discrimination against these groups in certain countries. In the U.S., despite laws that are more tolerant of homosexuality, more than half of all new HIV infections in 2009 occurred among gay men, which Sidibe called "shocking." In the U.S., Sidibe said, "it seems like we have come full circle," and not in a good way... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HIV Vaccine Strategy Expands Immune Responses

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Two teams of researchers including Los Alamos National Laboratory theoretical biologists Bette Korber, Will Fischer, Sydeaka Watson, and James Szinger have announced an HIV vaccination strategy that has been shown to expand the breadth and depth of immune responses in rhesus monkeys. Rhesus monkeys provide the best animal model currently available for testing HIV vaccines. The research appeared in two back-to-back articles in Nature Medicine this week, and outlines a strategy, called "mosaic vaccines," for reducing the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Black Children At Lower Risk Of Shingles After Chickenpox Vaccine; Genetic Explanation Is Most Likely, Researchers Think

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Black children are less likely than white or Asian children to develop shingles (herpes zoster) after receiving the varicella vaccine to prevent chickenpox, reports a study in the March issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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HPV Vaccine Also Protects Females From Post-Surgical Cancer Recurrence

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

A vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer also may protect females from post-surgical recurrence of the disease, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). A new study shows that the Gardasil vaccine reduces the likelihood of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease recurring after teen and adult women already have had surgery to remove cancer or certain pre-cancerous changes, said Warner Huh, M.D., an associate professor in the UAB Division of Gynecologic Oncology and lead presenter on the study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Revolade(R) (Eltrombopag) Receives European Marketing Authorisation For The Treatment Of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted marketing authorisation for Revolade® (eltrombopag), a once-daily oral treatment for adults with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

Black Children At Lower Risk Of Shingles After Chickenpox Vaccine; Genetic Explanation Is Most Likely, Researchers Think

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

HPV Vaccine Also Protects Females From Post-Surgical Cancer Recurrence

Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

BioSante Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation For GVAX Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPAX) announced BioSante's receipt of Orphan Drug designation from the FDA's Office of Orphan Products Development for GVAX Pancreas Vaccine in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. "The Orphan Drug designation of GVAX Pancreas Vaccine for the treatment of pancreatic cancer is BioSante's first GVAX regulatory submission and response from the FDA since acquiring this portfolio of cancer vaccines last October," said Stephen M. Simes, BioSante's president & CEO... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Identification Of Gene That May Play A Key Role In Atherosclerosis And Other Diseases

Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

To understand the role of inflammation in cardiovascular and other diseases, it is essential to identify and characterize genes that induce an inflammatory response in the body -- and the genes that regulate them... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)

BioSante Announces FDA Orphan Drug Designation For GVAX Pancreatic Cancer Vaccine

Cancer / Oncology News From Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Factors Associated with Increased Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Rates: Results from a National Survey of University Hospitals and Medical Centers

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:05:40 +0100

Conclusions. Vaccination programs that emphasized accountability to the highest levels of the organization, provided weekend access to vaccination, and used train‐the‐trainer programs had higher vaccination coverage. Of concern, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs differed, and uniform definitions will be essential in the event of public reporting of vaccination rates. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

Scientists study use of tobacco plants in making flu vaccine

Los Angeles Times - Science — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Researchers behind Project GreenVax say the plants could create vaccine far faster and more efficiently than fertile chicken eggs. Here's an idea: Rehabilitate the tobacco plant by using it to make flu vaccine. This may sound like a double-whammy nightmare for anyone who believes that vaccines are killing us all and GMOs are killing us all, but let's put that aside and examine what the scientists are doing, and why. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)

Anapol Schwartz Files Gardasil Vaccine Complaints

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Anapol Schwartz attorneys Lawrence Cohan and Melissa Fry Hague recently filed two Gardasil vaccine complaints - one on behalf of a Kensington, Calif., family, whose 15-year old daughter died after suffering from severe adverse reactions, and another on behalf of a 19-year old Lapeer, Mich., woman, who has a chronic, autoimmune disorder. The cases, filed in The Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., seek recovery under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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ENGERIX-B (Hepatitis B Vaccine (Recombinant)) Injection, Suspension [GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 17, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

HAVRIX (Hepatitis A Vaccine) Injection, Suspension [GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 17, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Strategies increase health-care worker vaccination rates -- protecting patients

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:00:00 +0100

(Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) Health-care personnel influenza immunization rates have remained low, despite recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other leading health-care organizations that all health-care personnel receive annual flu vaccines. Experts say these levels are perilous. Increasing vaccination rates substantially improves patient safety, lowering flu deaths by 40 percent. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Sanofi faces heat as WHO halts use of Shantha vaccine

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:27:34 +0100

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UNICEF have suspended the use and purchase of Shan5 vaccine from Sanofi Aventis-owned Shantha Biotechnics. (Source: The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News)

Sanofi faces heat as WHO halts use of Shantha vaccine

The Economic Times Healthcare and Biotech News — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:27:34 +0100

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Quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: a review of safety, efficacy, and pharmacoeconomics

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

What is known and background: The introduction of vaccines has lead to a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality from diseases such as measles, rubella and poliomyelitis, as well as the eradication of smallpox (Ertl HC, Xiang Z (1996) The Journal of Immunology, 156, 3579[ndash]3582). A recent vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the recombinant quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (Merck, Gardasil®). Concerns raised with this preventive measure include safety and efficacy issues as well as the financial implications. Furthermore, the use of the vaccine in women outside the currently approved age ranges and in adolescent boys and men has also been a source of debate.Objective: A review of two licensed HPV vaccines (Gardasil, Merck and Cervarix, ...

Geographic access to care is not a determinant of child mortality in a rural Kenyan setting with high health facility density

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Policy-makers evaluating country progress towards the Millennium Development Goals also examine trends in health inequities. Distance to health facilities is a known determinant of health care utilization and may drive inequalities in health outcomes; we aimed to investigate its effects on childhood mortality. Methods: The Epidemiological and Demographic Surveillance System in Kilifi District, Kenya, collects data on vital events and migrations in a population of 220,000 people. We used Geographic Information Systems to estimate pedestrian and vehicular travel times to hospitals and vaccine clinics and developed proportional-hazards models to evaluate the effects of travel time on mortality hazard in children less than 5 years of age, accounting for sex, ethnic group, maternal ...

Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of an inactivated influenza vaccine in healthy adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial over two influenza seasons

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Despite a good immune response, and an average efficacy over two influenza seasons against laboratory-confirmed influenza of 63.2%, the pre-specified target (lower one-sided 97.5% confidence bound for efficacy > 35%) for the primary efficacy endpoint, the prevention of VMCCI, was not met. However, the results should be interpreted with caution in view of the very low attack rates we observed at the study sites in the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, which corresponded to relatively mild influenza seasons in the US. Overall, the results showed that TIV has an acceptable safety profile and offered clinical benefit that exceeded risk.Trial registration: NCT00216242 (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Serologic survey of swine workers for exposure to H2N3 swine influenza A

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions These data do not support the hypothesis that swine workers were infected with the emergent swine H2N3 influenza A virus. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Immunotherapy Can Reject Intracranial Tumor Cells without Damaging the Brain despite Sharing the Target Antigen.

Journal of Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bridle BW, Li J, Jiang S, Chang R, Lichty BD, Bramson JL, Wan Y Although vaccines targeting tissue differentiation Ags represent a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy, the risk of triggering autoimmune damage to normal tissues remains to be determined. Immunizing against a melanoma-associated Ag, dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), which normal melanocytes and glial cells also express, allowed concurrent analysis of autoimmune consequences in multiple tissues. We show that vaccination with recombinant adenovirus expressing DCT elicited a strong CTL response in C57BL/6 mice, leading to protection against intracranial challenge with B16-F10 melanoma cells. Both histological analysis and behavioral testing indicated that there was no evidence of neuropathology in vaccinated ani...

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Consequences of interference of milk with chemoattractants for ELISA quantification.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rainard P Concentrations of the chemoattractants CXCL1, CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL8 and C5a in milk were reduced by the preparation of milk whey by high-speed centrifugation or with rennet. About half of the chemoattractants (35 to 65%) was associated with the casein micelle sediment, except when whey was prepared by acidification. Consequently, quantification of chemoattractants should be preferentially carried out with skimmed milk samples, or acidic whey samples whenever whey is needed. Interference of milk or milk whey with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) used to quantify the chemoattractants was moderate, as long as tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), not ABTS, was used as the substrate of peroxidase. These considerations will help to assess more precisely a component of ...

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity assay for differentiating West Nile virus from Japanese encephalitis virus infections in horses.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study demonstrated the utility of this assay for differentiating WNV from JEV infections in horses. PMID: 20237201 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

One-Year Duration of Immunity Induced by Vaccination with a Canine Lyme Disease Bacterin.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lafleur RL, Callister SM, Dant JC, Jobe DA, Lovrich SD, Warner TF, Wasmoen TL, Schell RF Laboratory-reared beagles were vaccinated with placebo or a bacterin comprised of Borrelia burgdorferi S-1-10 and ospA(-)/ospB(-) B. burgdorferi 50772 and challenged after one year with B. burgdorferi-infected Ixodes scapularis ticks. In the placebo-recipients, spirochetes were recovered from 9 (60%) skin biopsies collected after 1 month, and the organisms persisted in the skin thereafter. Ten (67%) dogs also developed joint infection (3 dogs), lameness or synovitis (7 dogs), or B. burgdorferi-specific antibodies (8 dogs). In the vaccine-recipients, spirochetes were recovered from 6 (40%) skin biopsies collected after 1 month. However, subsequent biopsies were negative, and the dogs failed...

74-kiloDalton Immunodominant Antigen of the Pathogenic Oomycete Pythium insidiosum is a Putative Exo-1,3-ss Glucanase.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Krajaejun T, Keeratijarut A, Sriwanichrak K, Lowhnoo T, Rujirawat T, Petchthong T, Yingyong W, Kalambaheti T, Smithipat N, Juthayothin T, Sullivan TD The oomycetous, fungus-like, aquatic organism Pythium insidiosum is the causative agent of pythiosis, a life-threatening infectious disease of humans and animals, living in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Common sites of infection are the arteries, eyes, cutaneous/subcutaneous tissue and the gastrointestinal tract. Diagnosis of pythiosis is time-consuming and difficult. Radical excision of infected organs is the main treatment for pythiosis because conventional antifungal drugs are ineffective. An immunotherapeutic vaccine prepared from P. insidiosum crude extract showed limited efficacy in the treatment of pythiosis...

Identification of Cytokines in Whole Blood for the Differential Diagnosis of Tuberculosis vs Pneumonia.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Su WL, Perng WC, Huang CH, Yang CY, Wu CP, Chang FY, Chen JH Differentiating tuberculosis (TB) from pneumonia remains a challenge. We evaluated the cytokine profiles of whole blood cells from patients with TB (n=38), pneumonia (n=30), and healthy individuals (n=30) before and after stimulating cells with ESAT-6 or LPS. When the percent change in the levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma after stimulation with ESAT-6 was used in receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis (a graphic method to determine the diagnostic accuracy of a test) to identify a patient with TB, the area under the curve (AUC) was 90.4%; and a cut-off point of 3.59% change produced a corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of over 80%. When the change in IFN-gamma after stimulation of blood ce...

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A Multiplexed Serologic Assay for Nine Anogenital HPV Types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58).

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Opalka D, Matys K, Bojczuk P, Green T, Gesser R, Saah A, Haupt R, Dutko F, Esser MT A multiplexed human papillomavirus (HPV) immunoassay has been developed for the detection of human IgG antibodies to HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 virus-like particles (VLP) types in serum following natural infection or immunization with VLP-based vaccines. The VLP antigens are covalently conjugated to carboxyl Luminex microspheres using a carbodiimide chemistry. Antibody titers are determined in a direct binding format, where an IgG1-4 specific, phycoerythrin (PE)-labeled monoclonal antibody (HP6043), binds to human serum IgG antibodies. Pooled sera from rhesus macaques immunized with a 9-valent VLP-based vaccine serves as the reference standard. The overall specificity of the...

Identification of Immunodominant B- and T-cell Combined Epitopes in Outer Membrane Lipoproteins LipL32 and LipL21 of Leptospira interrogans.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, we identified B- and T-cell combined epitopes within LipL32 and LipL21 to further develop a novel vaccine. By using a computer prediction algorithm, two B- and T-cell combined epitopes of LipL21 and four of LipL32 were predicted. All of the predicted epitopes were expressed in a phage display system. Four epitopes, specified as LipL2197-112 and LipL21176-184 of LipL21 as well as LipL32133-160 and LipL32221-247 of LipL32 were selected as antigens by Western blot and ELISA assay. These selected epitopes were also recognized by CD4(+) T lymphocytes derived from LipL21- or LipL32-immunized BALB/c (H-2(d)) mice, and mainly polarized the immune response towards a Th1 phenotype. The identification of epitopes which have both B- and T-cell immune reactivities is of value for studyin...

Porcine lactoferrin as feedstuff additive elevates avian immunity and potentiates vaccination.

Biometals — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, recombinant porcine lactoferrin (PLF) was used as feedstuff additive to investigate the effects of peripheral lymphocyte proliferation and serum antibody titers in chickens vaccinated against the infectious bursal disease (IBD) virus. Treatment groups were fed three doses of PLF powder in their diet (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% w/w), and the IBD vaccine was administrated at 1 and 3 weeks of age. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks after vaccination, serum IBD antibody titers were measured via the micro-method and T cell proliferation rates were evaluated. The results revealed that a high dose of PLF led to significant increases in serum IgA, IgG and IBD-specific antibody titers (P < 0.05). PLF administration, at either low or high doses, enhanced the expression of IFN-gamma and IL-12 in chicke...

WHO notice silent on safety issues with Shan5 vaccine

The Economic Times — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:53:53 +0100

Shan5 is described as a pentavalent vaccine since it is to protect babies from five diseases — Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus influenza B and Hepatitis B. (Source: The Economic Times)

Pandemic flu vaccine talks start

CBC | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:55:32 +0100

The federal government has told the vaccine industry it wants to explore options for Canada's next pandemic flu vaccine contract, including having a back-up supplier. (Source: CBC | Health)

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Talks underway for next pandemic flu vaccine contract

CTV Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:04:53 +0100

The federal government has told the vaccine industry it wants to explore options for Canada's next pandemic flu vaccine contract. (Source: CTV Health)

AAFP Approves Universal Flu Immunization Recommendation

Inside AAFP — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 21:30:00 +0100

The AAFP has approved a provisional recommendation by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, to expand the recommendation for annual influenza vaccination to include all people ages 6 months and older in whom the vaccine is not contraindicated. (Source: Inside AAFP)

Finances sank HIV vaccine facility bid

CBC | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:59:09 +0100

The decision not to build a planned multimillion-dollar HIV vaccine manufacturing facility was not a political one, Canada's chief public health officer says. (Source: CBC | Health)

GlaxoSmithKline to Market Smoking Vaccine

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:27:57 +0100

Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has closed a deal to license and market the NicVAx antismoking vaccine developed by Nabi Pharmaceuticals. (Source: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs News)

Bid for HIV vaccine facility failed on finances

CBC | Health — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:43:35 +0100

The decision not to build a planned multimillion-dollar HIV vaccine manufacturing facility was not a political one, Canada's chief public health officer says. (Source: CBC | Health)

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Vaccines against Human Carcinomas: Strategies to Improve Antitumor Immune Responses

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:50:06 +0100

Multiple observations in preclinical and clinical studies support a role for the immune system in controlling tumor growth and progression. Various components of the innate and adaptive immune response are able to mediate tumor cell destruction; however, certain immune cell populations can also induce a protumor environment that favors tumor growth and the development of metastasis. Moreover, tumor cells themselves are equipped with various mechanisms that allow them to evade surveillance by the immune system. The goal of cancer vaccines is to induce a tumor-specific immune response that ultimately will reduce tumor burden by tipping the balance from a protumor to an antitumor immune environment. This review discusses common mechanisms that govern immune cell activation and tumor immune es...

Keeping Up with the Neighbors Speeds Vaccine Use

Public Health News Headlines from Johns Hopkins — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:10:03 +0100

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health conducted an analysis of worldwide use of Haemophilus influenza Type b vaccine (Hib) to determine what factors influenced a nation s adoption of the vaccine. The study found that a nation s eligibility for support from the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI) and whether a country s neighbors used the vaccine were major influencing factors in addition to price of the vaccine. The findings appear in the March 16 edition of PLoS Medicine. (Source: Public Health News Headlines from Johns Hopkins)

Dynavax hopes to submit Heplisav to FDA 6 months early

bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:03:43 +0100

Dynavax Technologies Corp. hopes to submit its hepatitis B vaccine to the FDA six months earlier than a previous guess. (DVAX) (MRK) (Source: bizjournals.com Health Care:Biotechnology headlines)

Preliminary H1N1 Vaccine Surveillance Report Released

American Academy of Neurology — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:55:00 +0100

Throughout the 2009–2010 flu season, the AAN and CDC have conducted a collaborative surveillance effort to determine incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following H1N1 vaccination nationwide. (Source: American Academy of Neurology)