IMMUNIZATION NEWS

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U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

" Colorado State Funded for Bioterrorism Data "

Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (01/04/04) P. A4; Cada, Chryss

Researchers at Colorado State University are studying how to fight

bioterrorism and viruses that are introduced deliberately by people. The

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded the

university a grant to work on biodefense, and the university is building a

regional biocontainment lab. Meanwhile, the Boston University Medical

Center is building a national biocontainment lab to handle potentially

deadly agents for which there are no vaccines. Colorado State is already

studying West Nile virus, dengue, SARS, yellow fever, and

antibody-resistant tuberculosis. The agency says that the location of the

biocontainment labs is based mainly on a community's scientific and

technical resources. The Bush administration wants to encourage the

commercial development of drugs and vaccines to counter bioterrorism, and

the federal BioShield Act would provide $5.6 billion through 2013 to

purchase drugs, devices, and biological products against bioterrorism

attacks.

" Nasal Flu Vaccine Gets Shot in the Arm "

New York Newsday (www.newsday.com) (01/04/04) P. A37; Marshall, Randi F.

Although the nasal spray influenza vaccine [generally] costs $75 per dose

or more, the lack of an injected flu vaccine has led to a rise in demand

for the nasal spray version--and a greater understanding of the vaccine.

In fact, some doctors believe the nasal spray formulation could be more

effective than the shot, despite the Food and Drug Administration's warning

that it should only be used in healthy individuals between the ages of five

and 49 years. According to Dr. Arnold S. Monto, a professor of

epidemiology at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health, the

spray provides a wider immunity and probably blocks more strains of the flu

and similar illnesses. Still, the mist contains a live virus, making it

dangerous for those with immune system problems and the very young and very

old, whose immune systems are typically weaker.

" Taking up Arms Against the Flu "

Boston Globe (www.boston.com/globe) (01/04/04) P. G1; Bushnell,

The 2003-2004 influenza season has hit the United States so hard that

employers are changing their attitudes toward workers who have the illness,

and many firms are now encouraging employees to stay at home when they

contract the flu to avoid spreading it to others. In the past, employers'

concerns about productivity and employees' worries about the stability of

their jobs have pushed sick people to come to work regardless of the risk

of spreading the flu, but the severity and easy transmission of this year's

flu strain has altered most companies' thinking. Media coverage of the flu

has also helped to broaden the understanding that the workplace can serve

as an incubator for the disease, and it has led to an increase in interest

in the flu vaccine--but this year, the vaccine has run out in some areas.

" Many companies want to do everything they can now because they're afraid

of the flu situation becoming even more serious " in the next three months,

said Judy Singler, director of occupational health and Employee Assistance

Programs at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Mass.

" Flu Deaths Hit Epidemic Level in U.S. "

Reuters (www.reuters.com) (01/02/04); Simao,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that

influenza is widespread in almost every state in the United States, with

the number of deaths linked to flu and pneumonia now reaching epidemic

levels. For the week ending December 20, 2003, pneumonia and flu accounted

for 7.8 percent of all deaths reported during the period. So far this flu

season, at least 42 children have died and an unknown number of adults have

died from the disease. This year's flu season has been complicated by a

rush of people seeking the flu vaccine and a subsequent shortage of

vaccines in some areas.

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

" HIV Vaccine Tested for Japanese Patients "

Daily Yomiuri (www.yomiuri.co.jp/index-e.htm) (01/04/04) P. 2

According to officials at the Research Hospital of Tokyo University's

Institute of Medical Science, scientists have begun testing an HIV vaccine

on Japanese patients there. The vaccine is designed to treat a variation

of the illness common in Japanese patients and could eventually provide

some relief to HIV-positive patients who are taking drugs to prevent the

onset of AIDS. The process for the vaccine involves attenuating patients'

immune system cells to HIV outside of the body, then injecting the cells

into the body to teach the rest of the immune system about HIV and how to

defend against the disease. Doctors will observe the patients for two

years to determine how well the vaccine helps the body to fight HIV and

stave off AIDS.

" Indian Scientists Develop Experimental Malaria Vaccine "

Xinhua News Agency (202.84.17.11/en/main.htm) (01/04/04)

Researchers in India have developed a potential vaccine against malaria.

According to V.S. Chauhan of the International Center for Genetic

Engineering and Biotechnology in New Delhi, the cocktail vaccine contains

two antigens of the parasite that causes malaria. The vaccine is expected

to undergo human clinical tests early next year, having already undergone

testing in mice and monkeys.

" India Administers Vaccine to Millions of Children to Stem Polio "

Agence France Presse (www.afp.com/english/home) (01/04/04)

As part of its drive to become polio-free by 2007, India will conduct five

polio vaccination campaigns this year. In the first vaccination effort of

the year, millions of Indian children were given the polio vaccine on

Sunday, with about 7 million children receiving the vaccine in the southern

state of Tamil Nadu alone. India and Nigeria were the only two countries

with a significant increase in polio cases during 2002, according to the

World Health Organization.

" Officials Issue Vaccination Plea "

Calgary Herald (www.calgaryherald.com) (01/03/04) P. A1; Heyman,

Health officials in Alberta, Canada, are asking people in high-risk

categories to get vaccinated against the influenza virus. The flu season

peaked early in Alberta, but the Calgary Health Region says that another

wave is possible. The province has issued 553,000 free doses of vaccine to

high-risk people so far, which is 17 percent higher than last year.

" Liver Group Recommends Vaccinations for Travelers "

Vancouver Sun (www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun) (01/03/04) P. D10

The Canadian Liver Foundation is encouraging Canadians who are traveling

south for their vacations to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. The

World Health Organization has rated Mexico and the Caribbean--the

destinations of 1.7 million Canadians each year--as medium- to high-risk

areas for hepatitis. " Immunization against hepatitis A and B is the

easiest and most effective way to protect yourself, " stated foundation

president Fagan.

" Measles 'Epidemic' Reported in Croatia "

BBC Worldwide Monitoring (www.monitor.bbc.co.uk) (01/03/04)

Health officials report that measles infections in Croatia are on the rise.

According to the Public Health Institute, 20 new cases have been reported

in Zagreb. Officials believe the people were infected by the same person

who carried the disease from a western European country. Before this

latest outbreak, measles was all but eradicated in Croatia, which because

of its advanced vaccination program, remains one of the few countries that

reports few measles cases. The country has recorded about six or seven

cases annually in recent years.