Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material (the Vaccine) to produce immunity to a disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by a pathogen. The material administrated can either be live, but weakened forms of pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, killed or inactivated forms of these pathogens, or purified material such as proteins.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updates tdap recommendations – Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a serious, easily transmitted infection that causes severe and violent coughing episodes. The infection primarily affects adolescents and adults, but it can cause severe morbidity and death to young infants who are too young to be immunized.
Bird Flu rears its head again — Increased preparedness and surveillance urged against variant strain — Major resurgence H5N1 possible – UN FAO recently urged heightened readiness and surveillance against a possible major resurgence of the H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza amid signs that a mutant strain of the deadly Bird Flu virus is spreading in Asia and beyond, with unpredictable risks to human health.
New approach to defeating flu shows promise – New research on mice has shown that pulmonary administration of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) significantly reduces flu symptoms and prevents death after a lethal dose influenza virus.
FDA: Gardasil approved to prevent anal cancer – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions due to human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in people ages 9 through 26 years.
Breakthrough in cancer vaccine research — New research could lead to improved vaccines for cancerous tumors – Researchers at the University of Cambridge hope to revolutionise cancer therapy after discovering one of the reasons why many previous attempts to harness the immune system to treat cancerous tumours have failed.
Combination MMRV vaccine linked with 2-fold risk of seizures — Electronic health records study of 459,000 children sparked new CDC recommendations – The combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) is associated with double the risk of febrile seizures for 1- to 2-year-old children compared with same-day administration of the separate vaccine for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and the varicella (V) vaccine for chicken pox.
Benefit of HPV Vaccination, Frequent Screening for Women over 41 is Likely to be Low – The overall potential benefits of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations or frequent HPV screenings for women over the age of 41 are low, concludes a new study published online February 15 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
New data on rotavirus vaccine from Mexico and Africa show lifesaving impact in the developing world — Evidence informed WHO recommendation that all countries introduce rotavirus vaccine – Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe, acute gastroenteritis among infants and young children throughout the world and is responsible for an estimated 527,000 deaths among children under five each year.
It is not too late for those who have not been immunized against the novel H1N1 influenza A virus or seasonal influenza to protect themselves from a potentially serious and possibly fatal illness. – It is not too late for those who have not been immunized against the novel H1N1 influenza A virus or seasonal influenza to protect themselves from a potentially serious and possibly fatal illness.
Insect cells provide the key to alternative swine flu vaccination — New production method can meet the demand of a global flu pandemic – Scientists in Vienna have developed a new technique for producing vaccines for H1N1, ‘swine flu’, based on insect cells. The research, published today in the Biotechnology Journal, reveals how influenza vaccines can be produced faster than through the traditional method of egg-based production, revealing a new strategy for the fight against influenza pandemics.
H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Open to All at Oklahoma City-County Health Department – The Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) is offering extended hours and days for both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations at the main building at 921 NE 23rd Street in Oklahoma City.
Pennsylvania Department of health urges expanded h1n1 vaccination efforts to include all patients – Certified healthcare providers who have already immunized patients most at risk of complications from the H1N1 flu virus may now offer the vaccine to anyone who wants it, the Department of Health announced today.
