HPV vaccine’s hypersensitivity reactions are rare

Allergy and immunology consultant Liew Woei Kang and colleagues found that true hypersensitivity to the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine was uncommon, and most girls in Australian schools tolerated subsequent doses. – Hypersensitivity reactions to the quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV, Gardasil) are uncommon and most schoolgirls can tolerate subsequent doses, finds the first evaluation of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine published on bmj.com.

Whooping cough booster for parents of newborns

Parents of new babies should be considered for a whooping cough booster to prevent rapidly fatal invasive pertussis in babies and newborns. – A booster vaccination for parents of new babies and other household members may be the most effective way of preventing the fatal form of whooping cough in young infants, say a group of paediatric intensive care doctors on bmj.com today.

Updated labeling for psoriasis drug Raptiva approved

US FDA Approves Updated Labeling for Psoriasis Drug Raptiva by Genentech; Safety concerns drove labeling changes. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced labeling changes, including a Boxed Warning, to highlight the risks of life-threatening infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), with the use of Raptiva (efalizumab).

2 doses of flu vaccine needed against bird flu pandemic

New study determines double flu jab needed against bird flu pandemic. Scientists recommend stockpiling influenza vaccine. – An international study led by University of Leicester researchers has determined that vaccination will be the best way to protect people in the event of the next influenza pandemic ? but that each person would need two doses.

12 diseases worsened by climate change

‘Deadly dozen’ reports diseases worsened by climate change – Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society. – Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society released a report that lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies.

OPAL Therapy cost-effective method of treating HIV

New ‘OPAL Therapy’ presents simple, cost-effective method of treating HIV infection – Australian researchers have unveiled a new immunotherapy technique to help prevent the progression from HIV infection to AIDS. Details of the simple, cost-effective technique are published May 2nd in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens.

Mothers less likely to vaccinate daughters against HPV

U.S. mothers report they are less likely to vaccinate daughters under age 13 against human papillomavirus virus (HPV), even though the vaccine is recommended for girls at age 11 and 12. – U.S. mothers report they are less likely to vaccinate daughters under age 13 against human papillomavirus virus (HPV), even though the vaccine is recommended for girls at age 11 and 12, it’s incumbent upon the healthcare community to work to improve mom’s acceptance of the vaccination for younger daughters, say researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center who conducted the study.

21% children not fully protected against vaccine-preventable diseases

National Infant Immunization Week Reminds Parents of the Importance of Immunizations and Encourages them to Look to their Child?s Doctor for Information. – The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) last week.

GSK’s new vaccine Rotarix to prevent gastroenteritis by rotavirus

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) vaccine Rotarix for use in infants. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of Rotarix, the second oral U.S. licensed vaccine for the prevention of rotavirus, an infection that causes gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) in infants and children. Rotarix is a liquid and given in a two-dose series to infants from 6 to 24 weeks of age.

VereFlu portable lab-on-chip for detection of bird flu

STMicroelectronics and Veredus Laboratories Launch Market?s First Lab-on-Chip for Rapid Molecular Flu Detection at Point of Need – Following the success of the evaluation trials conducted at the prestigious National University Hospital of Singapore, Veredus Laboratories and STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) announced the commercial availability of VereFlu, a portable lab-on-chip application for rapid detection of all major influenza types at the point of need.

Health Newstrack