CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Children 6 months through 18 years of age. – A panel of immunization experts voted to expand the recommended ages for annual influenza vaccination of children to include all children from 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was for vaccination of children from 6 months to 59 months of age.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that drug resistant tuberculosis is spreading faster than medical experts have feared. – Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has been recorded at the highest rates ever, according to a new report published today. The report presents findings from the largest survey to date on the scale of drug resistance in tuberculosis.
Low levels of gastric acid in the stomach can increase one?s likelihood of getting a foodborne infection. – A new study suggests that low levels of gastric acid in the stomach can increase one’s likelihood of getting a foodborne infection. The researchers from Australia report their findings in the February 2008 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity.
Fifth time the GlaxoSmithKline company has made a price reduction for its HIV medicines offered on a not-for-profit basis to the world?s poorest countries. – GSK today announced significant new price reductions for its HIV medicines offered on a not-for-profit basis to the world’s poorest countries. This reduction is the fifth time the company has made a price reduction as part of its pioneering preferential pricing policy originally introduced in 1997.
Influenza activity has been picking up in the US; flu widespread in 49 states, CDC reports. – After relatively low levels of influenza activity in the early part of the season, since January influenza activity has been picking up in the US. This week 44 states are reporting widespread influenza activity. This is up from 31 states reporting widespread activity last week. Five states are reporting regional activity, making 49 states overall.
Zydus Cadila has introduced Nudoxa for the treatment of various cancers. One of the critical drugs used in chemotherapy, Nudoxa heralds a new approach in cancer therapy. – Zydus Cadila has introduced an NDDS product ‘Nudoxa’ for the treatment of various cancers. One of the critical drugs used in chemotherapy, Nudoxa heralds a new approach in cancer therapy.
Australia’s expenditure on public health activities has remained constant at about 1.8% of total health spending over the last 7 years. – Australia’s expenditure on public health activities has remained constant at about 1.8% of total health spending over the last 7 years, according to a report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
DNA-vaccination via tattooing induces stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than intramuscular delivery supported by molecular adjuvants. – Tattooing is a more effective way of delivering DNA vaccines; a tattoo can be more than just a fashion statement ? it has potential medical value, according to an article published in the online open access journal, Genetic Vaccines and Therapy.
Adelaide scientists will lead a $2 million five-year project to develop new vaccines and explore better treatment options for hepatitis C sufferers. – University of Adelaide virologists Dr Michael Beard and Dr Karla Helbig will work with colleagues from the University of NSW to develop new strategies to treat and prevent hepatitis C, which infects more than 170 million people around the world.
Infants? bodies expel the thimerosal mercury much faster than once thought ? thereby leaving little chance for a progressive building up of the toxic metal. – February’s issue of Pediatrics offers another reason to rethink blaming the spike in autism diagnoses on thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative routinely used in several childhood vaccines until the late ?90s.
