Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam’s Club are partnering with Theraflu(R) to host the nation’s largest flu vaccination event to immunize as much as 1 million folks within the US.

For two weekends, October 21-22 and October 28-29, Fluvirin(R) influenza virus vaccines will likely be available at three,349 Wal-Mart and 458 Sam’s Club locations.

The vaccinations will probably be administered by certified well being care experts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. nearby time at each and every location. No appointment is necessary, but customers are encouraged to come early as vaccinations is going to be administered on a first-come, first-served basis even though in-store supplies last. The vaccinations will likely be competitively priced. Medicare Part B and Humana participants with a valid card and picture ID will not be charged for their flu vaccination. Educational resources and sample items will also be offered to support men and women manage their well being throughout cold and flu season.

“The CDC recommends annual vaccination every single fall as the single best way to support protect yourself and your loved ones from contracting influenza,” said Suzanne Mintz, President/Co-Founder of the National Loved ones Caregivers Association (NFCA). “It’s essential for individuals to get vaccinated and protect themselves each year because influenza is contagious, can cause mild to moderate illness, and at occasions can trigger death, specifically in high- risk persons, such as those with complex chronic conditions.”

According to the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 200,000 men and women are hospitalized from influenza and its complications, while about 36,000 men and women die from influenza and its complications in the course of every influenza season. This period can start as early as October or November and continue by means of April.

While most wholesome folks can recover from influenza without complications, some individuals, like men and women 50 years and older and men and women with particular chronic wellness conditions such as heart and lung disease, are at high risk for serious complications from influenza. The CDC recommends those considered to be at high risk and their close contacts, like household caregivers, wellness care and childcare workers, be vaccinated annually. For a complete list of CDC influenza recommendations visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.

“Theraflu is excited to be a sponsor of these flu vaccination events. Together with Wal-Mart and Novartis Vaccines, we are committed to assist educate and protect as several people in America from influenza as achievable this season by making flu vaccination easy and accessible,” said Brian McNamara, Senior Vice President and Common Manager, Novartis Consumer Wellness OTC, makers of Theraflu. “One of the easiest, most convenient ways to support protect yourself from getting influenza this year is usually to quit by Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club to get your Fluvirin vaccine administered.”

Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and Theraflu are committed to educating consumers about influenza and helping to protect public well being by delivering convenient, affordable access to influenza vaccines across the country. For a full list of participating Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in your region or far more data concerning the flu vaccination events, check out http://www.theraflu.com, http://www.walmart.com, http://www.samsclub.com or call the Wal-Mart Flu Vaccine Hotline at 1-888-881-0372.

“Wal-Mart and our division Sam’s Club, together with Novartis Consumer Wellness and Theraflu, are providing the opportunity for convenient and affordable access to flu vaccinations to our customers, particularly for those that may possibly not be in a position to visit a doctor’s office this season,” stated Ron Chomiuk, Vice President, Pharmacy Operations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “The 2006 vaccination effort illustrates our continued commitment towards the overall well being and well-being of our customers, as well as our associates who will have access towards the program.”

Pregnant women, youngsters below nine and those who have egg allergies or have a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cannot get vaccinated for influenza at this event. They really should go to their physician for further details on how they can help protect themselves this influenza season.

The CDC recommends the following actions to assist prevent the spread of influenza:

— Cover mouth and nose. When coughing or sneezing, use a tissue whenever doable and discard it inside the trash.

— Clean hands often. Make every effort to wash hands frequently, especially soon after coughing or sneezing. Hand-washing stops the spread of germs. Alcohol-based gels and wipes also function well.

— Remind loved ones members to practice healthy habits. Germs that trigger colds, coughs, influenza and pneumonia can spread easily among those in close contact. Institute healthy practices within the house to prevent the spread of illness to other loved ones members.

— Share data about healthy habits with co-workers. Healthy habits can assist lessen illnesses and sick days inside the workplace as properly.

— Avoid spreading influenza. Influenza can make some individuals extremely ill. It truly is critical to remain house when sick with the flu to avoid spreading it to others. See a doctor when necessary.

Even with a vaccination to aid protect you from the flu this season, you might nonetheless catch a cold this winter. Theraflu has a full line of items that offer fast, powerful relief from cold symptoms, which includes new Theraflu(R) Warming Relief Severe Cold Daytime and Nighttime Liquids. For more details pay a visit to http://www.theraflu.com. Other vendor partners of the Flu Vaccine Event contain Triaminic(R), Lysol(R), Kleenex(R), Abreva(R) and Cold-FX(R).

Novartis Vaccines is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of seasonal flu vaccines, such as Fluvirin. Full Fluvirin prescribing information is obtainable at http://www.novartis-vaccines.com.

Crucial safety data for Fluvirin influenza virus vaccine

Fluvirin vaccine is not indicated for kids younger than age 4. The most common side effect of vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine is soreness at the injection site. Much less common side effects consist of fever, malaise, myalgia and allergic reactions. Fluvirin vaccine ought to not be administered to anyone with a history of hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, which includes eggs, egg goods or thimerosal. As may be the case with most drugs and vaccines, there can be a chance that a serious allergic reaction, serious illness or even death could happen as a result of vaccination with Fluvirin vaccine. Generally, persons should not be vaccinated throughout an acute febrile illness. Vaccination really should be delayed in persons with an active, unstable neurological disorder, but should be considered when the disorder has been stabilized. The occurrence of any neurological symptoms or signs following administration of any vaccine is actually a contraindication to further use. Fluvirin vaccine is not indicated for use in kids below four years of age. Persons really should consult with their healthcare providers if they are pregnant and/or are taking other medications. Fluvirin vaccine may possibly not protect 100% of individuals who are susceptible to influenza. Ahead of administering Fluvirin vaccine, please see full prescribing info.

About Novartis

Novartis is really a globe leader in offering medicines to protect health, cure illness and improve well-being. Our aim is to discover, create and successfully market innovative goods to treat patients, ease suffering and enhance the top quality of life. Novartis is the only business with leadership positions in both patented and generic pharmaceuticals. We are strengthening our medicine-based portfolio, which is focused on strategic growth platforms in innovation-driven pharmaceuticals, high-quality and low-cost generics and leading self-medication OTC brands. In 2005, roughly USD 4.8 billion was invested in R&D across all businesses. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group organizations employ roughly 99,000 individuals and operates in 140 countries around the globe. For a lot more info, please pay a visit to http://www.novartis.com.

Novartis
http://www.novartis.com

General practitioners would be crucial in avoiding large numbers of deaths in Australia as a result of a pandemic influenza outbreak, researchers in the Australian National University have shown.

The findings come as Australia’s well being and emergency services converge on Brisbane tomorrow to stage the largest wellness crisis simulation inside the nation’s history – Exercise Cumpston – which will test systems designed to cope with a pandemic flu outbreak.

Research team member Professor Marjan Kljakovic from the ANU Medical School stated GPs would play a important role in containing pandemics, which may well otherwise spread rapidly, crossing continents in days. He also stated GPs would be doing this even though offering ongoing care to patients with severe illnesses that are not flu related.

But Professor Kljakovic said the investigation funded by the National Well being and Medical Study Council has shown some barriers for GPs participating in what needs to be a whole of health community approach to an outbreak. “There are roadblocks for GPs. Some of these are to do with regulations. How accountable will GPs be for patient care within the altered environment of a pandemic? Will they be able to delegate some of their work to others?” Professor Kljakovic stated.

The researchers also called for new funding models to support different clinical practice in a pandemic situation. Doctor numbers would be depleted as a result of contact with influenza patients, resulting in a stretched medical workforce dealing with increasingly ill patients.

“Modelling for the study showed us that unless we embrace new models of care in a pandemic, about 150 non-influenza-related emergency instances would not be treated in the height of a pandemic each and every day in a city like Canberra – which could raise the death rate substantially,” Professor Kljakovic stated.

The study has created practical plans to aid GPs prepare their practices for a pandemic, such as a needs-assessment tool as well as a group-learning exercise. The analysis team also encourages practices inside the very same location to function together to form a pandemic influenza response.

“If an influenza pandemic hit Australia tomorrow we would be under-prepared,” Professor Kljakovic stated. “This research has raised a number of issues we need to look at – including alternative models for delivering care in pandemic situations. General practitioners are well placed to be in a position to recognise and intervene early in order to prevent the most vulnerable within the community suffering initial in a pandemic. These things need to be considered ahead of the pandemic occurs or we risk a high death rate from both influenza and other acute conditions.”

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Contact: Simon Couper
Research Australia

Federal scientists have developed a vaccine that protects mice against the killer 1918 influenza virus. They also have created a technique for identifying antibodies that neutralize this virus, a tool that could aid contain future pandemic flu strains. These findings are important, the researchers say, to understanding and preventing the recurrence of the H1N1 influenza virus that caused the 1918 pandemic and to protecting against virulent flu strains within the future, which includes the H5N1 avian flu virus. Particulars of the investigation are obtainable online this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Gary J. Nabel, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Vaccine Investigation Center (VRC) in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Wellness (NIH), led the analysis team in creating the experimental vaccines and conducting the immunological studies in mice. Terrence Tumpey, Ph.D., of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted vaccine studies in mice involving the live, reconstructed 1918 flu virus in a biosafety level 3-enhanced laboratory at the CDC in Atlanta–one of four sorts of specialized biosafety labs exactly where scientists study contagious and potentially deadly materials under high-level safety and contamination precautions designed to protect the researchers and prevent microorganisms from entering the environment.

“Understanding why this influenza virus was so deadly is an extremely critical question,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “By building upon earlier research where scientists successfully reconstructed the 1918 pandemic flu strain, Dr. Nabel and his colleagues have demonstrated that this virus is vulnerable to intervention. This knowledge will support further our continued efforts to develop treatments and vaccines to protect us against an additional deadly flu pandemic.”

The 1918-1919 influenza pandemic was the most deadly flu outbreak in modern history, killing 50 million or a lot more folks worldwide.

“A important to containing pandemic flu viruses is to realize their vulnerabilities and determine whether they can evade immune recognition,” says Dr. Nabel. “What we find out about the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic is pertinent to other pandemic viruses and towards the development of successful and universal vaccines.”

Using the genetic sequence data for the 1918 flu virus, Dr. Nabel and his VRC colleagues created plasmids–small strands of DNA designed to express specific characteristics–carrying genes for the virus’ hemagglutinin (HA) protein, the surface protein located in all flu viruses that allows the virus to stick to a cell and trigger infection. The researchers created two sorts of plasmids: one to reflect the HA identified inside the original 1918 flu virus; the other an altered HA protein designed to attenuate (weaken) the virus.

Mice were then injected with a DNA vaccine containing each types of plasmids to determine whether they would generate immune responses to the 1918 virus. The researchers identified significant responses both in terms of production of T-cells, the white blood cells critical inside the immune system’s battle against invading viruses, as well as the production of neutralizing antibodies.

To determine the vaccine’s protective effects, the CDC’s Dr. Tumpey intranasally exposed a group of mice to live, reconstructed 1918 virus 14 days after they were immunized with the experimental DNA vaccine. All 10 vaccinated mice survived the challenge with the deadly virus. To explore how the vaccine protected the animals, the researchers initial depleted other mice of T-cells; even so, this had no effect on the immunity of the vaccinated mice to the 1918 virus. In contrast, the researchers discovered that transferring antibody-rich immunoglobulin (IgG) from immunized mice to non-immunized mice resulted in antibody levels in the animals at levels only slightly lower than those that had been immunized. Further, when the animals had been exposed to the reconstructed 1918 flu virus, 8 of 10 mice that received antibodies from the immunized mice survived; none of the 10 mice that received IgG from the unvaccinated control group survived.

“By utilizing an existing pandemic flu strain, this study will offer the basis for design of alternative vaccines against influenza viruses with enhanced virulence,” says Dr. Tumpey.

Although the researchers are not discounting the prospective role T-cells may possibly have in combating flu viruses, they concluded that in this study, the experimental DNA vaccine protected the mice by stimulating antibodies capable of neutralizing the 1918 flu virus.
“Who would have imagined five years ago that we’d be able to create a vaccine that protects against 1 of the deadliest forms of influenza the world has ever seen?” adds Dr. Nabel. “It’s because the 1918 flu virus has been reconstructed that we are now in a position the further realize it. Hopefully, this virus will help us to develop powerful vaccine methods for present pandemic influenza virus threats.”

To evaluate the vaccine’s antibody-inducing capabilities while minimizing exposure of lab personnel to the 1918 flu virus, Dr. Nabel and his VRC colleagues also created artificial viruses, or pseudoviruses, featuring the HA of the 1918 flu virus but stripped of the ability to cause infection. The pseudoviruses had been then incubated with antibody-containing blood samples from the mice immunized using the DNA vaccine and those that were not. The researchers identified that the antibodies from the immunized mice neutralized the pseudoviruses while the blood samples from the mice that were not immunized had no impact. This method was also effective in identifying neutralizing antibodies to the H5N1 avian flu virus and could be employed to screen for monoclonal antibodies that may be used as an antiviral treatment, according to Dr. Nabel.

“This technique would be very useful in defining evolving serotypes of flu viruses like H5N1 to create immune sera and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that may assist to contain pandemic flu,” says Dr. Nabel.

The study authors indicate that further testing will likely be needed to figure out whether DNA vaccination can confer immune protection in men and women related to that seen within the study mice. Additionally, the use of DNA-based vaccines are being explored as a potential strategy for creating vaccines to protect against the H5N1 avian flu virus.

###

This study activity is component of a broader effort by the Department of Wellness and Human Services to accelerate the development and production of new technologies for influenza vaccines inside the U.S., including a $1 billion investment earlier this year to assistance the advanced development of cell-based production technologies for influenza vaccines and will support to modernize and strengthen the nation’s influenza vaccine production by creating an alternative to producing influenza vaccines in eggs.

NIAID grantee Adolfo Garc???a-Sastre, Ph.D., of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, also contributed towards the study via his work in reconstructing the virus. Furthermore to Dr. Nabel, other VRC scientists who contributed towards the study consist of: Wing-Pui Kong, Ph.D.; Chantelle Hood; Zhi-yong Yang; Ling Xu; and Chih-Jen Wei.

NIAID can be a component of the National Institutes of Well being. NIAID supports fundamental and applied study to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from possible agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports study on simple immunology, transplantation and immune-related disorders, such as autoimmune illnesses, asthma and allergies.

The National Institutes of Well being (NIH)–The Nation’s Medical Research Agency–includes 27 Institutes and Centers and can be a component of the U. S. Department of Wellness and Human Services. It really is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting standard, clinical and translational medical analysis, and it investigates the causes, treatments and cures for each common and rare illnesses. For far more data about NIH and its programs, visithttp://www.nih.gov/.

Reference: WP Kong et al. Protective immunity to lethal challenge of the 1918 pandemic influenza virus by vaccination. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607564103 (2006).

News releases, reality sheets and other NIAID-related materials are offered on the NIAID Web site at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/.

Contact: Kathy Stover
NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Illnesses

After 4 people died within six days of receiving their influenza vaccinations, Israel’s Well being Ministry decided to halt the flu vaccine program. An investigation is underway to check whether the shots and deaths are linked.

The Health Ministry just announced it’s sure the shots and four deaths are not linked.

The four individuals who died were all elderly and suffered from chronic illnesses. They had all been vaccinated at a Kiryat Gat clinic. An autopsy located that one of the victims had died of heart disease. Nevertheless, doctors who carried out the autopsy could not rule out the possibility that the vaccine may have interfered using the patient’s heart.

A Health Ministry doctor described the four deaths as ‘a statistical phenomenon’.

Sanofi-Aventis, the makers of the vaccine, are sending a team of experts from France.

A Sanofi-Aventis spokesman stressed that the vaccines had passed vigorous safety checks, not only in Israel, but also in France.

Ministry of Health, Isreal

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News These days

After deciding that the 4 deaths had been not linked to flu shots, the Health Ministry in Israel has decided to resume vaccinations. Well being Minister, Yaacov Ben-Yizri, announced that vaccinations will resume this evening.

Yaacov Ben-Yizri stated the Ministry had held consultations with all the expert teams nationwide, and they completely ruled out any association in between the four deaths and also the flu shots.

Yesterday, the Well being Ministry halted the flu vaccination program right after 4 people died within six days of receiving their flu shots. The patients were elderly and had all been suffering from chronic illnesses. All 4 of them had been vaccinated at a Kiryat Gat clinic.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Nowadays

Nothing could be further from the truth. Family physicians are stuck between media reports of plentiful vaccine and not getting enough vaccine in the course of October when patients want to get their flu shots.

Whilst several physician offices are rationing their restricted flu vaccine, retailers like grocery stores are providing clinics that want not ration to just high-risk patients. Patients have accused loved ones physicians of not wanting to provide flu shots. Patients have said to physicians that, “you did this to us last year.” A nurse at a clinic commented that family physicians “don’t want to be bothered.”

Peter Soraruf, MD, a loved ones physician in Kennett Square, says patient demand has exceeded the 200 doses of flu vaccine he’s received so far. His workplace staff has regularly known as the flu vaccine manufacturer from whom he ordered vaccine to ask for the other 1,000 doses he ordered. He’s told he will receive “some more” in early November. Meanwhile, they watch surrounding grocery stores and pharmacies freely give flu vaccinations.

Dr. Soraruf, named Pennsylvania Family members Physician of the Year in May, is helpless to change his situation, which is not exclusive in the Commonwealth or the nation. The Pennsylvania Academy of Loved ones Physicians, which represents about 77% of all family physicians statewide, has received calls from loved ones physicians who cannot get enough vaccine, and flu vaccine can be a hot topic on physician list serves.

Even though wellness officials and vaccine manufacturers have already been stating for weeks that there is going to be plenty of vaccine this year for high- and low-risk patients alike, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians contends that adjustments within the distribution of vaccine are necessary so that patients can get their flu shots when they want them in their medical homes from their family members physicians.

The PAFP actively participated in a series of legislative hearings on influenza vaccine distribution and shared the annual problems faced by household physicians. The hearings led to the release of report stating that neither state governments nor the CDC can affect the distribution of vaccine. The situation can be addressed only by means of Congress.

Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.pafp.com

A set of activities identified within the Globe Health Organization’s (WHO’s) new Global pandemic influenza action strategy to enhance vaccine supply requires immediate and sustained action and funding, if the world is usually to be prepared for an influenza pandemic to which there would be virtually universal susceptibility.

“We are presently several billion doses short of the amount of pandemic influenza vaccine we would want to protect the global population. This situation could lead to a public well being crisis,” stated Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, Director, WHO Initiative for Vaccine Investigation. “The Global Action Strategy sets the course for what needs to be done, starting now, to increase vaccine production capacity and close the gap. In just three to five years we could start to see outcomes that could save a lot of lives in case of a pandemic.”

The Global Action Program may be the item of the advice of more than 120 scientific experts from national immunization programmes, national regulatory authorities, scientists and vaccine manufacturers in both industrialized and creating countries.

It identifies and prioritizes practical solutions for reducing the potential pandemic influenza vaccine supply gap; these are contained in eight strategies with activities for the short (tangible results in much less than five years), medium (5 to ten years) and lengthy (more than ten years) terms. Activities want to be undertaken simultaneously.

“Immunization is actually a critical control strategy for limiting the impact of an influenza pandemic. Immediate, collaborative action to boost vaccine supply could have a massive payoff,” stated Dr David L. Heymann, acting Assistant Director-General, Communicable Illnesses, WHO. “In addition, continued participation of countries in the timely sharing of their influenza viruses and sequence information is vital to assistance global vaccination efforts,” he added.

The 3 main approaches to closing the vaccine supply gap are identified inside the Global Action Strategy as:

— an boost in seasonal influenza vaccine use to offer protection against seasonal influenza and at the same time use the elevated demand to stimulate industry to generate a lot more;

— an enhance in production capacity by way of measures such as improving vaccine production yields and building new plants; and

— further investigation and development to:
- design much more potent and efficient vaccines that would induce protection after 1 dose and/or broad spectrum and long-lasting immunity, and
- create vaccines much more efficiently and rapidly.

Relying on market-driven forces alone, it truly is estimated that by 2008-2009 the production of pandemic influenza vaccine will not exceed 2.34 billion doses per year. At present, the production capacity for seasonal influenza vaccine stands at 350 million doses. Such quantities fall far short of the expected demand for vaccine through an influenza pandemic when there will most likely be calls to vaccinate the entire 6.7 billion globe population. The anticipated shortage is, in specific, due to the expectation that a two-dose course of vaccine will be needed to protect every person.

New technologies will play an crucial role in developing the best doable pandemic influenza vaccine. The ideal vaccine would be safe and extremely protective in all target groups (which includes infants, the elderly, etc.) for at least 1 year with only a single dose. It would require just a small quantity of virus antigen and could be stored without refrigeration. Finally, the vaccine would be very easily and inexpensively produced on a large scale.

Implementation of the Global Action Program requires the sustained, joint efforts of countries, market and the global wellness community and will require substantial funding. Capital investment for the establishment of new production facilities, alone, is estimated at US$ 1.00 per dose. Investments made in relation to the Global Action Program will substantially benefit the production and utilization of vaccines for seasonal influenza, which results, on an annual basis, in an estimated 3-5 million situations of severe illness and 250 000 to 500 000 deaths worldwide.

Dr Peter Salama, Chief, Child Survival and Immunization Unit, UNICEF, said: “Our agency is pleased to support the Global Action Plan. We are working with WHO to make sure that creating countries have the capacity to effectively and rapidly use the pandemic vaccine when it becomes accessible, so that the most vulnerable children and their families may be protected.”

Assistance to creating countries is critical. In particular, they will require support to assess the impact of influenza on their populations; and to create and implement seasonal influenza vaccination programmes such as the purchase of seasonal influenza vaccine which at the moment costs approximately US$ 3.00-7.00 per dose.

Today, the United States announced a US$ 10 million contribution to WHO to support influenza vaccine development and manufacturing infrastructure in other countries.

Leveraging its experience with domestic vaccine production, Canada is also supporting the Global Action Strategy. “Canada has placed a high priority on its own capacity to manufacture a pandemic influenza vaccine but we can’t just focus on our needs. The global community has a responsibility to function together to narrow the supply gap,” said Canada’s Well being Minister, Tony Clement.

http://www.who.int

The American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza, a multi-year national public awareness initiative, aims to support Americans put a “face” on this serious illness and recognize influenza immunization as an crucial preventative measure to safeguard their families every year. On Wednesday, October 25, the American Lung Association of Arizona will host the Faces of Influenza Portrait Gallery — a photo exhibition of dramatic black-and-white portraits and personal stories of famous and not-so-famous Americans, who fall into 1 or more of the groups suggested for immunization by the Centers for Illness Control and Prevention (CDC).

Chandler Fashion Center in Chandler, Arizona, will welcome Dean Cain, who will likely be accessible to discuss his personal experience with influenza. Additionally, influenza immunizations will likely be offered to the public at the event for a nominal fee.

Well being officials recommend much more than 200 million people get an annual influenza vaccination; however, influenza immunization rates still fall short each year. Dean Cain has joined the Faces of Influenza initiative to share his personal experiences with the illness and to encourage influenza vaccination amongst target groups, including young young children as well as the elderly, their close contacts and health care providers.

“Despite serious health risks related with influenza, numerous men and women, which includes men and women with chronic health issues, young kids and those 50 years and older, are not getting immunized,” says Norman Edelman, MD, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association. “Two out of three Americans ought to be vaccinated every year, which means it is most likely every single 1 of us knows someone whose well-being, good health or life depends on getting influenza immunization each and every year.”

Dean Cain, actor and asthmatic, has partnered with the Lung Association as a “face” of influenza. Cain urges families to protect themselves and their loved ones from this serious illness by getting vaccinated.

“Anyone who wants to prevent this serious respiratory illness that, along with its complications, kills an typical of 36,000 folks and hospitalizes 226,000 folks in the U.S. every year need to get vaccinated,” stated Cain. “It is so critical to get the vaccine every year to ensure those around you stay wholesome at the same time.”

Other celebrities involved inside the Faces of Influenza initiative are: Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi; Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known psychologist and advice columnist; Joy Behar, comedian and co-host of ABC’s The View; Olympic Gold Medalist Vonetta Flowers; and Actor Peter Gallagher, star of Fox’s The OC.

The Lung Association is also working with everyday Americans from across the country, such as two families who lost their children to influenza-one a twin boy, who died at six months of age; the other a wholesome four-year-old girl. Other people in the program have asthma, diabetes or other chronic medical conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 1 is pregnant, and participates to support to stress the importance of immunization for women who will probably be pregnant throughout influenza season. There are also photos of wellness care providers, who should be immunized every year.

Faces of Influenza Awareness Activities

The initiative also includes educational supplies along with national distribution of new television and radio public service announcements featuring Jean Smart, the national spokesperson, and also the target groups suggested for influenza immunization. The Lung Association also has developed a new Web site, http://www.facesofinfluenza.org, where consumers and wellness care providers can find far more details about influenza and immunization, as well as see the photos and stories featured in the Faces of Influenza Portrait Gallery. The site also features the public service campaign along with the Lung Association’s Flu Clinic Locator (the largest online directory of public influenza clinics on the Web).

About Influenza

Influenza is really a serious respiratory illness that, along with its complications, kills an average of 36,000 Americans and puts roughly 226,000 people inside the hospital every single year. Adults and youngsters with a chronic medical condition, like asthma, COPD and diabetes, are at higher risk for complications from influenza. Persons age 50 and older; pregnant women and kids 6 by means of 59 months of age, along with household contacts wishing to reduce their risk for contracting influenza, ought to also be vaccinated to aid prevent influenza-related complications and the spread of this dangerous virus.

Concerning the Flu Clinic Locator

In addition to this new campaign, the Lung Association continues to offer its Flu Clinic Locator as a public service. The Flu Clinic Locator, at http://www.lungusa.org, is an online resource for finding influenza shots.

By typing in their 5-digit zip code, site visitors can receive a list of clinics in their location. Site visitors could also schedule reminders and sign up to receive seasonal flu news. The Flu Clinic Locator will remain active as long as public flu clinics are offered.

About the American Lung Association

Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association may be the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase although other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital investigation on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous assistance of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.”

For much more information

For more details concerning the Faces of Influenza educational initiative, pay a visit to http://www.facesofinfluenza.org. For details concerning the American Lung Association of Arizona or to support the function it does, call (602) 258-7505. The American Lung Association’s Faces of Influenza educational initiative is made achievable by way of a collaboration with sanofi pasteur.

American Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org

Influenza vaccination programs, which expense nations millions of dollars every year, could be a waste of time and money, says Dr. Tom Jefferson, Cochrane Vaccines Field, Rome, Italy. Jefferson says he hopes his findings will make North American and European taxpayers wonder whether the effort and expense are justified.

You can read about his findings in The British Medical Journal (BMJ), October 28.

In this study, Jefferson examined all published papers worldwide that reported on the effects of inactivated vaccines (vaccines with dead viruses). In other words, he studied the reviews of all studies. He concluded that flu shot campaigns have either no effect, or a really negligible impact, on the number of hospitalizations, work/school time lost, complications from flu, or death from flu.

Jefferson said “I looked at the evidence described by systematic reviews and confronted it with policy and I discovered that there is a massive gap. Practically none of the benefits that these policy documents list are actually given by inactivated vaccines or, if they are, they are given in slighter measure.” He stated he is not sure why this really is so. He suggested it could be a result of inadequate surveillance systems, and/or diagnosing too a lot of influenza-like respiratory illnesses as flu (when they are not). He added that “In most surveillance systems, you actually have an virtually year-round epidemic which, in reality, is not influenza. It is brought on by other agents.” He criticized several of the studies he looked by way of, saying they had been weak.

According to official figures (CDC), approximately 200,000 Americans get flu so badly each year that they have to be hospitalized – about 36,000 individuals die every single year as a result of catching flu inside the USA.

Jefferson said he was surprised to see such a large gap between vaccination campaign policy and evidence of its effectiveness.

“Influenza vaccination: policy versus evidence”
Tom Jefferson
BMJ 2006;333:912-915 (28 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.38995.531701.80
Click here to read the article online

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News These days

Use of the influenza vaccine in kids 6 to 23 months is not related with an elevated risk for a medical go to for any serious conditions, according to a study in the October 25 issue of JAMA.

Influenza can be a leading vaccine-preventable cause of illness and death inside the United States. Youngsters younger than 2 years experience higher rates of illness from influenza than any other age group except individuals older than 65 years, according to background details in the article. Until recently, the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine was suggested only for adults and kids with known chronic medical conditions that could put them at greater risk from influenza infection, such as asthma. But according to the increasing evidence of high rates of illness from influenza infection in young young children, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested use of this vaccine in all children 6 to 23 months old, which includes healthy kids with no chronic medical condition, beginning inside the winter season of 2004-2005. By January 31, 2005, 48 percent of all kids in this age group in the United States had received trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Nevertheless, its safety in young kids has not been adequately studied in large populations.

Simon J. Hambidge, M.D., Ph.D., of Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Denver, and colleagues evaluated the safety of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in a large population of youngsters 6 to 23 months old. The researchers analyzed information on significant medically attended events that occurred right after vaccination, during “risk windows”, compared with events that occurred in two control periods, 1 ahead of vaccination along with the second right after the risk window. These medically attended events, like acute respiratory tract infection, asthma, cough and pneumonia, had been reviewed at eight managed care organizations within the United States that comprise the Vaccine Safety Datalink. The participants received trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in between January 1, 1991, and May possibly 31, 2003 (45,356 children with 69,359 vaccinations).

The researchers located that no conditions were significantly much more most likely to occur inside either the 3-day, the 1- to 42-day, or the 15- to 42-day risk windows compared with each control windows. Through the 1-14 day risk window, there was a very slight improve in visits for mild vomiting and diarrhea to outpatient doctor’s clinics, but much less visits for asthma, cough, along with the common cold.

“While our findings offer reassurance regarding the safety of the vaccine inside the youngest youngsters, large safety studies of influenza vaccine in young children inside the newly advised age group of kids three to five years old are needed. Our study, the largest safety study of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine in young children aged 6 to 23 months, adds to prior evidence that influenza vaccine is safe in infants and young youngsters,” the authors conclude.

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(JAMA. 2006;296:1990-1997.)

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