Spokane’s Spokesman-Review reported on a local meeting held by CDC on Aug. 29 (one of ten held throughout the US) to elicit comments on the upcoming swine flu vaccination program. The campaign to immunize children and other vulnerable people against the fast-spreading H1N1 influenza virus should be moderate – perhaps even passive – a panel…
The French performed a meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of flu vaccines containing MF59 for elderly recipients. Local and systemic adverse reactions were higher with vaccines containing MF59, but mortality rates were unimproved. Here is the abstract: Prescrire Int. 2004 Dec;13(74):206-8. Influenza vaccine with squalene adjuvant: new preparation. No better than available products. [No…
One third of the Italian supply of swine flu vaccine (8 million doses) will be distributed mid November to mid-December. The other two thirds will be distributed after January 31, 2010. Italy is taking a Christmas vaccine break. They don’t feel the need to get everyone vaccinated by Halloween or Thanksgiving, thank goodness. How civilized….
Article By MARIA CHENG (AP) LONDON — About half of Hong Kong’s health workers would refuse the swine flu vaccine, new research says, a trend that experts say would likely apply worldwide. In a study that polled 2,255 Hong Kong health workers this year, researchers found even during the height of global swine flu panic…
According to the Guardian, “Several studies suggest up to 60% of GPs would oppose being immunised because they are concerned the safety trials will be rushed.. The biggest reason given by those who said they would not have it was concern that the safety trials would not be adequate: 71.3% said they were “concerned that…
The Washington Post’s Rob Stein updates us on the current thinking about availability of swine flu vaccine and its voluntary nature. He does not cover liability issues nor how care will be delivered for illnesses that attend vaccination. Excerpts: “There’s little doubt we’re going to vaccinate people,” said Anthony S. Fauci of the National Institute…
The Daily Mail reported on letters sent to 600 neurologists in the UK by its Health Protection Agency, asking them to be observant for, and immediately report, cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome [GBS]. The letter is a tacit acknowledgment of the risk of using an untested vaccine with novel ingredients. But it also indicates that the…
Excerpts from this Aug 15, 2009 story from the AP: In Europe, Glaxo is testing vaccines with an adjuvant, a chemical compound used to stretch a vaccine’s active ingredient and boost the body’s immune response. In Canada and the United States, Glaxo is testing vaccines both with and without adjuvants. Neither country has ever licensed…
DHHS’s National Vaccine Advisory Committee (NVAC) met February 5-6, 2009. Here is a section of the NVAC minutes that dealt with the concept of vaccinating the public for a “Bird Flu” H5N1 pandemic–vaccinating before an epidemic appeared. Remember that Bird Flu, though deadly, has not spread from one person to another, but only from a…
[You heard about the lack of crucial, clinical information here first. CDC’s skimpy information for clinicians on managing H1N1 cases is still dated May 4, 2009! I complained about this gross failure of the public health system to share information on June 22, 2009, yet the information, and the public servants who should be offering…
[After breaking client-therapist confidentiality, and filing for a “Peace Order,” with an FBI agent accompanying her to court, Ms. Duley hasn’t been seen or heard from since–Nass] http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/opinion/display_columnist.htm?StoryID=93767Katherine HeerbrandtA shocking mockeryAugust 12, 2009 With the anniversary of Bruce Ivins’ death and subsequent character assassination by the FBI and Department of Justice, comes “new” information supporting…
Review of prior epidemics refutes theory that virus gets more severe Fauci’s staff publish paper doubting serious epidemic to come: TUESDAY, Aug. 11 (HealthDay News) — The theory that a relatively mild outbreak of a new flu virus in the spring predicts a more severe, deadly outbreak in the fall isn’t borne out by a…
Joseph Brownstein of ABC News wrote a useful article today with plenty of content. Thanks! “Killed” vaccines contain one or more antigens (molecules that resembles part of the microbe you are protecting against), and usually also preservatives and antimicrobial products like formaldehyde and thimerosal (50% mercury). Most contain an aluminum adjuvant, which strengthens their effectiveness…but…
Per the AP: “…To increase the global supply of swine flu vaccines, WHO recommends that countries use ones containing adjuvants, a component that stretches the vaccine’s active ingredient and boosts the body’s immune response. Adjuvants are commonly used in flu vaccines in Europe, [only in those over 65, and only in some countries–Nass] but there…
Now here is a very surprising editorial from the Aug. 7 Australian. It was penned by Lawrence O. Gostin, now a visiting professor at the University of Sydney. Gostin authored the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act, on contract to CDC. Versions (or parts) of the Act have been passed so far in 38 states….
1. The US government is using laws designed for dealing with a very deadly pandemic, or bioterrorism, to bring about a mass vaccination program for swine flu, beginning with the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act 0f 2006. http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/manmadedisasters/bioterorism/medication-vaccine-qa.html 2. This law removes liability from the manufacturer, medical practitioners who use the product, and from…
The story comes from the Peoples Daily/Xinhua press release, and there does not appear to be independent reporting. The BBC has reported for two days on cases of pneumonic plague in a remote area of western China, said to be inhabited primarily by Tibetans. Although plague can be transmitted to humans via insect bites (due…
From the Aug 1, 2009 Lancet online: Last week, Australia and the USA announced that they would begin trials of an H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination against H1N1 will be an important development in controlling the impact of the pandemic. However, several thorny issues exist around vaccine manufacture and approval. All countries will require the vaccine but…
The Frederick News Post covered the first meeting of the NAS panel to validate the FBI microbial forensics work. The panel was addressed by Rep. Rush Holt and key scientist Claire Fraser-Liggett, among others. Excerpts: “If the technical and scientific procedures are as flawed as the nontechnical procedures, they certainly deserve a look,” said Rep….
Excerpts from the Editorial: The FBI’s case against Ivins is almost wholly circumstantial. It includes his strained behavior while under suspicion and surveillance by the FBI, which he was aware of before apparently committing suicide in July 2008. While the NAS study may well validate the scientific protocols used by the FBI in its investigation,…
Excerpts from article by Joby Warrick and Carrie Johnson exactly one year after the death of Bruce Ivins was made public: “Our government — and specifically, the FBI — suffers from a credibility gap on this issue,” Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-N.J.) told an expert panel that convened in Washington this week to begin reviewing…
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