Influenza Update 3rd August 2008

Inefective Seasonal Influenza Vaccine?ScienceBlogs - USAA new article in the British scientific journal, The Lancet, suggests that seasonal influenza vaccines may not be effective in preventing community acquired influenza.

Flu Shot Fails to Stem Pneumonia in Older Patients, Study Says Sanofi- Aventis SA, the world's largest maker of influenza shots, is creating a 100-million-euro ($156 million) plan in France

Study: Flu vaccine isn't as helpful for elderly as thought A study adds important information to the understanding of influenza vaccine in seniors but shouldn't stop anyone from getting a flu vaccine every year.

Biota Completes Phase II Study of Influenza Drug Dallas,TX,USA Biota Holdings announce that its second generation, influenza treatment, CS-8958, has successfully completed initial Phase II clinical evaluation.

Effect Measure : Do flu vaccines really work in the elderly? Article in the British scientific journal, The Lancet, suggests that seasonal influenza vaccines may not be effective in preventing community acquired pneumonia in people 65 years old and older.

Video: Protecting the Healthcare Workforce in Pandemic Influenza Protecting the Healthcare Workforce in Pandemic Influenza; “Just in Case Curriculum California Department of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and The center for Infectious Disease Preparedness US Berkley School of Public Health

Modeling influenza incidence for the purpose of on-line monitoringBy Andersson, E., Bock, D., Frisen, M. We describe and discuss statistical models of Swedish influenza data, with special focus on aspects which are important in on-line monitoring. Earlier suggested statistical models are reviewed.

Sanofi Pasteur Shipping First Doses of Influenza Vaccine for the ... Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, begins shipping influenza vaccine (Fluzone(R), Influenza Virus Vaccine) in the United States for the 2008-2009 season.

Influenza Update 1st August 2008

Round up of todays items on Influenza related items;

Benefits of flu vaccinations overestimated UKInfluenza vaccinations for older people may not provide as much protection against pneumonia as previously thought, according to a new study.

Influenza vaccination coverage rates in five European countries ... The objectives of this survey were to identify the level of influenza vaccination coverage in five European countries between 2001 and 2007.

New horse quarantine arrangements start Australia. New quarantine arrangements for international horse transfers through Sydney Airport are now in place following last year's equine influenza.

Flu shot's help against pneumonia overrated

The role of neutrophils in the the upper and lower respiratory ... Neutrophils play a role in host defence against highly virulent and mouse-adapted strains of influenza virus.

Myanmar cooperates with UN organization in avian influenza prevention China (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is cooperating with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) in prevention against highly pathogenic avian influenza

Feature: LGU role vital to combat entry of bird flu in Basilan