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Prolias acquires UMBI's technology to develop human therapeutic antibodies

Prolias, a biotechnology company working to discover and develop novel therapeutic proteins and antibodies for treatment of disease, today announced a strategic acquisition of technology from the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI).

7 Jan 2010

Rituximab treatment reduces patients' response to pneumonia vaccine

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University determined that immune responses to the tetanus vaccine were not changed when rituximab in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was compared with MTX alone in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

7 Jan 2010

NEH awards Challenge Grant to The Center for the History and Ethics of Public Health

The National Endowment for Humanities (NEH) has awarded a Challenge Grant to The Center for the History and Ethics of Public Health at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.

7 Jan 2010

UMBI announces exclusive licensing of fully human antibody technology platform to Prolias

The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) today announced the exclusive licensing of a fully human antibody technology platform to Prolias, a biotechnology company working to discover and develop novel therapeutic proteins and antibodies for treatment of disease.

7 Jan 2010

HHS introduces National Influenza Vaccination Week to raise awareness about flu vaccine

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the week of January 10 through 16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week, in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of the flu vaccine.

6 Jan 2010

Opinions: U.S. medical emergency response; micronutrients; rotavirus vaccine; antibiotic development

"[D]espite the tireless efforts of public health and health-care workers, America's experience with H1N1 shows that the nation is not prepared to deal with a flu pandemic," former Democratic Senator Bob Graham and former Republican Senator Jim Talent write in Washington Post opinion piece that examines U.S. preparedness for medical emergencies. The writers chaired the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism.

6 Jan 2010

HHS to host special flu webcast on Jan 6, 2010

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host a Know What to Do about the Flu Webcast on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST.

5 Jan 2010

Children’s vaccination coverage rises substantially in U.S.

About three-quarters of U.S. children received recommended vaccinations in 2008, up from about half in 2000, reports a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

5 Jan 2010

Study examines relationship between parental vaccine refusal and risk of varicella infection in children

Children of parents who refuse vaccines are nine times more likely to get chickenpox compared to fully immunized children, according to a new study led by a vaccine research team at Kaiser Permanente Colorado's Institute for Health Research.

5 Jan 2010

Rite Aid offers H1N1 flu shots through certified immunizing pharmacists

Rite Aid now is offering the H1N1 (swine) flu shots by its certified immunizing pharmacists at 1,257 Rite Aid stores in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Customers can go to www.riteaid.com/H1N1 to find the most convenient Rite Aid store offering the H1N1 flu shots.

31 Dec 2009

Pfizer provides update on Prevnar 13

Pfizer Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet completed its review of the Biologics License Application (BLA) for Prevnar 13™, (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine [Diphtheria CRM197 Protein]), the Company’s candidate 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

31 Dec 2009

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts

Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain and industry leader with more than 17,000 certified or licensed immunizers, is now offering H1N1 vaccinations at all of its pharmacies throughout Massachusetts.

30 Dec 2009

Medical treatment and evacuation during international travel

Recent surveys indicate that international travel, which had fallen off substantially over the course of the global recession, has rebounded in recent months – which means more U.S. business and leisure travelers navigating health- and security-related risks out in foreign corners of the world.

28 Dec 2009

New series of 30-second PSAs on getting vaccinated against H1N1 flu

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the Ad Council and the Jim Henson Company, has released a new series of 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) about the importance of getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Targeted to parents and children, the PSA campaign features 15 governors, a state first lady, a state chief medical officer and the main character from the PBS’ series “Sid the Science Kid” and reminds the public that getting vaccinated is the best way to stay healthy during this flu season.

24 Dec 2009

Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccinations throughout Indiana

24 Dec 2009

More H1N1 vaccines available in U.S., many Americans don't want it

While an increasing number of H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines are available in the U.S., "more than half of American adults say they still don't want it, and one-third of parents say they don't want their children to get it either, according to two surveys," the Washington Post reports. "As of this week, 111 million doses of vaccine against the pandemic strain of H1N1 flu have been released to states and cities.

24 Dec 2009

H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to be offered at 33 locations across Pennsylvania

The Department of Health will offer H1N1 flu vaccination clinics at 33 locations across Pennsylvania on Jan. 8 and 9, and anyone wishing to receive the vaccine is urged to make an appointment to attend.

22 Dec 2009

LA BioMed physician-researchers named Super Doctors in the Los Angeles Magazine

Los Angeles Magazine, in its January issue, will name 37 of the physician-researchers at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed) to be among Southern California Super Doctors.

22 Dec 2009

Health Canada approves Prevnar 13 vaccine for invasive pneumococcal disease

Following a Priority Review, Health Canada has approved Prevnar 13 (Pneumococcal 13-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197 Protein)) for children aged six weeks through five years for active immunization against invasive pneumococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can include meningitis (inflammation of the coverings of the brain and spinal cord), sepsis (bloodstream infection), bacteremic pneumonia, pleural empyema (accumulation of pus in the cavity surrounding the lungs) and bacteremia (bacteria in the blood).

22 Dec 2009

Study results of CSL’s pandemic H1N1 2009 vaccine published in JAMA

CSL Limited, Australia’s leading biopharmaceutical company, announced the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has published data from a clinical trial conducted in Australia to study CSL’s pandemic H1N1 2009 ‘swine’ flu vaccine.

22 Dec 2009