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20 new policies adopted by American Public Health Association

The American Public Health Association recently adopted 20 policies addressing a broad range of issues in public health from underage alcohol consumption and nutrition labeling in restaurants to the supply of flu vaccinations and threats to immigrants’ health care.

21 Dec 2004

Vaccine against cervical cancer

Dutch researcher Laura Bungener has developed a vaccine against cervical cancer. Vaccinated laboratory animals no longer developed the disease and animals which had already developed a tumour, could be treated with the vaccine.

20 Dec 2004

Safety of AIDS drug to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV questioned

In light of several recent drug industry scandals roiling the nation's public health and raising serious questions about the US bodies that license and regulate the industry -- and startling new revelations today concerning National Institutes of Health (NIH) officials and the safety of a brand name AIDS drug used to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the HIV

14 Dec 2004

Key molecular signal allows malarial parasites to target human red blood cells

Northwestern University researchers have identified a key molecular "signal" that allows malarial parasites to release virulence proteins inside human red blood cells.

13 Dec 2004

Chiron flu vaccine banned for a further three months

The Chiron Corporation, a vaccine manufacturer, were told today that the suspension of their licence for manufacturing influenza vaccine at the Speke factory in Liverpool, would continue for a further three months.

8 Dec 2004

HHS purchases 1.2 million doses of GSK's Fluarix flu vaccine

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson has announced that the Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of GlaxoSmithKline influenza vaccine, Fluarix, in the United States under an Investigational New Drug application.

8 Dec 2004

ID Biomedical announces strategic alliances for U.S. marketing and distribution of Fluviral vaccine

ID Biomedical Corporation announced today that it has signed long term marketing, distribution and minimum purchase agreements with three of the largest influenza vaccine wholesalers in the United States: Henry Schein, Inc.; AmerisourceBergen Corporation's Specialty Group; and McKesson Corporation.

6 Dec 2004

Australian Government's decision to purchase sufficient influenza vaccine for the next three seasons is good health planning

Australian Medical Association Vice President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, has said the Australian Government's decision to purchase sufficient influenza vaccine for the next three seasons is good health planning.

6 Dec 2004

Pennsylvania confirms first influenza case

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson has announced that a 13-year-old Philadelphia County teen has the season's first, lab-confirmed case of flu.

4 Dec 2004

Why our immune system worsens with age

Scientists at the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute at Oregon Health & Science University have made a discovery that helps explain why our immune system worsens with age. The work was led by Janko Nikolich-Zugich, M.D., Ph.D., a senior scientist at the VGTI.

2 Dec 2004

Anti-bird flu contingency measures for Hong Kong

Anti-bird flu contingency measures, including a proposal to separate poultry from humans and a series of traffic and logistics measures will be discussed at Hong Kong's Legislative Council's Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel meeting next month.

29 Nov 2004

Joint collaboration to fight avian influenza

Recognizing the pandemic potential and the threat to public health posed by the Avian Influenza, Health Ministers and senior officials of thirteen countries from Southeast and East Asian countries have pledged to accelerate joint collaboration in fighting the disease.

29 Nov 2004

FDA Vioxx fiasco raises questions about AIDS drug approvals for developing world

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), today noted that the current "FDA fiasco" involving the agency's initial approval and subsequent recall of Merck's troubled arthritis drug, Vioxx, raises serious questions about the FDA's ongoing parallel role in the approval of generic AIDS drugs for widespread use in Africa and the developing world.

19 Nov 2004

Answer to the increase of flu cases may be extremely minute seasonal changes

Flu season is on its way to homes across Canada. But the question of why influenza epidemics take place in the few cold months of winter remains unanswered. Is it the change in the weather? The return to school? Or increased viral production under winter conditions?

16 Nov 2004

Researchers find effective treatment for Unusual Fever Syndrome caused by cold exposure

Remember when Grandma used to say, "don’t go out in the cold; you’ll get sick”? It turns out that she was right for a small number of people who have a condition called familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS)

16 Nov 2004

Computer models to combat the H5N1 strain of the bird influenza virus

A group of scientists who are developing computer models to combat infectious diseases have focused their attention on the H5N1 strain of the bird influenza virus.

16 Nov 2004

Hearing set to determine if the U.S. will be better prepared for next year’s flu season

U.S. Senator Larry Craig Larry Craig has announced today that the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging will hold a hearing on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. titled “Liability, Licensing and the Flu Vaccine Market: Making Decisions Today to Prevent a Crisis Tomorrow.” It will be held in room 562.

14 Nov 2004

Canada puts in place a national plan to ensure an adequate flu vaccine supply

Per capita, more Canadians receive the flu shot than residents of any other country. The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu virus, so it is encouraging to see that even more Canadians are getting the flu shot this season than ever before.

11 Nov 2004

Washington to get 160,000 additional doses of influenza vaccine

About 160,000 additional doses of influenza vaccine will be sent to Washington over the next two months. That is our state’s share under a formula used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to distribute the remaining vaccine around the nation.

11 Nov 2004

Pennsylvania to distribute 340,000 doses of influenza vaccine to most in need

Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson today announced that the Department of Health will distribute about 340,000 doses of influenza vaccine that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made available to Pennsylvanians most in need.

10 Nov 2004