Concerns about latex labelings have led to FDA-mandated warnings on several prominent flu vaccines.

A joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing food products and ingredients that are causing illness outbreaks or presenting other risks to the health of consumers is scheduled for Dec. 9 and 10 in Washington.

Dr. Francis Collins

Efforts to develop a vaccine capable of preventing tobacco addiction got a $10 million shot in the arm in the form of an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant.

Anthrax

WASHINGTON — Federal advisers said more data is needed to judge the effectiveness of Human Genome Sciences' anthrax treatment compared with existing anti-bacterial drugs, The Associated Press reported Oct. 27.

Dr. Jane Kim

BOSTON — Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted virus, is known to be a cause of cervical cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Oct. 16 that it approved the use of the vaccine Gardasil to prevent genital warts caused by the human papillomavirus types 6 and 11 in males ages 9 to 26.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved use of the seasonal influenza vaccine Fluarix for children ages 3 to 17.

Internet scams are taking advantage of the public’s concern over H1N1, forcing two government agencies to act.