Swine flu

Officials with the European Medicines Agency are looking into the safety of the swine flu vaccine Pandemrix after reports surfaced that the treatment may be linked to a rare sleep disorder.

H1N1

In a finding that could reduce concern over a potential release of the strain, a team of researchers in the U.S. reported this week that the current H1N1 vaccine protects mice and possibly humans against the 1918 pandemic virus.

H1N1

Pandemic flu activity is picking up in parts of India and Colombia, and New Zealand is seeing a rise in flu-like illnesses in young children, CIDRAP News has reported.

Health officials in West Virginia are hoping to encourage influenza immunizations by holding the state's first annual flu summit.

German researchers have announced that Tamiflu given to infants hospitalized with influenza had similar benefits to those in older children, though mild gastrointestinal symptoms were a common side effect.

Swine flu

Officials with AVI BioPharma Inc., recently announced that they have entered into an $18 million deal with the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, according to a Portland Business Journal news report.

H1N1

Many provinces in Canada are beginning to report that their swine flu vaccination programs are failing.

The movement for mandatory flu shots in medical facilities is beginning to catch on, according to a recent report by healthleadersmedia.com.

Tamiflu

Caltech biologists have identified molecular changes that have assisted resistance in the antiviral drug Tamiflu, according to a statement released by Caltech officials.

Flu vaccine

A new influenza vaccine has been developed by researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine that brings a universal influenza vaccine one step closer and would eliminate the need for seasonal flu shots.

World Health Organization

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization hopes a resolution to increase efforts to combat pneumonia will be approved when they appear later this week before the World Health Organization, according to an Associated Press wire report.

H1 Hemagglutinin

Xcellerex officials announced this week that they have successfully produced swine flu H1 Hemagglutinin, California strain.

Influenza vaccine

Researchers at the Trudeau Institute reported in the current Journal of Experimental Medicine that they have identified two signaling components that could potentially allow for cellular immunity against the influenza virus and lead to vaccines against re

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

The influenza viruses responsible for the pandemics of 1918 and 2009 share a structural detail that makes both susceptible to neutralization by the same antibodies, according to research by the NIAID.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Increasing vaccination rates of health care personnel substantially improves patient safety, lowering flu deaths by 40 percent, researchers suggest.

A new study shows that when children get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, the entire community can benefit.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Baxter International Inc., in conjunction with DynPort Vaccine Co., announced Phase III study data measuring the clinical efficacy for its trivalent seasonal influenza candidate vaccine on March 11 in Miami.

Charleston Area Medical Center has been recognized by a state group for "going above and beyond the call of duty" in getting the flu vaccine to employees and preventing the potential spread of the disease, The Charleston Gazette reported March 11.

Cell-based vaccines are at the forefront of influenza vaccine development, according to findings presented March 10 at the 14th International Congress on Infectious Diseases in Miami and reported by Pediatric SuperSite.

The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices last week heard a report about the high-dose influenza vaccine that was recently approved for people 65 and older but voiced no preference for its use in that age group.

NEW ORLEANS — Most children with egg protein allergies who received influenza vaccinations had no adverse reactions, researchers said at the annual meeting of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, according to MedPage Today.

TEL AVIV — Israel's said Feb. 21 it had signed an agreement with Novartis to jointly investigate the feasibility of developing vaccines using its VaxiSome technology, including an improved flu vaccine, Reuters reported Feb. 21.

BERKELEY, Calif. — Dynavax Technologies Corp. announced Feb. 25 that it has selected a clinical vaccine candidate for its novel Universal Flu program and completed key preclinical studies.

Hepetitis B

AltraVax Inc. has acquired a vaccine development technology package that gives AltraVax an exclusive license to develop vaccines for infectious diseases and is targeting influenza, a treatment for hepatitis B and HIV.

Novavax's VLP Vaccine

Novavax Inc. announced Feb. 9 new data from a clinical study that began in May among healthy adults 18 to 49 years old with Novavax's trivalent seasonal influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine.

A mandatory influenza vaccination policy improves immunization rates among health care workers, according to a recent study of a large health care organization.

Flu Vaccine

NanoBio Corp. announced Feb. 2 that a sixth U.S. patent covering its novel nanoemulsion technology has been awarded. The patent encompasses composition of matter claims for the company’s lead anti-infective and vaccine product candidates.

World Health Organization

PATH has received an award from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the enhancement of sustainable influenza vaccine production in Vietnam.

ROCKVILLE, Md.--Two officials from Novavax Inc. announced Jan. 25 that they will be presenting at Phacilitate's eighth annual Vaccine Forum Washington 2010.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

WASHINGTON — A vaccine additive made by Novartis and used in its European influenza shots can boost the body's immune response to a wide range of viruses, U.S. researchers reported Jan. 20 according to Reuters.

The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet Feb. 22 to discuss and make recommendations on the selection of strains to be included in the influenza virus vaccine for the 2010-11 season.

H3N2

One case of human infection with a novel influenza A virus was reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health, according to FluView, a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the week ending Jan. 9.

Flu Vaccine

Flu shots do not protect arthritis patients who are being treated with the intravenous drug rituximab, according to a new study by Dutch researchers, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported Jan. 7.

The Center for Disease Control has reported only four cases of flu-related pediatric mortality across seven states during the week ending January 2.

Influenza Vaccine

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. — The Trudeau Institute will receive an additional $1.6 million for its work with the U.S. Navy to research the impact and efficacy of combining influenza vaccinations with antiviral drugs.

The Center for Disease Control has reported only four cases of flu-related pediatric mortality across seven states during the week ending December 26.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Fluzone High-Dose, an inactivated influenza virus vaccine for people ages 65 years and older to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B.

The Center for Disease Control has reported only nine cases of flu-related pediatric mortality across seven states during the week ending December 19.

World Health Organization

AMSTERDAM — Dutch biotech firm Crucell NV will likely look to add a sixth antigen to its portfolio of childhood vaccines as part of expected product add-ons after a stake sale to Johnson & Johnson, Reuters reported Dec. 15.

The Centers for Disease Control has reported 16 flu-related deaths among children across nine states during the week ending December 5.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — NanoBio Corp. announced Dec. 7 that its recombinant H5N1 pandemic flu antigen combined with the company’s novel nanoemulsion vaccine elevated immune responses when administered via injections.

Universal Flu Vaccine

RECHOVOT, Israel — BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd. announced the success of the Phase I/II clinical trial of its Multimeric-001 universal flu vaccine on Dec. 7.

Flu Vaccine

WASHINGTON — Congress, the Obama administration and taxpayers need to accept that drugmakers are not going to pursue discovery and development of emergency medical countermeasures out of the kindness of their hearts.

Pandemrix Vaccine

LONDON — The European Medicines Agency warned Dec. 4 that young children might experience fever after their second dose of the pandemic influenza vaccine Pandemrix.

The Center for Disease Control has reported 35 flu-related pediatric deaths across 19 states during the week ending November 21, which brings the total to 301 cases so far in 2009. There were 90 in 2008, 77 in 2007, 43 in 2006 and 45 in 2005.

Flu Vaccine

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Novavax announced Nov. 30 that it has completed enrollment in the Phase II clinical study of its trivalent seasonal influenza virus-like particle vaccine candidate in healthy adults 60 years of age or older.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Agriflu for people ages 18 years and older to prevent disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Baxter International Inc. says it is looking into building a cell-based vaccine manufacturing plant in the U.S. to produce seasonal and pandemic flu vaccines, the Chicago Tribune reported Nov. 26

Anne Schuchat

Every holiday season, millions of Americans travel through the nation's airports, seaports, and train stations to spend time with loved ones.

Flu Vaccine

WASHINGTON -- Novartis will officially open the first next-generation flu vaccine plant in the United States on Nov. 24, but it will be years before it makes its first vaccine.

H1N1

LYON, France — Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group announced that the French drug agency Afssaps has granted marketing authorization in France for Panenza, its non-adjuvanted Influenza H1N1 2009 monovalent vaccine.

The Center for Disease Control has reported 21 flu-related deaths among children across 15 states during the week ending November 14. The numbers went down from the previous 35 cases in 17 states.

Dr. Rahul Singhvi

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Novavax Inc. has begun a Phase IIa clinical study of its trivalent seasonal influenza VLP vaccine candidate in healthy adults over age 60.

The Center for Disease Control has reported 18 flu-related deaths among children that occurred in nine states during the week ending October 31.

LONDON and PHILADELPHIA — GlaxoSmithKline announced Nov. 10 that the Food and Drug Administration has approved a supplemental biologics license application for its unadjuvanted H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Flu Finder

This year, it's especially important to have clear information on what you can do to prepare for the flu season.

Tatyana Golikova

MOSCOW — Russia's health minister warned the media against spreading panic over a swine and seasonal flu outbreak and said the situation was under control.

The Center for Disease Control has reported 35 flu-related pediatric deaths that occurred in 17 states during the week ending November 9. The previous week only reported 18 deaths in nine states.

Dr. Rahul Singhvi

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Novavax, Inc. announced Nov. 2 that its seasonal flu vaccine candidate met key goals in a midstage clinical trial.

Dr. Anne Gershon

To better protect patients and health care workers, the Infectious Diseases Society of America recently strengthened its policy on mandatory immunization of workers. The strengthened statement applies to both seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 influenza.

Dr. William Schaffner

PHILADELPHIA — Pregnant women who get the flu vaccine are less likely to have babies who are premature or are small for their gestational age, according to two new studies.

Marietta Vázquez

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Infants born to women who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy were hospitalized at a lower rate than infants born to unvaccinated mothers, according to preliminary results of an ongoing study.

First Family

WASHINGTON — Yes, President Barack Obama and his family have had their shots. According to the White House, all four members of the Obama family have received their seasonal flu vaccine.

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