Vaccines

Article Abstract:

New recommendations concerning the prevention and control of the flu (influenza), including the selection of appropriate vaccines, have been issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Two different measures are available to diminish the impact of flu: immunoprophylaxis with inactivated (killed-virus) vaccine, and chemoprophylaxis therapy (influenza-specific antiviral drug therapy). The use of vaccine is strongly recommended for people 6 months of age or older who are at risk for complications of influenza. It is also strongly advised for health-care workers and others who may have close contact with high-risk persons, including family members, and it is available to individuals who wish to decrease their chances of becoming infected. Annual vaccination is required using the current vaccine, as immunity declines rapidly. For children under 12 who have not been previously immunized, two doses may be required. Certain special high-risk groups have been targeted for organized influenza vaccination programs: adults and children with chronic disorders of the lungs or cardiovascular system (including children with asthma); residents of nursing homes; persons over 65 years of age; persons with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes) or kidney dysfunction; and children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy (who are at risk for Reye's syndrome, associated with aspirin usage and viral infections). Other issues regarding vaccination are analyzed, including persons not to be vaccinated, side effects and adverse reactions, simultaneous administration of other vaccines, timing of vaccination and strategies to implement the vaccination recommendations. Educational materials about influenza and its control are available from the CDC.

Research, Influenza

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Evaluating new vaccines for developing countries: efficacy or effectiveness?

Article Abstract:

It may be more appropriate when testing vaccines for use in developing countries to focus on the vaccine's effectiveness rather than its efficacy. Efficacy studies are usually done under ideal conditions and do not reflect how the vaccine will actually be used in a population. The vaccine is stored under optimal conditions and the volunteers are usually carefully chosen. Many policymakers in developing countries are reluctant to adopt vaccines such as the Hib vaccine, which has significantly reduced the incidence of Hib infections, because of their high cost and expensive storage options. Effectiveness studies are more likely to resemble the eventual use of the vaccine. They would test the vaccine on all people who would eventually be vaccinated. The vaccine would be stored and prepared under the conditions present in the local health care clinics. One drawback to this approach is that the results of effectiveness studies could not be generalized to other populations.

Testing, Social policy, Developing countries

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Pediatricians Alerted to Five New Vaccines

Article Abstract:

Pediatricians learned about advances in vaccination against chickenpox, Lyme disease, influenza, rotavirus, and group A streptococcus at the 1999 meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Influenza vaccine is cost-effective, and is now available as an intranasal aerosol called cold-adapted influenza vaccine (CAIV). It is so easy to administer that people could vaccinate themselves in the event of an influenza outbreak. A chickenpox vaccine was approved in the US in 1995, but many doctors only are not convinced of its effectiveness. It is not clear whether vaccines against Lyme disease, rotavirus and group A streptococci are cost-effective.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Influenza vaccines, Lyme disease, Chickenpox vaccine, Chickenpox vaccines, Rotavirus infections

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