Via Scoop.it – Virology News
ROCKVILLE, Md. — Novavax, Inc. today announced that it has begun enrollment in a Phase II clinical trial of its quadrivalent seasonal influenza virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine candidate. This randomized, …
Archive for March, 2012
NOVAVAX Launches Phase II Clinical Trial of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
27 March, 2012Salk announces polio vaccine — History.com This Day in History — 3/26/1953
27 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
On March 26, 1953, American medical researcher Dr. Jonas Salk announces on a national radio show that he has successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis, the virus that causes the crippling disease of polio.
The Wrong Policy Prescription for Pakistan’s Vaccine Program
27 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
Just because legislating immunization coverage works in the United States doesn’t mean it will work in Pakistan. The main reason is that the drivers of under-vaccination in Pakistan and the United States are fundamentally different.
CIDRAP >> Fouchier anticipates resuming H5N1 studies soon
27 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
“Fouchier told the audience that virulence is a tough issue to describe and needs to be clearly defined. He said the virus was virulent in ferrets that were inoculated deep within their lungs, and it was virulent in those who were sickened via the aerosol route, though they didn’t die.
“There’s a lot of quotes in the press that are simply wrong,” he said, adding that the definition of virulence touches on other factors such as dose, immune status of the host, and previous exposure to other types of flu. Fouchier said full publication of both studies would help clarify questions scientists and observers have about virulence of the lab-modified viruses.
During today’s webcast, Racaniello asked for more details about the study, but Fouchier said the NSABB asked him not to disclose details about the methods or mutations.
However, he said his group found a number of mutations in common when they sequenced the viruses that had made the jump to airborne spread. “Most of those were pretty interesting,” he said, adding that some of the mutations are the same ones Kawaoka’s group found, though that group took a different approach to the study. “That was a shock to me and to Yoshi,” he said.”
Meaning that we should be out there LOOKing for them…thanks, Vincent!
Image courtesy Russell Kightley Media
MedImmune receives FDA approval for FluMist Quadrivalent vaccine
27 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
FluMist Quadrivalent, a vaccine to prevent seasonal influenza in people ages 2 years through 49 years, has been approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Antiviral Research – A DNA vaccination regime including protein boost and electroporation protects cattle against foot-and-mouth disease
27 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
We thus demonstrate for the first time that cattle can be clinically protected against FMDV challenge following a DNA prime-protein boost strategy, and particularly when DNA vaccine is combined with GM-CSF and delivered by electroporation.
Thanks MicrobeTweets!
Genetics of flu susceptibility: Why the flu is life-threatening for some, and quite mild for others
26 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
A genetic finding could help explain why influenza becomes a life-threatening disease to some people while it has only mild effects in others. New research led by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has identified for the first time a human gene that influences how we respond to influenza infection.
People who carry a particular variant of a gene called IFITM3 are significantly more likely to be hospitalised when they fall ill with influenza than those who carry other variants, the team found. This gene plays a critical role in protecting the body against infection with influenza and a rare version of it appears to make people more susceptible to severe forms of the disease. The results are published in the journal Nature.
Graphic courtesy Russell Kightley Media
Pupils receive new HIV syllabus with excitement – Education |monitor.co.ug
26 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
Primary going children from schools [in Uganda] where the new HIV syllabus is being piloted are embracing it with excitement, saying it would redeem the future generation of the deadly HIV/Aids.
Good news from Africa!
HIV hookers peril for England fans – The Sun mobile
26 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
Really?? HIV-infected Ukrainian hookers are the ONLY reason to avoid sex workers while on a football-watching excursion??
Mandating flu shots makes society safer – Editorials – Charleston Daily Mail – West Virginia News and Sports –
26 March, 2012Via Scoop.it – Virology News
Two of the most unhealthy places to work are hospitals and schools. Hospitals obviously are frequented by sick people, and children often carry and spread illnesses to each other and their families.
To clamp down on infectious disease, hospitals in the area are requiring their employees to get flu shots. Charleston Area Medical Center began requiring the 6,000 employees at its various hospitals to get flu shots in August 2009, ahead of fears of a swine flu epidemic.
Last year, fewer than 30 employees received waivers for various reasons, and the hospital system fired two people who refused to be vaccinated. The utmost concern was for the protection of other employees and patients.
It is a matter for amazement to me that HEALTH CARE WORKERS refuse to get vaccinated against flu!
ViroBlogy 