Immunisation Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 1

Alert over vaccine storage

Source: The Telegraph

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Year of publication: January 2010

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: GPs and hospitals have been warned over widespread incorrect storage of vaccines after an audit found 40 per cent were kept at the wrong temperature which may affect their potency, an NHS watchdog has warned. A ‘rapid response’ alert issued to the NHS and private sector healthcare facilities said there could be a widespread problem with vaccine storage rendering the jabs ineffective and leaving patients vulnerable to diseases they thought they were protected against.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Swine flu virus ‘could still mutate’ WHO warns

Source: BBC News

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Year of publication: December 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: The head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned the global swine flu pandemic is not yet over and the virus could still mutate. Dr Margaret Chan said…  “It is too premature and too early for us to say we have come to an end of the pandemic influenza worldwide.” She said experts needed to continue monitoring the pandemic for another six to 12 months as it could mutate into a more dangerous strain. “We will watch this virus with eagle’s eyes,” she said.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Leukaemia vaccine being developed

Source: The Telegraph

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Year of publication: January 2010

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: British researchers have developed a treatment that can be used to stop the disease returning after chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant. Eventually it is hoped the drug, which activates the body’s own immune system against the leukaemia, could be used to treat other types of cancers…  The idea behind cancer ‘vaccines’ is not necessarily to prevent the disease. Instead, once a patient has been diagnosed, the ‘vaccine’ programmes the immune system to hunt down cancer cells and destroy them. The vaccine then prompts the immune system to recognise leukaemia cells if they return which prevents a relapse of the disease.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Swine flu experience could usher in new era for seasonal campaigns

Source: Healthcare Republic

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Year of publication: December 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: Experience of dealing with swine flu could completely change the way seasonal flu vaccinations are carried out, the DoH’s head of immunisation believes. At-risk groups may no longer need to be vaccinated every year, according to Professor David Salisbury, DoH director for immunisation. This would be possible, he said, if data show that GSK’s swine flu vaccine offers long-term protection.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

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Immunisation Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 7

Change in swine flu virus is my biggest fear: Liam Donaldson

Source: The Telegraph

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Year of publication: December 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: The swine flu virus could mutate into a more dangerous strain this winter, Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer said as he revealed his biggest concern over the pandemic. Cases of the H1N1 pandemic virus are dropping but the risk remains that the strain could change into something more virulent, he said. Sir Liam revealed so-called ‘drift’ of the virus, where it changes slightly over time, was his biggest worry.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

GPs are told to vaccinate all priority groups against swine flu before Christmas

Source: British Medical Journal, 30th November 2009

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Year of publication: November 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: David Salisbury, the department’s director of immunisation, told a press briefing that a further nine million doses are with GPs, primary care trusts, and acute trusts ready for use for people in the priority groups and to protect healthcare workers. And another four million doses had been delivered to the UK and were in manufacturers’ warehouses awaiting distribution. Professor Salisbury said he expected the vaccination programme to accelerate rapidly as more supplies of vaccine became available. “I would like to see the priority groups vaccinated well before Christmas, so that GPs can move onto the next group: children under 5,” he said.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

A survey of adolescent experiences of human papillomavirus vaccination in the Manchester study

Source: British Journal of Cancer, 2009, 101 (9), 1502-4

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Year of publication: November 2009

Publication Type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: BACKGROUND: There is little information on girls’ experiences of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer. We investigated the views of adolescent girls who had been offered the vaccine as part of a feasibility study conducted in Manchester. CONCLUSION: Girls of this age form their own views on HPV vaccination but parental support for vaccination remains important, especially for completing the three doses. By discussing the vaccine, parents can encourage their daughters to determine the importance and implications of HPV vaccination.

Length of publication: 3 page article