Immunisation Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 2 Issue 1

Alert over vaccine storage

Source: The Telegraph

Follow this link for full-text

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

Follow this link for full-text

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

Follow this link for full-text

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

Follow this link for full-text

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

Further dissemination: if you think anyone would benefit from receiving this post, or from subscribing to this blog, please email them the link to this blog and suggest they sign up to the blog newsletter to stay up-to-date with new content.