Immunisation Horizon Scanning Bulletin Volume 1 Issue 7

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

Source: The Telegraph

Follow this link for full-text

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

Follow this link for full-text

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

Follow this link for abstract

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

Single mumps vaccine production stops

Source: The Telegraph

Follow this link for full-text

Year of publication: November 2009

Publication Type: News Item

In a nutshell: Merck, the maker of the single vaccine Mumpsvax, has stopped production, it has been confirmed. Parents who are still concerned about the safety of the MMR vaccine will not now be able to vaccinate their children against mumps.

Length of publication: 1 page news item

Are vaccination programmes delivered by lay health workers cost-effective – a systematic review

Source: Human Resources for Health, 2009, 7 (81)

Follow this link for full-text

Year of publication: November 2009

Publication Type: Systematic Review

In a nutshell: A recently updated Cochrane systematic review on the effects of lay or community health workers (LHWs) in primary and community health care concluded that LHW interventions could lead to promising benefits in the promotion of childhood vaccination uptake. However, understanding of the costs and cost-effectiveness of involving LHWs in vaccination programmes remains poor. This paper reviews the costs and cost-effectiveness of vaccination programme interventions involving LHWs.

Length of publication: 13 pages

The contribution of medical students to services in pandemic flu

Source: Department of Health

Follow this link for full-text

Year of publication: November 2009

Publication Type: Guidance

In a nutshell: Medical students and doctors in training may need to take a more active part in delivering services at a time of national emergency, in order to maintain safe services for patients. This paper provides national guidance about the contribution of medical students (in this case UK wide) but with scope for local interpretation – ‘consistent flexibility’.

Length of publication: 11 pages

Further dissemination: if you think anyone would benefit from recieving 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.