There Are Actually A Lot Of Flu Vaccines Out There, And They’re Not All Created Equal
The field is pretty crowded and experts think that some offer better protection than others. Meanwhile, scientists are on the hunt for a permanent vaccine.
Stat:
Some Flu Vaccines May Work Better — But Public Guidance Is Scant
Last fall some people in the know about influenza science got picky when it came time to get their flu shots. They didn’t want to roll up their sleeve for any old vaccine on offer at their doctor’s office or workplace clinic. They sought specific products, the ones licensed for older adults that contain a performance-boosting compound called an adjuvant or more notably one of the two brands of vaccine not made — as most flu vaccines are — in eggs. (Branswell, 2/6)
The Wall Street Journal:
The Chase For A Permanent Flu Vaccine
As doctors struggle with the worst flu season in nearly a decade, some are racing to answer a question: Can they find a more permanent solution than variably successful annual vaccines? Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles have developed a new approach for a vaccine that tested successfully in animals. GlaxoSmithKline is in the early stages of testing another promising approach in people. (Reddy, 2/5)
And in news from the states —
The New York Times:
Second Child In New York City Dies Of Flu-Related Illness
A second child has died in New York City of flu-related illness, as the city and nation cope with the worst flu season in nearly a decade, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said on Monday. The child, an 8-year-old girl who lived in Elmhurst, Queens, was found unconscious at home on Monday morning and taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where she was pronounced dead, the police said. (Garcia, 2/5)
Georgia Health News:
No Major Shortage Of Flu Drugs, But Pharmacies Face Supply Gap
While some areas of the country are having a tough time getting flu-fighting medication, a CDC official said there is no nationwide shortage. A spokesman for Genentech, maker of the name-brand Tamiflu medication, agreed. (Joyner, 2/5)
KCUR:
Flu Activity Still Widespread Across The Kansas City Area, May Not Have Peaked
Area hospitals are continuing to see high numbers of influenza patients, suggesting that the flu season has yet to peak. At the University of Kansas Health System, 913 patients have tested positive for the flu so far, 162 of them in the last week alone, according to spokeswoman Jill Chadwick. Seventeen patients currently remain hospitalized. (Margolies, 2/5)
