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Topic: Time to get a FLU shot ! (Read 1145 times) |
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Fritz
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Time to get a FLU shot !
« on: 2010-10-12 15:21:27 » |
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It is that time of year again. Currently FLU shots are available; the Ontario version:
Source: GlaxoSmithKline
This Split-Virion vaccine is prepared from virus grown in the allantoic cavity of embryonated hens' eggs. The virus in inactivated by ultraviolet light treatment followed by formaldehyde treatment, purified by centifugation and disrupted with sodium deoxycholate.
A/California/7/2009 H1N1 - like strain A/California/7/2009 NYMC X-179A
A/Perth/16/2009 H3N2 - like strain A/Victoria/210/2009 NYMC X-187
B/Brisbane/60/2008 - like strain B/Brisbane/60/2008
These are the strains the WHO are predicting to be the most prevalent for 2010-2011.
Got mine : get yours.
Cheers
Fritz
Source: CDC
Seasonal Flu: International Situation Update
October 6, 2010, 8:00 AM ET
Global Flu Activity Update, October 5, 2010
The following summary of key influenza-related updates was created from regional World Health Organization (WHO) reports, country reports, CDC field staff updates, and other sources. Updates are listed by region and include data collected during epidemiologic weeks 36 through 38 (September 5-25, 2010).
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/international/map.htm
Northern Temperate
Canada
Per the Public Health Agency of Canada, the rate of visits to outpatient providers for influenza-like illness (ILI) in week 38 is at the baseline level and is well below the level reported in week 38 of 2009.
China
In southern China, 29.1% of network influenza-like illness (ILI) specimens were influenza-positive in week 36 (an increase of 8% since week 35), and influenza A accounted for 93.4% of positive samples (79.1% influenza A (H3N2), 2.1% 2009 H1N1). Northern China has reported a low number of positive influenza test results for several weeks (15.1% of ILI specimens were influenza-positive in week 36); influenza A accounted for 98% of positive samples in week 36 (63.3% influenza A (H3N2)), according to data provided by the Chinese National Influenza Center.
Europe
In weeks 36 and 37, influenza activity is low in all European countries, per the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Southern Temperate
Chile
The number of ILI cases decreased from week 37 to 38 and the number of respiratory specimens positive for influenza in weeks 37 and 38 was lower than the number in week 36. In week 38, 16.8% of respiratory specimens tested were positive for influenza, 51.3% of influenza-positive specimens were A (H3N2), and 14.6% of influenza-positive specimens were influenza B.
South Africa
The number of influenza-positive samples detected through influenza-like illness (ILI) surveillance decreased sharply each week from week 33 to 38. Influenza-positive samples in week 38 are a mix of 2009 H1N1, A (H3N2), and Influenza B viruses, according to data provided by the South Africa National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Australia
Per the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, in week 37, 14% of respiratory specimens tested by sentinel laboratory surveillance systems were positive for influenza (a 5% decrease from week 35). Among the influenza-positive specimens, 69.1% were 2009 H1N1 and 35.4% were influenza B.
New Zealand
Per the national influenza surveillance system, ILI rates have dropped sharply from week 33 to week 38, and are below baseline levels as of week 38. In week 38, 23 influenza-positive samples were detected at sentinel (2 samples) and non-sentinel (21 samples) sites. Among the influenza-positive samples, 83% were 2009 H1N1.
Tropical
Thailand
Per CDC Influenza Division Field Staff and the International Emerging Infections Program, influenza cases in two Thailand provinces, Sa Kaeo and Nakhon Phanom, increased in September. In week 38, cases decreased in Bangkok and 2009 H1N1 was the primary influenza subtype.
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Where there is the necessary technical skill to move mountains, there is no need for the faith that moves mountains -anon-
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MoEnzyme
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infidel lab animal
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Re:Time to get a FLU shot !
« Reply #1 on: 2010-10-12 21:50:04 » |
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I got mine on Monday.
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I will fight your gods for food,
Mo Enzyme
(consolidation of handles: Jake Sapiens; memelab; logicnazi; Loki; Every1Hz; and Shadow)
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Fritz
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Re:Time to get a FLU shot !
« Reply #2 on: 2010-10-29 12:56:20 » |
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Reminder of days gone by.
Cheers
Fritz
H1N1 redux
Source: The Telegram - St.John's
Author: editorial
Date: 2010.10.28
To say there was panic in the streets would not be far from the truth. One year ago this week, the province began its H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination program.
It began on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009, at the Health Sciences Centre, with shots for health-care workers only. At the point, many citizens were questioning the need for vaccination at all, and some wondered if the injections were even safe.
There had been more than 80 deaths in Canada from the virus up to Oct. 17, but most had been people with pre-existing medical conditions. Overall, the virus appeared to be less deadly than other strains of influenza.
That changed on the weekend before vaccinations began, when a seemingly healthy pre-teen girl succumbed to the disease in Toronto.
The number of H1N1 cases in this province started to climb, with several people admitted to hospital. As pressure mounted, the Department of Health decided to fast-track public vaccinations. They began on Friday, Oct. 30.
Top priority was supposed to be given to people under the age of 65 with chronic illness, as well as children aged six months to five years. But that didn’t happen. Anxious parents demanded to get a shot along with their children, and many healthy adults padded the already lengthy lineups.
On Oct. 31, a 36-year-old woman in central Newfoundland became the province’s first H1N1 victim. Officials said she had an underlying medical condition.
But panic had set in. Health authorities had to strictly enforce the high-risk categories, which changed every few days to encompass more and more people. Tears and frustration mounted as those not fitting the criteria found themselves turned away at the door.
Supplies of the vaccine were rationed across the country, and provinces occasionally ran low, which caused more concerns. Criticism also flared when it was revealed certain non-risk groups, such as hockey players, were skipping the line.
In the end, though, this province adeptly handled what could have been a real crisis.
A Telegram editorial on that first Saturday of public vaccinations tipped a hat to those in charge:
“The (Health) Department and its minister, Jerome Kennedy, have made themselves available virtually every day this week to explain what the province is trying to do, and how they plan to do it.
“ … The department has made its experts available to answer questions and provide direction on a regular basis, able to speak frankly about the developing H1N1 situation and how it is being addressed.”
Those briefings continued throughout the height of the campaign. As the program began to wind down a few weeks later, statistics indicated this province had vaccinated citizens at a faster rate than most others.
This Wednesday, Eastern Health CEO Vickie Kaminski said last fall’s H1N1 vaccinations were a highlight of achievement amid difficult circumstances. She said it helped restore the public’s faith in health care in this province.
We agree. And we hope this new dedication to getting out in front of an issue and keeping the public informed is not just a passing phase.
So far, so good.
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Where there is the necessary technical skill to move mountains, there is no need for the faith that moves mountains -anon-
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