Nothing posted October 31, 2004

Posted October 30, 2004

* ►November 2004 - Effect of Daily Cod Liver Oil and a Multivitamin-Mineral Supplement With Selenium on Upper Respiratory Tract Pediatric Visits by Young, Inner-City, Latino Children: Randomized Pediatric Sites - journal article (Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology)  - Use of these nutritional supplements was acceptable to the inner-city Latino families and their young children, and was associated with a decrease in upper respiratory tract pediatric visits over time; this approach therefore deserves further research and attention."

►November 2004 - The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization: Is It a New Model for Effective Public-Private Cooperation in International Public Health? - journal article (American Journal of Public Health)

►November 2004 - The VP6 Protein of Rotavirus Interacts with a Large Fraction of Human Naive B Cells via Surface Immunoglobulins - journal article (Journal of Virology)

►November 2004 - Prevention of hepatitis B virus related hepatocellular carcinoma - journal article (Gastroenterology) 

* ►October 29, 2004 - D.C. Sues Parents Over Immunizations Flap - AP via Yahoo! - "Dozens of parents were charged with misdemeanor truancy in the nation's capital on Friday after their children missed school because they lacked required immunizations. The charges carry possible jail time and fines."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Joking aside, accident couldn't have come at a worse time (requires registration) - The Dallas Morning News - "In 1996, the Liebos were the subject of a story in The Dallas Morning News after a stroke left their precocious son mentally retarded....At the time, Eric's condition tested the limits of his family and of social services in North Texas. Though the federal government disputed the idea, the Liebos were convinced Eric's stroke was the result of seizures brought on by an immunization for mumps, measles and rubella....Injuries from immunizations are rare, but the government receives about 12,000 reports a year of people with some type of adverse reaction to various immunizations...They applied for compensation under a federal program for vaccine injuries, but their claim was denied because Eric's seizures began a few days after the time frame allowed by the government. Additionally, no evidence linked the stroke to the vaccine. Jim vigorously appealed, hiring lawyers and medical experts – but his appeal, too, was rejected."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Disabled child's family looks for assistance, relief (requires registration) - The Dallas Morning News - "Editor's note: This story was originally published in The Dallas Morning News on Aug. 10, 1996....Eric, the oldest of three, had no problems until he was a year old. A few weeks after he was immunized for mumps, measles and rubella, he had his first in a series of seizures that would end in a stroke, causing severe brain damage when he was 4 years old."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Monkeypox Can Cause Range of Illnesses in Humans - Journal of Infectious Diseases via Reuters

* ►October 29, 2004 - Hundreds Of Students Treated For Meningitis - UNC, N.C. State To Hold Weekend Clinics - www.nbc17.com - "UNC freshman Jonathan Parker Davis, 18, is in serious condition at UNC Hospitals after being diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis, a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal....Exposed individuals who have received a meningococcal vaccine should still get preventive treatment because the vaccine does not cover all strains of bacteria that cause meningitis, health officials said...Davis himself had been vaccinated against meningitis in April. Officials haven't determined when or where he contracted the disease."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Gimli gobblers – Mercury scientists to conduct unique human experiment next week - Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council via www.eurekalert.org - "A world-leading team of Canadian scientists thinks that diet may play a critical role in limiting the body's absorption of the toxic heavy metal mercury, and they're lining up to test the idea on themselves."

►October 29, 2004 - First Confirmed Case Of Influenza B Identified In Central Texas - www.kwtx.com

►October 29, 2004 - First case of flu is reported - Officials emphasize it is not sign of severe season - San Diego Union-Tribune

* ►October 29, 2004 - Residents take shot at getting vaccine - Thousands of people, many elderly and sickly, stood in long lines yesterday at six locations throughout Lorain County to get flu shots. - The Morning Journal - "The Lorain County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, in conjunction with the Lorain County Health District and the city health departments in Lorain and Elyria, put on what were called High Risk Flu Immunization centers to practice for a mass inoculation event, such as a small pox outbreak."

►October 29, 2004 - U.S. May Enlist New Vaccine Suppliers - About 5 million flu shots may be available from factories in Germany and Canada. (requires registration) - Los Angeles Times

►October 29, 2004 - Surveys assessing vaccine woes - Courier & Press

►October 29, 2004 - FDA Still Scrambling To Replace Flu Vaccines - financialwire.net via COMTEX via www.investors.com

►October 29, 2004 - State receiving 440,000 more doses of flu vaccine (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald

►October 29, 2004 - Butler-Jones defends flu shot sale to U.S., urges Canadians to get shots now - CP via www.canada.com - "Canada's chief public health officer defended on Friday the right of the country's flu vaccine manufacturer to sell surplus supply to the United States."

►October 29, 2004 - Flu shots available in Canada - The Seattle Times

►October 29, 2004 - Plattsburgh residents visit Quebec for flu shots - AP via Newsday

►October 29, 2004 - State receives shipments of flu vaccine - AP via Newsday - "Thousands of doses of the flu vaccine have started to arrive in Connecticut, and by next week the state should have enough shots to vaccinate many of the most at-risk people, state officials said Friday."

►October 29, 2004 - 600 Flu Vaccines Administered in Nacogdoches - www.ktre.com

►October 29, 2004 - Flu Clinics Scheduled for Navy Personnel, Dependents, Retirees - www.wavy.com

►October 29, 2004 - Surgeries cancelled due to flu - Broadcast News via Vancouver Sun via www.canada.com

►October 29, 2004 - Five Simple Ways to Prevent the Flu - press release - Metropolitan Jewish Health Systems via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 29, 2004 - Health officials prepare for large crowds at flu shot clinics - The Capital via www.hometownannapolis.com

►October 29, 2004 - Health planners set priorities for available flu shots - Lexington Herald-Leader via www.kentucky.com

►October 29, 2004 - Signs Suggest Whooping Cough Returning; Feds Review Booster Shots - www.thewbalchannel.com

►October 29, 2004 - Experts test for anthrax at Kazinga Channel - New Vision, Uganda

►October 29, 2004 - New Malaria Vaccine - editorial - Daily Champion (Lagos) via http://allafrica.com

►October 29, 2004 - Keeping Organ, Tissue Transplants Safe - Health Day via Forbes

►October 29, 2004 - Bristol Hepatitis B Drug Beats Glaxo's in Study - Reuters

►October 29, 2004 - Pigs from farm partly owned by Pickton did not pose risk: report - CP via www.canada.com

►October 29, 2004 - Drill aimed to test terrorism response - Saint Louis Post-Dispatch
 

►October 28, 2004 - IFST updated Information Statement on BSE and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) - Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) In Humans - Institute of Food Science & Technology via innovations-report

* ►October 28, 2004 - Doctor: Anti-terror campaign threatens other health needs - Kennebec Journal via www.mainetoday.com - "As an example, Sidel cited a reaction in the Seattle area in 2003 to fears of smallpox being spread by bioterrorism. He said local officials were so concerned by federal reports about smallpox and terrorism they pulled doctors and researchers away from their work containing tuberculosis. In preparing for a potential smallpox outbreak that never happened, he said, they inadvertently contributed to allowing one of the worst tuberculosis outbreaks ever in Seattle."

►October 28, 2004 - Law sets fine for low-risk vaccinations - The Register-Guard

►October 28, 2004 - Move over Victoria Clipper: here comes the `Flu Shot Tour' bus! - Peninsula Daily News - "The bus trips were inspired by the success of a Seattle passenger ferry's promotion to go to Victoria for flu shots, which are recommended on both sides of the border for adults older than 65."

►October 28, 2004 - Hot topic - Smelling sweeter may not be healthier - Frequent use of aerosols and air fresheners in the home could make mothers and babies ill, according to research from the University of Bristol's Children of the 90s study. - www.bupa.co.uk

►October 28, 2004 - Gambling on the Flu: The Vaccine Shortage - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 28, 2004 - Government Dedicates Building to International Vaccine Institute - Korea Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 28, 2004 - Judge Bars Mandatory Anthrax Shots for Troops - Boston Globe via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 28, 2004 - U.S. Creates Ethics Panel on Priority for Flu Shots - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 28, 2004 - Web Site Tracks Vaccine Supply - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 28, 2004 - Hiding From The Flu Bug - www.wjhl.com

►October 28, 2004 - Doing their part to foil the flu - Hospitals coordinate prevention efforts - Boston Globe

►October 28, 2004 - Lines persist as flu shot supply dwindles - Many area clinics are canceled as nation's shortage turns political - Asheville Citizen-Times

►October 28, 2004 - 200 TB exposures were missed, expert says - Journal Gazette via www.fortwayne.com

►October 28, 2004 - Students need shots to stay in school - Milford Daily News - "Students at Middle School East who do not get their immunizations and physicals may be excluded from school in the second week of November."

►October 28, 2004 - Doing their part to foil the flu - Hospitals coordinate prevention efforts - Boston Globe

►October 28, 2004 - Flu vaccine distributor denies gouging - San Diego Union-Tribune

►October 28, 2004 - The Flu - Vaccine Crisis: An Election-Year Scare - letters - New York Post

►October 28, 2004 - EVMS deciding which high-risk patients get vaccine - The Virginian Pilot via www.hamptonroads.com

►October 28, 2004 - Identifying Bacterial Meningitis - The New England Journal of Medicine via Ivanhoe

* ►October 28, 2004 - Manufacturing a 'crisis' - Flu vaccine shortage is a matter of perception - opinion - Ventura County Star - "Public-health experts have been trying for years to develop a strategy to vaccinate more Americans against influenza, holding anxious summits and devising elaborate education, advertising and outreach campaigns...Apparently, they could have saved themselves the trouble. All it takes to get people to line up and beg for flu shots is to announce the shots might not be available."

►October 28, 2004 - 'Everyone thinks they're high risk' for flu, giving docs dose of anxiety - www.tennessean.com

►October 28, 2004 - Ill-prepared to address a pandemic - U.S. not only ignored warnings, government has not planned for an emergency, leaving it to states, GAO health official testifies - New York City Newsday

►October 27, 2004 - China Takes Steps to Prevent New SARS Outbreak in Winter - Dow Jones Newswires via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 27, 2004 - Panel Reviews New Vaccine That Could Be Controversial - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 27, 2004 - The Protectors - South China Morning Post via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 27, 2004 - Whooping Cough Cases Mount - Chicago Tribune via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 27, 2004 - Workers to Get Flu Shots at Many Federal Offices - Washington Post via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 27, 2004 - Virulent Parasite Yields Genetic Secrets - Health Day News via Forbes

►October 27, 2004 - Genetically endowed worm may substitute for rodents in some toxicology testing - Duke University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 27, 2004 - Higher radiation doses help some lung cancer patients live longer - American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology via www.eurekalert.org

►October 27, 2004 - Fetal tissue restores lost sight - New Scientist via www.eurekalert.org

►October 27, 2004 - AAN, ANA announce support for embryonic and adult human stem cell research - American Academy of Neurology and the American Neurological Association, together representing more than 18,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, today announced their support for government funding of adult and embryonic stem cell research - American Academy of Neurology via innovations-report

►October 26, 2004 - Lax rules let supplements lurk as health threats - USA Today

►October 26, 2004 - FDA Approves Artificial Disc; Another Alternative to Treat Low Back Pain - FDA

Posted October 29, 2004

* ►October 30, 2004 - Vaccine may cut dreaded smears - Herald Sun - "Trials of a new cervical cancer vaccine may greatly reduce the need for dreaded pap smears."

* ►October 30, 2004 - Prostate cancer vaccine shows promise - The New York Times via International Herald Tribune

* ►October 30, 2004 - The Age's new boss comes out swinging - The Weekend Australian - "Last Saturday's was given over to just one story, on scientists in the 1960s knowing some polio vaccines contained traces of monkey virus...'This was a very serious story, affecting a lot of people,' he said. 'This newspaper is not going to swallow the pills and take the jabs without asking questions.'"

* ►October 29, 2004 - Child Vaccine Program to Include FluMist - FluMist to Be Included in Federal Child Vaccine Program; Eligible Children Can Get It Free - AP via ABC News

* ►October 29, 2004 - FluMist production goes into high gear (requires registration or subscription) - Knight Ridder Newspapers via The Kansas City Star

* ►October 29, 2004 - Vaccine for Very Young Is Plentiful (requires registration or subscription) - Doctors say they have enough to inoculate children up to 23 months old against flu. - Los Angeles Times

* ►October 29, 2004 - U.S. may receive 5 million flu shots from foreign firms (requires registration or subscription) - Health officials said an additional five million flu shots are expected to be imported but warned that's not enough. - The Miami Herald

* ►October 29, 2004 - Fill in blanks on flu vaccine - editorial (requires registration) - Tampa Tribune via Atlanta Journal-Constitution - "But if the shots are unnecessary, why are healthy people urged to get them in the first place?...Now there is talk of halving the amount of vaccine per shot to double the number of people who can get them. Does this mean we usually get twice the necessary dose?"

►October 29, 2004 - Time is paramount for high-risk flu candidates, officials say - The Allentown Times via http://pennlive.com
 
* ►October 29, 2004 - Clark County Distributes 8,000 Flu Vaccines - www.whiotv.com - "The line started forming around 4 a.m. and the health district expects to distribute all 8,000 doses today. Health officials decided to give the flu vaccines out in one day to help aid in the public’s health, but also to test the county’s emergency response plan."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Efficiency crucial at flu shot clinic - 2,000 free vaccinations will be given to high-risk individuals, young children. - Springfield News-Leader - "They've only practiced their mass-vaccination plan with mock events. But officials expect up to 4,000 real patients — children, adults and their caregivers — at a flu shot clinic Saturday at SMS...'This is more than an exercise,' said Linda DeGraffenreid, bioterrorism regional epidemiology specialist at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department....'It's kind of fun because we'll actually be processing people, and sometimes exercises don't give the real feel of how people are feeling in it,' she said. 'This is as real as we can get.'"

* ►October 29, 2004 - Thousands seek flu vaccine (requires registration) - Springfield New-Sun - "Vehicles were lined up along all routes near the fairgrounds for the mass immunization clinic, which was designed as a test for a bioterror attack or natural disaster."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Remedies for flu vaccine shortage - Manufacturers step in with homeopathic and anti-viral alternatives - Rocky Mountain News - "Customers seeking more of a natural approach to flu prevention are flocking to Pharmaca's nine stores and demanding Oscillococcinum and Dolivaxil, homeopathic remedies....Oscillococcinum, manufactured by French firm Boiron, is Pharmaca's top-selling product. Sales of Dolivaxil in October are double that of last year, the company said...Both cost about $12."

* ►October 29, 2004 - Rodale Editors Respond to Nation's Flu Vaccine Crisis, Naturally Compilation Of Advice Developed To Help Americans 'Help Themselves' - Collected Counsel from Some of the Most Knowledgeable Health Sources in the Country Available Now on http://www.rodale.com - press release - Rodale Inc. via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 29, 2004 - Glaxo Talking With FDA to Clear Flu Shot, Bolster U.S. Supply - Bloomberg

►October 29, 2004 - Feds divert flu vaccine, may import more doses - USA Today via www.azcentral.com

►October 29, 2004 - Americans may soon feel Canadian flu pinch - Demand forces Clipper to suspend excursions for shots - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 29, 2004 - Gov. Fletcher Says Ky. Health Departments To Receive More Flu Vaccine - www.wave3.com

►October 29, 2004 - Valley receives flu vaccine - State allots Fresno County 4,560 doses for adults. (requires registration) - Fresno Bee

►October 29, 2004 - Michigan has less than half the flu vaccine needed for priority groups - AP via Detroit Free Press

►October 29, 2004 - Lower-risk flu clinic begins - Sangamon County offers 6,000 doses over three days - www.sj-r.com

►October 29, 2004 - Searle offers at-risk faculty flu vaccines - Health Services finds extras difficult to distribute fairly - The Daily Northwestern

►October 29, 2004 - As vaccine supply dwindles, fighting virus a challenge - Health experts, residents say prevention key - Post-Crescent via www.wisinfo.com

►October 29, 2004 - Doctors' influenza concerns dismissed - letter - The Modesto Bee

►October 29, 2004 - Flu vaccination campaign to begin next week - www.rte.ie

►October 29, 2004 - AVI BioPharma NEUGENE Antisense Drugs Suppress Influenza A Virus - Data Presented at the American Society of Microbiology 44th Interscience Conference On Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - press release - AVI BioPharma, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 29, 2004 - Blame the Trial Lawyers for Vaccine Shortages - Human Events

►October 29, 2004 - Avian influenza – situation in Asia: altered role of domestic ducks - WHO

►October 29, 2004 - WHO: Ducks May Infect Humans With Bird Flu - U.N. Health Agency Says Seemingly Healthy Ducks May Be Infecting Humans With Bird Flu - AP via ABC News

►October 29, 2004 - Kansas Reports Second West Nile Virus Death in 2004 - The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed the state's second West Nile Virus death. - Kansas City infoZine

►October 29, 2004 - NC State Officials to Treat Students for Possible Meningitis Exposure - ABC WTVD-TV

►October 29, 2004 - Bacterial Meningitis Case in Wyandotte County - Kansas City infoZine

►October 29, 2004 - Meningitis Creates Huge Scare - New Era (Windhoek) via http://allafrica.com

►October 29, 2004 - Child With What Could Be Miningitis Doing O.K. - www.wbay.com

►October 29, 2004 - Meningitis death forces inoculations - Boston Herald

►October 29, 2004 - Supply of flu shots dwindles - With limited supplies, only 'high risk' cases will receive flu shots at Emory this season  - The Emory Wheel - "He also advised that any student who has not yet received a meningitis vaccine do so...The early symptoms of meningococcal meningitis are very similar to those of the flu...Vaccination against meningitis can aid in ensuring a proper diagnosis."

►October 29, 2004 - "Camp of the dead" is nickname for Ward 21 - Vaal Weekly via www.news24.com

►October 29, 2004 - Polio immunisation in Wassa - GNA via The Accra Daily Mail

* ►October 29, 2004 - Vaccine against cervical cancer - A vaccine that prevents infections known to cause cervical cancer could be available to women within three years, UK experts believe. - BBC - "Both GlaxoSmithKline and Merck Sharp & Dohme have developed a vaccine against HPV and are in a race to get their products approved....The two vaccines are being tested in thousands of women around the world, including the UK."

►October 29, 2004 - Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use 18-21 October 2004 Plenary Meeting Monthly Report - www.pharmalive.com

►October 29, 2004 - Autism conference starts today - Arizona Daily Sun - "The Northern Arizona Autism Conference runs today and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the duBois Center at Northern Arizona University."

►October 29, 2004 - Crosby Golf Classic will aid La Casa Center for Autism - San Diego Union-Tribune

►October 29, 2004 - Gala to aid treatment of autism - Singer to host fund-raiser - Poughkeepsie Journal

►October 29, 2004 - Shock of death rate figures - http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 29, 2004 - Hout Bay on measles alert - www.news24.com

►October 29, 2004 - Whooping cough strikes Twin Cedars - Just when were being inundated with warnings about the flu season, a disease thought to be extinct is making a comeback in Marion County. - The Journal-Express via www.zwire.com

►October 29, 2004 - A prescription to cure ailing healthcare in Pakistan - OneWorld South Asia

►October 29, 2004 - Obesity, Bioterrorism, Immunizations Topics at Michigan State Medical Society Annual Scientific Meeting - press release - Michigan State Medical Society via U.S. Newswire - "Other courses will include 'Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergencies' which will cover disaster preparedness and communication plans. This course will identify the organisms most likely to be weaponized, including smallpox, and describe precautions and immediate treatment options...'Immunizations 2004' will explore the guidelines for vaccination schedules, update influenza management and present strategies for improving immunization rates."

►October 29, 2004 - HIV/AIDS researcher wins South African award - Science and Development Network

►October 29, 2004 - Health officials shut lab over HIV test kits - www.kwqc.com

►October 29, 2004 - Laboratory Mice Produce Human Antibodies - AP via Yahoo!

►October 29, 2004 - Stem cells scientists can use are tainted - 2 studies show separate problems - Washington Post via San Francisco Chronicle

►October 29, 2004 - AstraZeneca's Crestor May Harm Kidneys, Group Says - Reuters via Yahoo! - "Twenty-nine patients who took AstraZeneca Plc's anti-cholesterol drug Crestor have developed kidney damage, a U.S. consumer group said on Friday as it called again for a ban on the medicine."

►October 29, 2004 - Cross-Border Cattle Sparked Anthrax Fears - New Era (Windhoek) via http://allafrica.com

►October 29, 2004 - New Anthrax Test Offers Quick Results - HealthDay via Forbes

►October 29, 2004 - Buckner's first term learning experience - Ledger-Enquirer - "Buckner said she would like to continue to focus on health care issues that make a difference to families. In her first term, she co-sponsored a bill that requires the state to keep immunization records for people throughout their lives."

►November 2004 - Perception of Complex Sounds in Autism: Abnormal Auditory Cortical Processing in Children - journal article (American Journal of Psychiatry)

►November 2004 - Hippocampus and Amygdala Volumes in Parents of Children With Autistic Disorder - journal article (American Journal of Psychiatry) 

►November 2004 - A Pilot Study of D-Cycloserine in Subjects With Autistic Disorder - journal article (American Journal of Psychiatry)  

►November 2004 - Autism in a 15-Month-Old Child (requires subscription) - journal article (American Journal of Psychiatry) 

►October 29, 2004 - Avian flu: Illegal imports of birds into Europe - Medical News Today

►October 29, 2004 - AQIS researches spread of avian influenza - www.abc.net.au - "Research shows migratory shore birds are only playing a minor role in the global spread of bird 'flu."

►October 29, 2004 - IDSA Recommends Ways to Strengthen HHS's Pandemic Influenza Plan - Infectious Diseases Society of America via Medical News Today

►October 29, 2004 - UNC-CH student hospitalized with meningitis - www.wcnc.com

►October 29, 2004 - Trojan Horse Therapy Blocks Buildup of Alzheimer's Plaques - Howard Hughes Medical Institute via Medical News Today

* ►October 29, 2004 - Vaccines Are Good Business for Drug Makers (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - "'I am not one of those who think this is an industry plagued by low prices, because it's not true,' said Anthony F. Holler, chief executive of ID Biomedical, a Canadian company whose excess inventory of flu shots might help augment the American supply this winter. 'I just think that people are thinking of the business that occurred 10, 15 years ago.'"

* ►October 29, 2004 - For Inventive Business (and Health) Officials, Flu-Shot Specials (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

* ►October 29, 2004 - Flu Shots for Federal Workers, Military Diverted (requires registration) - Washington Post

* ►October 29, 2004 - Military ordered to stop requiring anthrax shots - New York Times/AP/Reuters via International Herald Tribune - "A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Mark Zaid of Washington, estimated that since 1999 more than 500 service members have refused the vaccine and been disciplined by being discharged from the military, fined or jailed."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Anthrax Vaccinations Halted Again - UPI via www.military.com - "The product, called Anthrax Vaccine Absorbed or AVA, allegedly has sickened hundreds and been the subject of two other lawsuits, as well as a congressional inquiry and at least 18 safety studies...The vaccine became so controversial that service personnel began refusing the 18-month series of shots, even though they faced disciplinary action and perhaps the end of their careers...A total of 442 service members had refused to be vaccinated by October 2000, according to Department of Defense testimony before the House committee on Government Reform. At least 100 have been court-martialled, Zaid said."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Court ruling again stops anthrax shots for US soldiers - CIDRAP News - "According to a Washington Post report today, Mark Zaid, a lawyer for the six plaintiffs, said he would take steps to reverse all penalties inflicted on soldiers who refused to take the vaccine. He also promised to seek compensation for those who claim they were harmed by the vaccine."

►October 28, 2004 - Federal Judge Halts Anthrax Vaccine - www.wboc.com

►October 28, 2004 - 35,000 Anthrax Vaccine Doses Given Out in Kasese - The Monitor (Kampala) via http://allafrica.com

►October 28, 2004 - Indonesia begins mass vaccination of livestock in anthrax-hit region - AFP via www.channelnewsasia.com

►October 28, 2004 - Anthrax detection system unveiled (requires registration) - Contra Costa Times

* ►October 28, 2004 - Lab Worker Contaminated With Vaccinia - http://kyw.com - "A lab worker from Jefferson Hospital has been contaminated with a virus that is used in the smallpox vaccine."

* ►October 28, 2004 -  Deadly combination – vaccine production at mercy of profit-based system - People's Weekly World - "There are two vulnerabilities in the nation’s immunization system: first it relies on a few private, for-profit manufacturers that use old technology in an attempt to maximize financial gain. Second, the right-wing government turns a blind eye to the realities of profit maximization. The governing ideology is that private, barely regulated companies will make safe products and quickly report problems."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Gambling on the flu: The vaccine shortage - USA Today - "In Grand Island, Neb., St. Francis Medical Center personnel use tuberculin syringes, whose efficiency extracts 11 or 12 doses out of the standard 10-dose vial."

* ►October 28, 2004 - US Works to Import 5 Million Flu Shots - Bush Administration Works to Import 5 Million Flu Shots From Canada, Germany - AP via ABC News

* ►October 28, 2004 - HHS Identifies More Influenza Vaccine; Department Takes Steps to Acquire Foreign Vaccine, Redirect Government Doses - press release - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via PRNewswire via Yahoo! - "Secretary Thompson also announced that Merck & Co. is tripling its production of pneumococcal vaccine used to prevent one of the major complications of the flu, pneumonia. The company, which typically sells 6 million to 7 million doses of Pneumovax 23, will increase its production to between 17 and 18 million for this flu season. The vaccine is for adults and children ages 2 years and older who are at increased risk for pneumonia."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Finding Natural Alternatives To Flu Vaccines - www.thewbalchannel.com - "The shortage of the flu vaccine has some people looking for alternatives -- including some popular herbal and homeopathic remedies."

►October 28, 2004 - Ferry Service Ends Flu-Shot Cruises - Ferry Service Ends Flu-Shot Cruises After It Can No Longer Guarantee Supply - AP via ABC News

►October 28, 2004 - Flu shot shortage could sway Fla. voters - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 28, 2004 - Vaccine report: Shots, shortages - USA Today

►October 28, 2004 - Gov. aide to explain flu plan to feds - Chicago Sun-Times - "Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Thursday he is sending his point man for the state's prescription drug importation plan to Washington to answer federal drug regulators' questions about Illinois' plan to buy flu vaccine from Europe."

►October 28, 2004 - Town Turns to Lottery For Scarce Flu Vaccines - www.elitestv.com

►October 28, 2004 - Bloomfield To Draw Winners Of Flu Vaccine Lottery - www.wnbc.com

►October 28, 2004 - Answers to common questions regarding the flu vaccine shortage - USA Today via Asheville Citizen Times

►October 28, 2004 - U.S. Creates Ethics Panel on Priority for Flu Shots (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 28, 2004 - EVA passengers sought for bird-flu check - Taipei Times

►October 28, 2004 - Thai gov't issues measures to prevent bird flu in humans - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 28, 2004 - Officials conclude two-day conference about avian flu outbreak - CP via www.canada.com

►October 28, 2004 - Bad jab in Jersey will cost ya, doc - New York Daily News - "Medical professionals in New Jersey who give patients a flu shot even if they are not in a high-risk group could face a $500 fine."

►October 28, 2004 - Thousands will get flu shots at clinic (requires registration) - Springfield News Sun

* ►October 28, 2004 - Web site tracks vaccine supply - USA Today - "State health departments, which are scrambling to ensure that their highest-risk residents get flu shots, can now log on to a secure, private government Web site to see how much vaccine has been shipped to their states and where it has gone...Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday that Aventis Pasteur — the only U.S. supplier of flu shots this year after vaccine maker Chiron's supply was scrapped because of contamination — has been 'extremely cooperative' in giving state health officials information that normally would be proprietary."

►October 28, 2004 - Review of avian influenza outbreak identifies next steps - press release - Canadian Food Inspection Agency via CNW Telbec

►October 28, 2004 - First San Diego flu case confirmed - San Diego Union-Tribune

►October 28, 2004 - In Our View More companies should manufacture flu vaccine- The Daily Herald via www.harktheherald.com

►October 28, 2004 - ‘Immunise your children’ message - www.thewilmslowexpress.co.uk

►October 28, 2004 - Boston Conservatory student dies of meningitis - AP via Herald Tribune

►October 28, 2004 - Supplement Could Ease MS Symptoms (includes video) - http://cbs2chicago.com

►October 28, 2004 - Is it too late to give my kids MMR injection? - The Herald, UK

►October 28, 2004 - Barriers to immunizations must be removed - The government needs to act to keep Americans healthy - opinion - Statesman Journal

►October 28, 2004 - Teenager gets life for Rosie May murder - The Telegraph, UK - "An autistic teenager has been jailed for life for murdering Rosie May Storrie, a 10-year-old ballet dancer who was killed while her parents chatted to guests at a Christmas party."

►October 28, 2004 - Whooping cough outbreak concern - http://albany.yourguide.com.au

►October 28, 2004 - Mozambique: US Millions Pledged for HIV/Aids - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks via http://allafrica.com

►October 27, 2004 - Oak Harbor student wins battle with meningitis (requires registration) - www.king5.com

►October 27, 2004 - Umbilical Cord Blood May Hold Clue to Childhood Allergy and Asthma - BMJ via Newswise

►October 27, 2004 - Health Alert: FluMist vaccine - www.wistv.com
   
* ►October 27, 2004 - Bavarian Nordic Demonstrates Significant Progress to Provide World With Safe Smallpox Vaccine - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com - "Our groundbreaking MVA smallpox vaccine is seen by many scientific and health policy experts as a safe, effective alternative to the traditional -- or second-generation -- smallpox vaccines currently stockpiled by world governments."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Smallpox: A Disease of the Past or a Weapon of Tomorrow? (requires registration or subscription) - PRNewswire via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "Smallpox now represents a bigger threat than ever, according to a 2002 US Intelligence Review indicating potential interest of Al Qaeda in the virus. This fear has been endorsed by reports from Russian defectors concerning illegal production of virulent strains of the virus after all strains were supposedly destroyed."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Urgent Need for All Nursing Homes to Complete On-Line Flu Survey by Friday, October 29, 2004; Nursing Homes, Administration, CDC and Aventis Pasteur Partner to Direct Distribution Plan for Flu Vaccines to Frail and Elderly Populations - U.S. Newswire

* ►October 27, 2004 - 6 nations racing to erase polio (requires registration or subscription) - With polio now a serious local risk in just six countries, health workers have begun an international campaign to eliminate the disease. - Knight Ridder News Service via The Miami Herald

* ►October 27, 2004 - Outside View: Flu vaccine crisis or not? - UPI via http://interestalert.com - "If we tell these high-risk individuals they need not fret about not getting their flu shot this year, because serious illness and complications are not likely, how do we credibly tell them to get immunized to protect their health next year?"

* ►October 27, 2004 - Prolonged Infant Crying: Sign of Trouble? - In Rare Cases, Persistent Crying That Is Not Colic May Signal Nervous System Problem - WebMD Medical News - "However, a handful of studies have shown that persistent crying -- longer than three months - may be related to mental and behavioral problems as children get older, Rao says. In a recent study, children who still had unexplained, persistent crying beyond six months tended to be hyperactive when they reached 8-10 years old."

►October 27, 2004 - Drug-resistent bacteria spreading in U.S. - UPI via http://interestalert.com - "Before 2000, outbreaks of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus were limited mostly to hospital settings, but in Denver more than half of the cases are now outside hospitals."

►October 27, 2004 - Lead may hinder recovery from brain injury - Scripps Howard News Service via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 27, 2004 - Immtech Completes Enrollment in Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia Clinical Trial - Preliminary results show higher dose of DB289 reduces time for patients to return to normal lung function - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 27, 2004 - Serono and Paratek Pharmaceuticals in Partnership to Develop a Novel Oral Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 27, 2004 - Paratek Pharmaceuticals Presents Multiple Sclerosis Data at Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting (requires registration or subscription) - Non-Antibacterial Tetracyclines Demonstrate Disease Protection in Preclinical Studies - PRNewswire via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch

►October 27, 2004 - Africa: Reducing HIV Risk in Breastfeeding - IRIN via http://allafrica.com

►October 27, 2004 - Senegal concerned as cholera outbreak worsens - www.iol.co.za

►October 27, 2004 - Patch's pharmaceutical interest achieves breakthrough results - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com - "Aridol is designed to identify patients with active asthma and provide information on the severity of their disease and the effectiveness of their current treatment."

►October 27, 2004 - Vasogen's VP025 Prevents Detrimental Effects of Beta-Amyloid in Preclinical Model of Cognitive Dysfunction - PRNewswire-FirstCall via www.pharmacytimes.com

►October 27, 2004 - Shire gets seal of approval for drug - Evening News via The Scotsman

►October 27, 2004 - Protein discovered that halts Alzheimer’s progression - Researchers have identified a protein that protects the brain from the destructive effects of Alzheimer’s disease, protecting brain cells by blocking another toxic protein that contributes to the disease process - www.drugresearcher.com

►October 27, 2004 - Treating Offenders With Mental Retardation And Developmental Disabilities - Corrections Today via http://mentalhelp.net

►October 27, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Feds Create Flu Shot Tracking Site - Experts Debate Cost of Meningitis Vaccine - Artificial Disc Approved for Back Pain - Gene May Account for 20% of Type 2 Diabetes Cases - Happy Marriage Balances Work Stress - Crippling Shyness Often Starts at Young Age - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.ivillagehealth.com

►October 27, 2004 - WHO Plan Aims to Reduce Medical Mistakes - AP via Herald-Sun

* ►October 26, 2004 - Immune system in a bottle could help prevent flu vaccine shortage - University of Michigan via www.eurekalert.org - "The research is so important that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has funded a consortium of research institutions for $10 million to grow the immune system in a bottle. Scientists can study the artificial immune system to see how it reacts to biological hazards and their countermeasures, and use the data to make more effective countermeasures, said Jan Walker, DARPA spokesman."

►October 26, 2004 - A 'tiny microbe' that can kill - Germ expert Dr. Howard Markel explains influenza and how to prevent it - Detroit Free Press

►October 26, 2004 - Boosting Anti-Tuberculosis Immunity - Nature Medicine via www.hum-molgen.de

►October 26, 2004 - 8 Indonesian villages hit by new bird flu outbreak - Reuters via The Navhind Times

►October 26, 2004 - Daily HIV/Aids Report - www.Kaisernetwork.org  (Washington, DC) via http://allafrica.com

►October 26, 2004 - Pesticides may promote Parkinson's; exercise may protect - Society for Neuroscience via www.scienceblog.com

►October 26, 2004 - Rabies Cases Result In Pet Euthanizations - CMPD's Animal Control Bureau Reports Twenty-seven Cases of Rabies - www.wsoctv.com

►October 26, 2004 - HealthBiz: Antibiotics shortage next? - UPI via http://interestalert.com

►October 26, 2004 - Serious problems could cause constant fatigue - The Family Doctor - Newsday - " If these don't appear to be a primary reason for the fatigue, extensive diagnostic testing may be needed. Many diseases cause fatigue. These include thyroid problems, congestive heart failure, infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, anemia, autoimmune disorders and some cancer."

►October 26, 2004 - Sleep Disorders Often Indicate Multiple Health Conditions - American College of Chest Physicians via PRNewswire via www.mhnet.org

►October 26, 2004 - New analysis links breastfeeding to reduced risk of childhood leukemia - University of California Berkeley via UC News Wire

►October 26, 2004 - ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Earns Milestone on Advancement of Neuropathic Pain Drug - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 26, 2004 - GelStat Corporation Forms Pharmaceutical Subsidiary, Announces Planned Release of New OTC Products - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com - "Planned product introductions include "GelStat(TM) Sinus", an OTC (non-prescription) product for the treatment sinusitis and its associated symptoms, including congestion, pressure and headache. Sinusitis is one of the most common diseases in the United States."

►October 26, 2004 - Terumo, Rissho University, Metocean Environment Report 80% of People Consider Weather Affects Health Conditions - Japan's Corporate News

►October 26, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.lifeclinic.com
 

►October 26, 2004 - New tool reveals molecular signature of cancer and HIV - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions via www.eurekalert.org

►October 26, 2004 - Skin sterol provides new information about heart disease risk - Environics Communications via www.eurekalert.org

►October 26, 2004 - Researchers Identify Brain Protein That Halts Progression Of Alzheimer's - NIH

* ►October 25, 2004 - Secret tobacco industry documents show Philip Morris worked to preserve financial ties with academic medicine - Secret tobacco industry documents show Philip Morris worked to preserve financial ties with academic medicine - University of California, San Francisco via UC News Wire

►October 25, 2004 - Predicting infection risk of mosquito-borne disease - National Institutes of Health via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Reports of SIDS-virus link greatly exaggerated, experts say (requires subscription) - www.nature.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Quarantine used in Iowa to contain measles - MMWR via Reuters Health - "A measles outbreak earlier this year was contained by instituting quarantine measures after exposed persons refused post-exposure preventative treatment, according to a report from the Iowa Department of Pubic Health and other state offices."

* ►October 21, 2004 - BCG Scar Size Linked to Future Asthma Risk (requires registration) - www.medscape.com- "A BCG scar size of less than five millimeters is associated with an increased risk of developing asthma, researchers from Brazil report."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Mustard Gas Poisoning of Hundreds of Americans in the United States in 1996 (requires registration) - www.medscape.com - "Today's MedGenMed includes an Original Article from the United States describing the short- and long-term effects of mustard gas exposure on 247 patients in 1996.[1] What did I say? Yes, you heard me right, a recent industrial exposure of hundreds of Americans to components of mustard gas is reported to have resulted in cutaneous burns, secondary skin infections, liver and cardiac abnormalities, bronchitis, and posttraumatic stress disorder, but no fatalities."

* ►October 2004 - Lead contamination serious problem in dozens of drinking-water systems - U.S. Water News - "An examination of 65 of the 3,000 largest utilities found cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Providence, R.I., and Portland, Ore., are "manipulating the results of tests used to detect lead in water, violating federal law and putting millions of Americans at risk,'' The Washington Post said."

* ►October 2004 - Low efficacy has officials questioning AIDS vaccine (requires registration) - After failed trials, concerns are raised that significant efficacy will not be shown in an ongoing phase-3 trial of ALVAC plus AIDSVAX. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

* ►October 2004 - Chiron’s license suspended, U.S. flu vaccine supply cut by half (requires registration) - Chiron’s 54 million doses of flu vaccine are in limbo after the United Kingdom suspended the supplier’s license for three months. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

* ►October 2004 - The politics of scientific policy (requires registration) - As the election draws near, where do you stand on politically charged medical issues? - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

* ►October 2004 - West Nile virus studied in transplant patients; cases increase nationally (requires registration) - West Nile virus illness has been reported to the CDC in 1,865 people from 40 states so far this year. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

* ►October 2004 - Changing paradigms help prepare for emerging diseases (requires registration) - Enhanced surveillance and better laboratory systems improve response to new disease outbreaks. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - N.J. man dies of Lassa fever (requires registration) - Officials issue health advisory for those who may have been in contact. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - Antifungal given weekly may prevent recurrent yeast infections (requires registration) - A cure remains elusive, but recurrent bouts were reduced throughout the year. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - Three new antimicrobials available for diarrhea (requires registration) - All three appear to have excellent safety and efficacy profiles. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - Bad bugs, no drugs (requires registration) - An IDSA public policy initiative sets new antibiotic development as its goal. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - Multipronged approach needed to thwart rising resistance rates (requires registration) - The drugs represent steps forward in the ever-changing world of HIV/AIDS. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

►October 2004 - Federal plan to label condoms comes under fire (requires registration) - Youth may get mixed messages from certain labels on condoms, according to speaker at the Infectious Diseases Society of America meeting. - www.infectiousdiseasenews.com

Posted October 28, 2004

►October 31 - November 7 - Influenza Vaccine Saves Lives - Italian-Canadian experts Victor Fornasier and Ralph Masi offer opinions on flu shots - Tandem

►October 29, 2004 - Fatal plague in Qinghai brought under control - China Daily

* ►October 28, 2004 - The details on inhaled FluMist, mercury - Sun Herald - "The idea with the spray is to actually cause a mild infection in the upper respiratory tract that does not produce body-wide symptoms. This stimulates the immune system to protect you against the flu. The Aventis Pasteur product (the only currently available flu shot vaccine) comes in a pediatric dose containing a trace amount of mercury (0.5 mcg), but the adult dose contains a traditional amount (25 mcg). An adult dose is recommended for children 3 years or older as well as adults."

* ►October 28, 2004 - MedImmune Says FluMist Recommended for Kids - Reuters via Yahoo! - "MedImmune's FluMist nasal vaccine should be included in the U.S. government's Vaccines for Children program, expanding its distribution to children over the age of 5 and teens, federal advisers said on Thursday."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Financial Conflicts of Interest in Physicians' Relationships with the Pharmaceutical Industry — Self-Regulation in the Shadow of Federal Prosecution - journal article (NEJM)

* ►October 28, 2004 - Doctors and Drug Companies - journal article (NEJM)

* ►October 28, 2004 - Registration of Clinical Trials — Voluntary or Mandatory? - journal article (NEJM)

* ►October 28, 2004 - Awake and Informed - journal article (NEJM)

►October 28, 2004 - Bacterial Meningitis — A View of the Past 90 Years - journal article (NEJM)

►October 28, 2004 - Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in Adults with Bacterial Meningitis - journal article (NEJM)

►October 28, 2004 - 6 out of 10 surveyed would shun U.S. beef - The Asahi Shimbun

►October 28, 2004 - Nelson hospital recovering from virus - http://tvnz.co.nz - "Nelson hospital expects to return to normal on Friday after a week battling an outbreak of the highly contagious norovirus."

►October 28, 2004 - Nothing taken for granted with autistic kids - The New York Times via Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "Over the past decade, the number of autistic children receiving special education services nationwide has grown to 140,000 from 20,000, according to the federal Department of Education."

►October 28, 2004 - Debating the Role of Government in Public Health (includes audio) - Morning Edition via NPR

* ►October 28, 2004 - U.S. Barred From Forcing Troops to Get Anthrax Shots (requires registration) - Washington Post - "Concluding that the FDA violated its own rules by approving the vaccine late last year, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan said the mandatory vaccination program -- which has inoculated more than 1.2 million troops since 1998 -- is 'illegal'.....'The men and women of our armed forces deserve the assurance that the vaccines our government compels them to take into their bodies have been tested by the greatest scrutiny of all -- public scrutiny. This is the process the FDA in its expert judgment has outlined, and this is the course this court shall compel FDA to follow,' Sullivan wrote."

* ►October 28, 2004 - Michigan anthrax vaccine producer still making vaccine for now - AP via Detroit Free Press - "Root said the vaccine has a two-year shelf life, so the Pentagon can store some supplies for later use if the vaccine program is restarted. Root said the shelf life of the vaccine will likely be extended to three years this winter."

►October 28, 2004 - US court bars forced anthrax jabs - The US military has been ordered to suspend compulsory anthrax vaccination for troops by a federal judge. - BBC

►October 28, 2004 - Anthrax Outbreak Omaheke Under Quarantine - New Era (Windhoek) via http://allafrica.com

►October 28, 2004 - Anthrax Kills More Wildlife in Caprivi - The Namibian (Windhoek) via http://allafrica.com

* ►October 28, 2004 - Panel of ethicists created to address vaccine shortage - New York Times via San Francisco Chronicle - "For the first time in its history, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a permanent panel of ethicists to help the agency navigate the life-and-death questions of who should get flu vaccines in the current crisis and how the agency should cope with any future epidemics...John Arras, a professor of bioethics at the University of Virginia and a member of the panel, said that the panel, which began deliberating Monday, may eventually take up the question of whether the elderly or babies should be the first to get vaccinated....If there were a pandemic, the panel might have to decide whether crucial professions -- perhaps even undertakers -- should receive priority. Such questions, he said, are explosive."

* ►October 28, 2004 - FDA considers Illinois' flu shot imports - UPI via Washington Times - "Acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford asked where the vaccine would come from, what responsibility the state would assume for distributing the vaccine, whether the state would provide liability protection for people taking the shot and how state regulators would monitor the immunization program."

►October 28, 2004 - Officials face tough choices on who should get flu shots - AP via The Seattle Times

►October 28, 2004 - Blue Cross offers free flu vaccines to members - Winston-Salem Journal via www.journalnow.com

►October 28, 2004 - Binax Announces FDA 510k Clearance of NOW Influenza A & B Rapid Test for Identification and Differentiation between Flu A and Flu B on One Simple Test - press release - Binax, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 28, 2004 - MedImmune Up on FluMist Move - www.thestreet.com

* ►October 28, 2004 - Protein Sciences Announces FDA Clearance to Conduct Proof of Principle/Field Trial of FluBlok(TM), its Cell-Culture Influenza Vaccine - Enrollment of Subjects to Begin This Week at Three Sites - press release - Protein Sciences Corporation via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 28, 2004 - Outsourcing flu vaccines puts power into the hands of other nations- opinion - Modesto Bee - "The first word that popped into my head was 'outsourced.' Not only are jobs being outsourced -- now I feel like the health of our children has been outsourced."

►October 28, 2004 - Flu vaccine reserved for residents who made appointments - AP via www.al.com

►October 28, 2004 - Maryland's First Flu Case Confirmed - AP via http://wjz.com

►October 28, 2004 - Some Flu Vaccines Go To High-Risk People - The Eureka Reporter

►October 28, 2004 - Few complain about wait for vaccination at fairgrounds - Kalamazoo Gazette via www.mlive.com

►October 28, 2004 - Vaccines not only defense against flu - opinion (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 28, 2004 - Loudoun Gets Flu Vaccines For Children; First Shipment Arrives For Federal Program - Leesburg Today

►October 28, 2004 - South Korea opens new headquarters for world vaccine institute - AFP via Yahoo! - "South Korea officially opened a new 150-million-dollar headquarters for the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), a UN body which develops new vaccines for children in developing states."

►October 28, 2004 - The World's First TB Vaccine in Eighty Years - The Nation (Nairobi) via http://allafrica.com

►October 28, 2004 - Health department praised for vaccinations - Palladium-Item - "The Union County Health Department recently received an award from the Indiana Department of Health for fully immunizing 96 percent of the two-year-olds enrolled in its vaccination program."

►October 28, 2004 - The college vaccine - News 8 Austin

►October 28, 2004 - Teenager died of meningitis after watching his football heroes - An 18-year-old Celtic fan who became ill while watching his team on TV died of meningitis the next day. - Evening Times, UK

►October 28, 2004 - School in mourning over meningitis victim - http://northtonight.grampiantv.co.uk - "Tests have revealed that Shomi suffered from a strain of meningitis that has no vaccine."

►October 28, 2004 - Mumps warning - http://icdumfries.icnetwork.co.uk - "Teenagers are being urged to get vaccinated against mumps. GPs have issued letters to youths aged from 13 to 20 advising them to sign up for the MMR jab if they are not already protected."

►October 28, 2004 - U.N. Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Launches Stop AIDS Project Calling on U.K. Government To Increase AIDS Funding - Kaisernetwork.org (Washington, DC) via http://allafrica.com

►October 28, 2004 - Some herbal medicines safe and potent for HIV/AIDS - Noguchi - GNA via www.ghanaweb.com

►October 28, 2004 - Sudan: Fears over increase in HIV/AIDS as calm returns to the south - IRIN via Reuters AlertNet

►November 2004 - IDDM1 and Multiple Family History of Type 1 Diabetes Combine to Identify Neonates at High Risk for Type 1 Diabetes - journal article (Diabetes Care)

►October 28, 2004 - Africa leads in HIV/AIDS deaths: AU official - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 28, 2004 - Measles outbreak at Nyika Growth Point - The Herald, Zimbabwe

►October 28, 2004 - Puja double dose to boost polio drive - The Telegraph, India

* ►October 27, 2004 - Anthrax Vaccination Program Paused - news release - U.S. Department of Defense - "The Department of Defense is currently reviewing a preliminary injunction issued today by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia regarding the department's anthrax vaccination program....As a result of the injunction, the Department of Defense will pause giving anthrax vaccinations until the legal situation is clarified....Today’s ruling is similar to the judge’s injunction issued in December 2003.  At that time DoD paused the vaccination program pending clarification of the legal issues.  The 2003 injunction was lifted roughly two weeks later....DoD remains convinced that the anthrax immunization program complies with all the legal requirements and that the anthrax vaccine is safe and effective."

►October 27, 2004 - Anthrax vaccination program is illegal, judge rules - Army Times

►October 27, 2004 - Federal judge says military must stop requiring anthrax vaccinations - AP via Stars & Stripes

►October 27, 2004 - Judge rules anthrax vaccine not licensed; Mandated use illegal - The Blue Lemur

* ►October 27, 2004 - Vanderbilt seeks volunteers for smallpox vaccine trial - Nashville City Paper - "The new smallpox vaccine, being tested in a trial at Vanderbilt and three other universities, is less virulent...Changes were made to the vaccine, particularly to the outside of the vaccinia virus, "so that it can still induce immune response but will not react with certain body tissues," especially brain tissue, and thus will be less likely to cause side effects, Talbot said...He said the vaccine, named LC16m8, was developed in the 1970s and has been used primarily in Japan."

►October 27, 2004 - Smallpox: A Disease of the Past or a Weapon of Tomorrow? - press release - Elsevier via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 27, 2004 - Rub-on vaccines do away with needles - US company Sontra Medical has successfully completed the first tests of a novel technology that allows vaccines to be applied topically to the skin, rather than delivered through a needle. Preliminary data suggest the method is as effective as injection in stimulating an immune response. - www.inpharma.com

►October 27, 2004 - HHS Makes Price Gouging Brief in Florida Available to All States - press release - HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson via PRNewswire

* ►October 27, 2004 - Flu Vaccine Makers Are Few Because of Economics - Not Lawsuits - Liability Has Nothing to Do With Flu Vaccine Shortage, Public Citizen Finds - press release - Public Citizen via Common Dreams - "Lawsuits are not the reason that so few drug companies make the flu vaccine - few lawsuits have ever been filed over the flu vaccine. Instead, the problem is based on a lack of profit and the economic risks associated with making the vaccine, according to a Public Citizen fact sheet released today."

►October 27, 2004 - City Seeks Help to Fill Gap in Flu Vaccine (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 27, 2004 - State nurses group acquires 81,500 more flu shots (requires registration) - AP via Minneapolis Star-Tribune

►October 27, 2004 - Flu Shots For Low-Risk N.J. Patients To Bring Fines - Bill Sponsor Says Fines Give Medical Professionals More Leverage - AP via www.wral.com

►October 27, 2004 - Don't panic about supply of flu shots, says Ontario health minister - CP via www.canada.com - "Ontario will not run out of free flu shots for residents even though Americans are lining up at clinics here because of a shortage of vaccine in the United States, Health Minister George Smitherman said Wednesday."

►October 27, 2004 - Who gets the flu shot? Tough choices confront government, health officials - AP via USA Today

►October 27, 2004 - Flu vaccine dealer accused of price gouging reaches settlement with attorney general (requires registration) - Miami Herald

►October 27, 2004 - Hospital plans for vaccine shortage - Needham Times via www.townonline.com

►October 27, 2004 - Governor announces flu shot hot line - AP via Newsday

►October 27, 2004 - Poll: Vaccine shortage not a voter issue - UPI via Washington Times

►October 27, 2004 - FluMist Responding To Vaccine Shortage - www.turnto10.com

►October 27, 2004 - Main reason for flu vaccine crisis - letter - Daily Courier via http://pittsburghlive.com

►October 27, 2004 - Miss. to receive additional flu vaccine supply - State to share 61 million doses for the coming season, health officials say - The Clarion-Ledger

►October 27, 2004 - 6 nations racing to erase polio - With polio now a serious local risk in just six countries, health workers have begun an international campaign to eliminate the disease. (requires registration ) - Miami Herald

►October 27, 2004 - Preparations Intensify for Polio Vaccination - Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé) via http://allafrica.com

►October 27, 2004 - Schoolgirl dies from infection - An Aberdeen schoolgirl has died from a meningococcal infection, it has emerged. - BBC

►October 27, 2004 - Whooping cough cases on the rise in Elko County - Elko Daily Free Press

►October 27, 2004 - Dengue and malaria spread in Maharashtra - www.newkerala.com

►October 27, 2004 - Proxinium(TM) demonstrates positive clinical responses in head and neck cancer clinical trial - press release - Viventia Biotech Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 27, 2004 - Experts Urge Care Dealing With Anorexics - AP via Yahoo!

►October 27, 2004 - Treating Kids With OCD - JAMA via Ivanhoe

►October 27, 2004 - Middle-age soon no baby barrier - The Australian

►October 27, 2004 - Asthma risk set during pregnancy - The chances of a child developing asthma or other allergies may largely be fixed by the time they are born, a study suggests. - BBC - "However, Dr Seif Shaheen, of King's College London and Asthma UK Research Fellow, said it would be wrong to overlook the impact of exposure to allergens following birth...'Whilst there is an increasing body of evidence that the environment in the womb may influence the development of atopy (allergy) and asthma, it is also likely that the environment once the child is born plays an important role too...'We are all born, to a lesser or greater extent, with our immune system skewed towards an allergic type response...'Environmental exposures after birth are likely to determine whether this allergic tendency carries on through childhood or disappears.'"

* ►October 26, 2004 - Democrat alleges documents on flu vaccine shortage withheld - KRT via Kansas City Star via www.myrtlebeachonline.com - "Waxman and Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, a Republican and chairman of the committee, asked the Food and Drug Administration two weeks ago for documents related to the vaccine shortage...Among them were reports and correspondence related to a 2003 inspection of Chiron Corp.'s flu vaccine plant in England."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Flu shot auction's propriety questioned (requires registration) - The Mercury News - "There were the usual auction items to choose from: A getaway trip to Mendocino, tickets to a 49ers game. But there were four particular donated goods that really caught the eye of health officials Monday -- flu vaccines. Sold to the highest bidders."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Short Vaccine Timeline - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com - "Last July, Chiron shipped a million doses of flu vaccine to the US....These vials, sitting in US distributors' warehouses, were inspected by the FDA for safety....The FDA said these doses were safe...According to Sabin Russell, a reporter for the SF Chronicle, there are five million MORE doses of Chiron flu vaccine inside the US. Status? Unknown."

►October 26, 2004 - Up Close: "flu fear" set off by vaccine shortage is unnecessary for many (requires registration) - www.khou.com - "Houston doctors in the Medical Center said there is a kind of hysteria, that people who used to never get flu shots and now with the shortage, think they have to have one."

►October 26, 2004 - New Data Suggests Seismic Shift: Use of Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs More Than Doubles Among Youngest Patients - Nearly $1 Out of Every $10 Spent on Drugs for Children Now Used for Specialty Medications - press release - Medco Health Solutions, Inc. via PRNewswire

►October 26, 2004 - Covance Expands Singapore Central Laboratory with Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing Unit to Service Asia Trials - Provides biopharmaceutical sponsors with fast, efficient access to laboratory test data for in-region clinical trials on viral infectious diseases - press release - Covance Inc. via PharmaLive via www.medadnews.com

►October 26, 2004 - Baby Mice on Antidepressants Grow Up Depressed - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 26, 2004 - Uninsured Kids At Higher Risk for Burst Appendix - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 26, 2004 - Toddlers' Imitation Predicts Well-Developed Conscience - news release - American Psychological Society.

* ►October 25, 2004 - Suddenly, flu shots are must-haves - USA Today - "This flu season's vaccine shortage has accomplished more than family-practice doctor Douglas Farrago ever could with some of his patients: It has made them want a flu shot. Badly...'I used to beg people to get a flu shot, and now they're begging me,' says Farrago of Lewiston, Maine. 'You always want what you can't have.'"

Comment:  Is there, perhaps, method in this madness?

* ►October 24, 2004 - Another NMFN Exclusive on Flu Vaccine - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com - "The most important statement indicated that the FDA had already inspected the million doses of Chiron flu vaccine shipped to the US last July. AND HAD GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT ON SAFETY OF THESE DOSES....Of course NOW, in October, the FDA is singing a quite different tune. It is saying FDA inspectors are checking those doses for safety…in other words, we have a time warp."

* ►October 24, 2004 - Chiron Under Investigation - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com

* ►October 24, 2004 - Why The Political Parties are Silent - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com - "So we'll have ten drug giants turning out flu vaccine instead of two. At government (taxpayer) expense. If two companies come up with contaminated lots, the other eight companies will more than make up for the shortfall. And everybody will get paid. Even if, at the end of the flu season, a total of 200 million flu shots were made and only 40 million were used...This gives new meaning to the practice of corporate welfare...All under the rubric of protecting the public."

* ►October 23, 2004 - The Vaccine Hot Potato is Moving - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com - "When statements about events start blooming with contradictions, that may be a sign that someone is trying to write history on the fly, in order to cover up certain unpleasant facts...This whole business with the Chiron flu-vaccine has turned into that kind of mess."

* ►October 18, 2004 - Painful Withdrawal for Makers of Vioxx - Pulling of Arthritis Drug Raises Questions on Marketing, Safety Risks (requires registration) - Washington Post

* ►October 11, 2004 - Vioxx was OKd for kids - Merck announced drug was approved for children weeks before recall and years after reports of heart risks - Newsday - "Few drugs are available for those younger than 18 with debilitating rheumatoid disorders. And Merck announced with some fanfare on Sept. 8 that the federal Food and Drug Administration had approved Vioxx for pediatric use, based on research that ran three months. A longer Merck-sponsored study in adults showed the drug increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, a finding that ended the five-year pharmaceutical run of Vioxx late last month."

►October 2004 - Spread fortified with vitamins and minerals induces catch-up growth and eradicates severe anemia in stunted refugee children aged 3–6 - journal article (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition)

Posted October 27, 2004

* ►October 27, 2004 - Judge Bars Military from Forced Anthrax Shots - Reuters - "'By refusing to give the American public an opportunity to submit meaningful comments on the anthrax vaccine's classification, the agency violated the Administrative Procedures Act,' he ruled in a 41-page decision...Sullivan told the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider the issue after an appropriate public comment period. In the meantime, he barred the military from continuing the compulsory vaccinations...'Congress has prohibited the administration of investigational drugs to service members without their consent. This court will not permit the government to circumvent this requirement,' he wrote."

►October 28, 2004 - Global effort could banish a scourge forever - opinion - International Herald Tribune

►October 28, 2004 - Mbeki under more pressure on AIDS plague (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au

* ►October 27, 2004 - John Doe v. Donald H. Rumsfeld - Civil Action No. 03-707 - Memorandum Opinion issued October 27, 2004 by Judge Emmet G. Sullivan (pdf) - www.dcd.uscourts.gov - "ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED. The FDA's Final Rule and Order is vacated and shall be remanded to the agency for reconsideration in accordance with this Memorandum Opinion and Order. Unless and until FDA 41 properly classifies AVA as a safe and effective drug for its intended use, an injunction shall remain in effect prohibiting defendants' use of AVA on the basis that the vaccine is either a drug unapproved for its intended use or an investigational new drug within the meaning of 10 U.S.C. § 1107. Accordingly, the involuntary anthrax vaccination program, as applied to all persons, is rendered illegal absent informed consent or a Presidential waiver; and it is further ORDERED that, in light of the finding with regard to Plaintiffs' Motion for Summary Judgment, Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. A separate Order and Judgment accompanies this Memorandum Opinion. Signed: Emmet G. Sullivan United States District Judge October 27, 2004"

* ►October 27, 2004 - Meningococcal Disease at 10 to 13 Year Lows - Yet The Vaccine Propaganda Continues - www.newmediaexplorer.org

►October 27, 2004 - Risk of Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Use of Gastric Acid–Suppressive Drugs - journal article (JAMA)

* ►October 27, 2004 - Panel Reviews New Vaccine That Could Be Controversial (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - "The committee will make a recommendation to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which will follow its advice after Menactra has been licensed for sale by the Food and Drug Administration, which is widely expected to occur soon."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Flu shots for all is hot topic - Cox News Service via www.azcentral.com - "Government and private scientists meeting in Atlanta today plan to discuss whether the entire U.S. population should be told to get a flu shot every year...Recommending that almost 290 million shots be administered every 12 months might seem absurd in a year when half the flu shot supply has vanished and the federal government has struggled to scrape together 61 million doses of vaccine....But public health scientists and pharmaceutical company representatives say a government recommendation of universal vaccination might have prevented this year's crisis by emphasizing the importance of the shots and offering manufacturers a larger and more predictable vaccine market."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Flu vaccine could be stretched - UPI via Washington Times - "Two Minnesota doctors say short supplies of flu vaccine can be stretched by injecting people between layers of skin instead of into the upper arm muscle...Dr. Robert Rotenberg, a retired family physician who practiced in Minnesota for 45 years, says most people receive flu vaccine by shot into muscle because its faster and simpler. But he tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press that injecting vaccine between layers of skin -- the method used in the Mantoux tuberculosis test -- would require one-tenth of the vaccine per patient stretching available supplies 10-fold."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Waxman: Flu shot shortage papers stalled - Knight Ridder Newspapers via L.A. Daily News - "A senior House Democrat charged Tuesday that the Bush administration was refusing to release documents about the flu vaccine shortage until after the election...'What is happening is obvious,' said Rep. Henry Waxman of California, the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Government Reform. 'The administration is trying to delay the release of the vaccine documents until after the election. These documents should be released immediately.'"

* ►October 27, 2004 - FDA On Hot Seat -- Chiron - by Jon Rappoport - www.nomorefakenews.com - "Reading between the lines, it appears the Congressional committee wants to know exactly what happened last year when FDA inspected Chiron's plant in England---in other words, were there clear signs already that the safety and purity of the vaccine manufacturing process were badly compromised...Should the FDA have shut down imports of vaccines from Chiron THEN?"

* ►October 27, 2004 - Hopefuls for county's flu lottery await a phone call - The Gazette - "Dr. Ulder Tillman, the county's health officer, told the County Council Tuesday that workers received 20,630 calls from residents hoping to enter the lottery. Tillman said Tuesday that the heightened publicity of the vaccine shortage has increased demand this year. Last year, the county distributed 3,700 shots, and about 800 in 2002."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Declare state of emergency to deal with vaccination shortage - opinion (requires registration) - Miami Herald - "The Bush administration should declare a national state of emergency and recall all available vaccine supplies to be redistributed to those most in need of protection. We recommend recall from all commercial vendors not affiliated with established healthcare-delivery systems."

►October 27, 2004 - Vaccine distributor denies price gouging - UPI via Washington Times

►October 27, 2004 - Health Officials Set Up Web Site to Track Flu Vaccine Supplies (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 27, 2004 - Sufficient flu vaccine for high-riskers: Mike - New York Daily News

►October 27, 2004 - Privilege and Priorities in the Flu Vaccine Crunch - letters (requires registration) - Washington Post

* ►October 27, 2004 - Some Americans Getting Flu Shots Overseas (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald - "Doctors strongly advise against people injecting themselves with the vaccine...It is unclear whether American doctors are agreeing to inject the vaccine brought in from overseas or whether concerns over liability are preventing them from administering the shots...In may European cities, the vaccines can only be bought with a prescription and often must be administered onsite by a doctor or pharmacist. However, in some countries, such as France, they are available over the counter."

►October 27, 2004 - Business brisk as Americans stream to Canada for flu shots - Boston Globe - "A Canadian Internet pharmacy is working with a half-dozen physicians in Montreal to offer weekend flu-shot tours to New Yorkers. The price is $75 for a medical exam and inoculation. Lodging and meals, which can be arranged by a travel agency working with the pharmacy, are extra."

►October 27, 2004 - American Airlines providing free shipping for flu vaccines for Illinois - Chester Sun Times - "Gov. Rod Blagojevich has announced that American Airlines has agreed to provide free shipping for the nearly 300,000 doses of flu vaccine that Illinois has secured from wholesalers in Europe."

►October 27, 2004 - State Waiting For FDA Approval To Purchase Flu Vaccines - The Southern Illinoisan

►October 27, 2004 - Bush is idle in flu-shot fiasco - op-ed - Boston Globe - "Third, government should be the purchaser and distributor of the vaccines. That would both guarantee manufacturers a market and would create a rational plan for priority distribution. And these vaccines should never be patented. As Dr. Jonas Salk, creator of the polio vaccine, famously said: 'Who owns my vaccine? The people! Could you patent the sun?'"

►October 27, 2004 - State official: Vaccines often in tight supply - Portland Press Herald via http://pressherald.mainetoday.com

►October 27, 2004 - Vt. Bishop Offers Parishioners Flu Tips (requires registration) - AP via The Mercury News

►October 27, 2004 - Workers to Get Flu Shots at Many Federal Offices - Program Limited to High-Risk Groups (requires registration) - Washington Post

* ►October 27, 2004 - ‘Flu rage’ is catching - Vaccine shortage has created ample concern, if not outright anger, about who’s sneezing next to you - Newsday

►October 27, 2004 - Juneau officials conduct triage during continuing influenza vaccine shortage - Alaska is short 40,000 doses it ordered from suspended manufacturer - Juneau Empire - "'People seem to have a higher level of interest to get vaccinated when there is a shortage reported,' said Kim Redifer, program director of Hospice and Home Care of Juneau."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Health Alert: FluMist vaccine - www.wistv.com - "Another reason to use the nasal vaccine: some senior citizens waiting for the shot got into a scuffle in Pike County, Alabama, and police were called in to restore order outside a flu clinic. People began pushing and shoving as hundreds showed up for 73 available shots."

►October 27, 2004 - Long lines for flu shots test patience of some - AP via www.al.com

* ►October 27, 2004 - Flu shot alternatives - letter - The Union - "Rather than panic over the shortage of flu shots, remember that there are alternative medical practices that may help. Homeopathic vaccines are called nosodes, and one for flu is influenzinum."

►October 27, 2004 - City Seeks Help to Fill Gap in Flu Vaccine (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 27, 2004 - Health Department Gets 768 Doses Of Flu Vaccine - High-Risk Patients Asked To Make Appointments - www.chattanoogan.com

►October 27, 2004 - Flu vaccine arrives for high-risk children - News-Star

►October 27, 2004 - Trio arrested over illegal pig influenza vaccine production - http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp

►October 27, 2004 - Ethiopia: 750,000 children vaccinated against polio - IRIN

►October 27, 2004 - Plague in China's Northwest Kills Eight - AP via New York Newsday - "Eight Chinese villagers have died of plague in the country's northwest, most of them infected after killing or eating wild marmots, the government said Wednesday."

* ►October 27, 2004 - Vaccines: Flower Power - www.checkbiotech.org - "Your mother (we hope) told you to eat your vegetables, but someday soon moms may be nagging their little ones to eat their petunias...That's the hope, at least, of Philadelphia-based INB Biotechnologies, which has been experimenting with petunias to develop a nontoxic anthrax vaccine."

►October 27, 2004 - Utah County Considers Hepatitis Shots for Food Workers - AP via http://tv.ksl.com

►October 27, 2004 - Doctors cite alarming rise in hep C, HIV in prisons; call for needle exchange - CP via www.canada.com

►October 27, 2004 - McGreevey Allows Needle Exchanges in 3 Cities for H.I.V. Prevention (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 27, 2004 - Roche and Pharmasset Join Forces to Develop New Generation of Hepatitis C Therapies - Collaboration Exploring Compounds for Use in Combination with Roche's Hep C Product Pegasys(R) - press release - Roche; Pharmasset, Inc. via PRNewswire

►October 27, 2004 - PEG-INTRON(R) Studied in a Wide Range of Hepatitis C Patient Populations - Researchers Present 44 Abstracts on PEG-INTRON at Annual Meeting Of The American Association for The Study Of Liver Diseases (AASLD) - press release - Schering-Plough Corporation via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 27, 2004 - Bavarian Nordic Demonstrates Significant Progress to Provide World With Safe Smallpox Vaccine - Global Partnership with GlaxoSmithKline Bolsters Manufacturing and Distribution Capabilities to Safeguard Against Bioterror - press release - Bavarian Nordic via PRNewswire

►October 27, 2004 - Kindergartens urged to participate in vaccination programmes - GNA via www.ghanaweb.com

►October 27, 2004 - Students urged to have mumps injection - Students in Tayside are being urged to be inoculated with the MMR vaccine in a bid to combat the alarming surge in cases of mumps recorded in the area this year, writes Lynne Stewart. - Evening Telegram, UK

►October 27, 2004 - Hospital quarantine battles virus - Four patients and 19 staff at Nelson hospital struck by stomach bug; one ward closed; five non-urgent surgical procedures cancelled - http://home.nzcity.co.nz - "Tight quarantine procedures are in place at Nelson Hospital as it fights to rein in an outbreak of a highly contagious stomach bug, believed to be Norovirus."

►October 27, 2004 - Whooping Cough Cases Reported - WJZ 13 Baltimore

►October 27, 2004 - Whooping cough still a concern - The Journal Times

►October 27, 2004 - Indonesia monitors anthrax spread - Vietnam News Agency

►October 27, 2004 - e-FoodSafety's Anthrax Sporocidal Meets EPA Protocol Standards - press release - e-FoodSafety.com via Business Wire

►October 27, 2004 - Anthrax Scare - www.eveningnews24.co.uk

►October 27, 2004 - Advancements in Modern Biotechnology to Widen Scope and Operating Conditions for Industrial Enzymes - press release - Frost & Sullivan via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 27, 2004 - Concern over missing autistic man - National Post via www.canada.com

►October 27, 2004 - Pediatric HIV/AIDS Medical Centers to be Built in African Nations of Lesotho and Swaziland - press release - Bristol-Myers Squibb Company via PRNewswire

►October 27, 2004 - Troy post office to start screening letters for anthrax - AP via Detroit Free Press

►October 27, 2004 - Researchers improve detection of diverse anthrax strains - www.onlypunjab.com

* ►November 2004 - What’s going on? The question of time trends in autism - journal article (Public Health Reports)

►November 2004 - Hospital recruitment for the Smallpox Pre-Event Vaccination Program: Experiences from Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, and Tennessee, December 2002–June 2003 - journal article (Public Health Reports) 

►November 2004 - Hepatitis C Virus Down-Regulates Insulin Receptor Substrates 1 and 2 through Up-Regulation of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 - journal article (American Journal of Pathology)

►October 27, 2004 - Aseptic Meningitis Outbreak Associated With Echovirus 9 Among Recreational Vehicle Campers—Connecticut, 2003 - journal article MMWR via (JAMA)

►October 27, 2004 - Meningitis victim has new outlook on life - Daily Post via The New Zealand Herald

►October 27, 2004 - Congo war's 40,000 rape victims face HIV epidemic - The Independent, UK

►October 26, 2004 - Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in the differential diagnosis of encephalitis - journal article (Neurology) 

* ►October 26, 2004 - Texas Flu Researchers Test 'Herd Immunity' Theory - Newhouse News Service - "Ira Longini, a biostatistician at Emory University, said it would take between 100 million and 150 million doses of flu vaccine to both protect the most vulnerable people and achieve herd immunity....'If you could achieve 70 percent vaccination among school children, you would dramatically lower transmission,' Longini said...Dr. Carolyn Bridges, a medical epidemiologist at the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the herd immunity concept holds promise for flu control, but questions remain: How would the nation ensure adequate vaccine supplies? Can herd immunity work with vaccination rates lower than 80 percent? Would Americans participate in adequate numbers? Even though risks are very low, is it proper to vaccinate masses of healthy people to protect the vulnerable?"

Comment:  For more on the theory of herd immunity, go to: Scandals: Is the theory of "herd immunity" flawed?  For more on the notion of "protecting" the vulnerable, see: Scandals: Prescription For Disaster - Is Vaccine Policy A "House of Cards"?

* ►October 26, 2004 - Heartburn Drugs Linked to Pneumonia - AP via Yahoo! - "Widely used heartburn and ulcer drugs such as Nexium, Pepcid and Prilosec can make people more susceptible to pneumonia, probably because they reduce germ-killing stomach acid, Dutch researchers found in a study of more than 300,000 patients."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Vaccine against pneumonia plentiful; check with doctor to see if needed - Given the shortage of influenza vaccine this year, adults who don't qualify as "high risk" and those over the age of 65 might want to check with their doctors about the need be vaccinated against pneumonia. - The Tullahoma News - "Pneumonia is a common complication of the flu, especially in older adults, and health departments statewide keep a supply of pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine on hand year round, according to Darla Sain, public health nurse with the Coffee County Health Department."

Comment:  For more on the advisability of promoting pneumonia vaccine use in adults, go to: Scandals: Something Rotten In The State Of Research - The Twisted Tale Of Pneumonia Vaccine For Adults

* ►October 26, 2004 - Illinois governor says he found 200,000 more doses of flu vaccine - AP via St. Louis Post-Dispatch - "Illinois officials have located an additional 200,000 doses of flu vaccine in Europe, Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Tuesday, but the state hasn't received federal approval to import or distribute the shot...The extra vaccine doses are in addition to at least 62,000 that Blagojevich said his administration already had a tentative deal to purchase from a British wholesaler."

►October 26, 2004 - Got shot? No? There are some less-effective alternatives to the flu vaccine - Knight Ridder News Service via North Jersey Media Group Inc. via www.bergen.com - "Glenn Gero, who runs the Holistic Naturopathic Center in Clifton, said his office has come up with a flu-fighting herbal formula that combines the popular cold remedy echinacea with a certain Chinese mushroom and ashwagandha, an Indian herb. Another herb called astragalus, some believe, can raise white-blood-cell counts and strengthen the immune system. Zinc is also taken widely to boost immunity to colds and flu, as is, of course, Vitamin C...'There are so many wonderful ways that people can maintain wellness without taking drugs,' Gero said."

►October 26, 2004 - British flu vaccine workers take pride in plant, but worry about jobs - KRT via Kansas City Star via Tallahassee Democrat

►October 26, 2004 - Poll: Most don't blame Bush for flu vaccine shortage - Majority of Americans point finger at drug companies - CNN

►October 26, 2004 - Shot shortage: Nursing homes don't have flu vaccines either - The Flint Journal via www.mlive.com

►October 26, 2004 - Finger-pointing on flu vaccine - USA Today

►October 26, 2004 - Yale donates 5,000 doses of flu vaccine to New Haven - AP via Newsday

►October 26, 2004 - Flu-shot seekers line up for ferry to Victoria - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

* ►October 26, 2004 - Sponsor of flu vaccine bill expects McGreevey to sign it - AP via Newsday - "The bill, pushed through the Legislature on an emergency basis, would give Lacy authority to direct vaccine to locations where the need is most critical. It also proposes $500 civil fines for health care providers who give flu shots to people not considered at risk for complications from influenza...Vitale said the threat of fines is largely intended to give health care providers leverage should they have to turn away people who are not high risk."

►October 26, 2004 - Central Indiana to receive flu vaccine - Indianapolis Star

►October 26, 2004 - Officials: Old, frail shouldn't wait in line for flu shot - The Birmingham News via www.al.com

►October 26, 2004 - Mike: Not at risk? Skip your flu shot  - New York Daily News

►October 26, 2004 - Flu flap shows pols' low regard for us - column - Newsday

►October 26, 2004 - ARS Takes On Bird and Swine Influenza Strains - Scientists are now learning more about how animals can be hosts for flu viruses. Birds are believed to be a global reservoir of influenza virus genes that make their way to humans. Since pigs can be infected with both avian and human strains, they may also be a "mixing vessel" in the transmission process. - www.thepoultrysite.com

►October 26, 2004 - Travel Health Advisory - Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Activity in Asia - Human Cases Thailand - Public Health Agency of Canada

►October 26, 2004 - Fears for Ugandan cows amid anthrax hippo deaths - Reuters AlertNet

►October 26, 2004 - The Problem With Some 'Smart' Toys: (Hint) Use Your Imagination (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 26, 2004 - Groups say Houston area fish samples have mercury (requires registration) - AP via Star-Telegram to www.dfw.com

►October 26, 2004 - Feds fund treatment for addicted HIV patients - www.bend.com

►October 26, 2004 - Corixa Announces Positive Opinion from EMEA for GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' Hepatitis B Vaccine Containing Corixa's MPL Adjuvant - press release - Corixa Corporation via Business Wire

►October 26, 2004 - GlaxoSmithKline's Hepsera Tablet for Chronic Hepatitis B Treatment Approved by MHLW - Japan Corporate News

►October 26, 2004 - Domantis and Argenta Discovery to Co-Develop Domain Antibody Products to Treat Respiratory Disease - Partnership Combines Domantis’ Leadership in Domain Antibodies with Argenta’s Pioneering Expertise in COPD and Other Lung Diseases - www.pharmalive.com

►October 26, 2004 - Bavarian Nordic A/S - Third Quarterly Report as of 30 September 2004 - PRNewswire via www.itnews.it

►October 26, 2004 - HIV/Aids: Everybody's Problem - editorial - The Herald (Harare) via http://allafrica.com

►October 26, 2004 - New Tool Reveals Molecular Signature of Cancer, HIV; 'LigAmp' Highly Sensitive - press release - Johns Hopkins via AScribe Newswire

►October 26, 2004 - East Lansing, Ingham schools sued over autistic student's care - AP via Lansing State Journal via Detroit Free Press - "A woman says in a lawsuit that an agency working for the East Lansing School District repeatedly left her 21-year-old autistic son alone in a locked car rather than caring for him."

►October 26, 2004 - Half-hour bypass surgery ahead? - A Toronto researcher's new approach to an old device that opens blocked arteries is being hailed as 'potentially one of the biggest advances in cardiology' (requires registration) - The Globe and Mail

* ►October 26, 2004 - Newborn mice given Prozac grow up depressed - Science via New Scientist - "Gingrich's work suggests that even transient treatment with Prozac - and potentially other SSRIs - can have lasting, paradoxical changes. Even though the drug can treat depression in adult mice, it seems to trigger symptoms of depression in mice exposed to it as newborns....It suggests that the immature nervous system responds very differently than a mature one to the same drug,' he says."

►October 26, 2004 - Synthetic vaccine to help fight viruses - AAP via http://news.ninemsn.com.au

* ►October 25, 2004 - Legal aid blow to MMR uptake drive - As children get public funds to pursue litigation over MMR, hepatitis B vaccine policy is criticised ­ by Brian Kelly (requires registration) - Pulse Magazine

* ►October 25, 2004 - Supreme arrogance - While you wait, Brooklyn judges jump flu shot line - New York Daily News

* ►October 25, 2004 - Low-income kids told to wait for flu shot - AP via The Cincinnati Enquirer - "Some low-income children who qualify for flu shots may have to wait for their vaccinations because of questions over doctors being reimbursed through a Medicaid program.  Kent Ware, vaccine administrator for the Ohio Department of Health, recently sent doctors and health departments a letter saying they should not use privately purchased supplies for patients in a government program called Vaccine for Children."

* ►October 25, 2004 - Tests Begin Of Flu Vaccine Grown In Insect Cell Lines - University of Rochester Medical Center via Biocompare News

* ►October 25, 2004 - AMA opposes pharmacists' expansion plan - www.abc.net.au - "Under the plan, pharmacists would be allowed to administer vaccinations and monitor patients with chronic illnesses. "It may be counter-productive if you have health carers helping look after patients who do not have qualifications, they can actually increase rather than decrease workload," Dr Heddle said."

* ►October 25, 2004 - Workers At Flu Shot Factory Told To Forego Shots (includes survey) - Flu Vaccine Is Only Vaccine Made Fresh Every Year - www.channeloklahoma.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - Flu Muddle Makes Intel's Grove Mad at Administration - "You look to government to protect you from [bioterror or epidemics], and the government looks to the science and technology infrastructure," Intel Chairman Andy Grove says. "And this government can't even prevent an ordinary failure of the business market for causing probably more American deaths than terrorism. It is a manifestation of a government that has no appreciation for science and technology." - USA Today via E-Commerce Times - "But, actually, without vaccinations the flu would contribute to 51,000 deaths a year in the USA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

* ►October 25, 2004 - Banned chemicals found in MP's veins - Western Mail via http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk - "Some of the chemicals found in the minister's blood were banned in the 1970s, however their resistance is so strong they can still be found in the human body today."

►October 25, 2004 - Glitches found on city flu hotlines - New York Newsday

►October 25, 2004 - Transplant study finds hope for dying babies - AP via The Seattle Times - "We discovered that the immune system of these infants is able to reprogram itself" to accept transplants from donors of different blood types, said Dr. Lori West, principal investigator of the study being published in the November issue of the journal Nature Medicine."

►October 25, 2004 - UIC seeks kids for bipolar drug study - Chicago Sun-Times - "Doctors are allowed to prescribe adult drugs "off label" to kids. But a drug that's been proved safe and effective in adults may work differently on kids. Pavuluri is enrolling about 30 children between 5 and 18 in a six-week clinical trial of two mania drugs, Risperdal and Depakote."

►October 25, 2004 - Stem cells home in on brain cancer - Arming embryonic stem cells with anti-cancer agent could help create new therapies. - (Nature)

►October 25, 2004 - Infection Key in Brain Injury to Preemies - HealthDayNews via Forbes

►October 25, 2004 - UNICEF donations to go to Darfur - www.marinij.com - "The money will assist UNICEF - the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund - in providing the Sudanese people with food, shelter, clean water, vaccinations and sanitation in refugee camps."

►October 25, 2004 - Schizophrenia May be Caused by Metabolic and Protein Processing Deficits - PRNewswire via http://www.mhnet.org

►October 25, 2004 - Low calorie food can stop age-related brain changes: - http://news.newkerala.com - "A study conducted on mice by the researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine, has revelad that severe calorie restriction can prevent accumulation of free radicals and impairments in coordination and strength, however, the dietary changes did not seem to prevent some cognitive deficits such as declines in memory."

►October 25, 2004 - Europe orders full safety probe of Cox-2 drugs - Reuters via www.heartcenteronline.com

►October 25, 2004 - Generic Epilepsy Drugs Not the Same - Patients Warned Switching Between Dilantin and Generic Brands Can Cause Relapses - WebMD Medical News

►October 25, 2004 - Singled out: Spotting mutant neurons in normal brains offers clues to Fragile X - Cell Press via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Aastrom Biosciences CEO to Present at Rodman & Renshaw Techvest 6th Annual Healthcare Conference - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 25, 2004 - A Mapper of the Mind's Marvels - Nobel Prize winner Eric Kandel talks about memory processes, science's achievements in mental diseases, and $1 brain scans - MSNBC News

►October 25, 2004 - State Mental Health Citizens' Group, Mental Health Association in Michigan, Lauds Report of Governor's Mental Health Commission - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com

►October 25, 2004 - Fast ForWord(R) Co-Developer Accepts Top Journal's Invitation to Publish Her Scientific Perspective - Dr. Paula Tallal Connects Neuroscience Research to Oral Language Development and Literacy - NASDAQ: SCIL via http://interestalert.com

►October 25, 2004 - Gluten allergy may cause infertility - study - www.iol.co.za - "The doctors said 10 percent of the infertile Tunisian women they studied probably suffered from coeliac disease, which is an inflammation of the intestinal tract caused by an allergy to gluten."

►October 25, 2004 - Healing power of rose treats most dangerous diseases - Bacteria die within five minutes when contacted with fresh rose petals - http://english.pravda.ru

►October 25, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Illinois Negotiates Own Purchase of Flu Shots - Americans Head North for Flu Shots - Another Victim of Bird Flu Dies in Thailand - EU Orders Graphic Anti-Smoking Campaign - Japan to Resume U.S. Beef Imports - Calif. Tot Gets 'Piggyback' Heart Transplant - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.ivillagehealth.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - Fear itself: Most people can get along just fine without a flu shot - AP via San Diego Union-Tribune - "The flu vaccine will not necessarily prevent you from experiencing the flu's miserable symptoms, like fever, hacking cough, runny nose and 'hit-by-a-truck' body aches. Studies have shown that the shot generally works about 52 percent of the time."

►October 25, 2004 - Flu vaccines for prisoners upset victim - Hood County News

►October 25, 2004 - 250 Plattsburgh area residents heading to Canada for flu shots - AP via Press-Republican via Newsday

►October 25, 2004 - Flu vaccinations being given only to high-risk patients - The Troy Messenger

►October 25, 2004 - Anthrax outbreak under control in Zimbabwe - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 25, 2004 - Spirulina research shows treatment of breast cancer tumors, HIV virus, and other viruses - News Target Network

►October 25, 2004 - Cup of tea may help boost memory - Drinking regular cups of tea could help improve your memory, research suggests. - BBC

►October 25, 2004 - Hospitals attacked on cleanliness - Hospitals have hit back at claims of poor hygiene standards highlighted in an ITV documentary. - BBC

►October 25, 2004 - The National Cholesterol Education Program Diet vs a Diet Lower in Carbohydrates and Higher in Protein and Monounsaturated Fat - journal article (Archives of Internal Medicine)

►October 25, 2004 - New Guidelines for Kawaski Disease Issued - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 25, 2004 - Physical Fitness Helps Kids' Minds, Too - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 25, 2004 - Flu shot shortage a shock to system - Express-News via www.mysanantonio.com

►October 25, 2004 - Spread of HIV could slow if repeat testing is supported - Blackwell Publishing Ltd. via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Altering A Treaty - Libya wants to convert an old weapons plant into one that makes drugs - Chemical & Engineering News

►October 25, 2004 - Scientists: Biological Weapons Pose Major Threat - Reuters

►October 25, 2004 - Insects implicated in the evolution of new human infectious diseases - Insects and other invertebrates are the arena for the evolution of new infectious diseases in humans, new research shows - University of Bath

►October 25, 2004 - Potential new oncogene may be missing link in cancer-causing chain - Washington University School of Medicine via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Sandbagging cancer in the bloodstream - Scientists at Scripps Research Institute use drug to stabilize blood vessels and block metastatic cancer cells from leaving the bloodstream - Scripps Research Institute via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Doctors can improve colorectal cancer screening rates - John Wiley & Sons, Inc. via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Bug's-eye-view of urinary tract reveals E.coli infection genes - Knowledge could lead to new vaccines and treatments for UTI - University of Michigan Health System via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Researchers identify brain protein that halts progression of Alzheimer's - NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Gene for diabetes found - Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Jefferson scientists find new way to convert adult human stem cells to dopamine neurons - Thomas Jefferson University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Jefferson scientists uncover new evidence to help explain statins' effects in Alzheimer's disease - Thomas Jefferson University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Study at Joslin shows ease of introducing technology to kids with diabetes - Joslin Diabetes Center via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - OHSU study: Testosterone deprivation makes men forget - Common prostate cancer therapy disrupts brain's hippocampal memory system - Oregon Health & Science University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - A single change in a person’s DNA can contribute to a range of life-shortening risk factors - News-Medical

►October 24, 2004 - Olfactory bulb stem cells and Lou Gehrig's disease - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions via www.eurekalert.org

►October 24, 2004 - New protein associated with aggressiveness in breast and ovarian cancer - University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center via www.eurekalert.org

* ►October 24, 2004 - Flu shot clinics give few pains - www.sj-r.com - "Fewer than 3,000 residents of Sangamon County turned out for flu shots Saturday - 7,000 shy of what public health officials anticipated in the wake of the national shortage of flu vaccine."

►October 24, 2004 - The Pediatrician's Role in the Prevention of Missing Children - Pediatrics via http://mentalhelp.net

►October 24, 2004 - The role of life - The News-Times - "There was flesh-eating bacteria. Emergency surgery. A coma. Fear of death. And no script guaranteeing a happy ending. "It came right out of the blue,'' Dempster said of the sometimes fatal disease. "To this day, no one can tell me how I got it."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Georgia Judge Forces Vaccination of Two Children Against Parents' Will - http://educate-yourself.org

►October 2004 - Breast-feeding reduces the risk of asthma during the first 4 years of life. - journal article (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) 

►October 2004 - Diagnostic Tests for HPV Infection - Medical Laboratory Observer; MLO via www.pharmacytimes.com - "Currently, both therapeutic and prophylactic HPV immunization are type- specific, so that HPV testing would be required to target therapy in the case of future therapeutic testing and to define eligible populations for preventive immunization."

►October 2004 - Antibody Levels Against Polioviruses in Children Following Pulse Polio Immunization Program - journal article (Indian Pediatrics)
 

Posted October 26, 2004

* ►October 26, 2004 - Gene wars only a few years away, say doctors - There is concern that bio-weapons could be programmed to wipe out specific ethnic groups within five years - Times Online, UK

* ►October 26, 2004 - Report Warns of Failure to Control Biological Weapons (requires registration) - Reuters via Washington Post - "Biological weapons that can wipe out entire populations pose one of the biggest threats to the world today, yet remain almost completely uncontrolled, the British Medical Association said on Monday."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Biological weapons pose biggest threat to world, scientists warn - The Scotsman - "The new report, Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity II, warned that the "window of opportunity" to tackle the spread of these weapons is shrinking fast...Professor Malcolm Dando, the head of Peace Studies at Bradford University, who has studied arms control for 20 years, wrote the report. He said: 'What we are talking about here is the development of a technology which could clearly be misused by terrorists or deranged individuals.'"

* ►October 26, 2004 - Autism - Children's Lives Destroyed - Culture and Community News via www.onlypunjab.com - "Children are a National Treasure, their health care and legal rights MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS. This is the view of most American people. Mercury induced Autism is indeed "A National Tragedy", that must be addressed and soon."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Officials say most can skip flu shot - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "Studies show the shot generally works well, but its effectiveness can range from 52 to 90 percent depending on the strain of virus and a person's age."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Wacky question, - Rocky Mountain News - "I had a Chiron flu shot last week, the day before that vaccine was found to be contaminated. Is it possible that my shot might not have any effect at all or, even worse, that it might have some bad effect?"

* ►October 26, 2004 - Human and insect diseases link found - The Scotsman - "About a dozen cases of infection by the new bug, Photorhabdus asymbiotica, have been seen in around a dozen people in the United States and Australia. The bug causes pustulant sores to appear on parts of the victim’s body."

►October 26, 2004 - F-111 crews exposed to dangerous chemicals - www.abc.net.au - "A Defence statement released today says the report found there was an association between chemical exposure and adverse health in some personnel."

►October 26, 2004 - Chiron Grants Nonexclusive HCV License to Roche - Business Wire

►October 26, 2004 - The Dorms May Be Great, but How's the Counseling? (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - ""Since each student has roughly a 50-50 chance of having some symptoms of depression or other problems, I think it has to be part of the consideration in choosing a college," said Dr. Kadison, who is also the author of "College of the Overwhelmed: The Campus Mental Health Crisis and What to Do About It."

►October 26, 2004 - Newron Announces Positive Results With Ralfinamide From Phase II Trial in Neuropathic Pain - PRNewswire via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain initiated or caused by a primary lesion of nervous system. While epidemiological studies indicate the incidence of neuropathic pain is 1%, most experts conclude this figure is most certainly an underestimate. Conditions associated with a high incidence of neuropathic pain include diabetes (10%), po{t-herpetic neuralgia (25%) and others. Neuropathic pain does not respond well to conventional pain therapy and may worsen over time."

►October 26, 2004 - Dad's search for cure for rare illness - http://iccoventry.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 26, 2004 - Birth month and brain cancer risk link, new research - www.onlypunjab.com

►October 26, 2004 - Nominations Sought for 'Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities' Youth Achievement Award Contest - PRNewswire via Yahoo! - "Nominators should submit an application plus documentation of the candidate's LD or ADHD prior to the contest deadline of Dec. 31, 2004. Applications can be downloaded from the SKLD website at www.SmartKidswithLD.org/awards.html" 

►October 26, 2004 - Breast-feeding mixup at hospital - Mother given wrong newborn - The Boston Globe - ''Somebody came into my sister-in-law's room and said: 'We need to test you for HIV; this other baby has been exposed to your milk,' which was devastating to her because she wants that milk to go to her son," the sister-in-law said."

►October 26, 2004 - Officials say Maine not prepared in event of large scale attack - AP via Foster's Online

►October 26, 2004 - Europe has close call with deadly bird flu - New Scientist

* ►October 26, 2004 - U.S. flu shot dream scenario turns to nightmare - feature - Reuters AlertNet - "It should have been health officials' dream year -- Americans flocking to clinics, rolling up their sleeves and demanding flu shots...After all, federal health officials had just teamed up to try to roll out the biggest influenza vaccination effort ever and had hoped to inoculate 100 million people...Instead, the reality is a nightmare scenario with frightened senior citizens rolling out of bed at dawn to queue at local grocery stores to get jabs, residents traveling across borders to Mexico and Canada in search of vaccine and politicians demanding answers."

* ►October 26, 2004 - FDA promises quick review of flu plan - Chicago Sun-Times - "The Bush administration on Monday gave a guarded response to Gov. Blagojevich's request to buy flu vaccine from Europe....The vaccine being offered by Ecosse has not been clinically tested on U.S. flu patients, though Blagojevich has said a review of the literature showed its properties are identical to those of the vaccine used in the United States...Federal officials, however, warn that the vaccines might not be safe or effective because they may be made differently than the U.S. flu shot."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Cross-border vaccines carry liability, docs told - CP via CTV - "The organization that insures Canadian doctors is urging them to arm themselves legally if they are giving flu shots to Americans crossing the border because of vaccine shortages in the United States."

►October 26, 2004 - Sick of flu-shot lines, some go to Canada - For those who want the inoculations, it's worth the higher price - Detroit Free Press

* ►October 26, 2004 - U.S. health officials: "Plenty of vaccine down the pipeline" - Detroit Free Press - "'This is not a crisis; this is a challenge,' Dr. Cristina Beato, acting assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said. She spoke at a media briefing in Detroit, as part of a national tour to educate the public about this season's flu vaccine shortage."

►October 26, 2004 - Counties review remaining flu vaccines - Shots will likely be distributed through Bay Area physicians instead of in public clinics - Oakland Tribune

►October 26, 2004 - Bay Area assesses flu vaccine supplies - Limited availability causes officials to distribute shots on an as-needed basis - Tri-Valley Herald

►October 26, 2004 - Clinics To Ration Scarce Flu Vaccine - Daily Nexus Online

►October 26, 2004 - Fairchild Semiconductor Donates Flu Vaccines to State of Maine - press release - Fairchild Semiconductor via Business Wire

* ►October 26, 2004 - No need for flu shot lines, doctors say - Health and Human Services representatives visit Mishawaka - South Bend Tribune - "Beato and Gellin cited low profitability and concerns about legal liability as reasons that so few companies are interested in making the flu vaccine...They acknowledged that a national tort reform program, called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund, does partially shield vaccine-makers from liability and has been in place since 1986. But there are loopholes in the program that need to be closed, they said."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Flu Shots For Children - www.wric.com - "Virginia's Attorney General is warning people to only get flu shots from licensed health care providers. As we told you on 8News last week, there have been reports of unlicensed vendors offering flu shots in area parking lots."

* ►October 26, 2004 - Slim profits hurt flu vaccine supply, U.S. shortages could persist for decade (requires registration) - KRT via Chicago Tribune via Kansas City Star - "'Everybody would like cell culture (technology) next year, but realistically it is more likely 10 years away than one year away,' said Wayne Pisano, executive director of commercial operations for Aventis Pasteur, the world's largest egg-based flu vaccine-maker. 'Egg-based (production) is something we are going to have to live with for the short term'....But researchers and executives caution not to expect a panacea because most clinical trials are in early testing stages and there are no guarantees the new methods will win regulatory approval. Chiron this year began final-stage clinical trials in Europe for a flu vaccine developed using cell lines produced from dog kidneys, while Aventis Pasteur earlier this year signed a deal with a Dutch firm that is trying to diversify its egg-based production with a method using a cell from human retinas."

►October 26, 2004 - Flu vaccine not a necessity for most people, officials say - Being healthy is best defense, nurse says - AP via Winston-Salem Journal

►October 26, 2004 - 22,500 flu shots freed up by state - The Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

►October 26, 2004 - Vaccine shortage not end of world - Public clamoring for hard-to-find flu shots this year is steadily growing toward a fever pitch -- one which state and federal health officials, hospitals and physicians said they're trying to soothe with reassurances. - Scranton Times Tribune - "About 15 percent of the population get the flu each year. Most get over it in a week or two, health officials said."

►October 26, 2004 - The US flu vaccine crisis: a debacle for profit-based medicine - World Socialist Web Site

►October 26, 2004 - Flu Shots Cancelled - South Bay News

►October 26, 2004 - 250 Flu Shots Arrive For Children - Tampa Tribune via http://news.tbo.com

►October 26, 2004 - US ; And now vaccine tourism in US! - www.keralanext.com - "In a measure of the ridiculous length to which Americans are going in the face of a shortage of flu shots in the country, a ferry company in Washington state is offering a sort of vaccine tourism to the neighbouring Canadian city of Vancouver."

►October 26, 2004 - Commissioners to discuss priority plan for vaccine distribution - The Brownsville Herald

►October 26, 2004 - Bay State still short, but not bereft of flu vaccine - Boston Herald

►October 26, 2004 - With flu shots scarce, antivirals in spotlight - Alternative: The drugs can shorten the duration of infection, and are used to prevent it in certain settings - Salt Lake Tribune

►October 26, 2004 - Flu fallout likely to hit firms hard - More sick days expected due to lack of vaccine - The Detroit News

►October 26, 2004 - City Will Get All 140,000 Flu Vaccines On Order - New York Post

►October 26, 2004 - Flu vaccines will arrive late this year - Block Island Times

►October 26, 2004 - Henry Schein 3Q Down on Vaccine Shortage - AP via Forbes

►October 26, 2004 - USDA Awards Avian Influenza Vaccine Contract to Fort Dodge Animal Health - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Center for Veterinary Biologics, has awarded a five-year contract to Fort Dodge Animal Health to develop an avian influenza (AI) vaccine antigen bank for poultry that will house enough antigen to produce 40 million doses of AI vaccine. - www.thepoultrysite.com

►October 26, 2004 - U.S. Should Stop Exposing Poor to Mercury in White Tuna, Say Advocates - press release -  Mercury Policy Project via www.ewire.com

* ►October 26, 2004 - Sontra Announces Promising Initial Human Clinical Results from Transdermal Vaccination Study - SonoPrep Ultrasonic Skin Permeation Device Facilitates Delivery of Antigenic Proteins - press release - Sontra Medical Corporation via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 26, 2004 - Inhibitex and Dyax Announce a Collaboration to Develop Monoclonal Antibodies against Enterococci - press release - Inhibitex, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 26, 2004 - Protein Design Labs Enters Agreement to Access Cyntellect's Cell Xpress(TM) Biopharmaceutical Cell Line Development Service - press release - Cyntellect, Inc. via PRNewswire

►October 26, 2004 - Advancements in Modern Biotechnology to Widen Scope and Operating Conditions for Industrial Enzymes - press release - Technical Insights via Business Wire

* ►October 26, 2004 - Does HIV cause AIDS? - Mary Baldwin College forum to explore issue - Augusta Free Press - "A Mary Baldwin College forum will examine the controversial views of a molecular biologist who has challenged the link between HIV and AIDS...Dr. Harvey Bialy of the Institute of Biotechnology at the Autonomous National University of Mexico will speak on Wednesday on the topic of 'HIV is the cause of AIDS: 130,000 peer-reviewed papers, and no proof.'"

►October 26, 2004 - Eating Bushmeat 'Linked to Hiv-Like Virus' - PA News via The Scotsman

►October 26, 2004 - 'Akranti' Causes HIV-Type Virus? - GHP via www.ghanaweb.com

►October 26, 2004 - Study Shows Differences in Natural Immunity in Cloned Pigs - Agricultural Research Service via U.S. Department of Agriculture

►October 26, 2004 - Animal Study Suggests Safer Immunization Approach to Alzheimer's - press release - University of Illinois at Chicago via AScribe Newswire

►October 26, 2004 - Russia’s anti-measles program may be disrupted, says official - Itar-Tass - "Program of liquidating measles in Russia by the year 2010 runs the risk of a disruption, says a resolution that the director of the Federal Service for Consumer Rights Protection, Gennady Onischenko issued Tuesday...He blames the situation on 'an insufficient number of vaccinations of children and the conditions of vaccine transportation and storage that fall short of requirements, especially in Northern Caucasus.'"

►October 26, 2004 - 'Measles is going away' - International vaccination effort takes old - Boston Globe

►October 26, 2004 - Govt aware of measles - Nation Online, Malawi - "The Ministry of Health (MoH) has confirmed that there is an outbreak of measles, a disease which was almost extinct."

►October 26, 2004 - Whooping cough outbreak ends - The Minot Daily News

►October 26, 2004 - Taraba Reacts to Rejection of Polio Vaccines - Vanguard (Lagos) via http://allafrica.com

►October 26, 2004 - Trans fat is linked to weak intellect - Research on mice points to role of diet in memory; Type of fat common in fast food (requires registration) - Baltimore Sun

* ►November 1, 2004 - CDC refines flu vaccine message, works out allocation plan - Physicians who ordered vaccine from Chiron are urged to line up for Aventis' remaining supply and to check out FluMist. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Translation frustration: When research doesn't reach - The pace of basic science is accelerating, but applying that knowledge to clinical trials is difficult. And findings often remain unavailable to in-the-trenches physicians. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Challenges in state courts: New tort reforms under fire - Physicians and trial lawyers weigh in on reform in West Virginia as physicians in Florida and Ohio closely watch developments in their trial courts. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - CME providers face stricter financial disclosure - The landscape of continuing medical education is poised to change amid new requirements intended to resolve conflicts of interest. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Just because it's new doesn't mean it's best - Scenario: How do you decide whether to prescribe a new drug? - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Physicians have role in political process (opinion) - A message to all physicians from the chair of the AMA Board of Trustees, J. James Rohack, MD. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Hospital care varies widely for chronically ill Medicare patients - Dartmouth Medical School studies show the need for disease management and pay-for-performance programs, CMS chief says. - www.ama-assn.org

* ►November 1, 2004 - Nabbing no-shows: What can you do when patients are absent? - From charging to keeping same-day waiting lists, physicians are attempting to keep missed appointments -- and lost revenue -- to a minimum. - www.ama-assn.org  - "We allot 45 to 60 minutes for a new patient," Dr. Murphy said. "We could see anywhere from three to 10 people for follow-ups during that time."

* ►November 1, 2004 - Lab tests go under a critical microscope - Experts point out that good tests used badly can lead to bad medicine. - www.ama-assn.org - "The positive ANA is diagnostic of nothing," he said. "But every patient who has a positive ANA comes into my office with a diagnosis because they go to the Internet. Then they come to my office saying, 'I have so-and-so disease.' "

►November 1, 2004 - 3 states face marijuana votes on decriminalization, medical treatment - To date, nine states have legalized medical use of the substance. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - Letters to the Editor (opinion) - KEMPAC: AMNews readers were misled on Senate candidate Dr. Mongiardo - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - States get feds' help with Rx monitoring - More than 90% of all physicians soon could be practicing in a state with prescription monitoring. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - DOs ready for their close-ups, looking to make their mark on TV- Osteopathic physicians say a letter-writing campaign directed at television producers was also a good way to build camaraderie among DOs. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - Congress renews visa waiver program for IMGs - A program that helps staff medically underserved communities with international medical graduates has been extended. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - North Carolina Blues covers medical visits related to obesity - The insurer hopes outpatient benefits and incentives to bariatric surgeons will trim costs. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - Give health staffing companies a contractual once-over - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - Timely scrutiny of health plan consolidation - After years of plan mergers, a medical society's legal challenge provides the opportunity for one deal to get the proper attention. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 1, 2004 - Program helps doctors who treat addictions - The number of patients becoming addicted to narcotic pain meds outstrips the number of physicians available to treat them. - www.ama-assn.org

►November 2004 - Breathing with Hepatitis - Does exposure to a liver-inflaming virus prevent asthma? (requires subscription) - Scientific American

* ►October 26, 2004 - A closer look at a malaria vaccine trial and controlling HIV-1 viremia - Public Library Of Science via www.innovations-report.com

►October 26, 2004 - Immunity, blood hit by New Delhi pollution - AFP via The Australian - "'We have found that polluted air has also altered immunity and caused blood-related abnormalities among many of the victims tested by us,' an institute official said from the agency's headquarters in the eastern city of Calcutta."
 
►October 26, 2004 - No links between cancer, vaccines - The Mercury, Australia

* ►October 25, 2004 - Concern over possible monkey virus in Australian polio vaccine - Radio Australia via www.abc.net.au - "Professor Bruce Robinson from the University of Western Australia says much more research is needed before a link can be confirmed between a contaminated dose of the vaccine and cancer...But the president of the Independent Blood Council, Charles MacKenzie, remains sceptical...'The most terrifying thing about those experts is the same thing was said to haemophiliacs in the 1980s about Hepatitis C and the HIV/ Aids virus,' he said....'They were told all of those things and some of them are now terminally ill.'"

►October 25, 2004 - Expert says SV40 cancer risk small - transcript - AM via www.abc.net.au

►October 25, 2004 - Tasmanian study finds no link between contaminated polio vaccines and cancer - transcript - The World Today via www.abc.net.au

►October 25, 2004 - Fed Gov promises investigation into polio vaccine virus SV40 - transcript - AM via www.abc.net.au

* ►October 25, 2004 - Fear as money: How one company, skirting regulations, turns fear of anthrax into gold - Maker of Anthrax Vaccine Violated Regulations, Experts Believe - Latest: FDA Press Office: Site Promoting Vaccine Paid For By Company Not Necessarily Considered Promotion - The Blue Lemur

* ►October 25, 2004 - TB vaccine passes safety tests - Science and Development Network - "The researchers say that the new vaccine — the first in 80 years — is not intended to replace the existing BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) jab but rather to complement it, providing an immune boost some months later when the effect of BCG can start to wane."

►October 25, 2004 - Illinois Governor Seeks Vaccine Abroad - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 25, 2004 - 1,400 show up for flu vaccines - Durango Herald

►October 25, 2004 - Knox County sets mass flu vaccination clinic (requires registration) - Knoxville News Sentinel

►October 25, 2004 - States sue flu vaccine wholesaler over alleged price-gouging scheme - Court TV

►October 25, 2004 - Lack of Influenza Vaccines Plague Campus, County - www.ucsbdailynexus.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - More than 3 Million Flu Shots Ship - Business & Legal Reports via http://hr.blr.com

►October 25, 2004 - Vaden gets more flu vaccine; immunization clinics open to eligible faculty and staff starting Tuesday morning - Stanford Report

►October 25, 2004 - Flu-vaccine shortage tied to tort reform (requires registration) - letter - The Columbus Dispatch

►October 25, 2004 - Price Gouging For Flu Vaccines? - ABC 30 - KFSN

►October 25, 2004 - Feds try to calm fears about flu vaccine shortage - AP via Detroit Free Press

►October 25, 2004 - Feds reassure Hoosiers on flu vaccine - AP via Indianapolis Star

►October 25, 2004 - Thompson: Flu vaccine shortage not a crisis - The Green Bay News-Chronicle

►October 25, 2004 - Gov: State gets 22,500 additional doses of flu vaccine - AP via www.kold.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - Flu shot warnings nothing new - Records show FDA knew years ago that companies were having difficulties meeting health standards - Newsday - "While the government has blamed only one company for unsafe production practices in the current flu vaccine crisis, federal records show health officials knew for years that vaccine makers were having problems meeting federal health standards. Since 2000, Food and Drug Administration officials have warned at least three flu vaccine makers that their plants posed health hazards and did not comply with federal regulations, government records show."

►October 25, 2004 - Flu vaccine shortage fault of FDA - opinion - The Battalion

►October 25, 2004 - Flu shots start Tuesday in 66 counties - AP via www.al.com

►October 25, 2004 - Flu shot drive-thru triggers massive traffic jam in Arkansas town - AP/CP via www.canada.com

►October 25, 2004 - Health Department works to gauge scope of flu shot problem (requires registration) - AP via Kansas City Star

►October 25, 2004 - Limited number of flu shots available this week - The Brewton Standard

►October 25, 2004 - HHS, DoJ work to help Fla. lawsuit - South Florida Business Journal

►October 25, 2004 - Gov seeks federal OK to buy flu vaccine from Europe - Chicago Sun-Times

►October 25, 2004 - Flu Lottery in Montgomery Co. Draws Thousands - Capital News Service via www.wtopnews.com

►October 25, 2004 - Firefighters hope to get flu vaccine - Union fears crews will get sick more often - Indianapolis Star

►October 25, 2004 - Betsy rips flu hotlines - New York Daily News

►October 25, 2004 - Normal flu levels predicted - Western Mail via http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 25, 2004 - The nation's flu fiasco - editorial - St. Petersburg Times

►October 25, 2004 - Lives at stake in vaccine issue - Vaccine isn't a very compelling issue for politicians - but it's something to which they need to begin paying attention to before a catastrophe of terrible proportions occurs. - The Daily Mining Gazette

►October 25, 2004 - The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization Announces New Executive Secretary - Medical News Today

►October 25, 2004 - Are drug firms losing interest in vaccines? - Daily News via www.iol.co.za

►October 25, 2004 - Teens, Parents Alerted to Possibility of Pertussis - Reuters

►October 25, 2004 - Avian influenza – situation in Thailand; additional fatal case confirmed - WHO

►October 25, 2004 - Teenage girl confirmed as being latest Thai victim of bird flu - China Daily

►October 25, 2004 - Lax chicken slaughtering slows ending bird flu in Thailand - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 25, 2004 - Rules scare off vaccine makers - editorial - Indianapolis Star - "Our position is: Government monopoly is a prescription for shortages of flu vaccine and other drugs."

►October 25, 2004 - Vaccine vacuity - commentary - Washington Times

►October 25, 2004 - Should the free market rule production of flu vaccine? - letters - Denver Post

►October 25, 2004 - Employers try to stave off flu - The Daytona Beach News-Journal - "Unable to vaccinate their workers against the flu, employers are resorting to chicken soup, chamomile tea and aromatherapy candles."

►October 25, 2004 - Nation's New Flu Vaccine Totals Reach 61 Million Doses - New York Jewish Times

►October 25, 2004 - Lessons from 1918 influenza outbreak - History's deadliest plague is a reminder -- and a warning - The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History - book review (requires registration) - Charlotte Observer

►October 25, 2004 - Stable liquid technology will enable vaccines to be stored for long periods without refrigeration and reconstitution - A UK vaccine technology that is set to revolutionise the industry has received £950k funding from the Department for International Development (DFID) to bring to production a pentavalent childhood vaccine that can be stored without refrigeration. - www.news-medical.net

►October 25, 2004 - Young 'need mumps jab' - The Journal via http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 25, 2004 - Residents tested for exposure to toxic mercury - AP via www.abc6.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - New oral vaccine for Alzheimer's disease - Case Western Reserve University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - India suggests formulation of pressure group on HIV/AIDS - Press Trust of India via Hindustan Times

►October 25, 2004 - Spread of HIV could slow if repeat testing is supported - Blackwell Publishing Ltd. via www.eurekalert.org

►October 25, 2004 - Calypte Biomedical to Begin Shipping HIV-1 Incidence Test - press release - Calypte Biomedical Corporation via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 25, 2004 - Botswana winning Aids battle - www.news24.com

►October 25, 2004 - Theratechnologies to present results from its HIV-associated lipodystrophy Phase II study on ThGRF at scientific conferences in the U.S. and Italy - press release - Theratechnologies Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall via Yahoo!

►October 25, 2004 - Boehringer Ingelheim Submits Marketing Authorisation Application Tipranavir - PRNewswire via Europa Press

►October 25, 2004 - Hepatitis A outbreak reported among gay men in Norway - Aidsmap

►October 25, 2004 - EU accepts BioPartner's interferon as first 'biosimilar' filing - Swiss biopharmaceuticals company BioPartners has filed its first application in Europe for a generic version of interferon alpha, a biological drug. If approved, the 'biosimilar' could be on the market as early as next year. - www.inpharma.com

►October 25, 2004 - SIGA Technologies to Present at the Rodman & Renshaw Techvest 6th Annual Healthcare Conference on ►October 27th - press release - SIGA Technologies via Business Wire via www.pharmalive.com

►October 25, 2004 - Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Provides Tarvacin(TM) IND Update - press release - Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 25, 2004 - Gilead Reports Third-Quarter Results, Discontinues Clinical Development of Two HIV drugs - Pharmaceutical Executive

►October 25, 2004 - High commission closed by anthrax scare (requires registration) - AP via The Globe and Mail

►October 25, 2004 - Health officials say flu questions outnumber anthrax queries - AP via Worcester Telegram & Gazette

►October 25, 2004 - UWA Needs Shs182m to Save Hippos From Anthrax - The Monitor (Kampala) via http://allafrica.com

►October 25, 2004 - Anthrax Hits Kasese, Bushenyi Districts - The Monitor (Kampala) via http://allafrica.com

►October 25, 2004 - Indonesia imposes isolation after anthrax outbreak confirmed - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 25, 2004 - Pakistan continues to battle with polio - www.newkerala.com

►October 25, 2004 - IML gets order for Foot and Mouth disease vaccines from Iraq - Press Trust of India

►October 25, 2004 - Drop in meningitis cases - But Ulster rates are still higher than rest of UK - Belfast Telegraph

►October 25, 2004 - 'Act now on biological weapons' - The threat of biological weapons is real and needs to be tackled now, medical experts warn. - BBC

* ►October 25, 2004 - Biological Weapons Threat 'Greater Than Nuclear Or Chemical' - PA News via The Scotsman

►October 25, 2004 - Prof. uses lasers to study brain - Prof. Rosenthal receives $1.4 million grant - The Vanderbilt Hustler

►October 25, 2004 - Parents Deny Son Went Missing During Rosie May Disappearance - PA News via The Scotsman - "He said after the tragedy, Smith, who suffers from a form of autism known as Asperger’s Syndrome, showed concern for Rosie May and her two brothers, who were left traumatised by their sister’s death."

►October 25, 2004 - Couple Culminates 4,000 Mile Coast-to-Coast Trek in San Francisco to Eliminate Measles Deaths in Africa - press release - American Red Cross Bay Area via Market Wire

►October 25, 2004 - Scientists cite link to poor health - New York Newsday

►October 25, 2004 - The Next Fix - Just as antismoking activists compare tobacco to crack and heroin, the hopes of nicotine 'vaccine' promoters move easily from cigarettes to illegal drugs. - Seed Magazine via www.alternet.org

►October 25, 2004 - Bigger Babies run Risk for Leukemia - Journal of the National Cancer Institute via Ivanhoe

►October 25, 2004 - War on Wilson's Disease - Ivanhoe

►October 25, 2004 - Impacts of Newborn Stress - Society for Neuroscience 34th Annual Meeting in San Diego via Ivanhoe

►October 25, 2004 - Health Tip: Group B Strep and Pregnant Women - HealthDay via Forbes

►October 25, 2004 - Use of mercury in religious rituals seen as health danger - The Journal News

►October 25, 2004 - Breakthrough discovery in treating narrowed arteries - A breakthrough discovery by Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher Dr. Michael Kutryk that harnesses the body’s own natural defenses to fight narrowing of the arteries has been recognized as “a glimpse into the future” and “potentially one of the biggest advances in cardiology to date”. - www.news-medical.net

►October 25, 2004 - Transplant gamble paid off for Winnipeg boy - CanWest News Service via National Post via www.canada.com

►October 25, 2004 - Needle-Free Immunization as Effective as Needle and Syringe Method - www.thepigsite.com

* ►October 24, 2004 - Conflicted medicine Doctors defend ties to drugs they endorse - The Kalamazoo Gazette via www.mlive.com

* ►October 24, 2004 - Preschool depression worries experts - Researchers previously thought children's brains weren't developed enough. (requires registration) - The Orange County Register - "Researchers suspect that depression in preschoolers is likely biological and environmental. Some kids, they suspect, may be born with a genetic predisposition to depression, just as some children are born with autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder...But they really don't know...Nor do they know what triggers the depression - in other words, the role of environment."

►October 24, 2004 - Diagnosing preschool major depressive disorder (requires registration) - The Orange County Register

►October 24, 2004 - Infection, not lack of oxygen, plays larger role in premature infant brain injury - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions via www.eurekalert.org

►October 24, 2004 - Reductions in blood oxygen levels in newborns could contribute to ADHD development - Emory University Health Sciences Center via www.eurekalert.org

►October 24, 2004 - OHSU scientists identify key gene that delays female puberty - Additional research may confirm gene also is responsible for early onset of puberty in teenage females. - Oregon Health & Science University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 24, 2004 - Chiron barely makes a splash in Liverpool - USA Today

►October 24, 2004 - 3 Americans wanted for injecting HIV patients with animal vaccine - www.expressindia.com

►October 24, 2004 - Tyler Hospitals Making Plans For Outbreak of Influenza - Tyler Morning Telegraph via www.zwire.com

* ►October 23, 2004 - Diabetes link to child mind drugs - Treating children with anti-psychotic drugs may increase the risk of a condition which leads to diabetes and heart disease, research suggests. - BBC

►October 23, 2004 - European Health Agencies, Using Many Vaccine Suppliers, Are Facing No Shortages - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 23, 2004 - Flu Vaccine Swiped in Merced County - Modesto Bee via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

* ►October 22, 2004 - Quarantine Used in Iowa to Contain Measles - Reuters Health via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

* ►October 22, 2004 - Vaccine fevers - National Post via Urban Renaissance Institute - "Americans are being told that a manufacturing problem in a U.K. pharmaceutical plant has led to the U.S. shortage of flu vaccines. Americans aren't being told (and we aren't either) that the real manufacturer at fault is a U.S. government agency, the Centers for Disease Control, along with the World Health Organization and other vaccinate-anything-that-moves ideologues that have fabricated a phony crisis over the flu vaccine."

►October 20, 2004 - Vaccine is Hell - book review - BlackNET News via www.navyseals.com - "In these times of panicked waiting lines for flu vaccine, here comes a new and even more frightening look at the US military’s ill-fated anthrax vaccine program...In 'Vaccine – A: The Covert Government Experiment That’s Killing Our Soldiers And Why GI’s Are Only The First Victims,' author Gary Matsumoto tells an amazing, six-year scientific mystery story, unraveled literally strand by strand and lab sample by lab sample. It is a real-life and death CSI show, and perhaps a tragic mistake of gargantuan proportions, affecting thousands if not hundreds of thousands of US fighting men and women."

►October 2004 - Long-Term Persistence of Immunity to Hepatitis B after Vaccination during Infancy in a Country Where Endemicity Is Low - journal article (Journal of Infectious Diseases)

►October 2004 - Temporal and Geographic Stability of the Serogroup-Specific Invasive Disease Potential of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Children - journal article (Journal of Infectious Diseases) 

►October 2004 - Provirus Load in Breast Milk and Risk of Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human T Lymphotropic Virus Type I - journal article (Journal of Infectious Diseases) 

* ►April 2004 - Failure of inactivated influenza A vaccine to protect healthy children aged 6-24 months (pdf) - journal article (Pediatrics International) via www.nccn.net - "Conclusion: Inactivated influenza vaccine did not reduce the attack rate of influenza A infection in 6-24 month old children."

* ►Planning for the 2004-05 influenza vaccination season  by Glen Nowak, Ph.D., Associate Director for Communications, National Immunization Program (pdf)  - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) via www.urban-renaissance.org - A communication situation analysis to broaden understanding and thinking about influenza vaccination communication - especially when it comes to greatly increasing coverage.

Posted October 25, 2004

►November 1, 2004 - The Flu Snafu - A vaccine shortfall grows into a political headache. Who is really to blame? And what is the cure? - TIME Magazine

* ►November 2004 - The varicella-zoster virus open reading frame 63 latency-associated protein is critical for establishment of latency. - journal article (Journal of Virology) - "Thus, ORF63 is not required for VZV to enter ganglia but is the first VZV gene shown to be critical for establishment of latency. Since the present vaccine can reactivate and cause shingles, a VZV vaccine based on the ORF63 mutant virus might be safer."

Comment:  For more on this, go to Scandals: Prescription For Disaster - Is Vaccine Policy A "House of Cards"?, Scandals: When is an oops not really an oops?  When you get to solve the problems you cause, and make money doing both! and Scandals: Playing With Fire - It's Not EASY To Fool Mother Nature

* ►November 2004 - Vaccines administered simultaneously: directions for new combination vaccines based on an historical review of the literature. - journal article (Journal of Infectious Diseases) -"Based on this historical review, combination vaccines worth reconsideration could fill epidemiologic niches in the EPI with, for instance, a measles-yellow fever, a measles-Japanese encephalitis or a pertussis-based paediatric combination rabies vaccine."

►November 2004 - Laboratory investigations are indispensable to monitor the progress of measles elimination-results of the German Measles Sentinel 1999-2003. - journal article (Journal of Clinical Virology)

►November 2004 - Vaccination in humans generates broad T cell cytokine responses. - journal article - (The Journal of Immunology) - "We found significant differences in the patterns of cytokines elicited by vaccination (where IFN-gamma was by far a subdominant response) vs natural infection; in addition, there was fairly significant intersubject variation."

►November 2004 - Global distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes isolated from paediatric patients during 1999-2000 and the in vitro efficacy of telithromycin and comparators. - journal article (Journal of Medical Microbiology)

►November 2004 - Resiquimod: a new immune response modifier with potential as a vaccine adjuvant for Th1 immune responses. - journal article (Antiviral Res)

* ►October 25, 2004 - Companies On the Fence About Biodefense (requires registration) - What will it take to make vaccines and drugs for smallpox, Ebola, and plague look like enticing business prospects? - The Scientist

* ►October 25, 2004 - Rapid Newborn Screening by Mass Spectrometry (requires registration) - New kit tests neonates for a swath of metabolic disorders - The Scientist

* ►October 25, 2004 - The Ailing Brain: A Pressing Need for New Treatments (requires registration) - Research in Alzheimer disease abounds, but the pipeline also looks promising for other neurological and psychiatric conditions - The Scientist

►October 25, 2004 - India Wants to be Your Biotech Source (requires registration) - A greater respect for intellectual property could boost India's ability to compete in 2005 - The Scientist

►October 25, 2004 - Update | UC Berkeley, Samoa to Share Benefit from AIDS Drug (requires registration) - The Scientist

►October 25, 2004 - Life Without Glutamate (requires registration) - A VGLUT1 knockout mouse elucidates glutamate neurotransmission  - The Scientist

►October 25, 2004 - Panbio wins FDA approval for West Nile virus test - www.egoli.com.au

►October 25, 2004 - Mother-to-child HIV transmission tackled - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 25, 2004 - Polio Vaccine Claims Investigated - Radio News via www.sbs.com.au

►October 25, 2004 - Concerns raised over possible polio vaccine contamination - www.abc.net.au

* ►October 25, 2004 - Guinea pigs in tainted vaccine trials (requires registration) - www.smh.com.au - "A federal agency used babies in orphanages and children's homes to test a new quadruple antigen vaccination that included polio vaccine possibly contaminated with a monkey virus since linked to cancer...Commonwealth Serum Laboratory records show the trials were carried out on babies as young as three months in five institutions between December 1959 and early 1961."

* ►October 25, 2004 - Polio vaccine tested at orphanages (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au - "CSL research records in the National Archives show that 56 babies under the age of 12 months were used in the Victorian vaccine trials...One baby died of meningitis in August 1960, less than three months after completing a course of three quadruple antigen injections."

* ►October 25, 2004 - The dragon is slain but it's legacy lingers - Polio was stopped in its tracks, but now we must make sure the price was not too high. - editorial -  (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au

* ►October 25, 2004 - Canadian Vaccine Policy May Become U.S. Model - Program Guarantees Market for Producers (requires registration) - Washington Post - "For example, Ontario -- the largest province, with 12 million people -- offers free flu shots to everyone, while other provinces do so only for specific risk groups, such as people 65 and older, or children 6 to 23 months....Ontario's innovative policy, which began in the 2000-2001 season, has been both successful and wasteful...The year before it began, Ontario used 1.9 million doses to vaccinate 16 percent of its people. The next year, the province ordered 7.9 million doses and vaccinated 5.8 million people. The immunization rate jumped to 44 percent, but 25 percent of the vaccine was discarded....More than 1 million doses went unused in each of the next two years. Last year, the excess was down to 500,000 doses. Coverage was still 44 percent."

►October 25, 2004 - HK starts bird flu strategy - http://english.eastday.com

►October 25, 2004 - Bird-flu scare after eagles smuggled into Belgium - The Independent, UK

►October 25, 2004 - MIT graduate brings high tech to Third World - AP via Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

* ►October 25, 2004 - New vaccine to combat global return of TB - The Independent, UK

* ►October 24, 2004 - New flu strain raises concerns - UPI via The Washington Times - "The new A/Wellington, named for the New Zealand city where the strain first turned up, can diminish the effectiveness of today's vaccine"

* ►October 24, 2004 - Two pictures of health care - Newsday - "How Britain and the United States handled the collapse in supply highlights some sharp differences in the two countries' public health systems. Britain's is regulated and contracted entirely by the government while the United States' remains largely private. As a result, most Britons -- even though the Chiron plant closing cut off nearly 15 percent of their supply -- still can get a free government-sponsored flu shot while many Americans in the at-risk categories may never get theirs this season."

* ►October 24, 2004 - A family's crusade - Carthage couple say mercury agent in vaccines caused son's autism - The Joplin Globe - "He'd always had the brightest, sparkliest eyes," she said. "But then after he got his flu shot, they were flat and lifeless - what I call the 'Stepford look.' He wouldn't look you in the face or make eye contact. It was like there was nobody home."

* ►October 24, 2004 - Missouri health officials reject link - Official: No scientific evidence of link between autism disorders, childhood vaccines exist - The Joplin Globe - "Karen Porte, a Joplin endrocrinolgist, has had success treating children with autism using human growth hormone. She presented her findings in an autism conference in May, and now is treating children from as far away as Alaska and California....Porte believes that the mercury used in some vaccines could have damaged the pituitary, as well as the brain....'Mercury is a known neurotoxin. There is a vast body of literature that says it's not safe,' she said. 'I'm not against vaccines; vaccines are very important to prevent epidemic illness, but I do believe in safe vaccines. Why would we even want to take the chance of neurodamage in any child when a safe alternative is possible?'"

* ►October 24, 2004 - Recent deaths linked to mysterious brain disease baffles family - AP via Newsday - "New York state has an average of 20 CJD deaths a year. Health officials are still trying to determine whether there is a common thread among the three confirmed cases."

►October 24, 2004 - Tentative accord reached on U.S. beef - The Japan Times

►October 24, 2004 - Another suspected mad cow case found in Mie - Japan Today

►October 24, 2004 - Medical damage caps discussed at forum - AP via The Billings Gazette - "Wyoming's laws regarding medical malpractice have been in place since 1899 and are outdated, said Monger, who is with Partnership to Protect Affordable Healthcare. In 1899 there were no antibiotics, immunizations, AIDS, West Nile virus, personal injury lawyers or HMOs, he said."

►October 24, 2004 - Autistic kids learn from their peers - New York Daily News

►October 24, 2004 - Halifax student gets her dream - Autistic teen wasn't born into royalty, but her classmates felt she was worthy of the crown - Times-Dispatch

►October 24, 2004 - Health regulations could help WHO bid - Participation: Academics said that presenting a revisions to international health regulations was an opportunity for Taiwan help fight against pandemics - Taipei Times

►October 24, 2004 - Trini leads research that deems Aids drug safe - Trinidad & Tobago Express - "Patients who were previously not responding to Interferon showed progress on Lamivudine-after three weeks they remained tolerant and the presence of HBV DNA in some cases had been reduced to "undetectable".

* ►October 24, 2004 - DAFB civilians face 'backdoor draft' - Many of the 1,000 key workers may quit over forced vaccinations  - The News Journal via www.delawareonline.com - "A Department of Defense plan to increase the number of civilian personnel who receive the anthrax vaccine could lead to a mass exodus among the more than 1,000 skilled employees at Dover Air Force Base, union officials say...A labor law expert says the requirement to take the anthrax vaccine may violate the workers' constitutional rights...And a civilian engineering and airfield maintenance team based at Dover, which just received orders to take the controversial shots, is already balking at the requirement."

* ►October 24, 2004 - Scarce flu vaccine not designed for new strain - New Zealand variety worries officials - San Francisco Chronicle - "Like weather forecasters watching tropical storms, epidemiologists for the World Health Organization track the ever-evolving strains of influenza. The predominant flu virus around the globe right now is one called A/Fujian, and the vaccine Americans are seeking today is a perfect match for it...But A/Wellington is gaining ground. Tests suggest that 43 percent of recent New Zealand flu cases spring from the new strain, or variants of it...A/Wellington has even turned up about as far from the South Pacific as is geographically possible: in Norway."

►October 24, 2004 - Newsweek Cover: Flu Fever - 'We're Not Prepared for a Health Crisis ... From Mother Nature or From Biological Terrorism' Says Head of Nonpartisan Group - Flu Epidemic Could Cost $20 Billion This Year, says Harvard Economist - press release - Newsweek via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 24, 2004 - Law suits against flu vaccine rip-off merchants - Medical News Today

* ►October 24, 2004 - National lab working to crack mysteries of dangerous avian flu viruses - CP via www.canada.com

►October 24, 2004 - Vaccine system showing cracks - Shortage of flu shots has health officials seeking a backup plan - AP via Indianapolis Star

►October 24, 2004 - Flu-vaccine politics hit fever pitch (requires registration) - Orlando Sentinel

►October 24, 2004 - More vaccine doses elusive - 1,400 wait in cold to receive flu shots - Lawrence Journal-World

►October 24, 2004 - Officials say more flu shots on way - Officials continue to advise healthy adults and children to forgo getting the vaccine to allow for high-risk groups. (requires registration) - Providence Journal

►October 24, 2004 - Then there was one — Aventis - Swiftwater plant is sole maker of this year's influenza vaccine. Other makers have dropped out due to cost and risk. - The Morning Call

►October 24, 2004 - Estevan Druggist Amazed at Flu Response - AP via www.kxmc.com

►October 24, 2004 - More Flu Vaccine - www.waow.com

►October 24, 2004 - Response to flu vaccine shortage shows concern for others - opinion - Springfield News-Leader

►October 24, 2004 - Missing the point on flu vaccines - editorial - Press-Journal via www.tcpalm.com

►October 24, 2004 - Public urged to get flu shots - Central News Agency via www.etaiwannews.com

►October 24, 2004 - Docs: Prevention is the best medicine - Boston Herald

►October 24, 2004 - Federal health officials visit Minnesota, seeking to calm flu fears (requires registration) - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

►October 24, 2004 - Glitches mar flu hotline - Newsday

►October 24, 2004 - Flu clinics, shots rare - www.newszap.com

►October 24, 2004 - Low-income children may have to wait for flu shots (requires registration) - The Columbus Dispatch via Akron Beacon Journal

►October 24, 2004 - Chief health educator says vaccine due - Surgeon general visits Charleston - The Post and Courier via www.charleston.net

►October 24, 2004 - Officials say flu vaccine shortage shouldn't cause panic - The Missoulian

►October 24, 2004 - Kin Frightened By Harlen Nursing-Home Flu Outbreak - New York Post

►October 24, 2004 - Flu shot clinic draws 6,000 - San Diego Union-Tribune

►October 24, 2004 - Kerry's Flu-Shot Foul - editorial - New York Post

* ►October 24, 2004 - Interest grows for alternatives as flu vaccine supply is scarce - The Bristol Press - "For example, a University of Connecticut physician and researcher has found that a compound derived from ginseng reduced the chances of flu in an elderly population by 89 percent. Results were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society."

►October 24, 2004 - State getting fair share of precious vaccine - The Herald-Palladium

►October 24, 2004 - Shortage illustrates precarious balance of flu vaccine system - Suppliers fled the unpredictable market, saying it's too difficult to profit - Houston Chronicle

►October 24, 2004 - UNICEF enlists children - Trick-or-treaters can collect change to help children who benefit from UNICEF programs. - The Free Lance Star via www.fredericksburg.com - "The money collected in the trick-or-treat campaign is used to pay for immunization, education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation for children in 158 countries where UNICEF works."

►October 24, 2004 - Cancer culprit isolated in valley of death - www.iol.co.za

►October 24, 2004 - Meningitis leaves ex-student grateful for life and facing hard choices (requires registration) - AP via Kansas City Star

►October 24, 2004 - Meningitis survivor stresses vaccination - KU graduate says shot should be required - Lawrence Journal-World

►October 24, 2004 - Dan Marino: Hall of Famer On and Off the Football Field - The Pilot Newspaper - "In 1992, Dan and Claire started the Dan Marino Foundation, whose mission is to impact autism by supporting integrated treatment programs, outreach services and direct research for children with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities."

►October 24, 2004 - Autistic kids learn from their peers - New York Daily News

►October 24, 2004 - Education and a cure are autism mag goals - New York Daily News

►October 24, 2004 - S.Africa AIDS Group Drops Legal Case on Drug Delays - Reuters

►October 24, 2004 - County health services will hold vaccination drill - Albany Democrat-Herald via Corvallis Gazette-Times

►October 24, 2004 - Researchers show non-matching transplant induces long-term blood type tolerance - CP via www.canada.com

►October 24, 2004 - Pfizer deal could be gravy train for promising Medarex (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald

►October 24, 2004 - Call for royal commission into polio vaccine (requires registration) - http://theage.com.au

* ►October 23, 2004 - The day batch 64 entered the bloodstream - A crisis meeting at Parkville in May 1962 was convened following findings that the latest batch of polio vaccine was contaminated with a newly discovered virus. Gary Hughes reports. (requires registration) - http://theage.com.au
 
* ►October 23, 2004 - Foundation calls for universal hepatitis B vaccination in UK infants - journal article (BMJ)

►October 23, 2004 - Local health care professionals get dose of flu vaccine mist - The Columbian

►October 23, 2004 - Surgeon General: Flu vaccine shortage is 'artificial' - www.wcnc.com

►October 23, 2004 - There was a time when we wished all shots were in short supply - column - The Daily Reflector

* ►October 23, 2004 - Baby given MMR jab in health centre error - www.thisislancashire.co.uk - "A FOUR-month-old baby was accidentally given the controversial MMR vaccine after a mix-up at a health centre."

* ►October 23, 2004 - U.S. Citizens Flock to Canada for Flu Shots - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News via www.woai.com - "The Vancouver Airport Medical Clinic, a private clinic at Vancouver International Airport, has vaccinated about 200 Americans. But on Tuesday the clinic stopped selling flu shots to walk-in customers so it could have enough vaccine to meet contracts with businesses at the airport that want their employees vaccinated."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Parents claiming a link between MMR vaccine and autism lose final appeal for legal aid - journal article (BMJ)

* ►October 23, 2004 - 3 flu vaccine distributors subpoenaed (requires registration or subscription) - State Issues Warning Against Profiteering On Shortage Of Supply - AP via The Mercury News  

* ►October 23, 2004 - Eggleston is banking on his determination - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - "These days, as Eggleston campaigns for sheriff and isn't working full-time, his 14-year-old son, Sean, is constantly on his mind. Eggleston blames his son's autism on a vaccination given about 12 years ago. The boy's roughly $5,000-a-month medical and education bills are draining the family's budget. He says he is unable to pay off a nearly $8,000 federal student loan, which has brought criticism from Bradshaw's camp." 

* ►October 23, 2004 - Poor congressional choices - www.fortwayne.com - "Burton is one of the more quirky members of Congress, drawing attention for his scathing attacks on President Clinton when Burton chaired the House Government Reform Committee and for his concern that some childhood vaccines could be linked to autism. But Burton breathed some fresh air into the otherwise hard-right northeast Indiana delegation when he voiced support for allowing Americans to buy lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada. His challenger, Carr, has been ineffectual in both her current and 2002 campaigns. Without a real alternative, 5th District voters should choose Burton."

►October 23, 2004 - 2 more brain fever deaths in Akita; Mushroom link eyed - The Daily Yomiuri - "The man reportedly had eaten a type of edible oyster mushroom, as had one of the two individuals currently in hospital for the same illness, both of whom are experiencing renal problems."

►October 23, 2004 - City has first confirmed case of rabies in 10 years - The Amarillo Globe News

►October 23, 2004 - The Medical Geneticist Finds His Place In The Roll-Call Of Specialists - Khaleej Times - "The medical geneticist functions as a clinician (clinical geneticist) and as a counsellor (genetic counsellor) to assist in primary care, diagnosis and care of individuals with both common and uncommon genetic disorders," says Dr Naveed."

►October 23, 2004 - Stop playing God - Khaleej Times - "Arrogant manipulations have resulted in deformities, distortions, infections, chronic illnesses etc. Any attempt to challenge God�s domain will only end up in disaster."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Vaccine shortage may cost businesses $20 billion - AP via Lawrence Journal-World

* ►October 22, 2004 - Cause unknown for Guillain-Barre syndrome - Monterey County Herald - "Because it can occur without warning following surgery, immunizations and trivial infections, this rare syndrome is dreaded. The cause is unknown."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Ethical analyses of vaccines grown in human cell strains derived from abortion: arguments and Internet search. - journal article (Vaccine)

* ►October 22, 2004 - Mending Minds - The need for child psychiatrists is growing in Indiana and across the country - News-Sentinel via The American Psychiatric Association via www.fortwayne.com

►October 22, 2004 - Self-Reported Frequent Mental Distress Among Adults --- United States, 1993--2001 - CDC

►October 22, 2004 - Northrop tapped for NIH work - Washington Technology - "Northrop Grumman Corp. won a six-year, $29.4 million contract from a National Institutes of Health to develop a database and Web portal to centralize and integrate immunology data, the company said yesterday."

►October 22, 2004 - Polio eradication hopes pinned on 2005 (requires registration or subscription) - Knight Ridder Newspapers via Contra Costa Times

►October 22, 2004 - Strong local and systemic protective immunity induced in the ferret model by an intranasal virosome-formulated influenza subunit vaccine. - journal article (Vaccine)

►October 22, 2004 - Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing - DHHS via www.pharmcast.com

►October 22, 2004 - Cooperative Agreement for the Surveillance, and Prevention of Birth Defects - DHHS/CDC via www.pharmcast.com

►October 22, 2004 - Elusive Aids Cure Spurs Ingenuity - The Herald (Harare) - http://allafrica.com - "The gardens, which consist of different kinds of therapeutic herbs, are expected to provide a remedy for HIV and Aids-related illnesses as well as alternative treatment for infectious diseases related to the pandemic."

►October 22, 2004 - Molecular Imaging of Inflammation Processes Using Small-Animal Scanners (full study) - Minerva Biotecnologica via http://mentalhelp.net

►October 22, 2004 - Alternative medical treatments gain interest, funding - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via KRT via www.centredaily.com - "More than a third of Americans use some form of complementary or alternative medicine - treatments or regimens used in conjunction with, or as an alternative to, standard Western medicine."

►October 22, 2004 - Researchers Discover Gene Mutations for Parkinson's Disease - www.nih.gov

►October 22, 2004 - Law to protect rights of mentally ill in the offing - The Accra Daily Mail, Ghana - "Professor Adomako said the treatment of diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS and Diabetes among others were supported by various organisations with mental health being neglected and appealed for assistance for activities in the unit."

►October 22, 2004 - DURECT Initiates Phase I Trial for Its Proprietary Transdermal Sufentanil Patch - Patch to be Highlighted at ASA 2004 Annual Meeting - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com - "DURECT's transdermal sufentanil product is intended to provide extended chronic pain relief for up to seven days, as compared to the three days of relief provided with currently available patches."

►October 22, 2004 - Hollis-Eden Announces Plans to Respond to Department of Health and Human Services' Request for Information -- RFI - Business Wire via www.pharmacytimes.com - "ARS, also referred to as radiation sickness, is an acute illness caused by high doses of radiation exposure over a significant portion of the body in a relatively short time period."

►October 22, 2004 - Infectious Disease Expert Joins VaxGen's Board of Directors - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 22, 2004 - Satellite imagery assists research - Yale Daily News - "The West Nile virus, researched at the center by Maria Diuk-Wasser, is studied in a similar fashion. She is building a West Nile virus risk map for the state of Connecticut, analyzing the landscape and weather patterns to determine the location of potentially infectious mosquitoes."

►October 22, 2004 - Pungent Onions Make Potent Cancer Fighters - The Stronger the Onion, the Better It May Be for You - Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry via WebMD Medical News

►October 22, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Texas, Connecticut Sue Flu Shot Distributors - Researchers Identify Gene Mutation for Parkinson's - Florida Court Refuses Review of Right-to-Die Case - Mens' Weight Affects Sperm Quality - Report Focuses on Oral Sex Transmission of Syphilis - Castro Suffers Fractures from a Fall - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.hon.ch

* ►October 21, 2004 - Prospective Grant of Exclusive License: Human Parvovirus B19 Vaccine - DHHS via www.pharmcast.com - "The technology also describes a vaccine effective against parvovirus B19 infection, consisting of the recombinant capsid proteins. Data from the inventors show that the configuration of the vaccine optimal for eliciting neutralizing antibodies comprises approximately twenty five percent (25%) VP1 and seventy five percent (75%) VP2. In another embodiment, the technology describes the use of parvovirus B19 viral capsids as a gene delivery system for proteins."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Dietary Supplements; Premarket Notification for New Dietary Ingredient Notifications; Public Meeting - Food and Drug Administration, HHS via www.pharmcast.com - "Therefore, FDA is seeking comments from industry, consumers, and other interested members of the public concerning the type, quantity, and quality of information that a notifier should provide in notifications under section 413(a)(2) of the act."

* ►October 15, 2004 - Pharmacists' and Patients' Perceptions About Pharmacy-Based Immunizations - U.S. Pharmacist - "Additional barriers viewed by the NIC pharmacists as problematic were both practical in nature (staff support, lack of compensation to the pharmacist, availability of an area within the pharmacy to administer vaccines, support of physicians in the neighborhood, and owner or top management support) and knowledge or skill based (concern about adverse events or reactions from an immunization, concern about legal liability, pharmacists' level of training to administer immunizations). Both IC and NIC pharmacists perceived patient interest in CPB immunizations as the least problematic barrier (mean ~ 2.0)."

* ►October 2004 - Severe vasculitic neuropathy following influenza vaccination - journal article (Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry)

* ►October 2004 - Declining incidence of chickenpox in the absence of universal childhood immunisation. - journal article (Archives of Disease in Childhood)

* ►October 2004 - Risk of fatal adverse events associated with 17DD yellow fever vaccine. - journal article (Epidemiol Infect)

►October 2004 - Myopericarditis following smallpox vaccination. - journal article (American Journal of Epidemiology)

►October 2004 - Worsening of seizures by oxcarbazepine in juvenile idiopathic generalized epilepsies. - journal article (Epilepsia)

►October 2004 - ACAM2000 clonal Vero cell culture vaccinia virus (New York City Board of Health strain) - a second-generation smallpox vaccine for biological defense. - journal article (International Journal of Infectious Diseases) - "The vaccines produced major cutaneous reactions and evoked neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immune responses in the vast majority of subjects and had a reactogenicity profile similar to that of Dryvax((R))."

►October 2004 - Nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage after combined pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccination in children with a history of recurrent acute otitis media. - journal article (Journal of Infectious Diseases)

►October 2004 - Effectiveness of Hepatitis B vaccination in children of chronic hepatitis B mothers. - journal article (Saudi Medical Journal)

* ►April 28, 2004 - History of Vaccine Regulation - journal article (Journal Of Public Health Policy) - "For some products (e.g. acellular pertussis vaccine) and for potential contaminants, such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), no single test has been found to predict clinical efficacy or safety (12). Finally, any test method must be appropriately validated to ensure the reliability of the results on which public health decisions might be based."

* ►2004 - Human Genetics and Responses to Influenza Vaccination : Clinical Implications. - journal article (American Journal of Pharmacogenomics) - "This work revealed that the HLA-DRB1*0701 allele was over represented among persons who fail to mount a neutralizing antibody response. This preliminary finding is important because it potentially identifies a group who may not be protected by current vaccination strategies. Further investigation into the role of HLA polymorphisms and nonresponse to influenza virus vaccination, and vaccination against viruses in general, is clearly required."
 

Posted October 24, 2004

►November 2004 - Risk Factors for Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in Neonates - journal article (Pediatric Research)

►October 25, 2004 - Gilead Halts Two Drugs For HIV, Reports 'Lighter' Third Quarter - BioWorld Today

►October 24, 2004 - Smuggled eagles had bird flu - AFP via The Australian

►October 24, 2004 - Low prices, weak demand make vaccines unappealing - Government's hard bargaining in effect has hindered production (requires registration) - Dallas Morning News

►October 24, 2004 - What's behind the vanishing vaccines - By being undervalued, immunizations have lost manufacturers (requires registration) - Dallas Morning News

►October 24, 2004 - Preventing the flu - Pacific Daily News via www.guampdn.com

* ►October 24, 2004 - Virus recruited to kill superbug - The Guardian, UK - "Scientists have created detergents laced with viruses that could rid Britain's hospitals of deadly superbugs that now infect the wards. The researchers hope to begin trials in hospitals in the next few months."

* ►October 24, 2004 - Infected polio jabs to be investigated (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au - "Australian researchers had found SV40 in mesothelioma tumour samples and cancer cells, The Age reported, noting that Australia has the world's highest rate of the disease."

* ►October 24, 2004 - Cancer panic misplaced (requires registration) - Sun-Herald via www.smh.com.au - "There was no need to panic that a polio vaccine contaminated with a monkey virus linked to cancer would cause widespread harm, a leading authority on polio and vaccines said yesterday."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Ape virus linked to lung disease (requires registration) - www.smh.com.au - "At least one sample from each patient and all the laboratory cells tested positive to the presence of the monkey virus SV40, according to the results published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Medicine in 2000...Australia has the highest rate of mesothelioma in the world...Similar evidence of SV40 in rare lung, brain and blood cancers has been found in overseas studies....The annual American Association for Cancer Research conference was told earlier this year that SV40 was found in half of the tumours in newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cases. Researchers from the University of Texas's cancer centre told the conference that there was no known cause for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which has doubled in incidence in the past 30 years."

Comment:  Be sure and check out the other articles on this topic below and in previous Picks of the Day.  For more on this, you can also go to Scandals: The Institute of Medicine Review Of SV40 Contamination of Polio Vaccine and Cancer.  A highly regarded book, which I was told took 4 years to research and write, has also been recently published titled "The Virus and the Vaccine".  It is available at both Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.

* ►October 23, 2004 - Millions given infected polio vaccine (requires registration) - www.smh.com.au - "A federal government agency knowingly released polio vaccine contaminated with a monkey virus in the 1960s that has since been linked to a range of cancers, including mesothelioma...The virus contaminated at least four batches of vaccine totalling almost three million doses between 1956 and 1962...Two of the batches were released after testing positive to contamination. The other two were released before tests could be done. An unknown number of earlier batches were also almost certainly contaminated....An investigation by The Age has found documents from the Commonwealth Serum Laboratories which reveal bosses there released one batch of about 700,000 doses of contaminated vaccine in 1962 on the grounds that 'much vaccine issued in the past was probably similarly contaminated'...Australia's leading experts on the virus, which is known as simian virus 40 or SV40, have found traces of it in human tumour cells and are calling for urgent funding to clarify the links...
Commonwealth Serum Laboratories knew from its own internal research that the monkey virus was a potential cause of cancer in humans. The research, which was never made public, was carried out in August 1962, while contaminated batches of vaccine were still being released. Tests carried out at the time also showed monkey virus contamination of some of the 'seed' polio virus used to produce all Salk polio vaccines between 1956 and 1962."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Vaccine contaminated: report (requires registration) - AAP via www.theage.com.au - "Commonwealth Serum Laboratories was privatised in 1994...Company spokeswoman Rachel David told the newspaper the company's practices had changed dramatically and the public could be very confident about the quality and safety of vaccines currently being produced...She said the decision to release the contaminated vaccine would have been made after balancing the real risk of a polio epidemic against 'a small theoretical risk' posed by the monkey virus."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Cancer linked to polio vaccine used in the 50s and 60s - transcript -  AM via www.abc.net.au

* ►October 23, 2004 - Vaccines 'don't increase cancer risk' - AAP via The Australian - "Australia's chief medical officer has moved to reassure people vaccinated against polio in the 1950s and '60s they are not at increased risk of cancer...Almost three million doses of polio vaccine produced between 1956 and 1962 were contaminated by a monkey virus - simian virus 40 (SV40) - linked to a range of cancers, it was reported today."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Polio review launched (requires registration) - AAP via www.smh.com.au - "Acting Victorian Premier John Thwaites urged people not to be put off having polio vaccinations because of the publicity over contaminated vaccines...'People should absolutely continue with vaccinations,' he said."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Monkey virus link to cancer (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au

►October 23, 2004 - Govt to investigate infected polio jabs claim (requires registration) - www.smh.com.au

* ►October 23, 2004 - Craig Says New Law Will Help Stop Litigation Abuse Against Vaccines - Medical News Today - "Chairman Craig will take further steps to ensure more vaccine production in the US - (Boise, Idaho) US Senator Larry Craig announced today that legislation will be signed into law in a few days by President Bush which will help avert future flu vaccine shortages...The bill President Bush is expected to sign expands coverage under the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to include vaccinated adults. Since 1986 people hurt by childhood vaccines have been compensated under that federal fund. The U.S. Justice Department reports that since the creation of that law, the compensation fund has paid out in excess of $1.4 billion to nearly 1,800 people. Funding for the program comes from a tax collected on vaccines."

 * ►October 23, 2004 - America's only flu shot factory in high gear - Swiftwater, Pennsylvania: At a closely guarded mountainside factory, a woman plucks a vial from an assembly line and unceremoniously dumps its shimmering contents into what looks like a metal spittoon. - AP via CNN

* ►October 23, 2004 - Vaccine Production Relies on Quaint System (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald - "Aventis starts making vaccine more than a year in advance, around August on nearly 50 farms throughout Pennsylvania...'They're fairly small operations,' many with only 10,000 birds, said Sam Lee, a 40-year-old chemical engineer who is the company's operations team leader....White leghorn hens are used. The exact type is a company secret. The breeder holding the patent supplies the eggs, which take 21 days to hatch and become chicks."

* ►October 23, 2004 - British plant suffers in flu vaccine fiasco - Chiron workers still feel great pride, but they also fear for their jobs (requires registration) - Kansas City Star

►October 23, 2004 - Surgeon general: There will be more flu vaccine - AP via The Post and Couriervia via The State

►October 23, 2004 - A preventable problem: Lack of foresight led to flu vaccine crisis - editorial - The Register-Guard

►October 23, 2004 - Health Officials Give Update On Flu Vaccine Crisis - More Vaccine Headed To R.I. - www.turnto10.com

* ►October 23, 2004 - Flu vaccine shortage blamed on conflicts within system (requires registration) - KRT via St. Louis Post-Dispatch via Kansas City Star

►October 23, 2004 - Perry Asks State Health Department To Monitor Flu Virus - www.kwtx.com - "The Texas Department of Health Services will establish an influenza surveillance system at the request of Gov. Rick Perry."

►October 23, 2004 - Americans take flu ferry to get vaccine in B.C. (includes video) - CTV

►October 23, 2004 - Poll shows concern over flu risk - AP via USA Today

►October 23, 2004 - County gets 4,000 extra flu vaccines - Lodi News-Sentinel

►October 23, 2004 - Amid vaccine shortage, state identifies possible flu cases - AP via Newsday

►October 23, 2004 - City's first flu outbreak reported as vaccinations suspended - AP via Newsday

►October 23, 2004 - Flu vaccine reassigned - AP via Indianapolis Star - "Seeking to address complaints of preferential treatment, Republican congressional leaders said Friday that 3,000 doses of flu vaccine intended for lawmakers, aides and other Capitol employees would instead be given to Washington's municipal health department and hospitals."

►October 23, 2004 - FluMist vaccine hard to find in South Sound - The Olympian - "One of the downsides of FluMist is that it needs to be stored in very cold temperatures and must be discarded if allowed to thaw for more than 24 hours."

►October 23, 2004 - Health department has no flu vaccine this year - Mooresville/Decatur Times

►October 23, 2004 - With flu vaccine in short supply, employers take the offensive - Some companies are offering tests, immunity boosters, hand sanitizers, antiviral medications. - USA Today via Indianapolis Star

►October 23, 2004 - State to ship vaccine Monday - Mobile County to receive 4,120 doses, while Baldwin County will get 1,430 doses - Mobile Register via www.al.com

►October 23, 2004 - 1.5 million more flu shots are possible for Michigan - Detroit Free Press

►October 23, 2004 - Officials: Flu shot shortage no crisis - Offering assurances but few details, they said the U.S. would not take over the vaccine supply. (requires registration) - Philadelphia Inquirer via www.philly.com

►October 23, 2004 - Gym has flu shots, care home doesn't - Despite guidelines, nobody regulating vaccine distribution - Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

►October 23, 2004 - New shipments of flu vaccine on way - Denver Post

►October 23, 2004 - Only two Bears got flu vaccines - AP via Los Angeles Daily News

►October 23, 2004 - Capitol employees' flu vaccines sent elsewhere - Amid shortage, politicians, public issue complaints - AP via Boston Globe

►October 23, 2004 - Why so many obstacles to vaccination? - Even when vaccine is plentiful, it's hard for many to get a flu shot - column - (requires registration) - Charlotte Observer

►October 23, 2004 - Area nursing homes await flu shots - The Seattle Times

►October 23, 2004 - Vaccine crisis frustrates and angers doctors (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 23, 2004 - FDA eyeing surplus Canadian flu vaccine - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

* ►October 23, 2004 - Shortage of kids' flu shots hits state - Some of the youngest won't get recommended second dose - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "Because all the doses for children 3 years and younger were made by Aventis, it's unclear why those shipments have been held up, said Jan Hicks-Thomson, the state's vaccination program manager...Doses for young children are half the size of adult doses and contain only trace amounts of thimerosal, a preservative some have linked to autism....Dr. Mark Greenfield, a Burien pediatrician, said his office has enough vaccine to give at least one and maybe two shots to his youngest patients. Still, he's not especially concerned about children 6 to 23 months skipping their second booster...'I haven't seen over the last 20 years (in practice) a large number of kids in that age range who've ended up in the hospital from the flu,' Greenfield said...'I don't feel there's an extremely high risk just from being 6 to 23 months old.'"

►October 23, 2004 - Doctors' notes needed for children's flu shots - High-risk children 2 and older will be turned away without note - Sun Herald

* ►October 23, 2004 - Fever over flu crisis grips U.S. (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution - "In a poll of 600 physicians last week, 60 percent of them reported that patients who had never asked for the flu shot before were asking for it this year, according to the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. Traffic at the new Web site FindAFluShot.com, launched in late September by flu-clinic company Maxim Health Systems, has soared 3,800 percent, with most of the visits made by people over 55."

►October 23, 2004 - Mercury probe - At least two state agencies are investigating the New England Gas Co. after a break-in at a Pawtucket facility where mercury was stored. - The Pawtucket Times via www.zwire.com

►October 23, 2004 - Vet noticed exposure to mercury - www.hattiesburgamerican.com

►October 23, 2004 - Six die in suspected anthrax case in Indonesia - Reuters via www.hindustantimes.com

►October 23, 2004 - Anthrax Drill-a-Go - www.whsv.com

* ►October 23, 2004 - Squalene still used, author says - Book cites tests done by Tulane scientist - The News Journal via www.delawareonline.com - "The military is still conducting illegal experiments on troops at Dover Air Force Base and elsewhere - and has done so for more than a decade - according to the author of a book published this week...In his book, 'Vaccine A,' published by Basic Books, Gary Matsumoto says the government since 1987 has injected soldiers with an anthrax vaccine containing squalene to increase its potency."

►October 23, 2004 - Whooping cough numbers decline - Quad-City Times

►October 23, 2004 - MMR Row Blamed For Huge Mumps Increase - News & Star, UK

►October 23, 2004 - Hepatitis B, The health menace that has to be confronted. - Amankwa, Kwame via www.ghanaweb.com

►October 23, 2004 - Asian community warned over HIV - Surrinder found she was HIV positive six months ago. - BBC

►October 23, 2004 - Zambia to boost free AIDS treatment - president - Reuters AlertNet

►October 23, 2004 - Locally-made drug for HIV/AIDS makes debut  - Vietnam News Agency

►October 23, 2004 - Missionaries find S. Africa slow on AIDS - Attitudes must change, they say - Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Easing bio-security on flu virus raises concerns - AP via CTV - "The decision by a team of U.S. researchers to ease bio-security precautions for a reconstituted version of the 1918 pandemic flu virus - the most lethal killing machine in viral history - is sparking debate within the international scientific community...Fears that a genetically engineered cousin of the virus responsible for the infamous Spanish flu might accidentally escape from a lab have led to calls within the scientific world for a international meeting to iron out the conditions under which it can be studied."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Time-honored tips, herbal remedies may help fight flu virus (requires registration) - The Post & Courier via www.charleston.net

►October 22, 2004 - State to get 107,500 doses of flu vaccine, official says - Baxter Bulletin - "Dr. Fay Boozman, director of the Arkansas Department of Health, announced this week the state will have 107,500 doses of vaccine for the 2004-05 flu season."

►October 22, 2004 - Research and Markets: More than 110 (Monoclonal Antibody) mAb Products Currently in Clinical Trials and Likely to Play Important Role in Advancement of the Field - press release - Research and Markets via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 22, 2004 - HIV infections up in Japan - UPI via Washington Times

►October 22, 2004 - HIV drug sales boost Gilead Sciences profits - San Mateo County Times

►October 22, 2004 - Bacteria-Killing Vs. Bacteria-Inhibiting Drugs In Treating Infections - Infectious Diseases Society Of America via ScienceDaily

►October 22, 2004 - Three Churchill County youths contract meningitis - www.krnv.com

►October 22, 2004 - Unmasking Cancer ; Immune System Helped to Recognize Tumors - www.rednova.com

►October 22, 2004 - Tracing Flu Vaccine Shortage from Liverpool to U.S. (includes audio) - All Things Considered via NPR

►October 22, 2004 - California subpoenas flu shot distributors - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "California authorities subpoenaed three flu vaccine distributors Friday as part of an investigation into whether medical supply companies are taking advantage of the supply shortage."

►October 22, 2004 - Get drugmakers' attention with both carrot and stick - Flu vaccine shortage shows need for incentives, prods - Houston Chronicle

►October 22, 2004 - Advice on Vaccine Shortage Is Lacking, Local Officials Say (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 22, 2004 - Officials, leaders discuss dangers of mercury spill - The Delphos Herald

►October 22, 2004 - Study Looking Into Mercury Levels In Humans - www.nbcsandiego.com

►October 22, 2004 - Childhood Cancer's Ties to Breast Cancer - Annals of Internal Medicine via Ivanhoe

►October 22, 2004 -  Down's syndrome theory shattered - Scientists believe they have disproved a 30-year-old notion of what causes Down's syndrome. - BBC

►October 22, 2004 - Vaccine fevers: Immunization ideologues are manufacturing artificial demand for the flu vaccine -- and may be harming public health in the process (requires subscription) - National Post

►October 21, 2004 - Estrogen Therapy for Tall Teens Linked to Fertility Problems - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 21, 2004 - Schizophrenia risk higher in children of older fathers - Paternal age and schizophrenia: a population based cohort study BMJ Online First - BMJ via www.eurekalert.org

* ►H-440.970 Religious Exemptions from Immunizations. (requires acceptance of conditions) - American Medical Association Policy Finder via www.ama-assn.org - "Since religious/philosophic exemptions from immunizations endanger not only the health of the unvaccinated individual, but also the health of those in his or her group and the community at large, the AMA (1) encourages state medical associations to seek removal of such exemptions in statutes requiring mandatory immunizations; (2) encourages physicians and state and local medical associations to work with public health officials to inform religious groups and others who object to immunizations of the benefits of vaccinations and the risk to their own health and that of the general public if they refuse to accept them; and (3) encourages state and local medical associations to work with public health officials to develop contingency plans for controlling outbreaks in exempt populations and to intensify efforts to achieve high immunization rates in communities where groups having religious exemptions from immunizations reside."

Posted October 23, 2004

►November 2004 - Effect of ingesting sour milk fermented using Lactobacillus helveticus bacteria producing tripeptides on blood pressure in subjects with mild hypertension - journal article (Nature)

* ►October 23, 2004 - Infected vaccine put a generation 'at risk' (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au - "A federal government agency knowingly released polio vaccine contaminated with a monkey virus in the 1960s that has since been linked to cancers, including mesothelioma...An investigation by The Age found that at least four batches of vaccine - almost 3 million doses - were contaminated with the virus between 1956 and 1962."

* ►October 23, 2004 - Deadly shots: the polio vaccine saga - Millions of Australians were given a polio vaccine infected with remnants of a cancer-causing virus. Scientists knew the dangers but released the vaccine anyway, writes Gary Hughes. (requires registration) - www.smh.com.au

►October 23, 2004 - Govt to probe tainted polio jabs report - www.abc.net.au

►October 23, 2004 - Call for better immunization to reduce infectious disease risks in Europe - Medical News Today - "During the last three years, significant measles outbreaks have occurred in Turkey (44 176 cases), Italy (29 533), Ukraine (24 968), France (13 645) and Germany (11 460)."

►October 23, 2004 - UK Government 'not happy' over autism provision - Medical News Today

►October 23, 2004 - Lupus can affect dogs as well as people - Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

►October 23, 2004 - Childhood predictors of self reported chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in adults: national birth cohort study - journal article (BMJ)

►October 23, 2004 - Katie O'brien: Flu meets American capitalism (requires registration) - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

►October 23, 2004 - NY awaits word on its share of flu vaccine - Newsday

►October 23, 2004 - SARS came from S. China civet cats -- study - Xinhua via China Daily

►October 23, 2004 - Flu Wars - editorial (requires registration) - Washington Post

►October 23, 2004 - Nine Show Symptoms of the Flu At a Manhattan Nursing Home (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

* ►October 22, 2004 - Warning: Vaccine Sacred Cows May Endanger Your Health - By RFD Columnist, Sandy Gottstein Mintz - www.redflagsweekly.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Has Dan Rather Once Again Failed To Responsibly Investigate An Important Issue? - by Sandy Gottstein Mintz - www.vaccinationnews.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Bacterial infection spreads (requires registration or subscription) - South Dakota among states with more cases of potentially deadly illness - Aberdeen American News via www.kansascity.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Q & A (requires registration or subscription) - The flu-vaccine shortage continues to play havoc in the United States. Public health reporter ANDRÉ PICARD tackles readers' questions about the implications on this side of the border - Why are some Canadian pharmacies and clinics offering flu shots to Americans? Is it legal? - The Globe And Mail

* ►October 22, 2004 - Chiron's flu blues bite morale - San Mateo County Times - "In 1995, for example, it approved a deal that gives the company a $500,000 or more property tax rebate each year for 30 years in exchange for the investments in city infrastructure as it expands to an eventual 2.2 million-square-foot campus."

►October 22, 2004 - Frist defends flu shots for Capitol colleagues - AP via The Seattle Times

►October 22, 2004 - Local officials say they lack federal guidance on shortage of flu shots - The New York Times via Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "Osterholm complained that federal officials kept insisting that people should calm down and contact their local health departments for information. "But we've got no information to give them. Zero. Zip," Osterholm said."

►October 22, 2004 - Pediatricians need more training on environmental health - www.medicalnewstoday.com - "Experts recommend that medical and nursing schools add environmental health topics to training programs."

►October 22, 2004 - For Families of Autistic, the Fight for Ordinary (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 22, 2004 - Plea for tolerance - http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk - "A Mother and her autistic son were asked to leave a supermarket when the little boy had a temper tantrum. She says she was attempting to calm down eight-year-old Philip when a member of staff told him to 'stop it' and asked her to leave."

►October 22, 2004 - Treating autism at home: a labor of love - New York Times via International Herald Tribune

►October 22, 2004 - Healthbeat: Autism Virtual Clipboard - www.hoinews.com

►October 22, 2004 - For USF campus, grant is a milestone - USF St. Petersburg reels in the largest grant in campus history with $892,000 in federal funds to study child behavior. - St. Petersburg Times - "V. Mark Durand, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, received an $892,000 grant for research from the U.S. Department of Education. He and others will work 80 families - 40 in the Tampa Bay area and 40 in Albany, N.Y. - to investigate the best way to help parents address head banging, hand biting and other severe behavior problems in children."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Pentagon silent on investigation - Delaware delegation calls response to their letter 'unacceptable' - The News Journal via www.delawareonline.com - "The Department of Defense Thursday rehashed previous statements in its official response to calls by Delaware's congressional delegation for an investigation into whether troops at Dover Air Force Base received experimental anthrax vaccine in 1999...In the written response, Assistant Secretary of Defense William Winkenwerder said the vaccine is safe and that no troops were subjected to medical experiments."

►October 22, 2004 - DOD launching anti-flu health campaign - American Forces Press Service via Air Force Link - "Department of Defense officials are launching a vigorous public health campaign aimed at preventing the flu in those who will not qualify to get their shots this season."

►October 22, 2004 - Deployed Troops, High-Risk Groups to Get Flu Shots on Time - American Forces Press Service via www.defenselink.mil

►October 22, 2004 - Anthrax case confidentiality may disappear - UPI via Washington Times

* ►October 22, 2004 - More than 3 Million Influenza Vaccine Doses Shipped This Week to Health Providers Serving High-Priority Groups - press release - CDC

* ►October 22, 2004 - Private Doctors in Frantic Quest for Flu Vaccine - New York Times via Spartanburg Herald-Tribune via www.goupstate.com - "Dr. Rodney Sherman, an oncologist on the Upper East Side of Manhattan who has 350 chronically ill patients in need of protection against the flu, is giving up on the United States government...After weeks of trying to get answers as to whether he is in line to get vaccine - and calm his patients' fears - he has decided to take matters into his own hands...This morning, he is flying to Canada, hoping to buy vaccine, even though he does not know if any will be available."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Federal government won't take control remaining flu vaccine (requires registration) - KRT via Kansas City Star

►October 22, 2004 - MedImmune to Produce Additional Flu Vaccine - HHS Says U.S. Supply Could Hit 61 Million Doses (requires registration) - Washington Post - "The company had previously announced it would make 1 million more doses from components left over from this season's original production run of 1.1 million. With the additional amount announced yesterday, MedImmune's total offering this season will be about 3 million doses."

►October 22, 2004 - 'We Are Clearly Not Prepared' - The flu vaccine shortage will leave millions of Americans vulnerable to influenza this season. Historian John M. Barry hopes it will serve as a wake-up call for government officials - Newsweek via MSNBC

►October 22, 2004 - Tracing Flu Vaccine Shortage from Liverpool to U.S. (includes audio) - All Things Considered via NPR

►October 22, 2004 - Flu vaccine suspended as officials await shipments from feds - AP via Newsday

►October 22, 2004 - Congress Gives Flu Vaccine Doses to DC - Congress to Give 3,000 Doses of Flu Vaccine to Washington's Municipal Health Department, Hospitals - AP via ABC News

►October 22, 2004 - Flu just one of necessary immunizations (requires registration) - www.wfaa.com

►October 22, 2004 - State to monitor flu outbreaks - Houston Chronicle

►October 22, 2004 - Americans Flock Across Borders for Flu Shots - Reuters - "Cruise operator Victoria Clipper in Seattle is offering a one-day round-trip boat ride to Victoria, 75 miles northeast of Seattle on Canada's Vancouver Island, that for $105 includes the cost of the trip and a dose of flu vaccine."

►October 22, 2004 - Flu vaccinations start next week - AP via www.al.com

►October 22, 2004 - Calif. AG subpoenas flu shot distributors amid gouging reports - Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Expert: World unprepared for flu pandemic - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "A lack of adequate funding remains one of the biggest obstacles for developing affordable vaccines. Billions of dollars of donations are yet 'a drop in the bucket in coverage of vaccinating children in developing nations,' Clemens said."

* ►October 22, 2004 - Poll: Flu Shot Shortage Worries Americans (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald - "While a substantial number of Americans say they're worried about it, a majority say it's not much of a concern...'I don't see why people are getting upset about it,' said Pat Johns, a 69-year-old retiree from Clarkston, Mich., who is healthy and doesn't plan to get a vaccine this season. 'There are too many other things to worry about. I think part of the reason that they do is that they watch too much TV.'"

►October 22, 2004 - Randolph County still holds out hope for flu vaccines - The Moberly Monitor-Index

►October 22, 2004 - Vaccine Hogs, Part 2 - You knew Tom DeLay had to be one, right? - Slate via MSNBC

►October 22, 2004 - Richardson raps flu vaccine handling, CDC - UPI via Washington Times

►October 22, 2004 - Arkansas lawmakers: Two did, four didn't take flu vaccination - Hope Star

►October 22, 2004 - Flu hits Manhattan nursing home - Newsday

►October 22, 2004 - Kids at risk for flu complications - Advice helps parents know when to worry, what to do. - News-Leader

►October 22, 2004 - Texas Border City Has No More Flu Shots - AP via Yahoo!

►October 22, 2004 - Surgeon General Visits Jacksonville, Calms Flu Fears - www.news4jax.com

►October 22, 2004 - Folks feel hot over flu shots (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 22, 2004 - Due to National Shortage, No Flu Shots This Year - Flu Shots Unavailable at Health Services This Year; Students Upset by Greater Chance for Sickness - Columbia Spectator

►October 22, 2004 - Health Department Announces Number Of Available Flu Vaccines - State Received One-Tenth Of What It Needs - www.nbc13.com

* ►October 22, 2004 - Some Chicago Bears players received flu vaccinations despite shortage - AP via San Francisco Chronicle - "The shots were offered to everyone on the team, but Bears officials said fewer than half of the roughly 60 members received vaccinations, mainly those with 'asthma-type conditions.' Remaining doses were returned to the distributor."

►October 22, 2004 - Burns: Vaccine shortage serves as a wake-up call - opinion - The Cape Codder via www.townonline.com

►October 22, 2004 - State Issues Flu Vaccine Proclamation - www.wane.com - "The proclamation says that the State Department of Health will continue to monitor influenza vaccine supply and demand in Indiana to ensure vaccine is administered to those individuals at highest risk for serious complications from influenza."

►October 22, 2004 - Kaiser gets more influenza vaccine - The Columbian

►October 22, 2004 - They flu to Canada - New York Daily News

►October 22, 2004 - U.S. Works to Deliver Flu Shots, Some Don't Wait - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 22, 2004 - The Web Browser: Flu-Related Strangeness (includes audio) - Day to Day via NPR

►October 22, 2004 - Heading North to Canada for a Flu Shot (includes audio) - Day to Day via NPR

►October 22, 2004 - Extra flu vaccine redirected by feds arrives in state early - 271,740 more doses will be distributed to counties starting on Monday - San Francisco Chronicle

►October 22, 2004 - State wants data from feds to better combat flu vaccine shortage - Detroit Free Press

►October 22, 2004 - Counties decide how to distribute flu vaccines - News 14 Carolina

►October 22, 2004 - Flu shot shortage feeding hysteria - Frustrated docs lack information - Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

►October 22, 2004 - States go after vaccine price gouging - UPI via Washington Times

►October 22, 2004 - Editorials on the flu vaccine shortage - The News-Sentinel via KRT via www.fortwayne.com

►October 22, 2004 - A Shot In the Arm - www.alternet.org

►October 22, 2004 - Citing insurance, Md. doctor refuses HIV/AIDS patients - Washington Blade

►October 22, 2004 - India: Patent Amendments Threaten Access to HIV/AIDS Medicines - Human Rights Watch

►October 22, 2004 - US Centre for Disease Control helps HIV patients - Viet Nam News Agency

►October 22, 2004 - Antivirals Don't Completely Suppress Herpes - Reuters

►October 22, 2004 - Schering-Plough Initiates Two Major Hepatitis C Studies With PegIntron(R) Plus Rebetol(R) Combination Therapy - press release - Schering-Plough via PRNewswire via www.newratings.com

►October 22, 2004 - Voluntary blood contribution accounts for 85% of China's blood collection - People's Daily

* ►October 22, 2004 - Blood transfusion can transmit new primate virus - CBC News

* ►October 22, 2004 - 3 more tigers died of bird flu in Thailand - Xinhuanet via China View - "By far, a total of 63 tiger at Sri Racha Tiger Zoo have succumbed to bird flu, including 30 put down Wednesday to prevent the spread of the disease...The remaining 378 tigers had been infected with Tamiful, developed by Swiss Hoffmann-La Roche company and Gilead Sciences of America, to fight the virus. Among them, 25 suspected to be infected have been put under surveillance."

►October 22, 2004 - Thai Tiger Zoo Keepers Declared Safe from Bird Flu - Reuters

►October 22, 2004 - Avian influenza threat causes government to take precautionary measures - The Triangle

►October 22, 2004 - Bacterial meningitis ruled out as cause in death of Carver boy - The Enterprise via www.southofboston.com - "'I've been in touch with Children's Hospital and the cultures show no signs of meningococcal meningitis. They haven't made an exact identification as to what happened, but there is no need for panic,' said Dr. Fergus Moylan, who was Dillon Geary's pediatrician....Geary, 9, died Tuesday night after being admitted Sunday to Children's Hospital in Boston with a 104.5-degree fever and symptoms of meningitis. He had previously been absent from school for two weeks with a broken arm."

►October 22, 2004 - Health Alert: Whooping cough makes comeback - www.wistv.com

►October 22, 2004 - Whooping cough closes North Tama schools - The Waterloo Cedar-Falls Courier

►October 22, 2004 - Seven-fold rise in mumps cases - Manchester Evening News

►October 22, 2004 - Newly discovered protein suggests novel tumorigenic pathway - American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - Clues to improving TB treatment - Cell Press via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - Researchers monitor progression of Parkinson's disease by studying molecular changes in brain - Society of Nuclear Medicine via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - Molecular mechanism sheds light on neurodegenerative diseases - Northwestern University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - New DNA repair enzyme makes mistakes to save lives of cells - Its two-step handiwork described in The EMBO Journal as most efficient of any enzyme - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - Strong-flavored onions show promise for fighting cancer - American Chemical Society via www.eurekalert.org

►October 21, 2004 - NIP Data Sharing: Meeting Two: Agenda - Board on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - The National Academies, Institute of Medicine - Committee on Review of NIP's Research Procedures and Data Sharing Program - www.iom.edu

►October 21, 2004 - Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use Summary of Opinion for Fendrix - Common name: Hepatitis B (rDNA) vaccine (adjuvanted, adsorbed) - PharmaLive via www.medadnews.com

►October 21, 2004 - Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use Summary of Opinion for Quintanrix - Common name: Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whole cell), hepatitis B (rDNA) and Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (absorbed) - PharmaLive via www.medadnews.com

* ►October 21, 2004 - New law will help stop litigation abuse against vaccines - U.S. Senator Larry Craig announced that legislation will be signed into law in a few days by President Bush which will help avert future flu vaccine shortages. - www.news-medical.net

* ►October 21, 2004 - President signs suicide-prevention bill - AP via www.katu.com - "It emphasizes screening programs that identify mental illness in children as young as sixth-graders, and provides referrals for community-based treatment and training for child care professionals."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Failing the Public Health — Rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA - journal article (NEJM)

* ►October 21, 2004 - Big lobbying effort from Chiron could boost defense - USA Today - "It poured $660,000 into currying favor with Congress and the Health and Human Services Department in this year's first half, public documents show. That is nearly five times what it spent all last year."

* ►October 21, 2004 - California's Pay for Performance Program for Doctors Announces First Year Results: Estimated $50 Million Bonus Payout - IHA Program's First Year and Test Year Comparison Shows Increased Cancer Screening and Immunizations; Performance Results Available to Consumers Online - Business Wire via CBS MarketWatch

* ►October 21, 2004 - MedImmune Expands Production Plans For FluMist(R) - PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "We are also committed to developing our next-generation, refrigerator-stable FluMist formulation, known as CAIV-T, to demonstrate that it is the product of choice, particularly for children. Toward this goal, we have already completed 42 clinical trials involving more than 64,000 subjects for both FluMist and CAIV-T. We also have eight more clinical trials currently underway involving an additional 70,000 subjects for these vaccines."

* ►October 21, 2004 - PACE Announces Early Intervention Program With Third Annual Gala - PRNewswire via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "1 out of every 150 infants will be diagnosed with autism in California! This is alarming especially in light of just thirty years ago, when the statistics were 1 in 10,000 diagnosed with the disorder," says David Tollner, Executive Director of PACE. "It is by far the fastest growing developmental disorder in America as well as in California. If not diagnosed and treated early, these 1 out of every 150 infants will cost the state and school districts an extra $400,000 to $500,000 just to get the child through 8th grade and over $1,000,000 to get the child through to the age of 22 when the obligation of the state to pay for an education finally ends. And that is if the child is living at home. If the child lives in a group home, which is very common for persons with ASD, add another $1,000,000 to the cost to care for the child just through age 25. At PACE, our philosophy is: the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better for the child, and the better for the child, the better for our entire community."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Pollution triggers bizarre behaviour in animals - www.onlypunjab.com - "Hyperactive fish, stupid frogs, fearless mice and seagulls that fall over. It sounds like a weird animal circus, but this is no freak show. Animals around the world are increasingly behaving in bizarre ways, and the cause is environmental pollution."

►October 21, 2004 - Researcher reveals link between chronic fatigue and polio - Canada NewsWire via COMTEX via Healthy News - "Marcia Falconer, a researcher and virologist from Nepean, Ontario, has researched the link between these conditions and has advocated worldwide for greater understanding of the connection between polio, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue."

►October 21, 2004 - Action urged to avoid flu jab delays - Doctors call for early warning of shortages - The Belfast Telegraph

►October 21, 2004 - Flavivirus Encephalitis - journal article (NEJM)

►October 21, 2004 - Tuberculous Meningitis - journal article (NEJM)

►October 21, 2004 - Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Tuberculous Meningitis in Adolescents and Adults - journal article (NEJM)

►October 21, 2004 - Role of Prostanoid DP Receptor Variants in Susceptibility to Asthma - journal article (NEJM)

►October 21, 2004 - Embryonic Stem-Cell Research — The Case for Federal Funding - journal article (NEJM)

►October 21, 2004 - Funding Targets Health Literacy, a Major Influence on Health Outcomes - Announcement Comes During National Health Literacy Awareness Month - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com - "A ground-breaking report released last April by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) noted that 90 million U.S. adults may lack the necessary skills to interact with our health system. The IOM study also revealed troubling trends indicating that low health literacy is associated with higher rates of hospitalization and emergency use, increased adverse drug reactions and lower use of preventive services, resulting in higher health care costs."

►October 21, 2004 - Charges likely after child's lead poisoning - Detroit Free Press - "It was 3 a.m. when she awoke on the floor, where she and her sons, Tyler and 16-year-old Dorian Hill, had fallen asleep watching a movie. Tyler was in convulsions. Several days later, a lead test showed why: It registered 38.5 micrograms per deciliter -- almost four times above the level at which poisoning is certain, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

►October 21, 2004 - Researchers Identify A Protein That Could Banish Allergies - The suffering of millions of people with allergies could one day be eased thanks to new research from UK investigators. Findings from the University College London branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), published in this week’s Nature, detail how inactivating a key signalling molecule called p110delta reduced the effect of allergies on mice. - University College London via ScienceDaily

►October 21, 2004 - Otago Seeks Vaccinations Manager - http://xtramsn.co.nz

►October 21, 2004 - Korea Compares to Poorest Nations in Vaccination Subsidies - The Chosun Ilbo

►October 21, 2004 - Survey: Few flu shot shortages in Europe (requires registration or subscription) - AP via www.kansascity.com - "Ireland - like the United States - is struggling to find enough flu vaccine following the shutdown of a British factory, but other European countries mostly have no shortages, an Associated Press survey found Thursday."

►October 21, 2004 - Pediatricians treating more children with behavioral health disorders, study shows - www.onlypunjab.com - "But many pediatricians felt they were not prepared in medical school and their residency training programs to treat these children, leading to a scramble to find continuing medical education courses to fill that gap. They often felt unprepared to treat depression and anxiety and to choose appropriate drugs for these diagnoses."

►October 21, 2004 - Untreated mental illnesses cause widespread problems (requires registration or subscription) - The Courier Press - "An estimated one in five adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Many people suffer from more than one mental disorder at a given time."

►October 21, 2004 - Datamonitor: ADHD Children Not Coming to Attention of Parents and Teachers - www.datamonitor.com via www.pharmalive.com - “Manufacturers need to promote the benefits of once-daily formulations which provide increased compliance, smoother drug profile and reduced social stigma; features that will significantly improve patient quality of life.”

►October 21, 2004 - Study backs link between father's age, schizophrenia - Reuters

►October 21, 2004 - Anesthesiologists Discover Ways to Improve Patient Safety - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com

►October 21, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.lifeclinic.com

►October 21, 2004 - Flu vaccine shortage may cost $20 billion - Productivity lost totals 1 to 1.5 days for average worker - AP via Houston Chronicle

►October 21, 2004 - Hospitals: State should permit flu shots for health workers - AP via Duluth Superior

* ►October 20, 2004 - Hospital destroys flu vaccine - Shipment mix-up at West Allis Memorial spoils 2,250 doses - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - "Because the vital package was confused with a delivery of computer parts, a hospital spokesman said the shipment wasn't refrigerated right away. Irwin said the single-box shipment contained 225 vials of vaccine made by French drug-maker Aventis SA. Each vial contains enough vaccine for 10 to 11 individual shots."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Why some parents call childhood vaccines unsafe - www.wate.com

* ►October 20, 2004 - Flu Mist Reportedly Tastes Like Gum - AP via http://wcco.com

* ►October 20, 2004 - Wyeth Reports Earnings Results for the 2004 Third Quarter and First Nine Months - PRNewswire - "Our business showed strong performance on many fronts during the course of this past quarter.  Our growth was driven by Effexor(R) XR, Enbrel(R), Prevnar(R), Zosyn(R) and Rapamune(R), which grew over 39% for the quarter.  We have made  enhancements in Prevnar manufacturing this year resulting in increased production, increased sales and a return to a full, four-dose vaccination series recommendation by the key global regulatory authorities," said Robert Essner, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wyeth."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Cedars-Sinai October 2004 medical tipsheet - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center via www.eurekalert.org - "Women who are expecting a baby should be considered high priority during this season when the Flu vaccine is in short supply, and should seek an influenza vaccine as soon as possible. Influenza vaccines do not have adverse effects on fetuses, and they have been shown to dramatically decrease health risks for mothers and their newborns, says Neil S. Silverman, M.D., a high-risk obstetrician who specializes in infectious diseases during pregnancy. Dr. Silverman is available for interviews."

►October 20, 2004 - Chiron committed to supplying vaccine next year (requires registration or subscription) - Contra Costa Times

►October 20, 2004 - Chiron vaccine in doubt for 2005 - USA Today

►October 20, 2004 - Chiron 3Q Profit Rises to $23.5 Million - AP via Forbes

►October 20, 2004 - Digital pen and paper technology collect data at Innovation Expo - www.state.sd.us - "Similar information was collected last year and went unused because the data wasn’t compiled into a digital format. Talario™ designed a form for this year’s vaccinations on digital paper and supplied the technology that will automatically capture the information in a database that can be queried."

►October 20, 2004 - Parents needed for study of attention disorder - www.thetimesonline.com - "The study will examine the parenting experience in families with an ADHD child, and how it differs from those families without an ADHD child."

►October 20, 2004 - Early life stress can inhibit development of brain-cell communication zones - UC News Wire

►October 20, 2004 - Tories Demand Action on Child Health - "PA" News via The Scotsman - "Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said that asthma, diabetes, alcohol and drugs misuse and poor sexual health were among “many indicators of children’s health that are not necessarily moving in the right direction”. The framework says there should be early diagnosis and treatment of children with disorders such as autism and diabetes."

►October 20, 2004 - A Young Onset Parkinson's Patient: A Case Study (full study) - Journal of Neuroscience Nursing via http://mentalhelp.net

►October 20, 2004 - U.S. politics delaying mad-cow resolution: Cellucci - Canadian Press

►October 20, 2004 - Gene chip speeds pathogen detection - The Mercury News via Ledger-Enquirer - "An Affymetrix food chip was developed to determine the presence of meat in different types of food, allowing regulatory authorities to discover chicken that has been bulked up with beef or pork byproducts or beef that has been added to cattle feed."

►October 20, 2004 - The Changing Role of America's Pharmacists - HealthDayNews via www.healthfinder.gov

►October 20, 2004 - Universal health care plan proposed (requires registration or subscription) - Columbia: Premium of $2,000 per person covers all - CBS MarketWatch

►October 20. 2004 - Upon Further Review: Experts Determine That Medical Literature Supports Benefits of Grain-Based Foods in Healthy, Balanced Diet - Market Wire

►October 20, 2004 - Woes of the Gluten-Intolerant - www.rednova.com - "Research on children with learning disorders, including autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also shows that many suffer from damaged intestinal lining, though only a small percentage tested positive for Celiac disease. Several studies showed positive outcomes when autistic children were put on a strictly gluten and casein-free diet."

►October 20, 2004 - Genetically modified parasite lets researchers probe immune system's memory - Washington University School of Medicine via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - Neurosurgeons identify growth of new adult brain cells, possible treatment for epilepsy - Research team from cleveland makes presentation on findings at Congress of Neurological Surgeons annual meeting - Congress of Neurological Surgeons via www.eurekalert.org

►October 19, 2004 - Research confirms medicinal promise of Kenyan plants - www.scidev.net

* ►October 19, 2004 - FDA Letter Raises Questions about VeriChip Safety, Data Security - CASPIAN via www.spychips.com - "Although the FDA approved the VeriChip implant last week, their approval does not mean the device is completely safe, according to an FDA letter CASPIAN has obtained. Among the potential problems the FDA identifies are: "adverse tissue reaction,"  "migration of the implanted transponder," "failure of implanted transponder," "electrical hazards" and "magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] incompatibilty." Not to mention the nasty needle stick from the "inserter" used to inject it. (The FDA lists "failure of inserter" -- a bloody possiblity we'd rather not contemplate -- among the risks.)"

►October 19, 2004 - Toothpaste Ingredient Guards Against Skin Cancer - Antibacterial also found in mouthwash helps kill off damaged cells - HealthDayNews via www.drkoop.com

* ►October 18, 2004 - How to think about prescription drugs. (A Critic At Large High Prices) - The New Yorker - "The big drug companies justify the high prices they charge—and the extraordinary profits they enjoy—by arguing that the search for innovative, life-saving medicines is risky and expensive. But Nexium is little more than a repackaged version of an old medicine. And the hundred and twenty dollars a month that AstraZeneca charges isn’t to recoup the costs of risky research and development; the costs were for a series of clinical trials that told us nothing we needed to know, and a half-billion-dollar marketing campaign selling the solution to a problem we’d already solved."

►October 18, 2004 - UT Southwestern to benefit from $46 million contract - http://dallas.bizjournals.com - "The money will be used to create two bioinformatics centers designed to help scientists combat infectious diseases and immune disorders. The contracts were awarded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, part of the NIH, with $8.7 million designated for UT Southwestern."

►October 2004 - Emerging infectious disease issues in international adoptions: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza and measles - journal article (Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases)

Posted October 22, 2004

►November 2004 - Risk factors for food allergy. - journal article (Curr Allergy Asthma Rep.)

►November 2004 - Childhood infections and risk of multiple sclerosis - journal article (Brain) 

►November 2004 - Increased Poliovirus-Specific Intestinal Antibody Response Coincides with Promotion of Bifidobacterium longum-infantis and Bifidobacterium breve in Infants: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial - journal article (Pediatric Research) 

* ►October 22-28, 2004 - Breeding the Plague - Wendy Orent's investigation of the Soviet bioweapons program does not make for bedtime reading. - book review - CONTEXT - Moscow Times Arts & Ideas

* ►October 22, 2004 - Three Parties Question Health Minister on Vaccine - press release - Jon Eisen via Scoop Media

►October 22, 2004 - Teenagers hospitalised with meningitis after sharing drink - Over 20 people have been treated with preventative antibiotics after two Levin teenagers were admitted to Palmerston North Hospital with meningococcal disease this week. - www.stuff.co.nz

►October 22, 2004 - Name your poison - Food is the stuff of life, but, for those with allergies, it can cause pain, upset and even death, writes Paula Goodyer. (requires registration) - www.theage.com.au

►October 22, 2004 - In war on polio, mission not yet accomplished - Though polio has largely been eradicated from its position as a scourge of mankind, traces of its deadly effects still remain and must be fought - The Cavalier Daily

►October 22, 2004 - Anthrax Figure Wins a Round on News Sources (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 22, 2004 - Canada hangs on to its flu shots (requires registration) - Minneapolis Star-Tribune

* ►October 22, 2004 - Flu Shot Lottery a Hot Ticket (requires registration) - Washington Post - "'We only have 800 shots,' said school nurse Julie Olson into her phone. 'The lucky winners will get it'...The odds of winning -- in a county of about 900,000 people -- have become slight enough that some local media dubbed Montgomery County's solution the Flu Vaccine Powerball."
 
* ►October 22, 2004 - IDSA Offers Policy Rx for Influenza Vaccine Shortage - Infectious Diseases Society of America via Medical News Today

* ►October 21, 2004 - Louisville Guardsman Says Anthrax Shot Made Him Ill - Alabama Congressman Trying To Help Man - www.thelouisvillechannel.com

* ►October 21, 2004 - Easing bio-security on reconstituted killer virus raises concerns - CP via www.canada.com - "The decision by a team of U.S. researchers to ease bio-security precautions for a reconstituted version of the 1918 pandemic flu virus - the most lethal killing machine in viral history - is sparking debate within the international scientific community."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Chiron Vaccine in Doubt for 2005 - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

* ►October 21, 2004 - Congress, Agencies Rethink Flu Shots - Washington Post via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 21, 2004 - B.C. to Give Low-Mercury Flu Shot - Vancouver Sun via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 21, 2004 - U.S. Health Officials Urge Elderly to Get Pneumonia Vaccine - New York Times via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 21, 2004 - At least 9 Texans in Congress got flu shots - Lawmakers say inoculations were justified despite vaccine shortage - Houston Chronicle

►October 21, 2004 - Some Missouri lawmakers get flu shots, others pass - AP via St. Louis Post-Dispatch

►October 21, 2004 - Flu shot clinic for Americans to open Oct. 30 in Vancouver - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 21, 2004 - Vaccine Hogs - Not every member of Congress needs a flu shot. - Chatterbox via http://slate.msn.com

* ►October 21, 2004 - Congress protects flu vaccine makers - UPI via Washington Times - "Makers of flu vaccines will be partially shielded from lawsuits under a provision in the corporate tax cut law recently approved by Congress."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Flu panic: Seniors told to be patient - Michigan may not get more shots till November - Detroit Free Press - "Other frenzy spread to the Internet. Ebay auctioned 10 vials of vaccine Sunday from a Canadian source, at $49.99."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Flu fiasco puts Floridians in limbo - Canadian-made vaccine prompts officials to cancel clinics in key election battleground (requires registration) - The Globe and Mail - "Douglas Barlow, vice-chairman of pediatrics at Boca Raton Community Hospital in Florida, said he has been inundated with calls from parents desperate to get the vaccine for their small children....He disagrees with the advice from the Centers for Disease Control and does not believe that healthy children need the vaccine. He would rather keep his limited supply for children with sickle-cell anemia, severe asthma and other chronic ailments....'Normal, healthy people will not die of flu,' he said....Dr. Barlow said he wouldn't mind seeing the Canadian-made vaccine imported into the United States, but he is not crazy about the idea that the only legally available supply comes from Aventis...'I'm a little miffed I have to buy it from the French.'"

* ►October 21, 2004 - Texas sues distributors of flu vaccine over prices - AP via Houston Chronicle - "Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today filed a lawsuit against two flu shot distributors, accusing them of selling vials of vaccine to hospitals in Houston, Dallas and Sherman at inflated prices...The attorney general sued ASAP Meds Inc., of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Dubin Medical Inc. of San Diego, Calif., for 'unconscionable pricing of the critical vaccine and for perpetrating fraud in the face of a health care challenge in Texas,' Abbott's office said...The lawsuit was filed in Harris County District Court...Abbott contends the companies offered 10-dose vials, which would typically cost between $65 and $80 each, for as much as $950 and demanded cash on delivery."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Vaccine shortage is only part of flu equation (requires registration) - Knight Ridder Newspapers via San Jose Mercury News via Kansas City Star - "Experts have a message for flu-panicked Americans: How the season turns out depends on much more than how many people get vaccinated."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Shortage in Flu Vaccine Teaches Lessons (requires registration) - AP via Kansas City Star - "Universal vaccination is an idea championed by a University of Maryland School of Medicine researcher...'That will, then, force the hand of third-party payers to pay for the vaccine,' said James King, a pediatrics professor who tests vaccines. 'Unless we make it somewhat cost-effective for the companies to make vaccine, it would be insane for them to make it.'"

►October 21, 2004 - 'Outsourcing' Vaccines Common in Drug Industry (includes audio) - Day to Day via NPR

►October 21, 2004 - Heightened Flu Fears May Not Be Warranted (includes audio) - Morning Edition via NPR

►October 21, 2004 - Flu vaccine shortage — Once again, profits win out over the public’s health - Timberjay News

►October 21, 2004 - Flu Shot Shortage Could Cost Businesses (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald

►October 21, 2004 - Hundreds register _ without waiting _ for Bloomfield flu lottery - AP via Newsday

* ►October 21, 2004 - Americans seek flu shots in Mexico, but they're hard to find there, too (requires registration) - AP via The Mercury News - "Flu shots are a relatively new idea in Mexico, where many people can't afford the $20 shot. Mexican drug producers don't generally make the vaccine, but the government decided this year for the first time to have a government-run lab produce 8.5 million doses to give out at government clinics."

►October 21, 2004 - Vaccine Shortage Highlights Need for Government Involvement in Public Health - press release - Swarthmore College via Newswise

►October 21, 2004 - Flu vaccine should be saved for neediest - This year's shortage of vaccine starkly highlights the need for new, faster ways to produce vaccines and for incentives that will encourage more production. - editorial - Denver Post

►October 21, 2004 - Flu vaccine stolen from Baltimore homeless clinic - Capital News Service via KRT via Duluth Superior

►October 21, 2004 - Early birds get the flu shots - Newsday

* ►October 21, 2004 - Doctors look to antivirals - The drugs provide temporary relief only while taken and may help prevent the virus from spreading - Newsday - "But as important as antiviral medications have become, they are not free of side effects...Leviton said one of the drugs, amantadine, has been known to cause nightmares in some elderly people....The CDC, which has listed additional side effects on its Web site, notes that in healthy adults and children, rimantadine and amantadine are known to cause nervousness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and lightheadedness, as well as nausea and loss of appetite. People with other long-term illnesses who have taken amantadine have experienced delirium, hallucinations, agitation and seizures...The newer generation of drugs, which includes Tamiflu, also can have side effects, including nausea and vomiting."

►October 21, 2004 - Flu Vaccines On Way To Vermont Via Canada - www.thechamplainchannel.com - "The plan still needs to get federal approval."

►October 21, 2004 - Clinic follows flu high-risk rule, to sell doses - San Diego Union-Tribune

►October 21, 2004 - More Nasal Mist Flu Vaccine Coming (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald

►October 21, 2004 - Q & A on the flu: What you need to know (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 21, 2004 - South Carolina Flu Shot Clinic a Success - www.wtoctv.com

►October 21, 2004 - Flu troubles a symptom of what ails U.S. (requires registration) - The Globe and Mail

►October 21, 2004 - SMS to offer flu vaccine clinic for high-risk individuals - News-Leader

►October 21, 2004 - Docs flouting flu rule will face a fine mess - New York Daily News

►October 21, 2004 - Pneumonia shot as vital as flu vaccine - Newsday

►October 21, 2004 - Most Hoosiers passing on flu shots in Capitol - Some in state's delegation say they want vaccine to go to those most in need. - Indianapolis Star

►October 21, 2004 - N.C. Officials: Childhood Flu Immunizations Coming - www.wxii12.com

►October 21, 2004 - Unavailable flu shots creating panic here - Wickenburg Sun

►October 21, 2004 - Producing Flu Vaccines Is Not Simple, Expert Says - press release - University of the Sciences in Philadelphia via Ascribe Newswire

►October 21, 2004 - At a feverish pitch - commentary - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

* ►October 21, 2004 - Coloradan Gets Bubonic Plague In Wyoming - Case Is Only 5th In State Since Late 1970s - www.thedenverchannel.com

* ►October 21, 2004 - Dengue fever kills 87, infects nearly 60,000 in Vietnam  - AFP via Hindustan Times

►October 21, 2004 - Trick-or-treaters urged to use repellent - www.2theadvocate.com

►October 21, 2004 - Deadly danger in one whiff of perfume - www.manchesteronline.co.uk - "Teenager Kirsty Heywood risks her life every time she leaves home."

►October 21, 2004 - Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer: Simian Foamy Virus (SFV) - Public Health Agency of Canada

►October 21, 2004 - Freezing breast milk could harm babies, says new study - The Scotsman

►October 21, 2004 - Africa: Coordination Urged As Aids Vaccine Funding Sidestepped - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks via http://allafrica.com

►October 21, 2004 - Namibia: AIDS, drought, floods, anthrax and now, locusts - IRIN via Reuters AlertNet

►October 21, 2004 - Asia-Pacific moving 'too late' against HIV/AIDS, says U.N. - AFP via www.etaiwannews.com

►October 21, 2004 - MSF opens first public healthcare and HIV/AIDS programme in Kibera, Kenya - Reuters AlertNet

►October 21, 2004 - New antibody to prevent respiratory syncytial virus in premature babies - Virginia Commonwealth University researchers are studying the effectiveness of introducing a new antibody in premature infants to manage the most common form of lower respiratory tract infections in children worldwide. - www.news-medical.net

►October 21, 2004 - BioSource International, Inc. Presents at the Joint Meeting of the International Cytokine Society and International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research - press release - BioSource International, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 21, 2004 - Schering-Plough reports modest profit - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 21, 2004 - Update 3: Merck Profit Falls 29 Percent on Vioxx - AP via Forbes

►October 21, 2004 - Researcher reveals link between chronic fatigue and polio - press release - Polio Canada via CNW Telbec

►October 21, 2004 - Emergency situation introduced in Pskov over hepatitis - Itar-Tass

►October 21, 2004 - Meningitis hits two pupils at one school - Daily Post via http://icnorthwales.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 21, 2004 - Deadly virus stalks kids in Benguet - Inquirer News Service via http://news.inq7.net

►October 21, 2004 - Uganda suspends visits to anthrax infected areas - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 21, 2004 - Wet summer causes fewer cases of West Nile virus - AP via Times Argus

►October 21, 2004 - Eating lots of fish tied to high mercury levels - San Francisco Chronicle

►October 21, 2004 - Pawtucket fire chief slams gas company for not reporting mercury storage (requires registration) - Providence Journal

►October 21, 2004 - Study finds high mercury levels in women - The Plain Dealer via www.cleveland.com

►October 21, 2004 - Oaklanders' hair registers high mercury - Greenpeace tests find toxin levels linked to fish consumption - Oakland Tribune

►October 21, 2004 - Tests show mercury danger - Hair exams reveal higher levels of contaminant in frequent fish eaters - Asheville Citizen-Times

►October 21, 2004 - Excess Mercury Levels Increasing - Survey Shows Fifth of Women of Childbearing Age Are Affected (requires registration) - Washington Post

►October 21, 2004 - Greenpeace releases results of mercury testing in Masontown - The results of tests conducted on more than 150 Masontown residents this summer showed that only three people had no detectable levels of mercury, and most with detectable levels had only small amounts, according to information released Wednesday. - The Herald Standard

►October 21, 2004 - Merck Announces Third-Quarter 2004 Earnings Per Share -EPS- of 60 Cents - press release - Merck & Co., Inc. via Business Wire

►October 21, 2004 - Museum joins fight to end polio - The Winchester Star via www.townonline.com

►October 21, 2004 - Child Immunisation for November - The Monitor (Kampala) via http://allafrica.com

►October 21, 2004 - Lack of Government Support Threatens Child Vaccinations - The Korea Times

►October 21, 2004 - Health Canada Approves New MedMira Rapid HIV Test - Achieves Second North American Regulatory Success - press release - MedMira Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 21, 2004 - The Medical Minute: Celiac disease often is difficult to diagnose - Penn State Live

►October 21, 2004 - Three Churchill County youths contract meningitis - www.kesq.com
 
►October 21, 2004 - Another Meningitis Case Reported (requires registration) - Springfield News-Sun

►October 21, 2004 - Third-Grader Dies Of Suspected Case Of Meningitis - Disease Is Rare - www.turnto10.com

►October 21, 2004 - Fighting Hepatitis C - Why some overcome the disease without treatment - U.S. News & World Report

►October 21, 2004 - Hepatitis B and C co-infection management a postcode lottery in UK - Aidsmap

►October 21, 2004 - PACE Announces Early Intervention Program With Third Annual Gala - press release - Pacific Autism Center for
Education via PRNewswire

►October 21, 2004 - Counseling boosts immunity, improves health habits - www.onlypunjab.com

* ►October 21, 2004 - Pentagon says 200,000 who started anthrax-shot regimen must continue - Stars and Stripes via www.estripes.com - "Troops who received some of their anthrax inoculations before the Pentagon halted it 3 years ago have until Dec. 31 to resume their six-shot regimen, no matter where they might be stationed, officials said."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Canberra doctors trial herpes vaccine - www.abc.net.au - "Researchers are inviting more than 100 Canberra girls to take part in a world-first trial of a new herpes vaccine...Professor Bowden says the project is seeking young Canberra girls to trial the vaccine...'One hundred and four young women between the ages of 10 and 17,' he said...'They can't take part in the study if they've ever had a cold sore or if they've ever had the hepatitis A vaccine."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Flu Vaccine Maker Won't Assure U.S. Sales in '05 (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - "Executives at the Chiron Corporation hedged yesterday about whether the company would be able to return to selling flu vaccine in the United States next year."

* ►October 21, 2004 - Congress, Agencies Rethink Flu Shots - Bush Urges Capitol to Follow CDC Guidelines; Federal Offices Revise Plans (requires registration) - Washington Post

* ►October 21, 2004 - U.S. Officials Urge Elderly to Get Pneumonia Vaccine (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times - "Merck & Company is the only company in the United States that makes the vaccine, called Pneumovax 23. Merck executives said that they had enough on hand to meet present demand and that they intended to triple production immediately to fill an expected surge in orders...But they say that any glitch at their plant could result in a shortage of that vaccine, and that that makes them very nervous....'It tells you how fragile the entire vaccines industry is,' said Dr. Adel Mahmoud, president of Merck Vaccines, a unit of Merck."

►October 21, 2004 - Supplying flu vaccine - opinion - The New York Times via International Herald Tribune

►October 21, 2004 - Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations in the USA - CDC via Medical News Today

►October 21, 2004 - Flu a bigger threat than bioterror - commentary - Seattle Post-Intelligencer

►October 21, 2004 - Vietnam faces new outbreaks of bird flu - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 21, 2004 - No U.S.-style shortage of flu shots in Europe - International Herald Tribune

►October 21, 2004 - Uganda opens groundbreaking HIV/AIDS treatment centre - BBC via www.abc.net.au

►October 21, 2004 - Rise in HIV cases linked to increase in testing - The Scotsman

►October 21, 2004 - HIV screening may have to wait - Lobby group for people with rare disorders says proposals for universal HIV screening may need to wait - http://home.nzcity.co.nz

* ►October 20, 2004 - Saying 'No' To Immunization (includes video) - 60 Minutes via CBS News - "The most prominent organization claiming vaccines are unsafe is the National Vaccine Information Center, or the NVIC. Barbara Loe Fisher, who referred 60 Minutes to the parents mentioned in this story, heads the group...'The mass use of multiple vaccines in early childhood to prevent all infections is the biggest medical experiment that has ever been conducted on the human race. And I think the jury is still out as to whether or not it will be medical science’s greatest achievement, or its most tragic failure,' says Fisher."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Congressmen received flu shots after vaccine shortage revealed - New York Daily News via The Times Leader - "Senators, although it was not clear exactly how many, got poked in a clinic on Oct. 7 held in the office of Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., sources said. "Some got the shot and some didn't," said a congressional source. Frist, who is a heart surgeon, was among those who got one of the scarce flu vaccinations, his office said."

* ►October 20, 2004 - New Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) to Enhance Treatment of Patients and Training of Health Professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa - Unique Partnership to Benefit up to 300 Patients Daily and Train 250 HIV/Aids Specialists Annually Treatment, Training, Research, Laboratory and Diagnostic Services Now Fully Operational Under One Roof 'By The Time I Left The IDI, I Could Call Myself an Expert in Managing HIV/AIDS Patients' - Ugandan Physician  - PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "Pfizer Inc and the Pfizer Foundation have contributed more than $15 million to support construction of the building, equipping and staffing programs at the new facility where, training, operational research and patient care will be delivered under the same roof."

►October 20, 2004 - Soroka traces preemie deaths to faulty hygiene - www.haaretz.com - "An epidemiological investigation this week concluded there had been a rare outbreak of a dangerous infection from a fungus located on the woolen caps put on the babies heads for warmth."

►October 20, 2004 - Some people upset over flu vaccines for inmates (requires registration or subscription) - AP via www.dfw.com

►October 20, 2004 - Scientists vow to vote out Bush - Still, despite press coverage of vocal opponents, there are Bush supporters among scientists - The Scientist via www.biomedcentral.com

►October 20, 2004 - Stem cell patent dispute - Greenpeace in Germany challenges a stem cell patent granted to a leading researcher - The Scientist via www.biomedcentral.com

►October 20, 2004 - Cox gives $3 million to Translational Genomics Research Institute - The Translational Genomics Research Institute received the largest corporate cash gift in its two-year history Monday. - East Valley Tribune - "The Arizona operations of Cox Communications presented a check for $3 million to the Tempe lab, which is attempting to find cures for genetically related diseases such as cancer, diabetes and autism."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Why some parents call childhood vaccines unsafe - www.wate.com - "Debi Tyree Haney's five-year-old daughter, Allie, seems younger than her years. Allie is autistic but doing better than most children like her, thanks to therapy and a mother who won't give up...Debi says that a hepatitis B vaccine that Allie received as a baby changed her overnight. 'She spent most of the time laying flat on her back, her feet and hands in the air.'"

* ►October 20, 2004 - Pulling an all-nighter - Flu shot frenzy has people spending night in Kroger store - Knoxville News Sentinel

* ►October 20, 2004 - Gov. considers flu vaccines from other countries (includes video) - ABC7 Chicago - "Governor Blagojevich is looking to remedy this season's flu vaccine shortage in Illinois with options that may include help beyond our borders."

►October 20, 2004 - Georgia senators got early flu shots (requires registration) - AP via Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 20, 2004 - Flu Vaccine Policy Becomes Issue for Bush (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 20, 2004 - Summary: Flu Schools Tips (requires registration) - The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools via AP via Miami Herald

►October 20, 2004 - No Flu Vaccine Shortage at U.S. Capitol - Reuters

►October 20, 2004 - Vancouver sets up flu-shot clinic for Americans - CTV

►October 20, 2004 - State considering ways to distribute flu shots - AP via Newsday

►October 20, 2004 - Alabama gets about one-fourth of flu vaccine that was ordered - AP via www.al.com

►October 20, 2004 - Company says it can make 2.6 million flu vaccines by January (requires registration) - KRT via Contra Costa Times via Kansas City Star

►October 20, 2004 - Health Department Forms Influenza Task Force - Task Force Charged With Improving Prevention Strategies - www.channeloklahoma.com

►October 20, 2004 - Republicans charge that flu shot group was trying to use vaccine to get Democrats to polls - AP via www.wboc.com

►October 20, 2004 - Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Urges Federal Government to Move Quickly On Influenza Vaccine Redistribution Plan - press release - Pennsylvania Office of the Governor via PRNewswire

►October 20, 2004 - Experts Urge Simple Steps to Prevent Colds, Flu - HealthDay via Forbes

►October 20, 2004 - Flu vaccine should be available for New Jerseyans at risk - AP via Newsday

* ►October 20, 2004 - Critics See Drug Industry Behind Mental Health Plan - Inter Press Service via www.commondreams.org

►October 20, 2004 - Avian flu infected 1,000 people in 2003, Dutch report says - CIDRAP News

►October 20, 2004 - Make A Difference Day event for autism awareness - The Mooresville/Decatur Times

►October 20, 2004 - No. 38 crew wins, gives money to charities - ThatsRacin.com - "Sadler's crew is donating its $20,000 first-place earnings from Charlotte to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and to the Autism Society of America. Each charity will receive $10,000."

►October 20, 2004 - Most ER patients insured, study finds - Researchers also discovered an overwhelming number have a health provider - Reuters via Houston Chronicle

►October 20, 2004 - Hundreds lining up to get their flu shots - Elderly, others wait hours at sites offering vaccine - Houston Chronicle

►October 20, 2004 - Activists Demand Permanent Price Freeze on AIDS and Hepatitis C Medications - press release - AIDS Treatment Activists Coalition (ATAC) via PRWeb via www.emediawire.com

* ►October 20, 2004 - Health Dept. Employee Earns Immunization Coalition Award - Times-Union - "The Indiana Immunization Coalition presented Amber Gelbaugh, Kosciusko County Health Department, with the Merck Immunization Registry Award this month in Indianapolis...The Merck Immunization Registry Award is given to an individual or organization that has assisted in promoting and supporting the Children and Hoosier’s Immunization Registry Program. CHIRP is a statewide computer-based system designed to keep track of immunization records. It is Internet based, providing real-time access."

►October 20, 2004 - Reducing Mercury Exposure from Seafood - Media Advisory - Three Simple Ways to Protect the Public from Toxic Mercury - press release - Sea Turtle Restoration Project

►October 20, 2004 - Bacteria-Killing vs. Bacteria-Inhibiting Drugs in Treating Infections - Science Blog

►October 20, 2004 - Vaccination Outrage - letter - Parry Sound North Star

* ►October 20, 2004 - Vaccine risk - Hepatitis B vaccine linked to multiple sclerosis - U.S. News & World Report

►October 20, 2004 - Norton: Congress should give excess flu vaccine to city - The Washington Times

* ►October 20, 2004 - High demand quickly evaporates county's flu vaccine - Lincoln Courier - "Dean Rock of Lincoln arrived at the Logan County Health Department for his flu shot Tuesday, doctor's order by letter in hand...Rock, 67, has asthma and is prone to pneumonia. Despite having been vaccinated for pneumonia, he said he's had it three times in the last five years."

* ►October 20, 2004 - All top-priority troops to get flu shots - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "The Pentagon has received less than one-third of the vaccine it needs, but officials say they are working on a deal for more doses and pledge that all U.S. troops abroad, plus those preparing to go overseas, will get flu shots this fall."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Anxiously Awaiting: Crowds Gather For Limited Flu Shot Vaccines - The Southern Illinoisan - "The rush to get flu vaccinations for those at a high risk for catching the virus was so much that it almost caused a riot in Carmi on Tuesday...'It was just a big crowd that wouldn't let us get our station set up,' said Sara Jo Healy, who does intake and referral for corporate services for the Visiting Nurses Association."

►October 20, 2004 - Extra Flu Shots May Come Late - AP via CBS News

►October 20, 2004 - Antiviral Flu Drugs an Option to Vaccine (includes audio) - Morning Edition via NPR

►October 20, 2004 - Flu Vaccine Run-Around: Who You Gonna Call? (includes audio) - Day to Day via NPR

►October 20, 2004 - Some Prison Inmates Will Get Flu Shots - RedNova

►October 20, 2004 - Carlos Guerra: Fixing nation's vaccine problems might also help Alamo City (requires registration) - San Antonio Express-News

►October 20, 2004 - British Vaccine Breakthrough Could Save Millions of Lives - London Telegraph via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 20, 2004 - FDA Stops Unauthorized Flu Vaccine From Being Distributed - AP via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 20, 2004 - MedImmune Initiates Phase III Clinical Trial Comparing Intranasal Influenza Vaccine With Injectable Flu Vaccine - Dow Jones Newswires via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 20, 2004 - New National Campaign Offers Americans Three Easy Steps to Prevent Infections - U.S. Newswire via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 20, 2004 - Summary: Flu Schools Tips - AP via Yahoo!

►October 20, 2004 - Steroid Cuts Death Rate From TB Complication - HealthDay via Forbes

►October 20, 2004 - Caesarean Birth May Raise Allergy Risk in Babies - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 20, 2004 - Delay in Cutting Umbilical Cord May Help Preemies - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 20, 2004 - Antipsychotic drugs linked to insulin resistance in children - Metabolic monitoring may be indicated for patients - Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - p110 delta: A key player in the allergic response - Potential new target for drug development - Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - Honey could be healthy alternative to high-fructose corn syrup in Halloween candy - American Chemical Society via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - Scientists hail dengue breakthrough - ABC News Online

►October 20, 2004 - Scientists fear threat of second wave of 'mad cow' prion infection - Medical News Today

►October 20, 2004 - Neurosurgeons looking at stem cells from skin to fight brain tumors - Research team from Italy makes presentation on project at Congress of Neurological Surgeons Annual Meeting - Congress of Neurological Surgeons via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - Study reports genetic susceptibility to alcoholism in NMDA receptor - Yale University via www.eurekalert.org

►October 20, 2004 - Stem cell patent dispute - Greenpeace in Germany challenges a stem cell patent granted to a leading researcher - The Scientist

►October 20, 2004 - New vaccine system may save millions - Guardian Unlimited

*►October 20, 2004 - GSK Bio licenses preservative-free filling process - Belgium-based GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals has licensed a new production technology for its vaccines business that should do away with the need to use preservatives in the manufacturing process - InPharma

►October 19, 2004 - HHS Says Supply of Flu Vaccines, Medicines Will Help Keep People Safe During Coming Flu Season - Department Stockpiles Medicine, Coordinates Flu Response, Invests in New Technology - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

►October 19, 2004 - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Ad Council Launch National HIV Detection Campaign - Campaign Urges Young African-American Men to "Know Your Status" - U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

►October 19, 2004 - Celera Diagnostics Identifies Gene Variants Associated with Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease; Findings May Have Pharmacogenomic Implications for Therapies - Business Wire

►October 19, 2004 - Large Portion of Late-Stage Breast Cancers Associated With Absence of Screening - NIH

►October 19, 2004 - Two novel agents work synergistically to treat lung cancer in animal experiment - University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center via www.eurekalert.org

►October 19, 2004 - 'Knowledge discovery' could speed creation of new products - Purdue University

►October 19, 2004 - Human testicular tissue grown in mice - New Scientist

* ►October 19, 2004 - Drugmakers Shift More Production Outside USA - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

* ►October 19, 2004 - Seven European Countries Demand Push on AIDS Vaccine - AFP via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 19, 2004 - Flu May Be Mild This Year - USA Today via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 19, 2004 - Officials Attack Polio With Mandatory Vaccinations - Detroit Free Press via www.immunizationinfo.org (abstract)

►October 19, 2004 - Report: 1.7 Million Veterans Lack Health Insurance - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 19, 2004 - Whooping cough makes a national comeback - CDC reported highest number of cases in nearly forty years - Cohn & Wolfe via www.eurekalert.org - "'Adding a pertussis component to the current tetanus-diphtheria booster vaccine routinely administered to 11 and 12 year olds could help control community outbreaks and protect older children and teens from this serious and highly contagious disease. Such a vaccine is currently being reviewed by the FDA, and may be available in 2005,' Middleman said...Data was collected online between June 11, 2004 - June 17, 2004, with a nationally representative sample of 1,622 parents (both mothers and fathers) of adolescents. The survey was funded by GlaxoSmithKline."

►October 19, 2004 - Complaints Build Across Nation on Flu Vaccine Supplies (requires registration) - The New York Times

►October 19, 2004 - Bangladesh sets target to cut population growth rate to 1% by 2010 - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 19, 2004 - Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome in American Adolescents - journal article (Circulation) 

►October 19, 2004 - Errors in medicine: The patient's perspective - Indiana University via Medical News Today

►October 19, 2004 - Tumour diary: Awkward questions - BBC News Online science and technology writer Ivan Noble was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in August 2002. - Since then he has been sharing his experiences in an online diary. - BBC

* ►October 19, 2004 - Officials attack polio with mandatory vaccinations - Knight Ridder Newspapers via Detroit Free Press - "Repeated visits by vaccinators every six to eight weeks gnaw at some parents' patience. Some children have swallowed the vaccine 20 times; at most, six or seven doses are needed to immunize a child. International health officials insist that overuse of the vaccine isn't harmful."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Med-Instill Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals Announce Long Term Deal on Intact - Med-Instill's innovation eliminates preservatives - a key step in addressing flu vaccine shortage. - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com - "The closed and sterile Intact vial is the only insulator necessary. The chemicals currently added to destroy potential germs, are replaced by a pure physical barrier that prevents contamination. This means higher patient safety levels, and compliance that has been engineered through a relatively simple process."

* ►October 19, 2004 - US health chief defends Chiron flu shot production - Reuters - "'Those are things that happen in pharmaceutical production, whether it be with vaccines or pills. We've just got to recognize it,' he said."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Senate leader calls NH Healthy Kids a national model - The Union Leader - "NHHK President and CEO Tricia Brooks said she invited Frist to address the group after he told a National Press Club audience this summer that he would like to see the country make immunizations and vaccinations available for all children."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Study link between lead, low scores - Denver Post - "The New Orleans study said other factors thought to cause learning problems may just be evidence of lead poisoning."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Maybe It WAS Something You Ate! - PRNewswire via http://interestalert.com - "According to the NIH, Celiac disease affects 3 million people or about 1% of the U.S. population -- 10 times higher than originally estimated," says Fenster. "This makes it far more common than other, more well-known conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or Crohn's disease -- combined," she concludes."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Wolf Popper Files Securities Fraud Class Action Against Chiron Corporation -- CHIR - Primezone

* ►October 19, 2004 - Plight of patients who are denied their rights - The Mental Health Act is failing to protect many people who are detained in hospital — and the Government is failing to provide a remedy - www.timesonline.co.uk

►October 19, 2004 - Watchdogs deny flu vaccine rift - Daily Post, UK via http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk

►October 19, 2004 - Ottawa prepares to help U.S. on flu shots (requires registration or subscription) - Dosanjh willing to send off millions of doses, as long as Canada has enough - André Picard, AP and Reuters via The Globe And Mail

►October 19, 2004 - Don't forget about vaccine for pneumonia germ - AP via Daily Southtown - "But many of the same people most vulnerable to flu also are at high risk from this dangerous bacterial infection. They need the pneumococcal vaccine anyway — and this fall marks a good time to go ahead and get it, especially if they can't find a flu shot."

►October 19, 2004 - Gulf war veterans lead field in health problems (requires registration or subscription) - The Globe And Mail

►October 19, 2004 - Destiny's deadly lead craving - http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk - "Following the diagnosis, Ms Ingles started researching on the internet to find out what she could about lead ingestion and Pica. She found it could cause irritability, restlessness and aggression, Pica pallor, poor learning ability, speech, slow brain development, which tallied with the symptoms displayed by her daughter.  Now the family is moving house and they hope to put the nightmare behind them."

►October 19, 2004 - Aerosols 'harm mother and baby' - Air fresheners and aerosols can damage the health of babies and their mothers, UK research suggests. - BBC

►October 19, 2004 - Diabetes: a story of medical failure - www.iol.co.za - "20 000 children in the UK alone to a regime of injections and rigidly controlled diets."

►October 19, 2004 - Biogen eyeing Irish partner? - Mass. Shares of Elan Corp. jump on news of possible friendly takeover.- The Nashua Telegraph - "Together, Elan and Biogen Idec are developing Antegren, a drug they hope can eventually be used to combat multiple sclerosis."

►October 19, 2004 - U.S. tells seniors: Don't wait in line - AP via The Seattle Times

►October 19, 2004 - County flu shot clinic moved to heated Heinz Field tent after hundreds wait in cold - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

►October 19, 2004 - Flu vaccine distribution determined - Logan Co. vaccinates 400 people - www.pantagraph.com

►October 19, 2004 - State requires pre-approval for new attention deficit disorder drug (requires registration or subscription) - AP via www.kansascity.com - "A state panel of doctors, pharmacists and others decided to require prior authorization for the drug - starting Nov. 1 - because it was being prescribed to treat conditions other than attention deficit disorder or the related attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, state health department spokesman T.J. Bucholz said Tuesday."

►October 19, 2004 - Casino Criticized For Giving Flu Shots To Employees - www.kvvutv.com

►October 19, 2004 - 'Open Access' Medical Journal Provides New Model for Publishing Original, Peer-Reviewed Research; PLoS Medicine Launched on Internet This Week (requires registration or subscription) - Business Wire - "Unlike most medical journals which are available only through costly subscriptions, PLoS Medicine is available free of charge and accessible to everyone through the Internet, at plosmedicine.org. PLoS Medicine is published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a coalition of researchers and physicians founded in 2000 by Nobel Prize winner and former National Institutes of Health Director Harold Varmus, M.D."

►October 19, 2004 - USF St. Pete Campus Awarded Research Grant - http://news.tbo.com - "The research will be done at the USF Center for Autism and at the State University of New York at Albany's Center for Autism."

►October 19, 2004 - MedImmune Promotes Edward Connor, M.D., to Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer and Appoints New Senior Executives - PRNewswire-FirstCall via http://interestalert.com

►October 19, 2004 - United States: Under the Radar, HIV Worsens - Los Angeles Times via www.aegis.org - "Critics said CDC's change in strategy two years ago - from a general educational campaign to one to teach people with HIV/AIDS how to avoid spreading it - has lessened awareness of HIV/AIDS outside the most affected groups."

►October 19, 2004 - New Anti-AIDS Programme launched - Cameroon Tribune (Yaoundé) via http://allafrica.com

►October 19, 2004 - New Pathogen Identification Microarray to Offer Most Comprehensive Single Test for Biodefense - Affymetrix Developing DNA Microarray That Can Rapidly Identify Hundreds of Biological Threats - PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 19, 2004 - Pharmaceuticals to Present at Rodman & Renshaw Techvest 6th Annual Healthcare Conference - PRNewswire-FirstCall - "Through its Ibis Therapeutics(R) program, Isis is developing a biosensor to identify infectious organisms, and discovering small molecule drugs that bind to RNA. As an innovator in RNA-based drug discovery and development, Isis is the owner or exclusive licensee of more than 1,400 issued patents worldwide."

►October 19, 2004 - European Regulatory Application Submitted for PROCLEIX ULTRIO Assay on Fully Automated TIGRIS System - http://news.moneycentral.msn.com - "Chiron is committed to meeting our customers' needs to protect health," said Jack Goldstein, president, Chiron Blood Testing. "We have been pleased with the acceptance of the PROCLEIX ULTRIO Assay in the European Union since the assay received its CE Mark at the beginning of the year, and we believe that the PROCLEIX TIGRIS System would provide blood centers in the European Union with additional convenience and throughput that comes with automation."

►October 19, 2004 - One Million Registered Users for The Lancet Online - PRNewswire

►October 19, 2004 - Under-Tongue Immunotherapy Cuts Asthma in Kids - Reuters Health

►October 19, 2004 - Prophetic Dreams Come 20 Times a Month - October 14 is the beginning of a new lunar month; it also means beginning of a new cycle when the moon waxes and wanes again. During this period people can dream about their future. Diseases can be seen in dreams - http://english.pravda.ru

►October 19, 2004 - Health Highlights: - Officials Urge Seniors to Relax Over Flu Shot Shortage - Schwarzenegger Backs Stem Cell Research - Canadians Say Drug Exports Will Lead to Shortages - 'Sister Study' to Examine Causes of Breast Cancer - Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay via www.hon.ch

►October 19, 2004 - Flu vaccine providers took a random shot - USA Today

►October 19, 2004 - Blame Game over Flu Vaccine Seen as Off Target (includes audio) - Morning Edition via NPR

►October 19, 2004 - Vaccines, lottery-style in New Jersey - AP via Capital News 9

►October 19, 2004 - Flu shot fissures and fears - commentary - UPI via Washington Times

►October 19, 2004 - Experts have been predicting flu shortage for years - USA Today

►October 19, 2004 - Bush tries not to get stuck as flu vaccine runs short - Houston Chronicle

►October 19, 2004 - Flu vaccine shortage - Healthy students won't be getting shots this year - The Easterner Online

►October 19, 2004 - Into the Breach: Companies can help through donating flu vaccines (requires registration) - Dallas Morning News

►October 19, 2004 - Immunization for all - Bringing a spiritual perspective to daily life - Christian Science Monitor

►October 19, 2004 - The difficulties of vaccine storage - The need to refrigerate vaccinations causes no end of difficulties in the developing world. - BBC

* ►October 18, 2004 - Meningococcal Report Raises Further Questions - Ron Law via www.scoop.co.nz - "There have been 88 adverse reaction reports to CARM regarding MeNZB vaccine in less than 2 months, and the Ministry deems that to be evidence of safety warranting no further action -- this is nothing more than spin-doctored Pseudo-science. Did the report consider the fact that one school [at least] had a reported c300 children absent following vaccination (all at once)?"

* ►October 18, 2004 - Military Gets No Special Vaccine Treatment - Deploying Troops Only Ones On Priority List - AP via www.nbc17.com

* ►October 18, 2004 - Seven U.S. States Report Influenza Cases, CDC Says (Correct) - (Corrects timing of plant closing in fourth paragraph.) - Bloomberg - "California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas, which have large numbers of seniors with a high risk of flu complications, reported scattered cases, according to the CDC Web site. Michigan and Utah also said they had virus activity."

* ►October 18, 2004 - Chiron hires Washington lawyer to help in federal probes - San Francisco Business Times

►October 18, 2004 - Internet medical advice risky - UPI via COMTEX via www.nlm.nih.gov

►October 18, 2004 - Universities vie for DFG center - Twenty-two universities want to host a new center in regenerative or cognitive research - The Scientist via www.biomedcentral.com

►October 18, 2004 - Preparing for terrorist attacks - The Journal News

►October 18, 2004 - Japan To Have Double Standard On BSE Testing - Dow Jones Newswires via www.agprofessional.com - "In a step already under fire from restaurant operators, Japan is now expected to allow shipments of U.S. beef not tested for mad cow disease even while helping domestic localities continue blanket testing, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Saturday morning edition."

►October 18, 2004 - Army research division to work with GTC Biotherapeutics on Ebola treatment - www.masshightech.com - "Although there have been reports of recent successes with candidate vaccines and post-exposure therapeutics, there are currently no approved treatment strategies for these viruses."
 
►October 18, 2004 - Hypnion, Inc. Relocates Corporate Headquarters and Research Operations to Lexington, Massachusetts (requires registration or subscription) - Facility expands as biotech firm continues growth - PRNewswire via COMTEX via CBS MarketWatch - "Hypnion is a neuroscience drug discovery company whose objective is to become the worldwide leader in sleep-wake neurobiology and pharmaceutical development. The company was founded by prominent and highly regarded scientists in the field of sleep disorder research to enable the discovery and development of novel therapies."

►October 18, 2004 - Peakadilly nv biopharmaceutical firm created - VIB, Flanders Interuniversity Institute of Biotechnology - www.eurekalert.org - "The bio-markers will also enable doctors to detect diseases sooner and, because many medicines work effectively only with a limited group of patients, doctors will also be able to verify whether a particular medicine will work for certain patients. Peakadilly will be led by Koen Kas, who has been closely involved in the development of the technology platform."

►October 18, 2004 - Oats not safe for all patients with celiac disease - Public Library of Science via www.eurekalert.org

►October 18, 2004 - H. pylori tips off host - Pathogenic bug is shown to trigger inflammation by injecting peptidoglycan. But why? - The Scientist via www.biomedcentral.com

►October 18, 2004 - Therapy treats eye problems in children that cause some to be misdiagnosed with learning disabilities (requires registration or subscription) - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 18, 2004 - Young Las Vegas Girl Living With Misdiagnosed Disease - www.kvbc.com - "A Las Vegas girl has a rare condition, so rare she was misdiagnosed most of her life, which is why her family has agreed to share her story with us."

►October 18, 2004 - Disabilities advocates want voices heard - Candidates' forum draws range of concerned voters - Concord Monitor

►October 18, 2004 - Get the wider picture on autism - The Belfast Telegraph

►October 18, 2004 - Diegel develops program for autistic granddaughter - The Times-Bulletin

►October 18, 2004 - Learning is a low priority (requires registration or subscription) - Concern Over Absenteeism Violence, Teacher Shortage Keep Inmates Out Of Class - The Mercury News

►October 18, 2004 - Flu shots put seniors, sick on the hunt - Chicago Sun-Times

►October 18, 2004 - The Flu and You - ABC News

►October 18, 2004 - Flu-Shot Anxiety - How to prepare for a winter season of vaccine shortages (requires subscription for full article) - TIME Magazine

►October 18, 2004 - Swampscott flu immunization draws hundreds - The Daily Item of Lynn - "Except for a few squabbles that developed over places in line, Stevens said there were relatively few problems beyond basic crowd control."

►October 18, 2004 - The Politics of the Flu Vaccine Shortage (includes audio) - Morning Edition via NPR

►October 18, 2004 - Cheney Blames Flu Crisis on Lawsuit Worries (requires registration) - AP via The Mercury News

►October 18, 2004 - MPs to be given a chance to grill Mbeki - www.iol.co.za

►October 18, 2004 - Africa needs regional vaccination campaigns for its children: Wade - AFP via Yahoo!

►October 18, 2004 - 'Respiratory etiquette' - With Flu Vaccines In Short Supply, Experts Urge Common-Sense Prevention - The Mercury News

►October 18, 2004 - Juvenile Crohn's disease 'more common in affluent areas' - Patient Health International

►October 18, 2004 - UK Develops Cheap Child Vaccine for World's Poor - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 18, 2004 - Flu Shot Shortage Prompts U.S. Political Debate - Reuters via Yahoo!

►October 18, 2004 - Hospital has vaccines for employees - The News-Courier

►October 18, 2004 - In Our View: Greedy opportunists - opinion - Texarkana Gazette

►October 18, 2004 - Meningitis Vaccine - www.wilx.com

* ►October 17, 2004 - Lead Toxicity, Free Radicals and AIDS: Is There a Connection? - www.independent-media.tv

* ►October 6, 2004 - Journalists warn of helping drug giants 'market disease' - Science and Development Network - "Science journalists have accused drug companies of issuing misleading information to inflate perceptions of disease threats and maximise profits from drug sales, and have called for greater journalistic scrutiny of the companies' activities."

►October 2004 - Genetic Susceptibility to Sepsis: A Possible Role for Mannose-binding Lectin - journal article (Current Infectious Disease Reports)

►October 2004 - Advances in pharmacogenomics and individualized drug therapy: exciting challenges that lie ahead - journal article (European Journal of Pharmacology)

►October 2004 - Pharmacogenetics of irinotecan toxicity - journal article (Pharmacogenomics)

►October 2004 - Pharmacogenetics of methotrexate - journal article (Pharmacogenomics)

►October 2004 - Harnessing the potential of cancer genetics in healthcare - journal article (Lancet Oncology)

►October 2004 - Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Its Role as a Human Pathogen - journal article (Clinical Microbiology Reviews)

►October 2004 - Gastroesophageal reflux disease beyond infancy - journal article (Pediatrics International)

►October 2004 - Effects of bifidobacterium breve supplementation on intestinal flora of low birth weight infants - journal article (Pediatrics International) 

►October 2004 - Early Forms of Relatedness in Autism: A Longitudinal Clinical and Quantitative Single-Case Study - journal article (Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry)

►October 2004 - 18-year follow-up study of a prospective randomized trial of hepatitis B vaccinations without booster doses in children - journal article (Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

Nothing posted October 21, 2004

Posted October 20, 2004

* ►October 20, 2004 - Kerry Discovers Flu Vaccine Shortage in Battle Against Bush - Bloomberg - "Under Bush's presidency, spending on flu-related programs increased from $39 million to $215 million, Pierce said....'We have been doing a great deal to broaden, diversify and expand' the supply of flu vaccines, Pierce said. In the corporate tax bill Congress enacted Oct. 11, the government will indemnify flu-vaccine makers against claims of injury from shots, he said."

* ►October 20, 2004 - CDC: Flu season off to slower than normal start - Only 5 cases reported nationwide - The number of flu cases in the nation is lower than usual at this time of year, a top U.S. health official said on Wednesday. - CNN

►October 20, 2004 - Bush, Kerry trade blows over flu vaccine shortage - BBC via www.abc.net.au

* ►October 20, 2004 - B.C. to give low-mercury flu shot - Special dosage for kids, pregnant women was developed because of fears based on faulty study - Vancouver Sun via www.canada.com - "Experts say there is not enough mercury preservative in either that vaccine or other stocks to be harmful, but the province's top health officer says he knows public perception can kill even a good health campaign...'There was a sense that some parents might refuse a beneficial vaccine out of concern about mercury exposure,' provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said Tuesday....'And while this is not backed by science, we'd rather people got vaccinated, and maybe more people will now,' he said."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Report: Chiron had vaccine quality doubts - UPI via Washington Times - "Vaccine-maker Chiron Corp. had doubts about quality control eight days before the British government closed its plant, the Wall Street Journal reports...A draft news release dated Sept. 27 and reviewed by the newspaper said 'internal quality-assurance confirmatory testing' of its Fluvirin vaccine had "failed to provide results necessary to permit release of the vaccine to the market'...However, the next day, the company instead issued a release stating its intention to ship some 48 million flu vaccines to the United States on time."

►October 20, 2004 - The truths, myths of flu vaccine - The Vancouver Province via www.canada.com - "Province staff reporter Lora Grindlay spoke with B.C.'s provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall about the truths and myths behind the vaccine."

►October 20, 2004 - Tackling the flu shot frenzy at Heinz Field - Observer-Reporter - "The elderly eager for flu vaccinations stood in line for shots Tuesday in a tent, a makeshift Allegheny County Health Department clinic beside a football stadium...The health office was temporarily moved to Heinz Field after droves waited outside in chilly weather for the shots Monday at the department's Oakland site."

►October 20, 2004 - Ga. officials say more flu vaccine on the way - Some counties report they're running low on supplies (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

* ►October 20, 2004 - US fears over vaccine shortage - Daily Post via http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk - "Director of the American Society of Pharmacists, Kasey Thompson said: 'We are very concerned that the current environment of extremely short supply coupled with high demand will increase the potential for counterfeit vaccine to appear in the nation's drug supply chain.'"

►October 20, 2004 - Flu shot ordeal may be worse than the virus (requires registration) - The Mercury News

►October 20, 2004 - Drive-through flu shot clinic goes smoothly - No Lack of Vaccine For Small Crowd At San Mateo County Expo Center (requires registration) - The Mercury News

►October 20, 2004 - Local health department has few vaccines to offer - Daily Republican Register

* ►October 20, 2004 - Flu-vaccine process gets a shot in the arm - Denver Post - "Aventis Pasteur, the world's largest producer of egg-based flu vaccine, began work this year on a vaccine derived from embryonic stem cells. The cell line belongs to Dutch biotech company Crucell...Growing flu vaccine in human cells is safer than working with monkey or other mammalian cells because there is no risk of animal viruses slipping undetected into the shots, said Michel DeWilde, an Aventis research and development executive....'It's not worth the risk,' said DeWilde"

* ►October 20, 2004 - Mix-up halts free flu shots for many in Central Florida - Vaccines to have been doled out today in Central Florida lack FDA approval. - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - "Get Healthy Florida bought its vaccines from Taylor's Pharmacy in Winter Park. Store owner Allen Deaver said he ordered the doses through a major wholesaler, McKesson Corp. When Deaver opened the shipment, he said, he was surprised to see they were not Aventis vaccines. Nonetheless, Deaver sent them to physicians' offices and Get Healthy Florida. He could not say how many doctors had received the vials or whether they had been given to patients...'We still thought it was OK,' Deaver said. 'I honestly didn't know. All I know is that we have patients out there who need vaccines'...For now, the vaccines are not licensed for use in the United States, although U.S. officials are negotiating with ID Biomedical to potentially secure a "small amount" of doses."

* ►October 20, 2004 - FDA stops unauthorized flu vaccine from being distributed (requires registration) - AP via Orlando Sentinel via Miami Herald - "Food and Drug Administration officials had no details about the mix-up Tuesday. They were investigating how the unlicensed vaccines ended up being shipped."

►October 20, 2004 - Hunt is on for flu shots - Vaccine shortage vexes seniors (requires registration) - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

►October 20, 2004 - Dozen Ore. counties face 'severe' shortage of flu vaccine (requires registration) - www.kgw.com

►October 20, 2004 - More Flu Vaccines May Be On The Way - www.keloland.com - "Currently 12 South Dakota counties are without any vaccine at all. People who live in those places are being asked to be patient while the resources are pooled. Those 12 counties are at the top of the list to receive vaccine once it becomes available."

►October 20, 2004 - Federal Officials: There Will be Enough Flu Vaccines for Kentuckiana At-Risk Residents - Fox 41 News - "Doctors from two federal agencies: Medicare Services and the Health Services Administration say people should not panic. They suggest standing in a line long line where you can get other peoples' germs may do more harm than good."

►October 20, 2004 - Specialist Suggests Pregnant Women Request Influenza Vaccine - Cedars-Sinai Medical Center via Newswise

►October 20, 2004 - MedImmune Initiates Phase 3 Clinical Trial Comparing Intranasal Influenza Vaccine With Injectable Flu Vaccine - Company Also Completes Patient Enrollment in Bridging Study Comparing Refrigerator-Stable Formulation With Currently Marketed Frozen FluMist(R) - New Studies are Pivotal Part of Broad Plan for Intranasal Influenza Vaccine Technology - press release - MedImmune, Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 20, 2004 - Limited Supply of Flu Vaccine to be Distributed - Grundy County Health Department will receive a limited supply of influenza vaccine. All available doses will be given to individuals in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) designated priority risk groups. - The Grundy County Herald via www.zwire.com

* ►October 20, 2004 - U.S. not ready for health crisis, experts say - Seattle Post-Intelligencer - "'If we use up the entire vaccine supply every year, that should be sufficient incentive to draw companies back into the marketplace,' said Dr. Robert Belshe, who directs the Center for Vaccine Development at Saint Louis University, financed by the National Institutes of Health."

►October 20, 2004 - Hospital emergency physicians bracing for influenza outbreak - Tribune-Review via The Valley Independent via www.pittsburghlive.com

►October 20, 2004 - Canada's reaction mixed to sharing its flu vaccine - Washington Post via The Seattle Times

►October 20, 2004 - Doctors: Don’t panic over flu - The Virginia Gazette

►October 20, 2004 - County, Grand View cancel flu vaccination program - Both Bucks County and Grand View Hospital have cancelled this year's flu vaccination program after being unable to get vaccine. - News-Herald via www.zwire.com

►October 20, 2004 - How to Prevent Another Flu-Shot Crisis - This season's shortage is a wake-up call. Uncle Sam needs to change his ways to ensure the safety of all Americans - commentary - BusinessWeek

* ►October 20, 2004 - Half-dose flu shots for the healthy? - Newsday - "Given the current vaccine shortage in the United States, federal authorities say it makes sense to assess possible use of half-strength doses of some available vaccine to serve more people."

►October 20, 2004 - Influenza risks for the at-risk - Denver Post

►October 20, 2004 - Hospitals ask for patience - Quad-City Times

►October 20, 2004 - State health commissioner 'almost confident' vaccine will reach at risk patients - AP via Newsday

►October 20, 2004 - No more vaccine shortages - With the risk of illness and death from the flu, the U.S. must assure enough vaccine every year. - editorial - Des Moines Register

►October 20, 2004 - PC Nursing Service receives Caring for Colorado grant - Lamar Daily News - "The grant will support the Nursing Service's Immunization Program that will build a coordinated system with all childhood immunization providers in Prowers County to increase childhood immunization rates."

* ►October 20, 2004 - Govt's polio programme suffers setback - www.ndtv.com - "Sixty-nine polio cases have been reported from around the country this year and 48 from Uttar Pradesh alone....But what is perhaps more alarming is that many of the young patients had been administered the polio drops....However, WHO experts, who have been inspecting the area frequently, say this isn't unusual in a tropical country...Since the polio virus is active here, the usual three doses of the vaccine is not enough to immunise children. It takes at least six continuous doses for the body to develop antibodies."

►October 20, 2004 - Post-polio brings new challenges - March of Dimes' former director facing old foe again. - South Bend Tribune

* ►October 20, 2004 - Campaign to defeat polio - Children were pioneers, some reluctant, of medical history - South Bend Tribune

►October 20, 2004 - Medical Community Concerned Over the Rise in Whooping Cough - Arutz Sheva via www.israelnn.com

►October 20, 2004 - Youth Cases Of Whooping Cough 4 Times Higher This Year - Disease Can Make Babies Stop Breathing - www.channel3000.com

►October 20, 2004 - Thailand Orders Cull of Tigers with Bird Flu - Reuters

►October 20, 2004 - VaxGen Begins Clinical Development of its Attenuated Smallpox Vaccine Candidate - press release - VaxGen, Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall via www.pharmalive.com

►October 20, 2004 - Dynavax to Present Data on Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Hepatitis B Vaccine at ICAAC - press release - Dynavax Technologies via PRNewswire-FirstCall

►October 20, 2004  - SA Govt warns travellers of measles risk - www.abc.net.au

►October 20, 2004 - Health Tip: A Shingles Source of Chickenpox - HealthDay via Yahoo!

►October 20, 2004 - OraSure Announces Launch of OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test; Initial Shipments Expected in Early November 2004 - press release - OraSure Technologies, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 20, 2004 - HIV figures reach record number - The number of people in Scotland diagnosed with HIV has risen to the highest quarterly total on record. - BBC

►October 20, 2004 - Potential threat eyed as Philippines enjoys low HIV/AIDS prevalence - Xinhuanet via China View

►October 20, 2004 - Soldier sentenced in HIV cases (requires registration) - The Post & Courier via www.charleston.net

►October 20, 2004 - Dirty, illegal blood stations shut down - China Daily

►October 20, 2004 - Unexpected Neurological Damage Spreads with West Nile Virus; Heightens Concern in Healthcare Community - Hemispherix Biopharma Actively Enrolling Patients in the Only Existing National Clinical Trial of a New Therapeutic Agent - press release - Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. via Business Wire

►October 20, 2004 - Autism Expert from Australia, Speaker at “Autism/Aspergers 2004” Conference in Buffalo, NY - World autism expert, Dr. Attwood, speaking at one day conference in Buffalo, NY, on Aspergers Syndrome and High Functioning Autism, Wednesday, October 20, 2004 - press release - Disability News & Views via PRWeb via www.emediawire.com

►October 20, 2004 - Five people treated in Namibia anthrax outbreak - Reuters AlertNet

►October 20, 2004 - e-FoodSafety's Anthrax Sporocidal Testing Results Expected Ahead of Schedule - press release - e-FoodSafety.com via Business Wire

►October 20,2004 - Gene chip speeds pathogen detection (requires registration) - Mercury News via Miami Herald

►October 20, 2004 - Pharms Take Root in South Africa - Wired News - "Most people probably wouldn't associate the leafy green tobacco plant with saving lives. But to Dr. Blessed Okole, the maligned cash crop is a potential gold mine of affordable medicine and vaccines for the overlooked diseases afflicting the developing world."

►October 20, 2004 - Mercury study to be released - Asheville Citizen-Times

►October 20, 2004 - Paying a little more would cut mercury a lot, group says - Chicago Sun-Times

►November 2004 - Predictive genetic testing in young people: When is it appropriate? - journal article (Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health)

* ►October 20, 2004 - Health Minister says meningococcal vaccine safe - The Health Ministry is confident in the safety of its meningococcal vaccination despite its rejection by Norway, Health Minister Annette King said yesterday. - NZPA via www.stuff.co.nz

* ►October 20, 2004 - British vaccine breakthrough could save millions of lives - The Telegraph, UK - "Scientists have copied a preservation method - used by plants in extreme environments - to protect vaccines from degenerating at air temperature. This will allow for cheaper and safer public health programmes, even in remote areas."

►October 20, 2004 - Minnesota asks health care workers to skip flu shots (requires registration) - Minneapolis Star Tribune

►October 20, 2004 - Polio Eradication Goal Still Elusive (requires subscription for full article) - journal article (JAMA)

►October 20, 2004 - Emerging Infectious Diseases - A Clear and Present Danger to Humanity (requires subscription for full article) - journal article (JAMA) 

►October 20, 2004 - Expert attacks HIV baby-risk 'whitewash' - Up to five children a year will be infected with HIV at birth if universal testing of pregnant women is delayed, an infectious diseases specialist says. - The Dominion Post via www.stuff.co.nz

►October 20, 2004 - Thailand confirms 23 tigers die of bird flu - Xinhuanet via China View

* ►October 20, 2004 - Flu-shot worries spur debate over federal role - Some see reliance on just two companies as flawed, but other experts say talk of a crisis should be softened. - The Christian Science Monitor - "Amid media coverage and public concern, some experts say perspective is needed. The term 'flu vaccine shortage' isn't quite correct, says Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. 'We'll actually be vaccinating more people this year than we vaccinated in 1999. Part of what's happened is a major escalation in the number of people vaccinated because there's been such an active promotion of flu vaccine'...The US gives flu vaccine to the highest percentage of its population of any country in the world, Dr. Osterholm says, adding that even this year the percentage will be among the highest in the world."

* ►October 20, 2004 - No Flu Vaccine Shortage At Capitol - Hill's Doctor Urges Members to Get Shots (requires registration) - Washington Post - "Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tenn.), a heart surgeon, sent letters urging his 99 colleagues to get the shots because they mingle and shake hands with so many people, his spokeswoman, Amy Call, said. She said she did not know how many senators have taken his advice."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Vaccine survey shows trouble at DAFB - Review of data shows those who got anthrax shot at Dover were more likely to fall ill - The News Journal via www.delawareonline.com - "Walter Schumm, a professor at Kansas State University and a retired colonel in the Army Reserve, analyzed a 4-year-old survey by former Air Force Capt. Jean Tanner. In 2000, Tanner surveyed the troops in her unit in Dover and found that 32 percent who received the anthrax vaccine had such symptoms as severe joint pain, memory loss and arthritis."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Doctors warn of flu shot 'disaster' - Organization urges Bush to call summit - San Francisco Chronicle

►October 19, 2004 - Doctors call flu season `potential catastrophe' (requires registration) - The Mercury News

►October 19, 2004 - Bush Reassures Elders on Flu Vaccination - President Bush Reassures Older Americans That Those Most Vulnerable Will Get Flu Vaccine - AP via ABC News

►October 19, 2004 - CDC urges patience as more flu shots are shipped out - AP via www.al.com

►October 19, 2004 -The Claim: Flu vaccination can bring about influenza - New York Times News Service via The Arizona Republic via www.azcentral.com

* ►October 19, 2004 - Bush Blames Defect for Flu Shot Shortage - President Bush Blames 'Manufacturing Defect' for Flu Vaccine Shortage During Fla. Campaign Stop - AP via ABC News

* ►October 19, 2004 - Bush Hits Kerry on Flu Vaccine Crisis, Draft - Reuters via Yahoo! - "'I know there are some here who are worried about the flu season," Bush said...'I want to assure them that our government is doing everything possible to help older Americans and children to get their shots,' he said, adding that millions of vaccine doses were on hand for those who need them the most and more was being rushed in...Bush's comments came a day after Kerry had warned participants at a Florida rally that under Bush's plan, 'you don't have a prayer of getting a flu shot.'"

* ►October 19, 2004 - Kerry says government should buy flu vaccine - As part of his plan to repair the nation's ailing flu vaccine program, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Tuesday that the government should buy any unused doses at the end of the flu season in order to encourage companies to produce more vaccine. - CBS Marketwatch - "According to a release from the Kerry-Edwards campaign on Tuesday, a Kerry presidency would also seek to strengthen the government's Vaccine Injury Compensation Program in order to ease the liability burden on vaccine makers."

►October 19, 2004 - Campaigns Battle Over Vaccine as U.S. Seeks More Doses (requires registration or subscription) - The New York Times

►October 19, 2004 - Kerry Campaign Launches Radio Ad in Florida on Bush Flu Failures - press release - Kerry-Edwards 2004 via U.S. Newswire

* ►October 19, 2004 - Project becomes political fodder after mixing voting, flu shots (requires registration) - AP via The Mercury News - "Carolina Medical Review, a Columbia-based group that gets federal money to promote immunizations, sent bulk mail to six of South Carolina's poorest counties earlier this month promoting its 'Vaccinate & Vote' program."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Canada says it can share some flu vaccine with U.S. - Licensing in time for use this year in serious doubt - AP via South Florida Sun-Sentinel - "Canada might have more than 2 million doses of surplus flu vaccine to help the United States battle a serious shortage, health officials said yesterday, although U.S. officials have cautioned that imports were unlikely to be licensed in time for this flu season."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Canadian flu vaccine may be let into States as 'experimental drug': FDA - CP via www.canada.com - "Surplus influenza vaccine from Canada may be imported to the United States as an experimental drug, U.S. authorities suggested Tuesday."

* ►October 19, 2004 - FDA searches worldwide for more flu vaccine - AP via San Diego Union-Tribune - "Federal health officials said Tuesday that 2.6 million additional doses of flu vaccine will be available in January, far fewer than the 48 million lost to contamination at a British manufacturing plant."

* ►October 19, 2004 - HHS Says Supply of Flu Vaccines, Medicines Will Help Keep People Safe During Coming Flu Season - Department Stockpiles Medicine, Coordinates Flu Response, Invests in New Technology - press release - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

* ►October 19, 2004 - Sanofi-Aventis Will Supply 2.6 Million More Flu Shots (Update1) - Bloomberg - "The extra shipments from Paris-based Sanofi-Aventis will raise the amount of U.S. flu vaccine to 60 million, including 2 million doses of MedImmune Inc.'s FluMist nasal spray, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson on a telephone call with reporters."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Americans head north for flu shots - AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer

* ►October 19, 2004 - Lawmakers Got Flu Shots on Medical Advice (requires registration) - AP via Miami Herald - "Some members of Congress got flu shots before they headed home to campaign this month, despite the vaccine shortage. They were following the advice of the Capitol physician....It was unclear how many lawmakers were vaccinated, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a heart-lung transplant surgeon, was among them, Frist spokesman Bob Stevenson said. Frist got his shot before the new guidelines were issued, Stevenson said."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Legislators to hold hearing on flu vaccine shortage - AP via Newsday - "Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist, said last week that the state does not know how much vaccine is in Connecticut because Aventis Pasteur won't reveal how much it has sent or is sending to its customers. The company considers that proprietary information."

* ►October 19, 2004 - U.S. negotiating flu vaccine deal with Canada - CTV - "Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said Tuesday it was 'possible' ID Biomedical's vaccine could be available to Americans before the end of the flu season...However, people might be required to sign consent forms to use it, he told NBC's Today show."

* ►October 19, 2004 - Studies of flu vaccines are launched - Newsday - "Several rounds of studies are quickly getting under way to address a flurry of questions about flu vaccines, as federal experts consider the possibility of recommending flu shots to all age groups as early as next year."

►October 19, 2004 - Leftover flu vaccine may not help U.S., official says 2.2 million shots `a small contribution' — and still uncertain Americans looking for 48 million doses to cover flu season - The Toronto Star - "Ontario bought 5.5 million shots for this year's flu season, and offers immunizations free to all residents. Last year, 43 per cent used the program."

►October 19, 2004 - Flu vaccine Q&A (requires registration) - The Globe and Mail - "As flu season approaches, the U.S. has a severe shortage of influenza vaccine, generating great concern in public-health and political circles. It has also prompted many questions from readers worried about the security of Canada's supply. Public-health reporter ANDRÉ PICARD answers some of your questions."

►October 19, 2004 - Need flu vaccine? Give Red Cross a shot (requires registration) - The Kansas City Star - "No long lines. No impatient grumblers. Just plenty of flu vaccine and not many takers...That was the scene Monday at the central branch of the Kansas City Public Library, where the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross was giving out flu shots."

►October 19, 2004 - Health officials accused of failing to distribute flu vaccine supply appropriately - New York Times/AP via International Herald Tribune

►October 19, 2004 - U.S. to get more flu vaccine in January - AP via USA Today

►October 19, 2004 - Carrington's Nasal Technology for Flu Vaccines to Complete Human Safety Trials Early Next Year - Interview in The Wall Street Transcript Details Moves to Transform Solid Base Into Faster Growing, Higher Margin Business - press release - Carrington Laboratories, Inc. via PRNewswire-FirstCall via Yahoo! - "Unlike the currently marketed nasal mist flu vaccine which is not cleared for those under 6 or over 50 years of age, Carrington's technology would overcome this negative, eliminate cold chain distribution problems and can be self administered. The platform can deliver the normal form of killed flu virus which is the basis of current injectable flu shots."

►October 19, 2004 - Flu immunizations test Chesco on bioterrorism - and phones (requires registration) - Philadelphia Inquirer

►October 19, 2004 - Timeline: Flu vaccine development - CTV

►October 19, 2004 - HHS Cites Tamiflu in New Antiviral Guidelines for Preventing, Treating Influenza - Antivirals to Play Greater Role with Vaccine Shortage - Roche via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 19, 2004 - County receives fewer than 200 doses of vaccine - Washington Evening Journal via www.zwire.com

►October 19, 2004 - Ideology and Flu Vaccine - editorial (requires registration) - Los Angeles Times

►October 19, 2004 - Pneumonia vaccine may be next best thing to flu shot - www.kcentv.com

►October 19, 2004 - More Flu Vaccines Headed To Massachusetts - High-Risk Residents Urged To Get Shot (includes video) - www.thebostonchannel.com

►October 19, 2004 - Get Healthy Florida Delays Free Flu Shots - www.wesh.com

►October 19, 2004 - EB donates 800 doses of flu vaccine to R.I. (requires registration) - The Providence Journal

►October 19, 2004 - Mass vaccination exercise provides flu shots to 7,855 - Lamar Daily News

►October 19, 2004 - Mike Nixes Flu 'Fines' - New York Post

►October 19, 2004 - First case of flu in Minnesota; health officials deal with vaccine shortage (requires registration) - AP via Duluth News Tribune

►October 19, 2004 - Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit offers flu clinics - The Orangeville Banner - "For the fifth consecutive year, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will be offering free flu vaccine to all residents of Ontario over the age of six months."

►October 19, 2004 - Turning to another flu fighter - The Intelligencer via www.phillyburbs.com

►October 19, 2004 - Gainesville health office swamped with flu calls - www.accessnorthga.com - "The North Health District Office in Gainesville is being swarmped with calls about flu vaccine and officials have put out a request for those calls to stop."

►October 19, 2004 - Flu shot frenzy - Scores wait in line for scarce vaccine - The Courier

►October 19, 2004 - Health Department overwhelmed with number seeking flu vaccines - The Leaf-Chronicle

* ►October 19, 2004 - Shooting down some flu worries - Newsday - "Most fascinating is that the immunizations protect against only a few strains, with scientists guessing months in advance which strains are most likely to infect us. But there are more than three or four strains, and these also infect people...The rising death toll may be partly due to mutations. That means the flu bug morphs into something more lethal, outsmarting our vaccines."

►October 19, 2004 - Employee Health Education May Be the 'Best Medicine' - American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Offers Tips to Help Employers Weather the Flu Season - press release - American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Inc. via PRNewswire

►October 19, 2004 - County gives out last flu shot - The Daily Herald via www.harktheherald.com

►October 19, 2004 - The Good Virus - Reovirus' New Role as Cancer Fighter - press release - Oncolytics Biotech via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 19, 2004 - Study will examine if diet can ease autism symptoms - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

►October 19, 2004 - 'It's getting worse for vulnerable parents' - Two months ago, health.telegraph explored the problem of children being taken into care after their parents had been falsely accused of ill-treatment. Since then, reports Cassandra Jardine, more than 40 couples have defied the rules of secrecy to tell of their own experiences - The Telegraph, UK

* ►October 19, 2004 - Forget the fridge, wait for vaccine in sugarbox - Indo-British venture announces breakthrough, human trials next year - The Indian Express - "Indian and British biotech scientists who started work in 2001 on a vaccine that can be stored without refrigeration, announced on Tuesday that their breakthrough will cut the cost of vaccinating a single child from $30 to roughly $10."

►October 19, 2004 - Uncooled vaccines could revolutionise public health - AFP via Hindustan Times

►October 19, 2004 - Vaccine Policies Need a Booster - Tech Central Station

►October 19, 2004 - Whooping Cough Makes a National Comeback, Hitting Adolescents Extremely Hard in the U.S., and Putting Infants at Risk - CDC Reported Highest Number of Cases in Nearly Forty Years; Almost Forty Percent of Those in Adolescents - press release - Society for Adolescent Medicine via PRNewswire - "The survey was funded by GlaxoSmithKline."

►October 19, 2004 - Whooping cough strikes county - Officials: Nearly 4 times as many cases reported this year - Iowa City Press-Citizen

►October 19, 2004 - Air France Joins American Red Cross in Fight Against Measles; Donating Tickets for Madagascar & Togo Vaccination Trips This Fall - press release - Air France and the American Red Cross via U.S. Newswire - "Air France and the American Red Cross are one year into a three-year agreement launched in September 2003 to work together in the Measles Initiative, a program designed to vaccinate 200 million at-risk children against measles in Africa and ultimately eliminate measles deaths from the African continent."

►October 19, 2004 - County health workers setting up to fight possible plague on city's westside - The Gazette

►October 19, 2004 - Army sergeant sentenced for infecting others with HIV - AP via The State

►October 19, 2004 - Africa: Future Tied to Keeping HIV-Positive Alive - UN Integrated Regional Information Networks via http://allafrica.com

►October 19, 2004 - Health Secretary Announces $1 Million Grant for HIV Prevention - Philadelphia HIV/AIDS Rates 3 Times Higher Than State Average - press release - Pennsylvania Department of Health via PRNewswire via Yahoo!

►October 19, 2004 - Hepatitis C Ups Risk of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - HealthDay via For