November  8, 2003                   

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Children and elderly at risk as killer flu strain reaches Britain - The Independent, UK - "A potentially deadly strain of the flu virus has entered Britain and may lead to a serious outbreak this winter, experts warned yesterday..."It is especially important for children over six months of age, who fall into the at-risk groups, to be vaccinated," Dr Watson said."  -  Why are they recommending the vaccine when there is apparently so much uncertainty concerning it's utility against this flu virus? (See next article)

Vaccine doubts for new flu virus - The Sunday Post - "Doctors bracing themselves for an outbreak of a deadly flu virus are still not certain whether it can be countered by the currently available vaccine...The Fujian strain of the bug, which has claimed the lives of at least four British children already this winter, is not present in the stocks being used for the vaccination programme."

Researcher from study alleging link between MMR and autism warns of measles epidemic - journal article - BMJ

Use of injections in healthcare settings worldwide, 2000: literature review and regional estimates - journal article - BMJ - "Conclusions Overuse of injections and unsafe practices are still common in developing and transitional countries. An urgent need exists to use injections safely and appropriately, to prevent healthcare associated infections with HIV and other bloodborne pathogens.^"

Innovative Administration Systems for Vaccines - DHHS - conference alert -  December 18-19, 2003, Rockville, MD

Developmental Factors in Infancy and Childhood - University of Tennessee, Martin research alert

Hepatitis Outbreak Claims One Life - AP via The Atlanta-Journal Constitution

Pet ownership makes rabies more dangerous than SARS in China - AFP via Khaleej Times

Islamic Countries Mobilise for Polio Eradication - This Day
 

Breast cancer vaccine 'breakthrough' - Telegraph, UK - "A vaccine designed to fight the deadliest form of breast cancer has been tested successfully in the United States, in a breakthrough that offers hope to thousands of victims."

Midwest research looks at cows to produce vaccines - Greenwich Time - "Research to help defend against diseases that could be spread by bioterrorists is being carried out in the pastures of northwest Iowa...Calves have been genetically engineered to produce human antibodies - their immune systems reacting to infection as a human's would - to defend against diseases such as smallpox, botulism and anthrax."

MPs Concerned By Cattle Disease - New Vision via www.allafrica.com

Secretary of Health Issues Statement Regarding Hepatitis A Outbreak In Beaver County, Pennsylvania - PRNewswire via www.globeinvestor.com

Reframing HIV and AIDS - journal article - BMJ

WHO lacks teeth on international health issues, says professor - journal article - BMJ

Israel Orders Halt to Use of Soy Baby Food Product - Reuters via Yahoo!

US food industry ensures that consumers are not told to eat less - journal article - BMJ

The Lancet, Table of Contents - Volume 362, Number 9395

Redflagsdaily.com - www.redflagsweekly.com