Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

September 27, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Study: Hepatitis Shots Show Promise"

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (09/25/02); Johnson, Linda A.

A Roche study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, finds that a combination of Pegasys and ribavirin eliminates hepatitis C in 56 percent of patients.  The standard treatment of ribavirin and a shorter-acting form of interferon cured 44 percent of patients.  The Pegasys group was less likely to report flu symptoms and depression. Cases of liver damage from hepatitis C are expected to increase in the next few years.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.