Objective To assess the acceptability of pre-pandemic influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in public hospitals in Hong Kong and the effect of escalation in the World Health Organization�s alert level for an influenza pandemic.Design Repeated cross sectional studies using self administered, anonymous questionnairesSetting ...

Interim Pre-pandemic Planning Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation Guidance: Community Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Mitigation in the United States-- EarlyGuidanceDevelopmentProcess Appendix3. WHOPhasesofaPandemic/U.S.GovernmentStagesofaPandemic Appendix4. PandemicInfluenza

... Title : Cold-Chain Logistics: A Study of the Department of the Defense OCONUS Pre-Pandemic Influenza Vaccine Distribution Network. ...

The purpose of this MBA project is to suggest a standardized distribution process for the DoD of the Pandemic Influenza vaccine, filling an existing void in the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. Also, this project is intended to foster the communi...

Interspecies transmission of high pathogenicity (HP) H7N7 subtype avian influenza viruses in the Netherlands in 2003 caused zoonotic infections in 89 people, including one fatal case of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Public health preparedness approaches against emerging HP H7N7 influenza vir...

This document provides interim planning guidance for State, territorial, tribal, and local communities that focuses on several measures other than vaccination and drug treatment that might be useful during an influenza pandemic to reduce its harm. Communi...

The current public health strategy for the containment of influenza is annual vaccination, which is recommended for the elderly and for those in risk factor categories that present the highest morbidity and mortality. However, because the immune response in the elderly is known to be less vigorous than in younger adults, research in the last decade has focused on improving the ...

In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a candidate attenuated H5N1 pre-pandemic influenza vaccine of clade 2.3.4, rgAnhui, which was reverse genetically generated from highly virulent A/Anhui/01/2005 (H5N1) wild-type virus. When a low-dose antigen (0.3?g HA) vaccine was combined with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant, virus ...

Influenza represents a public health paradox. The virus is responsible for significant death, disease and economic loss. However, despite the availability of safe and efficacious vaccines, uptake is poor. While policy makers increasingly recognize the value of annual immunization, and vaccine supply is increasing, further efforts are required to implement existing vaccination ...

It is known that physical linkage of TLR ligands and vaccine antigens significantly enhances the immunopotency of the linked antigens. We have used this approach to generate novel influenza vaccines that fuse the globular head domain of the protective hemagglutinin (HA) antigen with the potent TLR5 ligand, flagellin. These fusion proteins are efficiently expressed in standard ...

BackgroundPre-pandemic development of an inactivated, split-virion avian influenza vaccine is challenged by the lack of pre-existing immunity and the reduced immunogenicity of some H5 hemagglutinins compared to that of seasonal influenza vaccines. Identification of an acceptable effective adjuvant is needed to ...

The 1918 influenza pandemic was a major epidemiological event of the twentieth century resulting in at least twenty million deaths worldwide; however, despite its historical, epidemiological, and biological relevance, it remains poorly understood. Here we examine the relationship between annual pneumonia and influenza death rates in the pre-pandemic ...

Since 2008, (pre)pandemic vaccines against H5N1 influenza have been available and pandemic vaccines against new influenza H1N1 are currently produced. In The Netherlands, the vaccination call for seasonal influenza among the recommended groups approximates 70%. These statistics raise the question if adults in ...

MF59 is a well-established, safe and potent vaccine adjuvant that has been licensed for more than 13 years for use in an influenza vaccine focused on elderly subjects (Fluad�), Novartis, Cambridge, MA, USA). Recently, MF59 was shown to be safe in a seasonal influenza vaccine for young children and was able to increase vaccine efficacy from 43 to 89%. A ...

Variation in influenza incidence between locations is commonly observed on large spatial scales. It is unclear whether such variation occurs on smaller spatial scales and whether it is the result of heterogeneities in population demographics or more subtle differences in population structure and connectivity. Here we show that significant differences in immunity to ...

BACKGROUND: Although strategies to contain influenza pandemics are well studied, the characterization and the implications of different geographical and temporal diffusion patterns of the pandemic have been given less attention. METHODOLOGY/MAIN FINDINGS: Using a well-documented metapopulation model incorporating air travel between 52 major world cities, we identified ...

Highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses that are currently circulating in southeast Asia may acquire the potential to cause the next influenza pandemic. A number of alternate approaches are being pursued to generate cross-protective, dose-sparing, safe, and effective vaccines, as traditional vaccine approaches, i.e., embryonated egg-grown, are not ...

BackgroundData on complications in children with seasonal influenza virus infection are limited. We initiated a nation-wide three-year surveillance of children who were admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with severe seasonal influenza.MethodsFrom October 2005 to July 2008, active surveillance was performed using an established reporting ...

BackgroundIn order to detect levels of pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies in different age groups and to measure age-specific infection rates of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic in Germany, we conducted a seroprevalence study based on samples from an ongoing nationwide representative health survey.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe analysed 845 ...

The recent worldwide spread of the swine-origin H1N1 2009 influenza outbreak has resulted in its designation as a pandemic by the World Health Organization. While it appears to result in mild symptoms, concern still exists that a more severe influenza pandemic with a high case fatality ratio might arise by reassortment or mutation of the currently ...

The highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus has the potential to incite a global pandemic. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective vaccines against these viruses. Because it is difficult to predict which strain of influenza will cause a pandemic, it is advantageous to develop vaccines that will confer cross-protective immunity against ...

BackgroundIn India, Pune was one of the badly affected cities during the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic. We undertook serosurveys among the risk groups and general population to determine the extent of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infections.MethodsPre-pandemic sera from the archives, collected during January 2005 to March ...

... March 31, 2006; Accepted: July 26, 2006Keywords: avian influenza, vaccination, reassortant virus Avian influenza (AI) infections have become of growing importance both ... ...

BackgroundIndividuals infected with the 2009 pandemic virus A(H1N1) developed serological response which can be measured by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and microneutralization (microNT) assays.Methodology/Principal FindingsMicroNT and HI assays for specific antibody to the 2009 pandemic virus were conducted in serum samples collected at the end of the first epidemic wave from various groups ...

School-aged children were a priority group for receipt of the pandemic (2009) H1N1 influenza vaccine. Both parental and adolescent attitudes likely influence vaccination behaviors. Data were collected from surveys distributed to middle- and high-school students and their parents in two counties in rural Georgia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to ...

An influenza pandemic will place an enormous strain on the world's vaccine production, distribution and administration systems. Following a pandemic declaration, industry's priority will be to deliver as much vaccine in as short a timeframe as possible. In respect to this challenge, manufacturers have successfully developed antigen-sparing strategies and significantly ...

BackgroundThe US government proposes pandemic influenza mitigation guidance that includes isolation and antiviral treatment of ill persons, voluntary household member quarantine and antiviral prophylaxis, social distancing of individuals, school closure, reduction of contacts at work, and prioritized vaccination. Is this the best strategy combination? Is choice of this ...

Intervention strategies for an influenza pandemic taking into account secondary bacterial Revised 3 September 2009 Accepted 10 September 2009 Keywords: Influenza pandemic Epidemic control Co predispose individuals to consecutive bacterial infections. Both during seasonal and pandemic influenza

... 15, 2009; Accepted: September 24, 2009Keywords: avian influenza, vaccination, animal health, veterinary community Over the last 5 ... endemic but protecting birds against clinical disease by vaccination ...

... usda.gov Important Findings The use of avian influenza (AI) vaccination in poultry would have greater world-wide acceptance ... ...

PDF corresponds to the article as it appeared upon acceptance. Fully formatted PDF and full text (HTML) versions will be made available soon. Influenza virus infection among pediatric patients reporting diarrhea and influenza-like illness

BackgroundThe 2009 pandemic of influenza A (H1N1) infection has alerted many governments to make preparedness plan to control the spread of influenza A (H1N1) infection. Vaccination for influenza is one of the most important primary preventative measures to reduce the disease burden. Our study aims to assess the willingness of nurses ...

PDF corresponds to the article as it appeared upon acceptance. Fully formatted PDF and full text (HTML) versions will be made available soon. Isolation of mixed subtypes of influenza A virus from a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Better understanding of the events occurring during prior influenza pandemics, particularly the 1918 pandemic, and the realization that another pandemic was inevitable and likely to occur early in the 21(st) century, have helped in preparedness planning. In Mexico, pandemic flu preparedness was critical and undoubtedly paid off once a new influenza ...

Knowledge of seroprevalence rates against 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus will assist vaccination recommendations and the preparation of the health-care system during subsequent years. This study was conducted in Greece during June-August 2010 to estimate the seroprevalence rate against pandemic H1N1 virus. Persons presenting in 29 health-care facilities across the country were studied. Seroprevalence ...

Background.?Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses remain a threat to human health, with potential to become pandemic agents.Methods.?This phase III, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study evaluated the immunogenicity, cross-reactivity, safety, and lot consistency of 2 doses of oil-in-water (AS03_A) adjuvanted H5N1 A/Indonesia/05/2005 (3.75 ?g ...

Public health clients in an Ontario community 65 years of age or older were randomly allocated to receive an intervention by a public health nurse during a home visit promoting either influenza immunization or safety measures. There was no statistically significant differences in influenza immunization rates between these two groups (56.1% vs 56.6%). Men ...

Vaccines shown to be acceptably antigenic and minimally reactogenic for expanded study or general use includes: inactivated monovalent A/NJ influenza bivalent A/NJ; A/Vic influenza vaccines, X-38, X-41, and X-42 recombinant influenza vaccines, OSU-1A, Myc...

BackgroundWe determined antibodies to the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus in children to assess: the incidence of (H1N1) 2009 infections in the 2009/2010 season in Germany, the proportion of subclinical infections and to compare titers in vaccinated and infected children.Methodology/Principal FindingsEight pediatric hospitals distributed over Germany prospectively ...

Introduction: Previous studies investigating determinants of 2009 (H1N1) pandemic influenza vaccine acceptance have focused on target groups such as healthcare workers. Few studies in the European Union have examined the self-reported reasons as well as predictive socio-demographic and health factors for pandemic influenza vaccine ...

Introduction: Previous studies investigating determinants of 2009 (H1N1) pandemic influenza vaccine acceptance have focused on target groups such as healthcare workers. Few studies in the European Union have examined the self-reported reasons as well as predictive socio-demographic and health factors for pandemic influenza vaccine ...

In this study examining public health workers' 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccination uptake, a survey was conducted to assess flu vaccine acceptance, as well as behaviors and beliefs regarding acceptance, among public health workers in southeastern Tennessee. Factors found to be significantly associated with ...

Aim:? To determine what factors are associated with parents' attitudes towards accepting the influenza vaccine for their child. Methods:? Parents' attitudes were measured as part of a pilot randomised controlled trial of influenza vaccination in children attending day care in 2007. Parents and their children were recruited to the study ...

BackgroundOverall pandemic A (H1N1) influenza vaccination rates remain low across all nations, including Japan. To increase the rates, it is important to understand the motives and barriers for the acceptance of the vaccine. We conducted this study to determine potential predictors of the uptake of A (H1N1) influenza vaccine in a ...

BackgroundAlthough influenza-related morbidity and mortality is high, and influenza can be a trigger for recurrent stroke, only about half of stroke survivors receive yearly influenza vaccination. Identifying new avenues through which to optimize influenza vaccination among stroke survivors is a public health need. ...

84 forensic necropsy cases with a history of sudden unexpected death and where no acceptable cause of death was found at autopsy (= cases of sudden unexplained death, SUD) were found to have a significantly higher rate of influenza A (H 3 N 2) infection than did matched controls of the general population and a group of forensic necropsy cases with known ...

BackgroundWild birds, especially those in wetlands and aquatic environments, are considered to be natural reservoirs of avian influenza viruses. It is accepted that water is an important component in the transmission cycle of avian influenza virus. Monitoring the water at aggregation and breeding sites of migratory waterfowl, mainly ...

Despite international recommendations, vaccination coverage among European healthcare workers, including physicians, is widely recognized as unsatisfactory. In order to plan tailored vaccination campaigns and increase future coverage, we investigated reasons for refusing vaccination and determinants associated with influenza vaccine uptake among young health care workers. A ...

... Office International des �pizooties; PBS = phosphate buffered solution; RIA = radioimmunoassay Received: May 9, 2008; Accepted: September 11, 2008Keywords: ... ...

... the evolving nature of viruses such as infectious bronchitis or influenza has little difficulty in accepting the ... 1920s and early 1930s, when laryngotracheitis and infectious bronchitis, both being res...

... March 31, 2006; Accepted: July 14, 2006Keywords: avian influenza, vaccination efficacy, survival analysis The three low-pathogenicity avian ... A STEGEMAN, M DEJONG. (2008) Effect of H7N1 vaccination on...

... March 30, 2009; Accepted: October 28, 2009Keywords: avian influenza, ELISA, vaccination, neuraminidase The first reported outbreak of low pathogenicity ... ...

...physician orders. Drugs and treatments are administered by agency staff only as ordered by the physician with the exception of influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines, which may be administered per agency policy developed in consultation with...

INTRODUCTION: Intanza� 9 ?g (Sanofi Pasteur SA, Lyon, France), a split virion trivalent influenza vaccine delivered by intradermal injection with a microinjection system, became available as a vaccination for adults aged 18 to 59 years old, as of the 2010 southern hemisphere influenza season. METHODS: This study was designed to assess the ...

Background and AimsFurther cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are expected in the coming months. Vaccination has been proven to be essential to control a pandemic of influenza; therefore, considerable efforts and resources have been devoted to develop a vaccine against the influenza A (H1N1) virus. With the current availability ...

This Provisional PDF corresponds to the article as it appeared upon acceptance. Fully formatted PDF and full text (HTML) versions will be made available soon. Impaired immune responses in the lungs of aged mice following influenza infection

The use of avian influenza (AI) vaccination in poultry would have greater world-wide acceptance if a reliable test that clearly discriminates naturally infected from vaccinated only animals (DIVA) was available. Because the non-structural protein (NS1) is expressed in infected cells, and is not pac...

Vaccination against avian influenza (AI) virus, a powerful tool for control of the disease, may result in issues related to surveillance programs and international trade of poultry and poultry products. The use of AI vaccination in poultry would have greater world-wide acceptance if a reliable test...

Fairview Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA. Keywords: influenza, avian flu, Spanish flu, nucleotide content bird flu, and the 1918 H1N1 virus.(6) These are all known to have been avian viruses that had recently tissue found in several victims of ACCEPTED #12;4 the Spanish flu in Alaska (5), has an avian nucleotide

The option of vaccinating poultry against avian influenza (AI) as a control tool is gaining greater acceptance by the government and poultry industry world-wide. One reservation about vaccination with killed whole virus vaccines is the loss of the ability to use serologic surveillance to identify i...

The option of vaccinating poultry against avian influenza (AI) as a control tool is gaining greater acceptance by governments and the poultry industry world wide. One reservation about vaccination with killed whole virus vaccines is the loss of the ability to use commonly used serologic surveillanc...

Current trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIV) for seasonal use have all been licensed in the EU based on serological data only. European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidelines for development influenza vaccines and acceptance criteria are in place for adults but not for children. The Paediatric Committee initiated a review of the ...

Mortality and hospitalization rates due to influenza have risen despite increasing vaccine coverage for the most vulnerable population; however, those most vulnerable to complications and death are the least likely to respond to the vaccine. New strategies for influenza control are needed and indirect effectiveness (herd protection) has been demonstrated ...

Influenza vaccination of health care workers is recommended for their own protection and that of their patients. There is serendipitous protection for their contacts outside of work. Influenza vaccination uptake has been historically poor. A questionnaire study of healthcare staff at a tertiary referral hospital was carried out to evaluate knowledge of and ...

The aim of this study was to identify the common barriers and facilitators for acceptance of pandemic influenza vaccination across different countries. This study utilized a standardized, anonymous, self-completed questionnaire-based survey recording the demographics and professional practice, previous experience and perceived risk and severity of ...

The aim of this study was to highlight the perceived risk, behavioural changes and acceptance of the seasonal and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza vaccine by healthcare workers in a French teaching hospital. We surveyed healthcare workers from the Angers French teaching hospital (CHU) using a cross-sectional intercept design during phase 5A of the French ...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently expanded annual influenza vaccination recommendations to include all children 6 months through 18 years of age. Adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination may play a key role in reaching this newly added age group. This study examined the ...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently expanded annual influenza vaccination recommendations to include all children 6 months through 18 years of age. Adolescent attitudes toward influenza vaccination may play a key role in reaching this newly added age group. This study examined the ...

BackgroundIn recent years, much attention has been given to the spread of influenza around the world. With the continuing human outbreak of H5N1 beginning in 2003 and the H1N1 pandemic in 2009, focus on influenza and other respiratory viruses has been increased. It has been accepted for decades that international travel via jet ...

BackgroundSeasonal influenza imposes a substantial personal morbidity and societal cost burden. Vaccination is the major strategy for influenza prevention; however, because antigenically drifted influenza A and B viruses circulate annually, influenza vaccines must be updated to provide protection against the ...