Vaccination

A universal influenza vaccine that could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades may soon become a reality, according to new findings.

Several states have reported significant increases in pertussis activity this year, prompting health officials to urge parents to vaccinate their children.

Kaiser Permanente researchers have found that very young children vaccinated with a combination measles, mumps, and rubella and chickenpox vaccine are more likely to experience febrile seizures than children vaccinated separately for MMR and chickenpox.

Analyses of data from five European countries indicate that childhood vaccination against Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) has shifted the burden of infection from children to adolescents and adults.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a revised statement calling for continued efforts to increase immunization rates of children, teens and young adults, urging doctors to work together to ensure that all patients receive necessary vaccinations.

Whether you are pro- or anti-reform, I want to know what you think of the bill. Does it do enough to help primar care, and if not, what more do we need to do to provide good care to all our nation's children?

Strong opinions appear on blogs and discussion boards.

It appears that IT solutions are being credited for significant reductions in medical errors. The Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety has awarded perfect scores to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for avoiding medical errors and reducing ICU infections, and very high scores for avoiding harm.

The swine flu seems to be a dominant issue in the news as the vaccine is being distributed around the world and the flu season looms near.

The Oncology Drug Advisory Committee of the FDA met to review new applications on HPV vaccination, one from Merck for Gardasil, another from GSK for Cervarix.

Researchers have developed a "pain-free vaccination strategy" to reduce and even eliminate ear infections in children.

A new vaccine for cytomegalovirus in women has the potential to protect their fetuses during pregnancy.

When I read Neil Kavey's comments on sleep last week, I wanted to stand up and applaud.

Scientists have developed a method by which specially programmed chemicals can be used to elicit an instant immune response against two types of cancer.

Who watched the President’s speech last night?

IT companies focusing on healthcare solutions must have taken a deep breath yesterday after the passing of the stimulus bill.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 48,000 new cases of head and neck cancer for 2009.

Only 25% of girls have been vaccinated against HPV with Gardasil. What can be done to improve this rate, and should boys be vaccinated, too?

The flu shot is a huge bugaboo among many healthcare workers. Many refuse to get vaccinated and their reasons are varied.

Researchers have discovered that chicken pox immunization actually fades over time. In fact, 9.5% of the individuals from the examination experienced "breakthrough disease."

The development of effective affordable vaccines.

Infectious disease experts say that measles is the first of the childhood diseases to make a comeback when vaccination rates dip.

Additionally, 2 new combination vaccines could make following CDC's immunization recommendations easier by reducing the number of shots children must receive.

A colleague of mine just last week shared with me an article from Rolling Stone called "Deadly Immunity," which discusses a meeting that occurred years ago to cover up a connection between increasing rates of autism and increasing use of vaccines containing the mercury based preservative thimerosal.