H1N1 Vaccine

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.

I’ve already read online chatter regarding the soon to be available H1N1 vaccine conducted by people who are generally suspicious of vaccine production and additives. The New York Times posted an article this week regarding the use of adjuvants that would send folks of that mindset through the roof should the US decide they were necessary to avoid a vaccine shortage. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that won’t happen.

China is reporting that vaccinations against the H1N1 virus have so far produced no serious side effects. The vaccinations, which began this week, are initially to be distributed among 100,000 students in Bejing. British researchers are promoting flu vaccinations as a way to reduce the risk of heart attacks in vulnerable patients.

Bloggers at the Beaker made an interesting note in a September 16 post regarding the fact that that our domestic protection against swine flu is led exclusively by foreign-controlled manufacturers – Novartis (Switzerland),

CSL (Australia), Sanofi Pasteur (France), and Medimmune (UK). The only US based manufacturer (GSK) reported is producing vaccine for the UK. What do you think are the implications for the industry, healthcare, national security? Maybe the economic downturn and healthcare reform will breathe new life into what the industry previously considered as less lucrative investments in research?

Of note, National Health IT Week was kicked off on Monday this week in Washington, DC. I’m going to watch for any compelling news.