Legislating the HPV vaccine.
Since the introduction of the first cervical cancer vaccine (Gardasil), there has been a flurry of legislative activity within 39 states plus the District of Columbia. Many of these bills would mandate vaccination of girls as a requirement for re-entry into school. Legislative approaches have not been without debate....

CDC emphasizes flu shots for 6 months to 8 years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated recommendations for the 2007-2008 flu season emphasize vaccinating health care personnel and catching up previously unvaccinated children aged 6 months to 8 years with two doses of vaccine. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has published its...

Major Initiative by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals Will Save Even More Lives New Auto-Disable Syringe Prevents Re-Use.
PHILADELPHIA, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major contribution to international public health, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals will, starting in March 2001, make new disposable syringes that are difficult to use more than once. These will be available with all vials of liquid pediatric vaccines delivered to developing...

Vote on routine second varicella vaccine dose is put on hold by ACIP.
ATLANTA -- Pediatricians and family physicians would be more favorable toward giving children a second dose of varicella vaccine if a measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine were available, Mona Matin, M.D., reported to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at its summer meeting. ...

AAFP Leads Drive For Routine Flu Shots at Age 50.
Widespread adoption is likely to await a vote by the CDC immunization panel. Starting this fall, many family physicians will be doing more to prevent illness and lost work days due to influenza. By recommending that all adults over age 50 be offered annual flu...

On the front line: nurses urged to get influenza vaccination.
It's been said that "nurses are the heartbeat of the health care system." Without them, the system could not survive. Sometimes, however, in their dedication to caring for others, nurses may forget to take care of themselves. This, too, can significantly burden the healthcare system, especially when...

Bacterial meningitis score may be less effective in France.
The Bacterial Meningitis Score correctly identified acute bacterial meningitis in 884 out of 889 affected children, indicating that the tool, while 99.6% sensitive, still missed cases, the authors of a French study reported. "As with any rule, clinicians must remain aware that no rule can completely eliminate...

Herd immunity reduces hepatitis A incidence.
WASHINGTON -- Vaccinating all toddlers against hepatitis A reduced the overall viral incidence by 95% in a single Israeli community, Dr. Beth P. Bell stated at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. In an investigation led by Dr. Ron Dagan of the Soroka University...

Health experts hoping U.S. flu season is trouble-free: vaccines readied.
With the U.S. flu season here once again, top health officials are hoping this year will be known for high immunization rates and less illness, and be free of the vaccine supply problems that have marred the previous two seasons. As of late August, drug manufacturers were...

Adult vaccination--a commentary.
On January 23, 2008 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a press conference in Washington, D.C. to release the results of the most recent National Immunization Survey. The news was grim. Too few American adults receive recommended vaccines that protect against a variety of communicable diseases....