"Seqirus Media Monitoring" 14th Sep 2018
Seqirus mentions
New-look flu vaccination campaign to launch in early October
The battle against influenza this winter will get underway across England in early October with a revamped campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated. Public Health England’s marketing drive will kick off on 8 October, to tie in with the availability of the vaccine, and will target groups of people considered to be at particular risk, including pregnant women, parents of children aged two to three and adults with long-term conditions. A more effective “adjuvanted” vaccine will be made available in the UK for the first time this winter for people aged 65 and over.
New flu vaccine will save 30,000 GP appointments this year, says PHE
The new adjuvanted flu vaccine could save 30,000 GP consultations per year, Public Health England has said. The vaccine - available for the first time this winter - could also cut hospitalisations by 2,000 and prevent over 700 flu-related deaths in England. However, GP surgeries will be receiving the adjuvanted trivalent flu vaccine in a phased process over the next three months, although this could see GPs turning patients away if they run out between deliveries.
Vaccine fails to protect elderly from killer flu
In England, the new flu jab will leave pensioners unprotected against the so-called Japanese flu that claimed thousands of lives last winter, health officials have said. PHE acknowledged that offering people over 65 a boosted trivalent jab was not ideal, but better than a non-boosted vaccine protecting against the Yamagata strain. PHE said it expects the new jab will prevent more than 700 flu-related hospital deaths, 2,000 hospitalisations and 30,000 GP appointments.
Studies: Leaving Egg Out Of Flu Vaccines Could Offer Better Protection
In the U.S., UPMC is stocking up on two flu vaccines that are not made using chicken eggs. They'll be the main vaccines offered at UPMC facilities, including primary care providers and urgent care clinics. The egg-free Flublok is approved by the U.S. FDA for people 18 years old and up; Flucelvax is approved for anyone older than 4.
'Complex' flu season could cause problems for practices and patients, GPs warn
In England, GPs have voiced concern over the impact of changes to the 2018/19 scheme - NHS England has recommended that different ‘at risk’ groups should receive different jabs, while supplies of some vaccines are subject to a 'phased' delivery process. Seqirus, the manufacturer of FLUAD, will be dispatching orders in three batches - 40% in September, 20% in October and another 40% in November - meaning that practices will not be able to administer all their inoculations in one go. A spokeswoman for Seqirus said the company had processed more than 8,500 orders for FLUAD from practices and pharmacies across the UK, totalling almost 9.3m doses. A total of 7.8m doses are destined for GP practices, she said.
UK Implements Use of Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza Vaccine for Adults Over 65
As influenza season approaches, health officials in the UK have announced new influenza vaccination recommendations for individuals >65. In August of 2017, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency approved FLUAD, an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine (aTIV) designed to better protect adults >65 years. This flu season will be the first season the vaccination will be used in the UK
Industry News
TechnoVax Awarded $1.5 Million NIH Grant to Further Develop a Universal VLP-Based Influenza Vaccine
TechnoVax, a biotechnology developer of novel vaccines has received a two-year $1,481,000 SBIR-II grant from NIAID to support TechnoVax program to further develop a broadly protective (universal) virus-like particle based influenza vaccine utilizing its proprietary and patented VLP technology. Preliminary efficacy studies performed in animals have shown very high levels of cross-reactive protection.
Pandemic Influenza News
A prototype of how to fight the next pandemic: A vaccine without the shot
When the next deadly pandemic flu hits, the first challenge will be to develop a vaccine. But looming behind that obstacle is another: How to get an inoculation to millions of people without inadvertently exacerbating the crisis. A new study provides proof of concept for a solution that could upend the traditional centralized model, in which health professionals give injections at clinics: Researchers created an H5N1 vaccine, boosted by a special ingredient that primes the body's immune system to respond, and administered it through a microneedle that only penetrates the upper layer of the skin. They see this prototype technology as a platform that could lead to novel vaccine patches that can be distributed rapidly and administered without a nurse.
Academic studies
Researchers testing needle-free flu vaccine
Instead of visiting the doctor each fall, what if you could just slap on a flu vaccine "patch" sent in the mail? That's the vision of researchers who've developed and conducted early tests on an injection-free vaccine that looks like a Band-Aid you place on your arm. Their initial hope is to create such a vaccine that would allow for a rapid public health response in case of a pandemic flu.
Scientists discover influenza protein behavior that could aid drug development
Influenza A viruses are highly adaptable, managing to infect and replicate rapidly and to spread efficiently from person to person. An outbreak has the potential to kill millions of people globally, and many scientists are racing to develop drugs that target the fundamental processes of the virus, such as its genetic replication or acid transport. Researchers at the University of Chicago and University of Kent in the United Kingdom have discovered critical information about the behavior of the influenza A M2 protein, which facilitates the release of infectious particles, called virions, from the infected host cell. This discovery could lead to drugs that inhibit M2, thus blocking the virus from infecting other cells.
Influenza, the first 'simple' vaccine against pandemics
The first experimental results from a new 'simplified' flu vaccine, designed to cope with future pandemics, have been positive. Equipped with an adjuvant that enhances the immune response, the vaccine can be sent to homes by mail and self-administered thanks to a micro-needle that injects it directly into the skin. First tested on ferrets (which are the best model for studying human influenza in the laboratory) and then on a hundred people, the vaccine has been shown to induce a significant immune response without side effects, as indicated by the recent study results which were published in the journal Science Advances by an international group led by the Institute of Infectious Diseases Research in Seattle, USA.
Adjuvant for intradermal vaccine developed to deal with a pandemic
A team of researchers from the U.S., Israel and Canada has developed an adjuvant for use as an intradermal vaccine to reduce deaths when pandemics occur. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their work, the adjuvant they developed and how it might be deployed in case of a deadly outbreak.
Pediatric influenza news
Hundreds of Merseyside's most vulnerable children could develop a life threatening illness - for one simple reason
In England, half of the children at risk of serious illness or death from flu in Liverpool are not being vaccinated against the virus, according to the latest government figures. Uptake of the flu vaccine in Liverpool is particularly poor compared to the national average, as across England, 44% of at-risk children went unvaccinated.
Flu awareness and prevention
According to the Center for Disease Control, 180 children died from the flu in 2017. In Florida, none of the 8 children who died were vaccinated from the flu. UF Health Shands held a flu shot event on Thursday and spoke about awareness and prevention.
Over 65’s influenza news
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General Influenza News
CDC pushing early flu vaccination
In the U.S., the CDC is recommending getting vaccinated by the end of October. This year, the CDC says the nasal spray is now more effective than it was the past two years, but still recommends making it a second option if you absolutely can't do injections or use it as an option for children. Though the CDC says the shot is the best protection against the illness, a lot of people disagree.
NHS set to get tough on flu vaccination of frontline staff
In England, under plans revealed by NHS Improvement, hospital staff will be required to have the vaccination or be prepared to explain why they have refused. Staff who are not vaccinated may be moved away from wards where patients might be more at risk of getting flu than usual. Research published in July by the International Longevity Centre UK suggested that widespread use of the flu vaccination could save the economy up to £28.9 million in averted sick day costs
When should you get a flu jab? Who needs the vaccine and how to get it
In England, every year the NHS vaccinates hundreds of thousands of people against flu. The health service offers the vaccine for free to all 'at risk' groups. But figures from Public Health England published this week revealed that nearly half of the two and three-year-olds Manchester were considered particularly at risk of serious illness from the virus went unprotected last flu season.
The 'at-risk' patients not getting the flu vaccine in Cornwall
It has emerged over 7,500 thousand toddlers who could have had the flu vaccine in Cornwall last winter, did not get it. Figures also show that between 1st September 2017 and the end of January 2018, fewer than half of pregnant women had it. During the same time period, more than 150 patients across the south-west ended up in intensive care. Public Health England is launching its yearly awareness campaign as a new type of vaccine becomes available.
The flu jab saves lives – make sure you have it, please
Last year was a deadly flu season and yet not all those entitled to a free jab got one, says Guardian writer Frances Ryan. She encourages all to get their flu shot and for more awareness of the benefits of vaccination in the face of anti-vaxxers' influence in Europe and online Russian trolls
GP urges people to get flu jab ahead of winter
In England, a North Devon GP is urging people to have the flu jab before the winter sets in. Dr Bruce Hughes, chairman of Devon Local Medical Committee and a partner at Fremington Medical Centre, is encouraging people to have the potentially life-saving vaccine.
Online epidemics: how social media changed the way we track epidemics
In 2009, the H1N1 epidemic began in Mexico and started spreading rapidly, and emergency vaccination was out in place as well as Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests, but this also showed the difficulty of tracking such an epidemic. Social media has since come through as a useful tool to analyse the spread of the virus
Getting a shot ... and a jump on flu season
With the flu hitting North Idaho hard last season, health officials are reminding residents that the bug season is just around corner. They’re advising vaccine shots to protect yourself and those around you.
Get your flu shot early, says NS chief medical officer
In Nova Scotia, the province's chief medical officer of health said we're about a month away from flu vaccines becoming available, and it's important to get immunized early. Dr. Robert Strang said last year's flu bug resulted in the death of 63 people, which is within the yearly average. The strain of H3N2 usually results in a more severe flu season, and it's not clear what to expect this year.
Where you can get the flu jab and when you should have it
In the UK, the flu vaccination is available every year on the NHS as it helps to protect both adults and children at risk of flu and its complications. Some 'at risk' groups get the vaccine for free, and there are 3 types of vaccines available
Aggressive Measures Underway As Flu Arrives Early In North Texas
In Texas, many have already gotten the flu and it’s only September. “Every couple of days we see a child with the flu,” says Preeti Sharma, a pediatric pulmonologist at Children’s Health and assistant professor at UT Southwestern. “I’m starting to get worried about it.” Dr. Sharma says it’s too soon to say if the virus’ early arrival will mean a longer season that will see more people get sick, but it is a reason, she says to start thinking prevention.
Burden of disease
H1N1 deaths attributed to delays in treatment
In India, delay in seeking medical treatment, which resulted in patients not getting Tamiflu in time, caused 20 swine flu deaths in Pimpri Chinchwad since January this year, Anil K Roy, medical officer of health, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), said.
Man Tests Positive For Swine Flu In UP, Health Department On Alert
In India, acting on a report that Mohd Atif has tested positive for H1N1 virus, Lakhimpur Kheri chief medical officer Dr Manoj Agrawal rushed a medical team to Nai Basti locality, where the patient was staying with his family. No swine flu cases were reported in Lakhimpur Kheri in the last two years, he said. "Atif carried H1N1 virus from Dubai where he worked in a company," the CMO said.
Third death in Artigas due to influenza A H1N1
A 40-year-old man from Bella Union who was hospitalized in a local hospital became the third H1N1 flu virus death in the Artigas region on Tuesday. Departmental Director of Health Emilio Toma, said that there has not been final laboratory confirmation of the test results yet, but that the decision was based on a quick test done locally in Artigas.
Flu Surveillance in Animals
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