Scientists attempting to produce a single vaccine that could give life-long protection against all types of influenza say that they have produced promising results in human trials. If successful the vaccine, made by Acambis, would protect against all strains of influenza A - the cause of pandemics. Currently vaccines have to be regularly redesigned because the influenza virus keeps changing. The new vaccine would overcome this and could be stockpiled in advance of avian influenza outbreak, say experts.

The US trials show that the vaccine is safe and it works fast to make antibodies against a small molecule on the surface of the influenza virus, however, it remains to be shown that this will be protective. Previous animal studies have indicated that the vaccine may protect against severe illness and death but not against infection. Acambis say that their scientist are now working to perfect the formulation before conducting larger human trials. 

Content Updated ( Friday, 18 January 2008 ) 

Researchers from the University of Toronto have uncovered widespread misinformation in related videos on YouTube.

In the first-ever study of its kind, researchers analysed 153 videos about vaccination and immunization on YouTube and found that more than half of the videos portrayed childhood, HPV, influenza and other vaccinations negatively or ambiguously.

"Our study shows that a significant amount of immunization content on YouTube contradicts the best scientific evidence at large. From a public health perspective, this is very concerning." Said Dr. Jennifer Keelan one of the researchers involved in the study.

Content Updated ( Tuesday, 18 December 2007 )  

New research has revealed that influenza can double the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

The research has shown that the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke doubled within a week of falling ill with influenza.

People with Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) have been urged to be vaccinated against influenza each year as it could save their life.

See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071205190859.htm

Content Updated ( Tuesday, 18 December 2007 )  

Australia has committed to helping Laos carry out a avian influenza control project in Vientiane capital city and Vientiane province, where the first outbreaks reported earlier this year.

The $380,000 USD project will last until 2009.

Content Updated ( Tuesday, 18 December 2007 ) 

Members of the Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) are listed as principal investigators for 7 out of a total of 41 research grants that have been awarded by the Australian Government (through the NH&MRC)  with a total of $7 million in funding allocated.

Researchers believe they have solved one of the great mysteries of influenza: Why does the infection spread primarily in the winter months? The answer, researchers say, has to do with the virus itself. It is more stable and stays in the air longer when air is cold and dry, the exact conditions for much of the influenza season.

''Influenza virus is more likely to be transmitted during winter on the way to the subway than in a warm room,'' said Peter Palese, an influenza researcher who is professor and chairman of the microbiology department at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and the lead author of the influenza study.

To view this article go to: http://pathogens.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.0030151

Content Updated ( Monday, 10 December 2007 ) 

A meeting of health officials from around the world has failed to reach agreement on a new system to share avian influenza virus samples used to develop vaccines. Developing states like Indonesia want guarantees from richer nations and drug makers that they will have access to cheap vaccines if they share samples.

Sharing samples is deemed vital to see if viruses have mutated, become drug resistant or grown more transmissible.

The next step was not yet clear, but it was likely officials would meet in a smaller working group ahead of the WHO's annual assembly in May, WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said.

Content Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2007 )

The FDA advisory panel has recommended Tamiflu, Roche Pharmaceuticals antivirals and GlaxoSmithKline’s Relenza should be updated to include information about new cases of abnormal behaviour in some consumers administered the vaccination.

The committee said that current prescribing information does not adequately explain the hundreds of reports of delirium, hallucinations and psychotic behaviour in patients administered the influenza drugs in Japan and the US.

Content Updated ( Monday, 26 November 2007 )

The Australian Government has moved to nearly double its seasonal flu protection by extending its free vaccine program for vulnerable groups from next year.

The Heart Foundation and the Influenza Specialist Group have made a joint statement warning that Australians suffering from heart disease need to remain vigilant against influenza this season.