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It appears that the United States are already well advanced with their preperations for next years flu season, with this story making those indications, this article also contains information of the virus types included in next years flu vaccines.

Article here.

Novartis begins shipment of Fluvirin® seasonal influenza vaccine in US for 2012-2013 influenza season
-- Novartis plans to ship more than 30 million doses of Fluvirin vaccine to US customers for 2012-2013 season with sufficient supply to meet customer needs,...

Break.

About Fluvirin

Fluvirin vaccine is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 4 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and type B contained in the vaccine2.

For the 2012-2013 season, Fluvirin contains antigens that target three influenza virus strains identified by World Health Organization (WHO) experts as likely to dominate circulation. These include:


•A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus


•A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus


•B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus (from the B/Yamagata lineage of viruses)

Link here...

[link to www.sacbee.com]

Far be for me to attempt to influence anyones decisions on how they should make any decisions.

However, I also believe that the best decisions are made with access to the best information available, so with that in mind, I am going to post this video link which speaks on some of our topic, but would suggest that a note pad and pencil and further investigative works on those "experts" who make comment, before any real conclusions might be honestly confirmed.

I havent checked that far into this material but for me as a stand alone item it does appear to have merrit.

I re-iterate the importance of people making their own choices, based on their best ability to fully obtain as much valid and qualified information available.

Link here...

[link to tv.naturalnews.com]

Several different topics but really all the same and all equally important.

Naturally you are completely correct with your observations, as usual, MzTreeChick, the topics addressed in that clip are to say the least quite revealing, especially in relation to this years new Fluvirin vaccine that is currently being shipped to the US for next years flu season, some 30 million doses!

And when you take into consideration of the drastic and almost unbelievable increases that the mercury content in these vaccines that will turn normal kids into Autistic individuals for the rest of their lives.

All this information comes from research that has been lifted from none other that the World Health Organizations official figures,and with that in mind, you really do have to wonder why anyone would subject their defenseless kids to such an accute and deadly risk.

As a society we do seem to have been dumbded down to the point where we just go with the flow and simply accept whatever we are fed without ever questioning those recomendations.

I have even noticed over the last few months while reporting on the various aspects of the flu from around the world, that there has been some considerable information available on the flu rates between those that have received vaccinations against the flu and those reported with the flu that didnt receive any previous vaccinations and the differances between those who contract the flu after being vaccinated, compared to those who caught the flu when not vaccinated, are in fact quite minor, and for me at least, the risks balanced against the vaccinations recommended benefits simply dont measure up, meaning that I personally choose not to be vaccinated.

Another thing that I have noticed while working in a nursing environment is the fact that almost every week Id get some sort of low grade fever or something similar.

Just a bit of naseua a slight fever and a bit of a headache for a day or two, but I never ever got ill.

I think this was the result of being constantly exposed to all those various bugs that vist the hospitals and being constantly exposed to them, like all nurses and doctors we ended up with uniquely strong immune systems and basically never really got seriously ill because of that fact.

It always annoys me when I see an add on TV telling us that we should be using all these "steralizing" cleaning products around our homes when in fact it is possible to be too clean, and in those situations those homes are inevidibly are the ones with those constantly sickly kids.

It is actually more healthy to be exposed to some relatively harmless bugs from time to time in order to keep our immune systems active and responsive, and those TV adds are simply designed to cause guilt especially to women and the home domestic carers/ cleaners, rather than actually providing a serious benefit in the household, in fact quite the opposite result occurs, but guilt adds well to the bottom line profits!

Last Edited by arkay on 08/01/2012 10:09 AM

Sorry for the Bump, but I posted that last post and when I checked, the whole of GLP had been updated and wiped pretty much clean, so the bump got the post back on to the main page again.

Pretty silly to make a post, and then to just loose it within ten seconds of posting, I thought.

Remember the recent case of pigs transmitting a variant strain of H3N2 at a fair in Indinanna.

It appears to now be spreading further and wider, of note it has also been detected in Hawai, the state sited as one of the most inportand centres for spreading viruses.

Article extract here...

Reports from 3 states suggest more variant H3N2 cases
Robert Roos News Editor


Aug 1, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – Reports from three states today suggested an increase in swine-origin H3N2 influenza activity, with one human case confirmed in Hawaii and suspected human cases cited in connection with county fairs in Ohio and Indiana.

The Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) announced yesterday that a case of variant H3N2 (H2N2v) was confirmed in a Maui resident who had possible exposure to pigs.

In Ohio, state officials said preliminary test results pointed to possible H3N2v in 10 people who had contact with swine at the Butler County Fair, north of Cincinnati. Officials were awaiting further test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

And in Indiana—where four cases of H3N2v were reported last week—both people and pigs were being tested in the wake of sickness among pigs in the swine barn at the Monroe County Fair in Bloomington, according to state officials and media reports.

The new reports come a week after the four H3N2v cases were confirmed in people who had shown pigs at the LaPorte County Fair in northwestern Indiana. Those cases raised the number of known H3N2v cases in the United States to 17 in the past year.

link here...

[link to www.cidrap.umn.edu]

Here is more on the earlier story of where another avian virus, H3N8 has made the jump from birds to seals, but then has also been detected in both dogs and horses.

It just geos again to highlight the various methods that viruses can use to adapt and mutate, with an eventual possible emergence to a potential human pandemic.

Though never to be though of nicely, one must marvel at the capacity for viruses to exploit such a range of ways to vary itself, in order to find new ways to reproduce itself and survive in so many different ways.

Novel H3N8 strain found in dead seals may pose human threat
Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer


Jul 31, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – A research team that analyzed the strain of H3N8 influenza linked to a baby seal die-off in New England last year found that it originated in birds and has adapted to mammals, signaling a possible threat to humans and animals alike.

The study, which appeared today in mBio, the online journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), also revealed mutations that are known to make flu viruses more transmissible and able to cause severe disease.

In December 2011, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that an investigation of 162 seal deaths that fall revealed the H3N8 virus in samples from all five animals studied, the first time the strain had been linked to large-scale mortality in marine mammals. Study authors include researchers from NOAA, Columbia University, and several other institutions.

The infected seals had severe pneumonia and skin lesions, and most of them were less than 6 months old.

H3N8 is typically associated with wild birds, but in 2005 researchers found that a type of the strain that emerged in racing greyhounds had jumped from horses to dogs. The illness in dogs is generally mild and hasn't posed any known danger to humans.

Genetic and phylogenetic analysis of samples from the seals found that the virus was an avian subtype that was similar to one that has infected North American waterfowl since 2002, but has adapted to mammals with mutations that make it more transmissible and pathogenic. Scientists gave the new virus the provisional name influenza A/harbor seal/Massachusetts/1/2011.

The group found mutations previously detected in H5N1 viruses that infected humans and wrote that the H3N8 virus in seals had acquired the ability to bind sialic acid receptors that are commonly found in mammal respiratory tracts. Though the mutations are required for cell entry and replication in mammals, researchers wrote that more studies are needed to assess their functional significance.

Adaptations found in the study suggest the virus may be able to persist in seals and evolve into a new H3N8 clade, similar to what occurred with the canine and equine viruses, they reported.

Researchers concluded that natural emergence of a pathogenic virus that can transmit between mammals, and in a species that can be infected with multiple flu subtypes, is considered a significant threat to wildlife and human health.

Link here...

[link to www.cidrap.umn.edu]

For our American friends, this story from the US Government Accountability Office, on their internal efforts to protect their employees in the event of a pandemic outbreak.

What GAO Found
In 2012, federal agencies reported they had made progress in planning to protect their federal employees during an influenza pandemic. For example:

•Twenty-three of 24 federal agencies reported they had completed influenza pandemic plans that address the operational approach they would use to protect their employees in the event of an influenza pandemic. In 2009, 20 agencies reported completing such plans.
•All 24 agencies reported that, to reduce employees’ risk of exposure to influenza, they developed policies or procedures such as telework and avoiding all unnecessary travel. In the 2009 survey, 22 agencies reported developing the former policy and 18 the latter.
•All of the agencies reported that they planned for the distribution of hygiene supplies to protect employees whose duties require them to work onsite during an influenza pandemic. In 2009, 18 agencies reported taking this planning step.
However, the agencies reported uneven status in some key areas suggesting some additional oversight is needed. For example, only nine agencies reported they have classified all or most jobs for onsite mission essential functions by exposure risk level. Additional oversight could help in ensuring that, by classifying jobs by exposure risk level, agencies have appropriate measures in place to protect those employees who must carry out mission essential functions that cannot be performed remotely during an influenza pandemic.

Link here...

[link to www.gao.gov]

Recently as we are all aware the controversial studies that produced horizontal human transmissible H5N1 viruses was published with much heated discussion as to whether that publication should ever have occurred, given the potential for it to be used as a guide to make a bio waepon.

Well as always, there is a silver lining in every cloud, or put differently.

Look for the good in everything.

This next reference shows that at least the publication of those research papers has had a positive outcome in that there has now been quite a lot of work done to look at the boi defense aspects in order to meet any pressures placed on communities should anyone attempt to use a bio-weapon.

Here is the headline and some small detail, unfortunately the whole report must be paid for and is expensive, possibly another good aspect to this story in that it limits access to it.

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism: Biodefense Strategy, Practice, and Science
Co-Editors-in-Chief: Thomas V. Inglesby, MD and D. A. Henderson, MD, MPH

Biosecurity and Bioterrorism is a peer-reviewed journal providing essential guidance for the protection of society against bioweapons, and is a key resource for policy makers, scientific experts, and government officials. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, the Journal covers research, innovations, methods, challenges, and ethical and legal dilemmas facing scientific, military, and health organizations. The Journal explores the unique issues posed by biological weapons and bioterrorism, offering important insight into how to develop the systems needed for these challenges.

Link here...

[link to www.liebertpub.com]

Here is story on that H3N1v virus and the recent number of cases that resulted from either direct or possible indirect contact with hogs at the Butler County Fair in Hamilton, Ohio.

H3N2v Butler County Cluster Grows To 41
Recombinomics Commentary 17:45
August 1, 2012

The Butler County Health Department received 41 calls reporting that 39 children and two adults had become sick after attending the week-long fair, which ended Saturday, said director Pat Burg.

Most of the people who became sick with the suspected H3N2v (variant) influenza virus had direct contact with hogs at the fair, she said.

Vast majority of the 41 in contact with pigs. Might be children exhibiting or friends of children exhibiting

There were 350 hog exhibitors at the fair, Burg said.

H3N2v can be transmitted from swine to humans and vice versa, officials said, but it is rarely transmitted between humans.

The above comments confirm that the number of symptomatic people linked to the Butler County Fair in Hamilton, Ohio was markedly higher than the 10 confirmed cases, which are record numbers for confirmed or suspect H3N2v cases at a single event. These numbers increase the likelihood that the H3N2v in Ohio matches the LaPorte County Fair outbreak in Indiana were there were 4 confirmed cases and at least 15 symptomatic cases identified via telephone survey.

Link here...

[link to www.recombinomics.com]

New Zealand has been having quite a difficult flu season this year.

Here are their latest flu reports for the period from the 23rd of July to the 29th of July.

Note that while not a substantial number so far,the numbers of H1N1 are significant and have grown slightly.

INFLUENZA WEEKLY UPDATE
2012/30: 23–29 July 2012
The national influenza surveillance system in New Zealand is an essential public health
component for assessing and implementing strategies to control influenza. This report
summarises the data collected on influenza-like illness (ILI) from sentinel general practice
(GP) surveillance and non-sentinel surveillance for week 30 (23–29 July 2012).
Summary
· ILI through sentinel surveillance was reported from 19 out of 20 District Health Boards
(DHB) with a national consultation rate of 125.2 per 100 000 (483 ILI consultations).
· A total of 556 swabs were received from sentinel (85) and non-sentinel (471)
surveillance.
· 256 viruses were identified: A(H3N2) (156) including five A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like
virus, A (Not subtyped) (59), A(H1N1)pdm09 (25) including two A/California/7/2009
(H1N1)-like, and B (Lineage not determined) (16).
Influenza activity continued to increase in week 30. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses remain the
predominant virus in many regions particularly in Canterbury DHB. These viruses do not
appear to demonstrate a major antigenic drift, nothing extraordinary.

Link here...

[link to www.surv.esr.cri.nz]

Are you speaking about Fouchier’s experiments with H5N1 and the ferrets?

We had virtually no autism in the USA in the 1950's and 60's. Since then the number of vaccinations given to babies and young children has progressively increased.


The rate of autism with children has skyrocketed as well.

Currently 1/88 children develop autism......disgusting.


Doctors frequently do not take vaccines nor do they give them to their children.


The Quakers.....who refuse all vaccines......have virtually no autism with their children.


Part 1 of 11 Dr. Andrew Moulden





[link to www.youtube.com]

In a word, yes.

Following on, might I ask why your question?

I certainly wasnt attempting to promote the positive nature of the release of those research papers, rather the fact that that release had forced the resultant studies into handling a threat caused by someone attempting to use a bio-weapon, THAT was the silver lining I was referring to...the response to the threat, not the threat itself.

I hope that you dont see my views as supporting the release of those research papers without them being redacted.

Personally, I think that they should have been redacted, as there is no point in anyone other than those who can directly be working in an appropriate bio level approved facility that has any genuine need to all the information.

In those rare instances, the complete works could both easily be provided and more importantly those who do have access to it could and would be known, thus providing the essential checks and balances to ensure the security of the information.

But, at the end of the day, those thoughts are only mine and really to be honest, who am I to impose my views on the matter?

Furtheremore I happily accept my position and place in relation to this topic.

Part 2 of 11





[link to www.youtube.com]

Thank you for your post and the obvious informative data you have so helpfully supplied.

This is precisely the type of broad information that is of immense use to us all and one thing is for sure.

Conventional sources wont be offering this type of information as it simply doesent "fit" with their ideas of how to manage a population.

And quite regrettably its true that our authorities seem to be less and less concerned with representing our interests these days, rather their motives seem to be ever trending into complete control of our lives, and sadly there is little to be seen that would actively slow that process.

Hi AC.US, Arkay & UKAnon

Regulars will know how I feel about this!

Nah don't worry about things I just wondered if thats what you was talking about up there as its been some time on and I been away for some time so didn't have a clue so to say.

I also asked and don't know if I posted the link ages ago for you all but I found a pretty good interview with Fouchier and things were not what they looked like on the surface of this issue.

[link to www.virology.ws]

Next Fouchier indicated that because the work has not yet been published, and the press has ‘picked up on it’, there are many misconceptions about what can or cannot be concluded. For example, it has been suggested that this virus would spread ‘like wildfire’ if it were to get out of his facility. He presented data indicating that this would not be the case. Although his results demonstrate aerosol transmission of H5N1 among ferrets, the assay is not quantitative, and therefore the efficiency of transmission cannot be deduced. He showed results of ferret transmission studies using the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus strain. This virus spreads to all ferrets by aerosol and replicates to high titers in the respiratory tract. In comparison, the mutH5N1 virus does not transmit to all ferrets, virus titers are lower, and shedding does not begin until later in infection. He concluded that the mutH5N1 virus does not transmit among ferrets as does a pandemic or seasonal influenza virus.

The second misconception that he addressed is that the mutH5N1 virus would be highly lethal. He showed the results of experiments demonstrating that when ferrets are inoculated intranasally with high doses of mutH5N1 virus, only 1/8 animals show signs of disease. In contrast, 2 of 2 ferrets developed disease when inoculated in the same way with wild type H5N1 virus. When the mutH5N1 virus is transmitted to ferrets via aerosol, none of the recipient animals develop disease. Only when the mutH5N1 virus is delivered to the lower respiratory tract of ferrets by intratracheal intubation does the virus cause disease in 6 of 6 animals.

Yesterday, I posted a story where the US has been looking at formal actions that it could adopt in repsonse to a bio- terror attack.

Today this related story from a different source adds come further information.

I couldnt help notice the following from within their response document.

That report detailed a host of problems, ranging from a lack of built-in authority to lapses in trust between the system and other agencies.

Heres the extract from the story.

National biosurveillance strategy aims to detect manifold threats
Lisa Schnirring Staff Writer


Aug 2, 2012 (CIDRAP News) – The Obama Administration this week unveiled the nation's first national biosurveillance strategy, designed to detect a range of threats, including bioterror attacks, infectious disease outbreaks, agricultural threats, and foodborne illness outbreaks.

In a letter prefacing the 8-page plan, which the White House unveiled on Jul 31, President Barack Obama wrote that this step is part of his National Security Strategy.

The report also appears to address shortcomings in the nation's biosurveillance system that have been the subject of two Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports, along with one from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general. The plan leverages existing efforts and focuses on what it calls "core functions."

In February the Institute of Medicine issued a report from a Sep 2011 workshop that explored obstacles faced by the DHS's National Biosurveillance Information System. That report detailed a host of problems, ranging from a lack of built-in authority to lapses in trust between the system and other agencies.

In a related development, Nicole Lurie, MD, MPH, assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR) at the Department of Health and Human Services in late June asked the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) to help guide federal efforts to improve the nation's situational awareness strategies, which is linked to proposed legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act.

Link here...

[link to www.cidrap.umn.edu]

More news is beginning to surface with that H3N2v variant influenza that was first detected in swine at a fair in the the US.

With some human cases included this and some other stories are leaning towards the risk of a serious outbreak that now covers several states

Extract of article here.

Expected H3N2v Cluster Expolsion In Jackson County Indiana
Recombinomics Commentary 19:15
August 2, 2012

The Indiana State Department of Health has identified a case of variant influenza A in Jackson County, bringing the total to five cases statewide. All cases have been linked to swine. Laboratory testing is pending on potential additional cases.

The above comments, from today’s press release from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), confirm an H3N2v case in Jackson County and strongly suggest many more cases are likely. The press release provides little detail on the potential additional cases, but yesterday Jackson County personnel confirmed that they began sending swabs to the state lab on Friday, per an alert that was sent out after H3N2 was confirmed in people and pigs at the LaPorte County Fair. Thus, the confirmed case above likely represents one of the first swabs tested.

Link here...

[link to www.recombinomics.com]

This is another story that relates to my last post regarding the LaPorte and Butler county H3N2v clusters.

Its worthwhile noting the number of people in addition to the infected swine too.

This all goes to demonstrate just how a simple inconspicuous fair could trigger a massive outbreak, with parallel human and animal infections.

Its easy to understand the methods of how this could happen.

Farmers might travel to more than one fair to display their animals and people, such as farmers can be expected to attend more than just one fair in the interest of supporting, learning and general socializing with friends in these specific events.

All these activities could go a long way in assisting with a diverse method of disease distribution in a relatively short timeframe.

Here's the next extract.

Laporte and Butler County H3N2v Sequences Match
Recombinomics Commentary 22:00
August 2, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed that nine of 10 suspected influenza cases in Butler County have tested positive for the H3N2v strain. The 10th case is still being tested. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and the Butler County Health Department are actively investigating human illnesses associated with the Butler County Fair. The strain matches the flu virus that recently infected four people with swine exposure at a county fair in Indiana.

Although the H3N2v sequences from the above confirmed cases at the Butler County Fair in Hamilton, Ohio have not yet been made public, two full sets of sequences from the LaPorte County Fair were released by the CDC last week (A/Indiana/07/2012 and A/Indiana/09/2012). The two sequences from Indiana exactly matched each other and were closely related two the two sets of sequences from an outbreak at a West Virginia daycare center in Mineral County. Two cases were confirmed (A/West Virginia/06/2011 and A/West Virginia/07/2011).

70 contacts of the index case were surveyed and 23 had influenza-like illness (ILI). The two confirmed cases had no swine contact or exposure and the H3N2v was circulating at the day care center for a month, clearly demonstrating sustained human to human transmission, CDC denials notwithstanding.

The West Virginia sequences were novel and distinct from the fist 10 human cases in 2011 due to an N2 that matched a lineage in H3N2 swine, in contrast to the N2 in the earlier cases which match N2 circulating H1N2 swine. This novel sub-clade also was involved in the first 2012 case, A/Utah/10/2012, and all confirmed cases in LaPorte and Butler counties based on the two sets of released sequences and CDC statements on matches

Link here...

[link to www.recombinomics.com]

This next comes from Munroe, so another county fair get its place on the list.

Its worth noting that earlier reports suggested that this variant strain was initially thought to be relatively harmless, but from the contents of this story, I certainly wouldnt be making those assertions, nor would I like to be suffering from this flu, its sounds rather awfull.



Cited H3N2v Cases At Monroe County Fair
Recombinomics Commentary 12:15
August 2, 2012

this is not fun, went to fair sunday morning felt symptoms monday morning and was puking by 5pm monday. it wasn't until this story broke that i couldn,t figure out where i could of contracted any thing. I cannot remember the last I was sick enough to puke.the puking was a result of intense coughing, my whole upper chest and sinuses is all stopped up, coughing, aches, runny nose, it is all respiratory sorry i may have come off that i was sick to my stomach, far from it

My nephew has been showing a pig at the fair This morning him and his brother both had a really bad score throat and one had a fever. Now I'm little worried.

I would like to know how many children are sick. My kid has had a fever since yesterday, and has some sort of nasty respiratory thing going on. We spent all weekend at the fairgrounds, and while he wasn't showing a pig, he certainly spent plenty of time in the swine barn looking at and petting pigs. We hope he is well enough to attend the auction with his animal Thursday, but we're not counting on it.

Our doctor just confirmed that our kid has swine flu. The doctor wants the whole house to take a round of Tamiflu, along with anyone who was in close contact with him since he started showing symptoms, even though he's the only one who is sick. The difference in the way we were handled between the time we arrived and when the lab confirmed the results was huge. When we arrived, we got joking around and human interaction. When the lab called, they stood at the doorway of the room and gave us instructions without coming back in the room, and kept everything super brief. I don't blame them.
Did you child attend the fair?
He was there Thursday and Friday evening dropping his animals off and taking care of them and all day Saturday and Sunday showing them. He didn't show pigs, but was in the pig barn several times and touched the pigs at the petting zoo. I'm sure he touched the pigs in the pig barn, too. It's airborne, though, so direct contact isn't necessary.

Was at the fair all day today and also Monday. All the pigs were gone today and people were cleaning the area. I did see a little boy in the area of the hog pen with presumably his mother and he was bent over vomiting all over the concrete. It appeared they were there helping with the clean up. I assumed the boy was sick from the pigs...but I don't really know.

The above comments were posted to a media report on influenza-like illness in swine and attendees at the Monroe County Fair in Indiana. The comments describe at least six attendees with flu-like symptoms, including a diagnosis of flu.

Link here...

[link to www.recombinomics.com]

Here is another story that deals with the 1st case detection of the same H3N2v strain of that "fair" virus, but from Hawaii.

One just has to be wondering how this variant strain has managed to cross an entire ocean, from what appears to have originated from one of three Fairs on the mainland of the US, there has to be a vector, but what or who could that be.

And even more intriguing is the fact that to date there has been only one case detected in Hawaii, yet this is an infectous flu.

Story here...

Date: Wed 1 Aug 2012
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser [edited]
[link to www.staradvertiser.com]


A Maui resident whose work involves contact with pigs contracted Hawaii's 1st confirmed case of an unusual swine flu strain that has been detected in only 6 mainland states in the past year, the state Health Department said Tuesday [31 Jul 2012]. The state Agriculture Department plans to take nasal swabs of a "couple" of pig herds on Maui looking for evidence of the H3N2v virus, said state veterinarian Dr. James Foppoli.

Since August 2011, the H3N2v virus has only been found in 17 patients on the mainland, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "If we find an infected herd, our recommendation is to not move the animals to make sure there's no more transmission in the herd, and then they will be OK to go to slaughter once they're well," Foppoli said. "Human-to-human transmission is uncommon, so that's not a likely source. You've got to suspect that there's a pig intermediate somewhere along the line where the person got the virus."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late last week confirmed Hawaii's 1st case of the H3N2v virus after the unidentified, adult Maui resident sought medical attention upon experiencing symptoms consistent with the regular seasonal flu, including fever, cough and body aches, the Health Department said. The patient has recovered fully and did not require hospitalization, the Health Department said.

Link here...

[link to www.promedmail.org]

In the left menu under the heading..

02 Aug 2012 Influenza (61): USA (HI) A/(H3N2)v, pig worker

News from here in Australia where a flu outbreak has claimed three lives in a health care facility.

These poor souls had also been previously vaccinated against the flu.

This could be a new strain according to Health Authorities.

Certainly this needs to be closely monitored, we need to have samples tested to identify this flu strain as soon as possible.

The Hunter region is North of Sydney in the State of New South Wales, which lies on the Eastern Seaboard of Australia.

Deadly flu outbreak shuts centres for disabled
Updated August 03, 2012 08:34:06

Map: Morisset 2264.

Two Hunter region facilities for the disabled are in lock-down after a flu-outbreak and the deaths of three residents who had suffered flu-like symptoms.

In the past week, two men in their 60s and a woman aged in her 40s died at the Stockton and Kanangra Centres.

51 residents are now being treated for the flu and strict infection control measures have been introduced at the centres which house 450 people.

The Opposition Health spokesman, Doctor Andrew McDonald says he is concerned that it may be a new strain of flu.

"This is a great concern because most of these people had been vaccinated against the flu," he said.

Link here...

[link to www.abc.net.au]

Mmmm, well Ive mentioned the words "Nanny State" before.

I guess I have strong personal beliefs that could be construed as dissagreeing with this type of heavy handed law making, not to mention the "spin" that is used in this article.

(Big rewards???)

My very last post regarding the three deaths from flu here in Australia, reported that those poor 3 souls HAD been vaccinated.

With the greatest of respect to those poor souls, I wonder if they would agree with that BIG REWARD comment!

I know that I am sounding rather "strong" on this matter, but most of what I have read and come to learn since beginning this thread regarding vaccinations is this.

The rate of infection between vaccinated people compared to the rate of infection between non vaccinated people is in the very minor percentage points.

And when balanced with other potential risks, see posts regarding the increases in Autism alone could suggest that these contentions of benefit might perhaps be somewhat under informed and also somewhat skewed in their accurate rate of benefit.

But of course, those law makers are probably not too far away from those massive political donations from big pharmacutical companies, so one would also need to factor in that possible influence on their capacity to make informed and unbiased decisions and laws!

It simply called being pragmatic!

No Shots, No School. It’s the Law!
School is Starting Soon – Is Your Child Fully Vaccinated?
Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Contact: Bureau of Media & Communications (225) 342-1532


BATON ROUGE—The new school year is almost here, but will your child be ready? Besides shopping for supplies, the back-to-school checklist should include making sure your child has an up-to-date immunizations record. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals reminds parents that ensuring children have received their necessary vaccinations is not only important, it's the law.

"As a parent of two children who are about to start a new school year, I want remind other parents it's important to own your family's health and make sure your kids have gotten the shots they need," said DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "Getting immunizations is a simple process with big rewards. These vaccines help keep children healthy, so they can spend more days in the classroom learning and out of the doctor's office."

Link here...

[link to new.dhh.louisiana.gov]

News coming out of Zimbabwe is suggesting that they may be experiencing an extensive H3N1 flu outbreak, but Government health officials appear to be going to considerable efforts to both deny and shift attention away from the topic, with this following story.

Govt rules out influenza outbreak
Staff Reporters |

2012-08-02 09:41:00


Health and Child Welfare minister Henry Madzorera yesterday ruled out an influenza outbreak in the country, saying government had not received any reports to suggest a crisis.
There are reports that some people had died especially in Bulawayo after contracting the viral disease. State media even claimed that government officials had confirmed that an H3N2 influenza strain was responsible for the death of one person and the illness of 140 000 others.

But Madzorera said he had not been briefed of such an outbreak by his officials whom he last met on Tuesday.

“I don’t have any report yet on flu and I don’t believe there is an outbreak,” he said.

“Right now, I have not been informed of an outbreak of flu.

“There is no indication of an outbreak and will wait until I am informed. I met the responsible department on Tuesday and they did not mention the outbreak.”

Influenza cases are common in winter. The H3N2 strain causes fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache and coughing. Meanwhile, Madzorera warned that the typhoid outbreak in Harare and Chitungwiza was bound to worsen because of poor sanitation in the two cities.

Link here...

[link to www.newsday.co.zw]

Move to a state which offers religious exemptions......or enroll your kids in a private school....or home school.


Typical things added to children's and/or adult vaccines:


Thimerosal (mercury)
Squalene (very dangerous)
Formaldehyde (used to embalm dead animals, etc)
Aluminum (associated with Alzheimer's Disease)
Triton X
Phenol (used to kill jewish people in Nazis Germany)
Ethylene Glycol (anti-freeze used in radiators for cars)
Betaproprolactone
Nonoxynol
Octoxinal 9
MSG (kills brain cells)
2-Phenooxyethanol-DTaP
Glutaraldehyde
Polysorbate 80


Would you knowingly inject your 5 year old with the above chemicals ???

Ok, in response to this post and to give it some greater validity, here again is the recepie of contents and the complete manual issued by The CSL here in Australia for our Fluvax, which I believe remains unchanged.

This however may not be totally correct as it has been some time since I obtained this document.

Never the less, what it does show are the various contents that go with the particular targeted virus, and essentially these would remain unchanged.

H1N1 - Panvax


Swine Flu Vaccination





Goal


• The goal of the pandemic vaccination
program is to provide protection to the
pandemic virus by vaccinating as many
people as quickly as possible, using an
approach which targets specific population
groups




Rationale


The underlying principles for targeting groups in Australia
include:

• To prevent severe disease in those vulnerable to more
severe outcomes
• To prevent spread of disease to the vulnerable by
vaccinating their contacts
• To protect those at high risk of exposure because of their
work
• To protect health care services and reduce healthcare
worker staff absenteeism
• To mitigate potential economic impact on the Australian
pig industry
• To provide herd immunity




Priority Tiers


First Tier

•Pregnant women


Some women who have caught
H1N1 have miscarried or gone
into premature labour

•Medically at risk-
vulnerable
population
•Health care workers
•Indigenous



Second Tier (early 2010)

•Children not covered by 1st
tier
aged 6 months < 10years
•School aged children




Age cut offs in Priority Tier One


• Indigenous People -
All people aged 6 months and
older will be included
• Vulnerable (including medically at risk) -
All people
aged 6 months and older will be included
There is no older age cut off proposed.




Defining of Health care workers


• HCW:
An employee, student or volunteer who has direct contact
with patients, either in the community or at a dedicated health
service sited, in both public and private sectors limited to the
following:
• Aboriginal medical services
• General practice
• Ambulance services (includes RFDS)
• Remote or community health clinics and nursing posts
• Hospitals
• Prisons
• Satellite dialysis units
• Post acute care services in the home (eg
silver chain)




• Community care workers: an employee,
student or volunteer who has direct contact
with patients, either in the community or at a
dedicated site, limited to the following:
• Aged care
• Disability services




Who gets the vaccine directly?


•Metropolitan Public
Hospitals
•Regional Hospitals
•Private Hospitals and Day
Surgeries
•St Johns Ambulance
•Prisons
•Community Health
Clinics
•GP surgeries



•Residential Aged Care
Facilities
•Disability Service
Facilities
•RFDS
•Private satellite Dialysis
Units
•Public Satellite Dialysis
Units
•Aboriginal Medical
Services




• Vaccine ordering and delivery is as per usual
ordering mechanisms for those recipients
listed under “who gets the vaccine directly”.




Why do people need to be
vaccinated


• As this is a new strain of the influenza A virus,
most people do not have any natural immunity
so they are more likely to catch this new ‘flu’
then they are to catch the seasonal flu.
• This vaccine will prevent those with
underlying medical conditions from
developing severe illness




Product Information


•Information provided may change!
•You will be notified of the changes
by the State Government




Which vaccine is to be used to treat
H1N1 Pandemic Influenza?


At least 95 per cent of children have at least one bout of rotavirus gastroenteritis by the time they're five. It spreads quickly in day cares. In severe cases, children need to be hospitalized.

Panvax H1N1 monovalent
Vaccine - CSL


Panvax is a vaccine which
has been made to provide
immunity to the pandemic
2009 influenza strain of
the influenza A virus – a
new strain of the
influenza A virus



Product Description


Panvax is supplied as:

• a clear liquid in
• 10ml Multi dose vials with a latex free rubber
stopper
• Vaccine for children 6 months to 10 years of
age will be provided in single dose pre-filled
syringes (thiomersal free)
• Boxes of 10 vials or may come to start with
boxes of 50 vials .




What’s in Panvax?


Vaccine
Specifications:



The basic vaccine formulation is as
follows:


• Monovalent vaccine
• 15ug of antigen per 0.5mls
• Unadjuvanted
(Adjuvants are compounds used to
enhance the immune response to vaccination –
The
use of adjuvanted vaccines on a large scale carries
the risk that previously unrecognised side effects will
not occur.
That the risk is increased if the adjuvant
has not been widely used in man or has not
previously been combined with influenza antigens)




• 10ml Multi Dose Vials (containing thiomersal
–
compound partly composed of mercury and
ethylmercury.


-
Used to prevent bacterial and fungal
contamination of vaccines



Causes a toxic effect after it reaches a
certain level in the body


• Whether or not it reaches a toxic effect after it
reaches a certain level in the body depends on


-
the amount of mercury consumed and

-
the persons body weight.

• Individuals with very low body weight are usually
more susceptible to toxic effects from a certain
intake of mercury. HENCE…….
• Vaccine for children 6 months to 10 years of age will
be provided in single dose pre-filled syringes
(thiomersal free)




According to the Commonwealth


• There is no evidence that thiomersal has
caused any developmental or neurological
abnormalities, such as ADHD or Autism




Other components According to
Product Information–
Each 0.5mls
contains


• Sub units of A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) v-like
virus
• 15ug haemagglutinin
• As stated –
0.01%w/v Thiomersal as a
preservative




Each 0.5mls also contains


• Sodium Chloride 4.1mg
• Sodium phosphate –dibasic anhydrous 0.3mg
• Sodium phosphate-
monobasic 80ug
• Potassium chloride 20 ug
• Potassium phosphate –
monobasic 20 ug
• Calcium chloride 1.5ug


Explanation of contents in Appendices in 9th
ed
handbook under Vaccine Content



The following are present per dose:


• Taurodeoxycholate
=
5ug (Bile salt-related, anionic
detergent) (can give red eyes, blurred vision etc)
• Ovalbumin
=
1.0ug
• Sucrose <10ug
• Neomycin =
0.7ug – check for allergies to this antibiotic
• Polymyxin
B sulfate =0.11ng– check for allergies to this antibiotic
• Beta-propiolactone
=1.4ng




Dosage and Administration



Take note……..


• Previously --
The vaccination course
consists of 2 doses of 15ug of antigen
at least 21 days apart. … This now no
longer applies
• The vaccination course consists of
1 dose of 15ug of antigen for those
aged 9 years of age and older



Changes

• Children aged 6 months to <9years
of
age require 2 doses with a minimal
interval of 21 days



[link to www.sanantonio.gov]
Changes

Name

Doses

Tier of
administration

1st
dose

2nd
dose

Minimum
interval
between
doses

Panvax

It is given
IM not
subcut
like
seasonal
flu.
There is
a greater
chance
of side
effects if
given
sub cut.

1 (One) IM
dose
(0.5ml/dose)

>9years

2 (Two) IM
dose

(0.25ml/dose)

6mths-<3yrs

2 (Two) IM
dose

(0.5ml/dose)

3-9years

TIER 1

Pregnant
women

Medically at
risk (>6
months)

Health care
workers

Indigenous

( >6 months)

Pregnant
women in
their 2nd
and
3rd
trimester

Individuals
aged 10
years old and
over will be
able to
receive this
formulation
of 15ug of
antigen per
0.5ml

=21days

Can give
in 1st
Trimester

That is for
eg. given
accidently
not
knowing if
client was
pregnant

Or if client
requests
it.

21 days





Please Note -- CHANGES


• It is recommended that all children under 10
years of age wait for the thiomersal
free
vaccine
• Yes the vaccine is available to those =
6
months of age and so if clients request the
vaccine and are aware of the vaccine content
they may receive the thiomersal
vaccine with
out waiting for the thiomersal
free vaccine




Use with other vaccines?


• Panvax can be given with other vaccines
• It is not a live vaccine so no special waiting
times when administering other vaccines




How much is given?


• 1 (One) IM dose (0.5ml/dose)


>9years

• 2 (Two) IM dose


(0.25ml/dose)

6mths-<3yrs

• 2 (Two) IM dose


(0.5ml/dose)

3-9 years


Changes

Administration and instructions for
use and handling


• Panvax is for IM injection
• Vaccine that has been drawn into syringes in
preparation for administration must be used on the
day they are drawn
• Hence –
same day use (end of clinic, surgery or day)
in drawn up syringe
• Punctured Multi Dose Vials can remain in the fridge
for up to 24hours since date of first opening (may
change)




• Check and observe vial for clear fluid
• The contents of the vial should be inspected visually
before and after shaking for any foreign particulate
matter and or abnormal physical appearance prior to
administration
• Once drawn up into a syringe it is for single use only
• ALSO -
once drawn up into syringe –
must be
discarded at the end of the
day/clinic etc
DO NOT
STORE DRAWN UP SYRINGES FOR NEXT CLINIC
DAYS AND DO NOT DRAW UP VACCINE FOR THE
WHOLE WEEK OR FOR NUMEROUS VACCINATION
CLINICS!




Preparing Panvax



•Record the date and time of opening on
the MDV


DO NOT USE MDV if:

-sterility is breached

-cold chain is breached (outside 2-8°C)

-expiry date reached

-More than 24 hours since date of first
opening (may change again) and
contact_________________________
for advice on how to discard (see cold
chain section)


•Wipe the diaphragm of the MDV
with an alcohol swap
•If taking doses from an already
opened MDV, check opening date
and then wipe the diaphragm with
alcohol prior to use



ONE


TWO



•Using an aseptic ‘no-touch’
technique, insert into the diaphragm a
new single use sterile drawing up
needle for the extraction of doses



•Draw up each single dose required
into separate new sterile syringes
and attached a new sterile
administration needle
•Each single dose vaccine must be
used (within 7 hours of drawing up
vaccine) and/discarded at the end
of clinic session



THREE


FOUR



•When the required number
of doses have been
extracted, remove the
drawing up needle and
dispose in appropriate
sharps container
•If contents of the MDV are
not all used, refrigerate the
MDV (+2-8°C)



NB: Unused vaccine
should be discarded
through normal medical
waste mechanisms


FIVE


SIX



• Gloves are not recommended for routine
immunisation service providers. However, in
a pandemic influenza environment, PPE -
mask, eyewear, gloves and gown may be
indicated for protection of the vaccine
administrator if need be.




Vaccine distribution


• First delivery of vaccines –
Contact the 9388
number on the order form if you require more
vaccines on your first order
• 50 pack of 10ml vials = 18-20 doses per vial
• 10 pack of 10ml vials = 18-20 doses per vial
• End of September delivery changes
• 10 pack of 5ml vials = 10 doses per vial




Cold Chain


• As per Strive for 5 Guidelines
• Store at +2-+8oC
• Refrigerate do not Freeze and protect from light
• If the vaccine has been exposed to a cold chain breach, do not
discard but isolate vaccines, inform other staff and label them
“Do not use”. Keep the vaccines stored at +2-+8°C and contact
________________________ for advice
• Cold chain breaches are to be reported through normal
channels of reporting.
For eg. contacting the divisions of
general practice, Regional Immunisation Coordinators, the
Central Immunisation clinic etc in order to obtain advice.




• If MDV is to be used throughout an immunisation clinic and left
on a work bench for easy access so you do not have to go into
the fridge repeatedly -
• -
ensure that the MDV is placed within a kidney dish, protected
from light and the kidney dish is placed on top of an ice block to
maintain the cold chain.
• -
drawn up vaccines can remain within the kidney dish whilst
vaccinating
• NB: always check the coldness of the cold pack an the cold
pack must be ‘sweated’ first upon removal from the freezer.




Common Questions



If I had Human Swine flu do I need to
be vaccinated?



• If you have been diagnosed with swine flu –
confirmed by testing, then No vaccination is
required
• If you have been told you had swine flu but
not confirmed testing then you can get
vaccinated




If someone was on Tamiflu
can they
be vaccinated?



Yes


• Tamiflu
is an antiviral working on infections




How long after the vaccination am I
protected



• On average it takes about 2-4 weeks to fully
develop protection against Human Swine Flu




How long am I protected??



• 1 year protection




Is the vaccine safe???



• Clinical trials have shown that the vaccine is
safe on those who participated. The
Australian Government has granted
exemption from registration for this vaccine
to make it available for use as soon as
possible.
• Ongoing assessment of the vaccine will
continue to monitor its safety and also
identify if a booster dose (a second shot) is
required to provide you with immunity to the
virus.




According to the vaccine trials
group and CSL on adults and now
kids


• Only common side effects have occurred –
eg
pain, swelling and redness at the injection
site




Can Thiomersal
be given to pregnant
women?



• Thiomersal
has a very long safety record and
has not been shown to have any long term
problems
• Influenza vaccines are safe during pregnancy
and are normally recommended for pregnant
women. The Panvax® H1N1 vaccine is not a
‘live’ vaccine and is not a risk to unborn
babies.
• Expectant mothers may have some side
effects from vaccination but this is usually
only a sore, red arm, or slight headache.




If I had the seasonal flu do I need to
get this additional vaccine (even
during pregnancy?) ?



• Yes
• This new vaccine protects people against
pandemic influenza –
Human Swine Flu.
• The seasonal vaccine gives no protection
against this new strain




Who should not get the vaccine?



People with a known severe allergy to eggs
should not be given the vaccine ---
(anaphylactic hypersensitivity)


Characterised
by

• Generalised
hives
• Swelling of the mouth and throat
• Difficulty in breathing, wheeze
• Low BP and
• Shock




• And as usual:
- Anaphylaxis following a previous dose of the
relevant vaccine, and
- Anaphylaxis following any component of the relevant
vaccine
• Also check allergies to:
- Neomycin
- Polymyxin
B
- Especially if the client has had an anaphylactic
hypersensitivity to the above anti biotics




Be aware of false contraindications
to vaccinations


• Conditions listed in Table 1.3.4 page 21 in the
Immunisation hand book outlines false
contraindications.
• People with these conditions should be
vaccinated with all recommended vaccines




Corticosteroids – just take note...


• Clients on daily doses of corticosteroids
(Adults in excess of
60mgof prednisilone; Children in excess of either 2mg/kg per
day for more than a week or 1mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) will
greatly suppress the immune system
• which means that not only is the vaccine unlikely to be
effective, but there is an increased chance of adverse events
occurring
as a result of immunosuppression
• just like any vaccine you can still vaccinate however the
protection offered will be greatly reduced…….


-
Partial protection is better than no protection. If the client
was to catch swine flu and was vaccinated ---
the
symptoms may not be as severe



What about other medication??



• Some medications may interfere with
influenza vaccines as discussed.
• Others include:
- Some treatments for cancer (including
radiation therapy)
- Cyclosporine-
immunosuppressant drug




What are the side effects from the
vaccine?



Common side effects include:


- Pain and redness at the injection site
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Muscle aches
- Low grade fever
- Malaise
- Headache
- General Public can report side effects by calling the
Adverse Medicine Events Line on 1300 134 237.




Very rare side effects


• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Guillian-Barre Syndrome (nervous system
disorder featuring paralysis)




History of Guillian-Barre Syndrome
(GBS)


• Risks and benefits of the influenza and H1N1
pandemic influenza vaccine should be
weighed against the potential risk of GBS
recurrence
• Specialist advice advised
• NB People with a history of GBS may be at
risk of recurrence of the condition following
influenza vaccine




Will I get GBS from this vaccine?


• From the evidence collected by experts:
• GBS is 4 to 7 times more likely after an attack
of the actual flu than after the influenza
vaccine
• There have been reports overseas of a
possible association between influenza
vaccinations and GBS




Hasn’t the pandemic flu peaked –
isn’t it too late for me to benefit from
the vaccine??



• We don’t know that the pandemic has peaked
• Its never too late to gain immunity
• Experience from countries in the northern
hemisphere this year has also shown that
pandemic influenza can continue to spread in
the summer months
• Vaccination will protect you through summer
and into the flu season next year




Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza
Vaccination Packs



• This Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 VacPac (VacPac)
contains equipment sufficient for the
administration of 200 doses of pandemic
H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (vaccine).
• A mini VacPac
is only available for GP
surgeries and only includes syringes and
needles only
• The components of each VacPac are listed
below:




Item

Quantity/Packaging

1mL syringes

1 box x 220 syringes

Drawing up needles 19g x 38mm

1 box x 220 needles

Injection needles 23g x 25mm

1 box x 200 needles

Injection needles 23g x 38mm

1 box x 40 needles

Alcohol Swabs

1 box x 220 swabs

Sharps containers

3 individual sharps containers

Disposable dishes

6 individual dishes

Disposable Gloves

1 box x 110 gloves

Clinical waste bags and closure
devices

2 individual bags and closures

Sticking Plaster

1 box x 110 plasters

Alcohol Hand Rub

2 x 500mL bottles with
dispensers

Cotton Wool Balls

1 bag x 220 cotton wool balls




GP mini VacPac


Item

Quantity/Packaging

1mL syringes

1 box x 220 syringes

Drawing up needles 19g x 38mm

1 box x 200 needles

Injection needles 23g x 25mm

1 box x 200 needles

Injection needles 23g x 38mm

1 box x 40 needles




• Some additional quantities of each
component are provided to cover normal
levels of wastage that may occur in a mass
vaccination situation.
• The 19g x 38mm needles have been included
for drawing up. 23g x 25mm needles can be
used for administering the vaccine to the
majority of the population.
• A quantity of 23g x 38mm needles has also
been provided for use with obese adults.




AND FINALLY


•Consent
•Consent is needed because the
vaccine is not registered



Changes

• Please note when the vaccine becomes
registered –
there is no need to use the
Commonwealths consent form



Changes

Child and Adult consent form

Containing the following:

- Fact sheet on the vaccine and what pandemic
influenza 2009 is
- Effects of the disease, possible side effects of
vaccination, contraindications and what to do to
reduce side effects
- Care after vaccination
- Pre vaccination checklist
- Client record following vaccination




Consent forms –
data uptake
only if the vaccine is unregistered


• Completed consent cards will need to be
faxed or scanned to the Department of Health
Communicable Disease Control Directorate
to be entered on the data base
• For this reason we will be able to monitor
dosages and organise
the help desk



Changes

• For GP surgeries and all other
clinics/hospitals you will need to fax/scan or
email consent cards and send it to a 1800:
Number to be advised
• A call centre will be organised
which will act
as a help line to check to see if people have
been vaccinated i.e. which doses they have
had. This number is for health staff only!
• 1800 243 522
• 180 2007 –
is for the general public




Quick Consent – just a thought!


• It may be best to get clients together and do a group
consent prior to vaccination.
• I.E. 1 nurse to go through consent


-
1 admin to check to see it is filled and direct
any errors back to consent nurse (optional)

-
then clients can see the vaccinator

• That way the vaccinator does not have to go through
the consent




Trivalent vaccine


• To be included in the seasonal influenza
vaccine
• ?? Next year




You will receive with each vaccine
order:


• Your vaccine
• Vacpacks
• Consent forms
• ADRAC (adverse events form)





Last Edited by arkay on 08/02/2012 10:30 PM

You know this ^ face!