ISLAMABAD: Pakistan urged Facebook to remove harmful polio-related content from the social networking site on Friday (May 3), saying it was jeopardising eradication initiatives and putting the lives of vaccinators at risk.Polio vaccination campaigns have faced stubborn resistance for years in Pakistan.In recent months Pakistani social media has been inundated with fake news reports and videos - garnering thousands of views and shares in the last week alone - claiming numerous children have been killed by the polio vaccine.Thousands of parents have refused to allow their children to be inoculated."The parental refusals due to propaganda on Facebook regarding the vaccine is emerging as the major obstacle in achieving complete eradication of the virus," Babar Atta, who is helping oversee the country's vaccination drive, said in a statement.Atta has requested "Facebook's management to block and/or manage the dissemination of such anti vaccination propaganda from their platforms operating … [Read more...] about Pakistan demands Facebook remove polio vaccine misinformation
Vaccination
As measles returns, US states look to cut vaccine exemptions
NEW YORK: Maine could soon prohibit parents from citing religious or personal beliefs to avoid vaccinating their children, making the US state one of a half dozen cracking down during the nations' largest measles outbreak in 25 years. State legislatures in New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Minnesota and Iowa, are looking at similar bills, that would only allow exemptions from vaccinations for medical reasons as determined by the child's doctor.The United States has recorded at least 704 measles cases so far this year in outbreaks that US Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar has called "completely avoidable." Azar and other officials have largely blamed the outbreaks on the spread of misinformation, including a belief debunked by scientific studies that vaccine ingredients can cause autism. This has led to pockets of lower-than-normal vaccination rates in some communities.US public health officials declared measles eliminated in 2000, meaning the … [Read more...] about As measles returns, US states look to cut vaccine exemptions
US approves dengue vaccine Dengvaxia
US approves dengue vaccine Dengvaxia (Agence France-Presse) - May 3, 2019 - 9:41am WASHINGTON, United States — US health authorities have given their approval to dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, the controversial first treatment designed to protect against the deadly mosquito-borne virus. The Food and Drug Administration made the announcement on Wednesday, but the use of the vaccine can only occur under certain strict conditions: only children aged between nine and 16, who have previously confirmed infections, and who live in endemic areas, may receive the dose. "While there is no cure for dengue disease... approval is an important step toward helping to reduce the impact of this virus," said Anna Abram, a senior FDA official. The virus is endemic in the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, said the FDA. Dengue, which causes hemorrhagic fever, is the world's most common … [Read more...] about US approves dengue vaccine Dengvaxia
US approves controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia
WASHINGTON: US health authorities have given their approval to dengue vaccine Dengvaxia, the controversial first treatment designed to protect against the deadly mosquito-borne virus. The Food and Drug Administration made the announcement on Wednesday, but the use of the vaccine can only occur under certain strict conditions: only children aged between nine and 16, who have previously confirmed infections, and who live in endemic areas, may receive the dose. “While there is no cure for dengue disease ... approval is an important step toward helping to reduce the impact of this virus,“ said Anna Abram, a senior FDA official. The virus is endemic in the US territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, said the FDA. Dengue, which causes haemorrhagic fever, is the world’s most common mosquito-borne virus and infects an estimated 390 million people in more than 120 countries each year — killing more than 25,000 of them, according to the … [Read more...] about US approves controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia
Does natural immunity from infection protect better than vaccination?
World Immunisation Week, which falls on the last week of April every year, promotes the use of vaccines for all ages against various diseases, and the theme this year is Protected Together: Vaccines Work! The campaign celebrates vaccine heroes around the world, from parents, community members, health workers, innovators and those who work hard to ensure that we are all protected through the power of vaccines. Immunisation saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognised as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Yet, there are many who still believe that natural immunity provides better protection for ourselves. There are still nearly 20 million unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children in the world today, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). Some deadly diseases are also re-emerging, even though scientists had largely eliminated them with vaccines for decades. Recent outbreaks of the oldest vaccine-preventable diseases such as … [Read more...] about Does natural immunity from infection protect better than vaccination?