Toddlers in the Australian state of Victoria will be offered free influenza vaccinations following a severe 2017 flu season. Jill Hennessy, Victoria's minister for health, announced on Saturday that the shots will be available for children aged between six months and five years from May onwards, reports Xinhua news agency. More than 3,941 children younger than five years old were hospitalized in Victoria alone during the 2017 flu season, up from 871 the previous year. Eight-year-old Rosie Anderson died from the flu in September just a week after contracting the virus. More than 385,000 are expected to receive the free vaccinations, costing the state $2.74 million. While the number of children who caught the flu more than quadrupled, cases in the general population also rose to more than 13,000 compared to around 7,000 the previous year. Hennessy called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to expand the National Immunization Program (NIP) to include children. "We're ensuring kids aged … [Read more...] about Australia to offer free flu vaccinations to toddlers
Vaccine
Proven vaccines for kids are safe– Gordon
THE head of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Wednesday appealed to parents not to lose trust in the immunization program of the government amid the fear and anxiety brought by the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia. At the resumption of the Senate investigation of the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia controversy, Sen. Richard Gordon said there are still other vaccines that have been proven effective in protecting children from various diseases. He added that parents should not allow the Dengvaxia scare affect their views on other vaccines that have been given to children for several decades. “The public needs to understand that immunization is not bad especially those that have been there for so many years. I am pro-immunization,” the blue ribbon chairman said. He added that parents should still submit their children to immunization especially against measles, polio and others with proven safe vaccines. “We have to trust the DoH [Department of Health] because there is no other … [Read more...] about Proven vaccines for kids are safe– Gordon
Anti-dengue vaccine ‘may be connected to three deaths’
MANILA: The Philippines said on Friday the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia may be connected to three deaths in the country, according to a government-ordered inquiry, and that the drug is not ready for mass immunisation. French drugmaker Sanofi revealed in November that Dengvaxia -- the world's first dengue vaccine -- might increase the risk of severe disease in people who had never been exposed to the virus. The news prompted an uproar in the Philippines, where more than 800,000 school-age children had been vaccinated in 2016.Sanofi officials were not immediately available for comment on the government announcement.The Philippine Health Ministry halted Dengvaxia immunisations in November. It formed a 10-member panel of experts to determine if the drug was directly connected to the deaths of 14 children after they were given the vaccine.It found it may have been connected to the deaths of three."Three cases were found to have causal association. They died of dengue even (though) they … [Read more...] about Anti-dengue vaccine ‘may be connected to three deaths’
Consider getting the shingles vaccine before 65: Doctors’ Notes
If you’re over the age of 50, you might want to start thinking about getting a shingles vaccine. In my practice, I encourage patients to consider getting the shot once they’re between 50 and 60 years of age, as well as all older unvaccinated individuals without contraindications. Ontario — as well as some other provinces — funds the shot for people between 65 and 70. But I think it’s worth considering paying out of pocket for early protection from this painful rash and its potential long-term complications. The infection is a reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which unlike most other viruses, doesn’t leave the body after you’ve recovered. The virus can remain latent for decades. Although children and young adults can get shingles, it most often occurs in people more than 50, with a greater likelihood of complications. The rash can look like chickenpox — painful red blisters that typically break out along the distribution of a nerve … [Read more...] about Consider getting the shingles vaccine before 65: Doctors’ Notes
Your letters: Proud to see Ontario providing high-dose flu vaccines for seniors
‘Unusual’ flu season has yet to hit its peak, according to health experts, Jan. 9 With influenza A (H3N2) infection reaching epidemic levels, the Ontario government should be commended for its decision to offer seniors an enhanced vaccine to help improve protection next flu season.The standard flu shot (which is free for all Canadians) is about half as effective in seniors than in younger adults. The Canadian Committee on Immunization recommends seniors be administered the high-dose vaccine to provide them stronger protection. As a geriatric specialist, I’m proud to see that Ontario will be providing seniors the high-dose flu vaccine starting this 2018-2019 flu season. I hope to soon see the other provinces and territories follow Ontario’s example by adding the high-dose vaccine to their public programs to help reduce the costly health and economic burden of the flu. William B. Dalziel, Ottawa, Ont. … [Read more...] about Your letters: Proud to see Ontario providing high-dose flu vaccines for seniors