Expert review of vaccines
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Expert review of vaccines · Aug 2014
ReviewAdministering influenza vaccine to egg-allergic persons.
The most serious form of type I or IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reaction is anaphylaxis. A standardized case definition of anaphylaxis as an adverse event after immunization has been developed. Such reactions to vaccines, including influenza vaccine, are rare but potentially life-threatening. ⋯ However, a large number of recent studies have demonstrated that egg-allergic recipients are no more likely than those without egg allergy to suffer such reactions. Published guidelines have been updated to recommend that patients with egg allergy receive annual influenza vaccination. Any patient who has an anaphylactic reaction to influenza vaccine should be carefully evaluated by an allergist for guidance on subsequent immunization.
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Expert review of vaccines · Jul 2014
ReviewImproving pandemic H5N1 influenza vaccines by combining different vaccine platforms.
A variety of platforms are being explored for the development of vaccines for pandemic influenza. Observations that traditional inactivated subvirion vaccines and live-attenuated vaccines against H5 and some H7 influenza viruses were poorly immunogenic spurred efforts to evaluate new approaches, including whole virus vaccines, higher doses of antigen, addition of adjuvants and combinations of different vaccine modalities in heterologous prime-boost regimens to potentiate immune responses. Results from clinical trials of prime-boost regimens have been very promising. Further studies are needed to determine optimal combinations of platforms, intervals between doses of vaccines and the logistics of deployment in pre-pandemic and early pandemic settings.
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Expert review of vaccines · Jun 2014
ReviewCurrent progress in pulmonary delivery of measles vaccine.
Due to the high infectivity of measles virus, achieving sufficient population immunity to interrupt transmission requires two doses of live attenuated measles virus vaccine. Subcutaneous delivery of vaccine by injection requires trained personnel, maintenance of a cold chain and safe disposal of used needles and syringes. ⋯ Nebulized liquid vaccine is effective for a second dose of vaccine in older children, but less effective for primary vaccination of infants. Dry powder vaccine provides solid protection in macaques and boosts responses in immune adults, but has not yet been tested in infants.
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Expert review of vaccines · May 2014
EditorialThe decade of vaccines global vaccine action plan: shaping immunization programmes in the current decade.
Since the establishment of the Expanded Programme on Immunization in 1974, there has been considerable progress with scaling up access to immunization globally. Currently an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths and an even greater burden of morbidity and disability are averted annually through immunization. ⋯ The first annual progress report of the GVAP noted that while there has been progress in several areas, the world is not on track to achieve several of the key goals and milestones in the plan. Achieving the vision for the decade will require the concerted action of all stakeholders, including national governments and communities.
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Expert review of vaccines · Apr 2014
ReviewImpact of HPV immunization on the detection of cervical disease.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. The development of HPV vaccines has been a major advance in the prevention of these diseases. Recent studies have shown promising early effects of HPV immunization programs on cervical abnormalities and genital warts, with evidence of herd immunity against genital warts also emerging in Australia. Further studies are required to not only continue monitoring the effect of the HPV immunization on the incidence of these diseases, but also to establish the effect the immunization will have on cervical screening programs and the performance of colposcopy.