Vaccine
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As A(H1N1) influenza enters the post-pandemic phase, health authorities around the world are reviewing the response to the pandemic. To ensure this process enhances future preparations, it is essential that perspectives are included from all relevant stakeholders, including vaccine manufacturers. This paper outlines the contribution of R&D-based influenza vaccine producers to the pandemic response, and explores lessons that can be learned to improve future preparedness. ⋯ Enhancing international regulatory co-operation and mutual recognition of approvals could accelerate vaccine supply, while maintaining safety standards. Strengthening communications with the public and healthcare workers using new approaches and new channels could help improve vaccine uptake. Finally, increasing seasonal vaccine coverage will be particularly important to extend and sustain pandemic vaccine production capacity.
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Intramuscular vaccination may lead to loss of subcutaneous fat resulting in skin depression at the site of injection. We report for the first time a delayed lipoatrophy after with AS03-adjuvanted influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccine. Inadequate administration into the adipose tissue may be causative. During next pandemic, education to optimal intramuscular administration and prolonged monitoring of adverse effects could be proposed.