Vaccine Research
Investigators have found a small, but life-threatening risk associated with GlaxoSmithKline's Rotarix, a rotavirus vaccine. The vax, which prevents the most common cause of dehydration and severe diarrhea in children, caused intussusception in 1 in 51,000 to 1 in 68,000 inoculated babies. The CDC emphasized that the risk does not outweigh the benefits of being vaccinated. Report
Vaccine Market
The FDA has granted Emergent BioSolutions fast track status for its investigational anthrax vaccine, NuThrax. The new vaccine combines Emergent's BioThrax with CPG 7909, an immunostimulatory compound, and is currently in Phase Ib testing. Emergent release
Novartis' application for broader use of its meningitis vaccine, Menveo, has been accepted by the FDA. If approved, the vaccine could be used with infants as young as two months old. It's currently approved in the U.S. for two to 55 year olds. Item
The CDC has held its first of four public meetings around the U.S. to determine whether to recommend bacterial meningitis shots for infants. Currently, the group only recommends the vax for 11 to 18 year olds, but the FDA has approved a jab for children 9 months and older. Article
Denmark and an unidentified European NATO nation have purchased doses of Bavarian Nordic's smallpox vaccine, Imvamune. The company believes these orders, while smaller than the contract it has with the U.S., could pave the way towards "a long-term cooperation on building up a modern biopreparedness." News
About 95% of parents confirmed their children are receiving their recommended vaccines, according to a CDC study. Only 2% of parents said they would not innoculate their children at all. Item
And Finally... Precious Reynolds, an 8-year-old from Willow Creek, CA, has become the third person in the U.S. to survive rabies without a rabies vaccine. She contracted the illness after being scratched by an infected stray cat. Story