Findings Published in Two International Peer-reviewed Publications Provide New Global Data on Influenza Vaccine Provision and the Level of support for

Vaccine supply data from 157 countries shows that global vaccination levels remain low;
while policy measures that directly impact patients are linked to higher levels of Influenza Vaccination.

Geneva, 28 November 2011 – Two studies being published this week in peer-reviewed journals look at global vaccination policies and use global vaccination provision data that had not been previously available. The first study published in Vaccine[1] shows that despite influenza vaccine provision increasing, levels globally remain low and the rate of growth is slowing. Only 20% countries achieved the study’s conservative threshold which is based on WHO immunization recommendations[2]. Official vaccination recommendations alone do not drive higher coverage; instead public health policies with a direct impact on patients, such as effective communication and reimbursement policies, are associated with higher levels of seasonal influenza vaccination. These factors appeared substantially more important than United Nations (UN) development status, which does not appear to correlate directly to coverage levels. The second study being published in the International Nursing Review[3] shows that there is wide-spread health authority support for healthcare worker immunization around the world.

The new data for the two publications was provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA)[4]. Although seasonal influenza places a major burden on public health, with over 40% of national governments recommending vaccination of at-risk groups, no systematic global data has been available to assess vaccine provision nor the effect of immunization policies. For this reason, the IFPMA compiled global vaccine supply data for 157 countries from 2004 and 2009.

The IFPMA study published in Vaccine measured seasonal influenza vaccine provision worldwide and found coverage needs to continue to grow strongly to meet vaccination recommendations issued by public health Authorities and Organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO). The results show that global vaccine supply increased by more than 70% to 449 million doses during the study period (2004 to 2009), but only 20% of the 157 study countries reached the study’s low threshold level, which was based on WHO seasonal influenza immunization recommendations for the elderly only, and did not include other at-risk groups.

“Protecting communities around the world against the ongoing threat posed by seasonal influenza is an important public health goal,” commented Dr. Lance C. Jennings, Clinical Associate Professor, Canterbury Health Laboratories & Pathology Department, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand. “The growth seen in vaccination levels in recent years is encouraging, but coverage rates do not meet local official immunization targets in many countries. Therefore, the results of this new IFPMA study, showing that effective communication and reimbursement policies help improve uptake irrespective of national development status, are particularly welcome.”

The study showed vaccine provision was uneven around the world, and several less developed nations, notably in Latin America, achieved higher coverage levels than a number of more developed countries, particularly in Eastern and Southern Europe. Sub-group analysis of 26 countries showed countries’ development status and the inclusion of influenza vaccine in official recommendations did not appear to correlate well with vaccine provision. In contrast, vaccine uptake showed higher correlations with large-scale communication activities and reimbursement.

Many countries recommend seasonal influenza vaccine for key risk groups, and undertake annual immunization campaigns. Although vaccine use is increasing around the world, the rate of growth is slowing, and few countries achieve high levels of vaccine coverage. Continuing and accelerating the growth in vaccine uptake is essential to protect populations against the threat of influenza. The IFPMA indicates that the opportunity exists to achieve this goal. Robust measures that connect directly with patients, such as the use of effective communications and financial support for vaccination, can improve the effectiveness of local immunization policies, irrespective of countries’ UN development status.

The second IFPMA study published in the International Nursing Review³ shows public health authorities around the world officially recommend and financially support seasonal influenza vaccination for healthcare workers. The proportion of countries supporting healthcare worker immunization was similar to that targeting ‘traditional’ risk groups. Notably, health authorities’ support for vaccination did not correlate with national UN development status.

“Public health experts around the world are increasingly calling for routine influenza vaccination of healthcare professionals, to protect the workers themselves, their families and colleagues, and most importantly their patients,” said Dr Kristin L. Nichol, Associate Chief of Staff for Research, Minneapolis VA Medical Center Professor of Medicine, University of Minnesota.

“Seasonal influenza poses a serious threat, causing potentially life-threatening infections in seriously ill patients, and staff absences that can disrupt healthcare services and increase costs. In contrast, healthcare worker vaccination can enhance patient safety, reduce workplace absence and provide savings for healthcare organizations.”

Dr Nichol also stated that “Increasing immunization rates is an important priority, and robust policy measures, such as education, providing easy access to vaccines and formally documenting workers’ vaccination status can help achieve this. The results of this new IFPMA research are therefore particularly encouraging, because they show official support for healthcare worker immunization is wide-spread, including in less developed countries, and is not simply determined by national wealth.”

The IFPMA data surveyed 26 countries taken from each region of the world. The research found 88% of the countries recommended healthcare worker vaccination against seasonal influenza. This compared with 92% that recommended immunization for those with chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, and 96% that recommended vaccination of the elderly. In these countries, there was no clear correlation with development status, as defined by the UN classification, with 83% of less developed countries and 92% of more developed nations recommending healthcare worker immunization.

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[1] Palache A. Seasonal influenza vaccine provision in 157 countries (2004 to 2009) and the potential influence of national public health policies. Vaccine Volume 29, issue 51, pp. 9459-9466 (Cover date 28 November 2011) © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

2 The threshold was based on a single target group included in WHO recommendations: the elderly. No other risk groups were included. Consequently, the threshold, set at 15.9% of the population, was considered conservative.

3 Music T. Protecting patients, protecting healthcare workers: the role of influenza vaccination. International Nursing Review 2011.

4 Supplied by IFPMA IVS member companies: Abbott Biologicals, Baxter, Biken, Crucell, CSL, Denka Seiken, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Green Cross, Hualan Biologicals, Kaketsuken, Kitasato Institute, MedImmune, Novartis Vaccines, Sanofi Pasteur, Sanofi Pasteur MSD and Sinovac.


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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.

Africa Positioning Itself to Realize the Demographic Dividend as Leaders Push for Global Access to Family Planning

DAKAR, Senegal, 30 Nov. 2011 – Researchers and advocates will meet on the second day of this major family planning conference in Dakar to discuss critical findings and proven strategies to deliver family planning services. Their shared goal: to broadly increase contraceptive access to 215 million women worldwide and to transform development across the board.

Today’s conference theme will be the demographic dividend – the concept that health and social development, enabled by full access to contraception, are inextricably linked with strong economic growth. There are numerous examples of success in Asia, where declining fertility, spurred by rising contraceptive use, have led to increased education, improved health, and market-driven economic policies have allowed for significant income growth. To determine whether Africa is poised to follow suit, experts must examine countries with recent and remarkable achievements in family planning, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda.

“Investing in family planning is one the most cost-effective strategies governments can implement. When women prevent unintended pregnancies, families can invest their resources in education, healthcare and family businesses.” said Dr. Amy Tsui, Director of the Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a lead conference organizer.

African finance and health ministers will convene today in a high-level closed-door meeting to discuss concrete steps to achieve the demographic dividend in their own countries. In addition, an official press conference will feature five experts speaking to the policy, research, donor, and program components necessary to increase access to family planning, and the economic benefits of doing so. Speakers will include:

· Hon. Haja Zainab Hawa Bangura, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone

· Dr. Amy Tsui, Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Institute of Population and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

· Ms. Monica Kerrigan, Deputy Director and Team Leader, Family Planning/Reproductive Health, Family Health Office, Global Health Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

· Dr. Scott Radloff, Director, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

· Dr. Akinrinola Bankole, Director, International Research, Guttmacher Institute

· Ms. Jill Sheffield, President, Women Deliver

“We’ve made a lot of progress in putting maternal health on the global agenda; now we must call on leaders to put family planning on their to-do list. Every individual deserves this – women, men, and young people,” said Jill Sheffield, President and Founder of Women Deliver.

The challenges ahead are significant, but this conference presents enormous opportunity to profoundly impact global development for the next 50 years plus.

The ICFP is co-sponsored by more than 30 international organizations including USAID, DFID, AFD, UNFPA, WHO, European Commission, World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Accredited members of the press may register for ICFP in-person at Le Méridien, Dakar

For more information on ICFP, please visit: www.fpconference2011.org

Follow us on Twitter @FPDakar2011 and find us on Facebook

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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.

andmark Conference on Family Planning Opens Today in Dakar, Senegal

DAKAR, Senegal, 29 Nov. 2011 – Thousands from around the world will gather at Le Méridien President Hotel in Dakar, Senegal today for the opening of the International Conference on Family planning. This is the largest meeting of its kind, and will aim to push forward an agenda for broad family planning access and support around the world. Today, more than 215 million women worldwide want but do not have access.

The historic four-day conference features more than 140 plenaries, sessions and panels that will share latest research, proven strategies, and lessons learned in addressing the massive need for contraception worldwide. Participants will seek to galvanize greater political and financial support, hold governments accountable for their commitments, and champion contraceptive innovation and access.

In a world of seven billion, empowering women and ensuring access to contraception for all individuals is more important than ever. “Now is the time to prioritize family planning – as a strategy to reduce maternal mortality, to improve the lives of women and their families, and ultimately, to enable broad and enduring economic development,” said Dr. Amy Tsui, Director of the Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and a lead conference organizer.

To launch this landmark meeting, Melinda Gates will welcome over 2,000 participants in a video address. An opening plenary will feature remarks from: His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal; Her Excellency Chantal Compaoré, the First Lady of Burkina Faso; the Honorable Stephen O’Brien, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of DFID; and Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Populations Fund.

“We are honored to have such an influential group of experts together in Africa – precisely where the need is greatest, and the hurdles highest. We believe that this conference will shape the future of families and nations and will be a milestone event for women, men, youth and children worldwide,” said Dr. Tsui.

As the conference opens today, the need for family planning access, affordability, and effectiveness has never been greater – but nor have the solutions been more attainable. The wealth of scientific knowledge, family planning experience, and critical discussions at ICFP will help ensure that universal access to family planning becomes a reality.

The ICFP is co-sponsored by more than 30 international organizations including USAID, DFID, AFD, UNFPA, WHO, European Commission, World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.

Matt Damon Leads the List of Guest Bloggers in the New Water Section of the Huffington Post

As an advocate helping solve the global safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) challenge, join the discussion on the new Huffington Post Water page. The blog by Matt Damon, summarized below, is the leading article on this interactive and informative page. To post your comments, read blogs and watch WASH related videos, visit Huffington Post Water.

Safe Water and a Toilet -- Is That Too Much to Ask... for 2.5 Billion People?

By the time you finish reading this paragraph one more child will have died from something that's been preventable for over a century. Nearly 40 percent of the world's population is still unable to secure a safe glass of water or access a basic toilet. While we continue to rally around the goal of ensuring safe water and sanitation for everyone, the real question we are left asking ourselves is: how do we truly approach this in a way that results in realizing this vision within our lifetime?

Even today, as solutions are known and available, lack of access to safe water and sanitation continues to claim more lives through disease than any war claims through guns. This painful reality has driven philanthropic efforts to help stop the suffering. But even after decades of charity, subsidies, multilateral aid, and investments on the part of governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the system remains inefficient and largely misses the goal of providing relief for those at the bottom of the economic pyramid (BOP) in their daily need to secure water.

Instead of viewing this as an ocean of people with their hands out waiting for charity-driven solutions, what if we see them as potential customers? In the past decade we have seen a paradigm shift in how we understand the BOP -- a shift that holds much promise for tackling the safe drinking water and sanitation crisis. Microfinance has been a catalyst in this, democratizing access to capital.

Through WaterCredit, Water.org has explored the application of microfinance to water and sanitation needs. With the support of the Pepsico Foundation, Water.org has reached more than 250,000 people with loans that allow them to pay connection fees for house taps and to construct toilets. Now, Water.org is taking this to scale with an $8 million grant from the Pepsico Foundation announced last Thursday and a $3.8 million grant from the MasterCard Foundation. This philanthropic capital will leverage an additional $36 million in commercial capital, reaching about one million people.

Water.org calls on NGOs, governments, utilities, philanthropists, and influencers to recommit to approaching this crisis from the perspective of the poor. This call includes raising the stakes by putting the global water and sanitation crisis on the map in a way that it truly deserves. This is a challenge worthy of the next global movement.

Water.org is honored to have the opportunity to work with Arianna Huffington, who pledged herself and her team to give this movement an incredible kick-start with the launch of a new section of Huffington Post. Ultimately, the solution will be creativity, innovation, and collective action that will allow us to achieve universal access to water and sanitation, and do so in our lifetime.

To read the full blog by Matt Damon and Gary White, visit Safe Water and a Toilet.

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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.

Scientists Report Rare Occurrence of Humans Harboring Two Strains of Flu at the Same Time in Global Flu Hot-Spot

While dual infections in Cambodia did not produce new strain, study cites need for continuous tracking against risk of different influenza viruses combining to create a new pandemic

(Deerfield, Ill., USA – November 2, 2011) Researchers conducting influenza-like illness surveillance in Cambodia have confirmed a rare incidence of individuals becoming infected with a seasonal influenza and the pandemic strain at the same time, a reminder of the ongoing risk of distinct flu viruses combining in human hosts to produce a more lethal strain, according to a report in the November issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. A pandemic strain is a type of flu against which people have little or no natural immunity.

While the individuals recovered and the two strains did not recombine into a new and different virus, experts say coinfections in Southeast Asia deserve particularly close scrutiny given the ongoing transmission of the deadly avian influenza virus H5N1 and circulation of the pandemic H1N1 influenza that first emerged in 2009. The report comes as flu season gets underway in the United States, and while Cambodia and other tropical parts of Asia are reporting continued flu activity.

As of October 10, 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) had tallied 566 known human infections with H5N1 and 332 deaths for a fatality rate of over 60 percent. In Cambodia, 16 of 18 infected individuals have died, with the most recent case reported in August. Thus far the virus has shown a very limited ability to pass from human to human—almost all the infections have been traced to contact with sick poultry and other diseased birds. But in the scientific community, fears remain that under the right conditions avian flu could acquire far greater human virulence through a co-mingling—or reassortment—with a human strain.

“Influenza viruses are continually changing,” said Patrick Blair, PhD, director of respiratory diseases at the US Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, California. “Finding a coinfection in an area where there is considerable seasonal flu, pandemic flu and H5N1 avian flu shows there is an opportunity for co-mingling in swine or human hosts that could create an ominous global health problem.” Blair co-authored the study with colleagues from the Cambodia National Institute of Public Health, US Navy Medical Research Unit-2-Phnom Penh, and the US (Maryland)-based J. Craig Venter Institute.

The scientists identified the coinfection from viruses isolated from a young Cambodian boy and his teacher in October of 2009, several months after the pandemic H1N1 influenza strain began circulating around the world. Tests revealed the two viruses to be H1N1 and a human seasonal flu variety known as H3N2. When the researchers conducted a complete sequencing of both virus genomes, they were able to determine there had been no “genetic recombination.”

“This kind of thorough surveillance and scientific investigation is the result of a commitment and collaboration of health authorities around the world—and particularly the US Department of Defense—to invest the resources required to remain vigilant against one of the biggest biological threats of our time,” said Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD, noted infectious disease expert and president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), which publishes the journal. “Highly infectious strains of the virus against which humans have little defense can spread from one continent to another with 24 hours.”

Staying Vigilant Against Worst-case Scenario

Blair said the mere existence of coinfection is of interest to disease experts for a number of reasons. First, as the study notes, coinfections are relatively rare. In one study conducted in 2010, scientists examined over 2,000 influenza samples without turning up a single coinfection. Other studies pinpointed a relatively small number of co-infections involving the pandemic H1N1 virus: one in Singapore, six in China, and 11 in New Zealand.

Researchers are keenly interested in identifying any coinfections because, regardless of their immediate risk, there is an urgent need to learn more about the human role in the “genetic reshuffling” that allows different influenza strains to interact and create a pandemic strain.

For example, researchers probing the dual infections in New Zealand found that the H1N1 pandemic strain was co-inhabiting with a strain that was resistant to the anti-viral oseltamivir (sold under the brand name Tamiflu). Such coinfections, they said, “raise the potential of an oseltamivir-resistant pandemic strain.”

As bad as that would be, Blair said the worst-case scenario for many disease experts is one in which a coinfection with avian flu and a human strain results in a highly lethal virus that easily jumps from person to person.

As the study on the Cambodian coinfection notes, the prevalence of H5N1 “in poultry in many areas of Southeast Asia provides increased opportunity for human exposure and adaptation of a lethal virus suitable for sustained human transmission.” The researchers point out that several pandemic flu strains, including the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, have displayed a mix of genetic material from human and animal influenza.

For example, they note that H1N1 virus samples isolated in Southern California in April of 2009 “contained genetic elements from four different sources, including North American swine influenza viruses, North American avian influenza viruses, human influenza viruses, and a Eurasian swine influenza viruses.” Similarly, the flu pandemics of 1957 and 1968 have both been traced to a “reassortment between human and avian strains.”

Blair said it’s hard to predict the chances of H5N1 providing the genetic platform for the next pandemic. “Even though there may be a very small chance of this occurring, avian flu is still percolating in Southeast Asia and it continues to exhibit an extraordinarily high fatality rate in humans,” he said.

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This press release is reprinted by Alanna Shaikh out of an obscure sense of guilt. It does not represent the opinions of Alanna Shaikh or any of her employers.