AP
Recognizing the concerns many people would, and continue to, have about the safety of vaccines against the H1N1 influenza virus, federal health officials created and empowered an unprecedented system of national, local and independent monitoring groups and procedures to detect and address possible problems.
The newest addition to this monitoring system is a federal panel drawn from the 20-member Vaccine Safety Working Group. Panelists will meet for the first time Nov. 2 to assess reports of side effects among people who received the swine flu vaccine. The working group includes pediatricians, epidemiologists, public health specialists and nonscientists who represent patient interests.
Tawny Buck, the director of government relations for the generally anti-vaccination group National Vaccine Information Center, co-chairs the working group.
The Washington Post, citing a summary report prepared for working group members, notes that 10,853 adults and children received H1N1 influenza vaccines during clinical trials across the United States. None of the study participants experienced side effects more serious than soreness and localized swelling from a needlestick. A mild and short-lived fever may also follow a flu vaccination. Some people who receive an intranasal vaccine may develop a runny nose, sore throat or headache.
Findings from a study published in the online edition of the Lancet on Oct. 31 indicate that most serious health problems patients or physicians might consider to be flu vaccine side effects are actually coincidences.
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Va. polling places aim to keep swine flu of the ballot You may still have some doubts about whom to vote for when you go to your polling place Tuesday, Nov. 3. You should, however, have no problem reading candidates' names. Frequent cleaning of voting machine touch screens will be one of the steps election volunteers will take tomorrow to prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza virus and other germs. Working with the Virginia Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the federal Election Assistance Commission, the Virginia State Board of Elections developed a multifaceted plan to keep voters healthy. Polling places will be stocked with bottles of hand sanitizer, and poll workers may offer voters Q-Tips or straws to use while pressing touch screens. Voting machines may also be spaced farther apart than usual. |
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