From the category archives:

WHO Swine FLU

WHO failing in duty of transparency : The Lancet

Is this, however, an adequate response? As stated by the BMJ report, the 2004 WHO pandemic-preparedness document detailed new rules on managing conflicts of interest and these rules seem not to have been followed in this case. In a interview with the BMJ, Härtl was asked whether or not WHO knew if the three contributing [...]

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Severity should not be part of pandemic criterion

At a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) is being criticised for over-reacting and declaring a pandemic of the basis of only geographical spread of a novel flu virus, a leading virologist has argued that severity should not be included as a criterion. Long before WHO’s declaration, there was no doubt that this was [...]

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Severity should not be part of pandemic criterion

At a time when the World Health Organisation (WHO) is being criticised for over-reacting and declaring a pandemic of the basis of only geographical spread of a novel flu virus, a leading virologist has argued that severity should not be included as a criterion. Long before WHO’s declaration, there was no doubt that this was [...]

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Analysts say WHO communication errors spurred ‘false pandemic’ charges

Two private risk-communication consultants who have done work for the World Health Organization (WHO) have published an analysis arguing that the agency’s messaging missteps have lent undeserved credibility to accusations that it exaggerated the H1N1 pandemic threat in order to enrich pharmaceutical companies. In a lengthy article published online this week, Peter Sandman and Jody [...]

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Swine flu experts’ financial links to drug firms?

SCIENTISTS who advised the World Health Organisation to stockpile billions of pounds' worth of flu medicine had links to the drug company making them. Their guidance led to nations snapping up antiviral drugs in preparation for a global pandemic – and drug firms cashing in. The news will “badly damage” the WHO's credibility, says an [...]

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Pandemic influenza vaccines safety profile

Previous recommendations on who should be vaccinated with the H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine still stand according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, the principal advisory group to WHO for development of policy related to vaccines and immunization. The Group reached this conclusion following review of the latest [...]

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A little knowledge: How research scientists were caught out by swine flu

We were told that though it was mild because it was novel, it could spread widely and kill a lot of people by virtue of the sheer numbers infected. Later it emerged that people over 50 had some immunity. Although the virus itself was novel, its surface antigens had some similarities to those on H1N1 [...]

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Influenza and Mass Gatherings

During the celebrations of the religious ceremony known as World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, in July 2008 (WYD2008), which was winter-time in Australia, there was a significant influenza outbreak which affected a number of people. This study assessed epidemiologic data and respiratory samples collected from attendees to that mass gathering who sought treatment for [...]

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WHO faces questions over swine flu policy

Others also had questions. Tom Jefferson, a researcher for the international Cochrane Centre, the world's leading independent assessor of medical interventions and medical research, claims that the WHO changed the definition of what a pandemic actually was just weeks before it declared one on 11 June last year.”On 1 May the WHO's global pandemic website [...]

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WHO dubious about 3 in 1 flu jab at centre of controversy

THE World Health Organisation initially baulked at approving the three-in-one flu shot rubber-stamped by Australian authorities last year. The Therapeutic Goods Administration cited WHO advice when it approved the seasonal flu vaccine that was suspended last Friday after a spike in the numbers of children suffering high fevers and febrile convulsions after vaccination. But the [...]

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