One shot should protect most adults from H1N1 (swine) flu, researchers reported this week. In other flu news, U.S. health officials said flu drugs should be used only for those who are sick and at high risk of serious illness. Health care workers in New York also face a new requirement that they get flu shots. Advisors to U.S. drug regulators recommended approval this week for a second vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine, Cervarix, is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
Stay well.

This Issue:

In the News:

1 Shot Enough for Swine Flu, Studies Find
One shot looks like enough to protect people from H1N1 (swine) flu, researchers said this week. The Australian company CSL Ltd. found in a study that its vaccine would protect 75% to 96% of people from swine flu with one shot. U.S. data released this week show similar results, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The U.S. study shows that people are protected starting 8 to 10 days after getting the shot, AP said. It's also the time for seasonal flu shots. The new research means that people now will need two shots. Public health experts had feared that they would need three, including two for swine flu. The seasonal flu vaccine is available now. Swine flu vaccine is expected to arrive in doctor's offices in mid-October.

Experts Back 2nd HPV Vaccine
A panel of experts this week backed U.S. approval of a second vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV). The virus causes most cases of cervical cancer. Gardasil, made by Merck & Co., has been approved since 2006. The new vaccine is Cervarix, the Associated Press reported. It is made by GlaxoSmithKline. Both vaccines prevent two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases. Gardasil also protects against two other types of HPV that cause only genital warts. In a separate vote, the panel also urged that Gardasil be approved for prevention of genital warts in boys. This would be a second use for the vaccine. It now is given to girls and young women to prevent cervical cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration usually follows the experts' advice, but not always.

Limits Advised on Use of Flu Drugs
Doctors should prescribe swine flu drugs only for the people who need it most, U.S. health officials said this week. The two drugs are Tamiflu and Relenza. They should be used only for people who are sick with flu and have a high risk of serious illness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the advice in a news conference, the Associated Press said. The drugs can help to shorten the illness and reduce symptoms. Back in May, officials did not rule out also using them to prevent flu in some cases. But they have changed the advice because some people have had a form of swine flu that resists the drugs. Wide use of the drugs could help resistance to grow.

NY Pushes Flu Shots for Health Workers
New York State is requiring all health care workers to get immunized against swine flu and seasonal flu this year. The state was the first one hit hard by an outbreak of swine flu in the spring. It's also the first state to impose require shots for health care workers. The state left enforcement up to the employers, such as hospitals. It could be a tough sell, the Associated Press reported this week. U.S. health officials recommend that health care workers get both kinds of flu shots. But in the past only about half of them have been getting seasonal flu vaccine. Some say they doubt whether it works. Some worry about side effects. The law allows exceptions based on health concerns, such as allergies.

Used with the permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. The above summaries are not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor are they intended to be a substitute for consultation with a physician.