All articles tagged with #vaccination campaign
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Dawn
Misinformation and conspiracy theories in Pakistan have led to low uptake of the HPV vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer, with false claims about infertility causing parents to refuse vaccination for their daughters, hindering the campaign's success.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Forbes
Dengue fever, caused by viruses spread through the bites of infected female mosquitoes, is surging worldwide, with Brazil launching a mass vaccination campaign to control a dramatic uptick in cases. The disease infects an estimated 400 million people annually, with severe cases potentially leading to hospitalization and fatalities. Climate change is allowing the disease-carrying mosquitoes to expand into new areas, posing a global health threat. The US reported 2,556 dengue cases in 2023, and experts warn that climate change could make the country more hospitable to the virus' mosquito vectors. Efforts to develop a vaccine have been complicated by the fact that prior dengue infection can increase the risk of developing severe disease when exposed to a different variant.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Oxford Student
The UK Health Security Agency has declared a national incident following a measles outbreak in the West Midlands, with concerns about the spread of the highly contagious infection due to a decline in MMR vaccine coverage. Efforts are underway to boost vaccination rates, including a two-part campaign by the NHS targeting vulnerable groups, as the UK grapples with the impact of vaccine misinformation, COVID-19 disruptions, and low vaccine equity. The resurgence of measles poses a significant risk to vulnerable groups, and it is crucial for children to receive routine immunizations to prevent further spread of the virus.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Loop News Caribbean
Bermuda's COVID-19 and influenza vaccination campaign sees high demand, with all slots fully booked after opening last week. The Ministry of Health received 5,760 adult doses and 2,880 pediatric doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and efforts are being made to create more appointment slots. Vaccines will be provided to General Practitioners free of charge to supply their patients, and priority is given to residents at an increased risk of severe illness for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by BBC.com
NHS England is launching a campaign to vaccinate millions of children against measles as cases rise across the country. More than 3.4 million children are at risk due to low MMR vaccine uptake, particularly in areas like the West Midlands and London. The campaign aims to contact over four million parents and young adults to address missed doses. Health officials attribute the rise in cases to factors such as difficulty in accessing appointments, fear of catching Covid-19, and lingering concerns about the MMR vaccine's safety. The legacy of a debunked study linking the vaccine to autism has also contributed to low vaccination rates among young adults.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Reuters
France has raised the risk level of bird flu to 'high' after new cases of the highly contagious virus were detected, prompting poultry farms to keep birds indoors. The disease has been spreading in several European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. France has launched a vaccination campaign, initially targeting ducks, to counter the disease, but only 70% of the targeted ducks have received a first shot and 40% have been fully vaccinated. The spread of bird flu is a concern for governments and the poultry industry due to the potential devastation to flocks, trade restrictions, and the risk of human transmission.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Global News
Over 100 long-term care homes in Quebec are currently experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, with Maimonides Geriatric Centre being one of the facilities affected. Concerns have been raised about the lack of mandatory mask-wearing throughout the entire facility and the absence of COVID-19 booster shots for many seniors. While masks are only required on floors with outbreaks, experts suggest that masks should be worn in all long-term care homes. The fall flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign is set to begin later this week in all long-term care centers.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNN
The fall Covid-19 vaccine campaign in the US is facing challenges due to supply and insurance issues. Some pharmacies have had to cancel vaccine appointments due to limited supplies, while others have encountered problems with insurance coverage, leaving individuals to pay out of pocket for the shots. Experts say these issues are temporary but avoidable, and they are slowing down the momentum of the vaccination campaign. Insurance companies have up to 15 business days to add the Covid-19 vaccines to their plans, but some people have experienced delays in coverage. Pharmacies are also grappling with the cost of unused doses and the complexities of billing insurance.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
England has launched its winter Covid-19 and flu vaccination campaign earlier than planned to prevent a potential "twindemic" and alleviate strain on the healthcare system. The program offers flu vaccines to all and Covid vaccines to eligible groups, including care home residents, over-65s, frontline healthcare workers, and those at clinical risk. The move has been criticized for its short notice, potentially causing confusion. The UK is also monitoring a new Covid variant, BA.2.86 (informally referred to as "Pirola"), but research suggests it does not have a growth advantage or increased severity compared to other variants. Other European nations are also starting their winter vaccination campaigns.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Ynetnews
Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax have developed updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting new variants, including the dominant Eris variant. These vaccines are expected to replace existing ones in Israel and will be administered alongside flu vaccines. Priority will be given to at-risk populations, including pregnant women. A recent study found that antibodies against COVID-19 were present in the placenta and umbilical cord of vaccinated pregnant women, suggesting protection for infants. The World Health Organization reports a new variant, EG.5, which is a descendant of Omicron and is better at evading the immune system. Symptoms of EG.5 are similar to regular COVID-19, but there is no evidence of increased severity.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus have been detected in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The virus was found in an unvaccinated four-year-old boy in Burundi and six children in the DRC's eastern Tanganyika and South Kivu provinces. The detections are the first linked with the use of a new vaccine, the novel oral poliomyelitis vaccine type 2 (nOPV2), which was developed specifically to reduce this risk. Burundi and the DRC plan to conduct polio vaccination campaigns in the coming weeks for all eligible children aged up to 7 years with help from the WHO and GPEI.