Humoral Response to the Influenza A H1N1/09 Monovalent AS03-Adjuvanted Vaccine in Immunocompromised Patients.

Background. Few data are available regarding the immunogenicity and safety of the pandemic influenza vaccine in immunocompromised patients. We evaluated the humoral response to the influenza A H1N1/09 vaccine in solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and in healthy individuals. Methods. Patients scheduled to receive the pandemic influenza vaccine were invited to participate. All participants received the influenza A H1N1/09 AS03-adjuvanted vaccine containing 3.75 μg of hemagglutinin. SOT recipients and HIV-infected patients received 2 doses at 3-week intervals, whereas control subjects received 1 dose. Blood samples were taken at day 0, day 21, and day 49 after vaccination. Antibody responses were measured with the hemagglutination inhibition assay (HIA) and a microneutralization assay. Results. Twenty-nine SOT recipients, 30 HIV-infected patients, and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. Seroconversion measured by HIA was observed in 15 (52%) of 29 SOT recipients both at day 21 and day 49; in 23 (77%) of 30 at day 21 and 26 (87%) of 30 at day 49 in HIV-infected patients, and in 20 (67%) of 30 at day 21 and in 23 (77%) of 30 at day 49 in control subjects (P = .12 at day 21 and P = .009 at day 49, between groups). Geometric means of antibody titers were not significantly different between groups at day 21 or at day 49. Conclusions. Influenza A H1N1/09 vaccine elicited a similar antibody response in HIV-infected individuals and in control subjects, whereas SOT recipients had an overall lower response. A second dose of the vaccine only moderately improved vaccine immunogenicity in HIV-infected patients.

Issuance of patient reminders for influenza vaccination by US-based primary care physicians during the first year of universal influenza vaccination recommendations.

To estimate the number of physician-reported influenza vaccination reminders during the 2010-2011 influenza season, the first influenza season after universal vaccination recommendations for influenza were introduced, we interviewed 493 members of the Physicians Consulting Network. Patient vaccination reminders are a highly effective means of increasing influenza vaccination; nonetheless, only one quarter of the primary care physicians interviewed issued influenza vaccination reminders during the first year of universal vaccination recommendations, highlighting the need to improve office-based promotion of influenza vaccination.

Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Fact Sheet, 2009

The novel flu virus, that is currently circulating in the U.S. and other parts of the world, is a unique combination of swine and human flu viruses. This virus is transmitted from person to person, not from pigs to humans. None of the current cases had exposure to swine.

General Use of Face-Masks and Respirators to Prevent Novel Influenza A (H1N1, May 1, 2009

During this outbreak of swine influenza, many people have questions regarding the best way to protect themselves from becoming ill with the virus and, if you are ill, how to prevent spread of the disease to others.

Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Fact Sheet: General Public, May 1, 2009

What is novel influenza? The novel flu virus, that is currently circulating in the U.S. and other parts of the world, is a unique combination of swine and human flu viruses. This virus is transmitted from person to person, not from pigs to humans. None of the current cases had exposure to swine.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, May 16, 2009 Week 19

The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) is comprised of physicians, schools, child care centers, businesses, and long term care facilities who track the occurrence on influenza-like illness. In addition, the state influenza coordinator tracks the number of deaths due to pneumonia and influenza in Des Moines weekly as part of the 122-Cities Morbidity and Mortality reporting system sponsored by CDC.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, May 9, 2009 Week 18

The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) is comprised of physicians, schools, child care centers, businesses, and long term care facilities who track the occurrence on influenza-like illness. In addition, the state influenza coordinator tracks the number of deaths due to pneumonia and influenza in Des Moines weekly as part of the 122-Cities Morbidity and Mortality reporting system sponsored by CDC.

Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network Final Report 2007-2008

The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) was formally established in 2004, though surveillance has been conducted at the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) for more than ten years. The IISN is comprised of four primary surveillance systems- sentinel health care providers, hospital-based, laboratory-based, and school-based. Sentinel health care providers are part of the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance System. All systems, except certain sentinel sites, report October-March. Schools and long-term care facilities report data weekly into a Web-based reporting system. Schools report the number of students absent due to illness and the total enrolled. Long-term care facilities report cases of influenza and vaccination status of each case. Both passively report outbreaks of illness, including influenza, to IDPH.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, May 2, 2009 Week 17

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, April 25, 2009, Week 16

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, April 18, 2009, Week 15

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, April 11, 2009, Week 14

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, April 4, 2009, Week 13

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, March 28, 2009, Week 12

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Influenza and Other Respiratory Virus Weekly Activity Report, March 21, 2009, Week 11

Weekly report of the Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health.