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Media/Press Release Archive 2005 |
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| World wide efforts at eradicating polio disease have had a major set back with a resurgence of polio cases occurring across Africa. The Western Pacific Region was declared polio free in 2000. However, polio has re-emerged in Indonesia, which was previously polio free (230 cases to Aug 2005). These outbreaks have been epidemiologically linked to the resurgence in Nigeria where immunisation programmes were stopped in some states following claims by radical religious leaders that the vaccine spread HIV and caused infertility. | | For more information visit: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5435a4.htm |
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| There have been four cases of meningococcal C in Huntly since March, with the three most recent cases occurring in three months. All four people were very sick but fortunately recovered after hospital treatment.
Three cases in as many months is described as an outbreak and requires extra steps to try to prevent
more people becoming sick with this disease.
The Ministry of Health recommends all under 20-year-olds in Huntly be vaccinated against meningococcal C.
| | » read the full story |
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| There has been a reduction the number of meningococcal disease cases notified in Counties-Manukau District Health Board region in under 5 year olds (by the epidemic strain - targeted by MeNZB™ vaccine).
| | » read the full story |
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| "Influenza B is reaching epidemic rates in children and young people in the North Island, with high rates of absenteeism in some schools. We now know that In the last six weeks three young people became ill with influenza B and have died from complications from the virus," Ministry spokesman Dr Pat Tuohy said. | | » read the full story |
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| Giving such prominence to the likes of Ron Law and Barbara Sumner Burstyn’s criticism of the meningococcal B vaccine is putting the health of our children at risk, says NZORD, the New Zealand Organisation for Rare Disorders. | | » read the full story |
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| Since 1991 5600 case of meningococcal disease have occurred in NZ. "Such high levels of disease mean it was irresponsible to delay vaccination once an effective safe vaccine was available," says Dr Nick Baker, President Paedatric Society of New Zealand | | » read the full story |
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| A media statement issued this week by Ron Law and Barbara Sumner Burstyn claims that results of international trials on meningococcal B vaccines shows an increase in meningococcal risk in pre-schoolers.
This is a total misinterpretation of the international trials and the meaning of ‘confidence intervals’. There is absolutely no scientific validity in this press statement. | | » read the full story |
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| Parents undecided on whether to vaccinate their child against Meningitis need access to good, reliable information, not just sensationalist stuff, said College of GP’s president Dr Jim Vause today. | | » read the full story |
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| The recent media debate about the Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme requires the Ministry of Health to
correct some of the misinformation that has circulated.
The Ministry of Health supports informed consent
| | » read the full story |
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| Today’s comments by Green MP Sue Kedgely suggested that because Phase 3 trials were not carried out in New Zealand, parents haven’t been given enough information about the safety and efficacy of the MeNZB™ vaccine. | | » read the full story |
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| The strain of Meningococcal B disease in NZ is different to the Norwegian epidemic. The Norwegian vaccine recipe has been used to make the NZ vaccine, with the piece of protein that is recognised by the body as foreign (the antigen), changed to the NZ strain. | | » read the full story |
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| The Ministry of Health followed an internationally accepted process for licensing the MeNZB vaccine. | | » read the full story |
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| The recent spread of influenza-like illness in Auckland has prompted a reminder from influenza experts that annual influenza immunisation is the best form of defence against the disease.
| | » read the full story |
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| The Ministry of Health announces extension of the free funded vaccine for eligible people to 31 July 2005 and confirms vaccine will be available to surgeries mid April. | | » read the full story |
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| The safety of New Zealand's Meningococcal B vaccine (MeNZB™) has been further endorsed by independent experts who found no safety concerns after looking at data relating to more than 525,000 doses being administered.
| | » read the full story |
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| Pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline has sourced further doses of influenza vaccine for New Zealand.
| | » read the full story |
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| A freephone information line for people wanting more information about the influenza vaccination programme is now operating.
The number to dial is 0800 FLU INFO, or 0800 358 4636. This is an information line and offers a recorded message. It will continue to be updated regularly as the situation progresses.
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| A practical guide to support primary care providers in dealing with the introduction of Meningococcal B immunisation; the potential public health gains, tips on pitfalls to avoid, and resources to help respond to anti-immunisation rhetoric. | | » read the full story |
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| 2004 was the worst year for whooping cough cases in recent years and doctors fear the worst is still to come. Notification rates for the last 12 months from ESR indicate the epidemic is continuing to spread at an alarming rate. | | » read the full story |
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