This year, adverse reactions occurred frequently in young children receiving the seasonal flu vaccine, which now contains a swine flu component, writes Professor Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases physician at the ANU.
Swine flu
The $120m sequel: swine flu II
We’re back to the swine flu scare stories, all looking rather embarrassed in the light of day. But who really benefits from immunisation and are there greater health priorities?
Why I’ve been vaccinated against swine flu: an expert’s account
The world’s response to swine flu may have been a bit hysterical, and the disease may be largely innocuous, but getting vaccinated against H1N1 is still vital, says Sydney infectious diseases expert Professor Robert Booy.
A very Crikey Christmas Carolling
Let’s all raise our candles to sing along to our Crikey Christmas carols, including the classic hits ‘Dickheads We Have Heard On Air’ and ‘Oink To The World’, penned by Mel Campbell and Daniel Zugna.
Some billion dollar questions about Tamiflu, influenza policy, drug regulation
The stockpiling and widespread use of antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu has been called into question by an important new review, writes Melissa Sweet.
Vaccinating against the power of The Google
These days consumers have access to a wealth of health information. So why would they listen to a journalist? Well, The Google doesn’t know everything, writes Nick Miller. Factual analysis is worthy too.
Deconstructing swine flu: 12 things you didn’t know
You might be over the swine flue jokes, but Associate Professor Heath Kelly offers 12 things you may not know about the swine flu pandemic. How serious has the pandemic been?
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Executive Remuneration
Crikey readers weigh in on how measuring the obscenity of executive remuneration, the danger of footpaths and the South Ossetian war between Georgia and Russia.
Infuenza vaccination: the case against
With the national rollout of pandemic influenza vaccination beginning today, an international expert on influenza vaccination and a leading US consumer advocate have raised several questions for Australian health authorities.
Influenza vaccination: the case for
Dr Michael Wooldridgeresponds to Peter Collignon in the debate about swine flu vaccination: “vaccination will stop this epidemic in its tracks”.
Mass vaccinations for Swine Flu: learning from hindsight
We do not seem to have learned much since 1976 when a swine flu virus outbreak went through Fort Dix in the US, writes Peter Collignon.
What Roxon failed to mention about the swine flu vaccination
Health Minister Nicola Roxon is busy peddling the benefits of the swine flu vaccine, while Croakey examines the past perils of health ministers spruiking pharmaceuticals.
Fight the war on drugs or make the world’s biggest taco?
Mexico may have some problems — a violent drug war, economic issues — but they are winners when it comes to Guinness World Records. Michael Jackson dances, world’s biggest meatball, longest catwalk, the list goes on…
US tackles swine flu with Sesame St
The US government has enlisted a new recruit in the fight against the spread of swine flu: Elmo; creating a series of PSA videos to deliver health and hygiene tips to youngsters by utilising a fuzzy and familiar face.
Video of the Day: Fighting swine flu with Elmo
US health officials are trying to contain the spread of swine flu by using a fuzzy, familiar face to deliver health and hygiene tips to youngsters: Elmo.
Swine flu vaccine’s image problem
Public demand for the new swine flu vaccine may be underwhelming, writes Dr Julie Leask. For people to want a vaccine they must not only believe it is safe. They must also think it is necessary.
Infection control experts add to concerns about multidose flu vaccine
The Australian Infection Control Association has warned the Federal Government against proceeding with the planned swine flu vaccination program due to health risk concerns, writes Melissa Sweet.
Learning the lessons from swine flu
In October 2006, several people thought to be infected with avian influenza flew into Brisbane, triggering an emergency response that revealed important gaps in the country’s preparedness for a pandemic. The “patients” were in fact participants in a massive exercise, involving 1500 participants, testing whether the $610 million invested in pandemic planning over the previous […]
No more deadly than your average non-swine flu
Fear can drive us to make hasty decisions that are not necessarily based on good and robust data. This is exactly what has happened with the swine flue outbreak, writes Professor Peter Collignon.
WARNING: zombies attack may destroy humans
If zombies attacked the human race, only severe force would save us, says new research. There is a serious side to the work, comparing zombie attacks to the spread of infectious diseases like swine flu. What about zombie pigs?
2009 influenza pandemic: assessing the fallout
Surveillance, control, treatment and prevention of influenza is a multi-billion dollar global industry. But it is built on surprisingly shaky foundations, writes Associate Professor Heath Kelly.
Ashes 09: the swine flu diaries
Crikey’s Ashes correspondent Jarrod Kimber becomes the second high profile (ahem) Australian cricket journalist to get swine flu.
Swine flu and pregnancy: don’t miss the bigger picture
The risk of swine flu for pregnant women has received a lot of attention. But influenza more generally is dangerous for pregnant women, explains Professor Peter McIntyre, though much of it is preventable.
Swine flu around the world
Mapping the aporkalypse, as the death-toll rises around the world.
What they’re saying
- GUARDIAN: UK may have 65,000 deaths
- REUTERS: Obama gives $1.8b to fight flu
- AUSTRALIAN: A feverish obsession with fantasy flu
