Results from online PneumoADIP Poll

A PneumoADIP web-based poll – surveying our readers on what they believe to be the most important disease to target in order to achieve the Millenium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by two thirds by 2015. Pneumonia was the leading answer (37%), followed closely by malaria (33%), then diarrheal disease (12%) and HIV/AIDS (12%), measles (3%) and other (3%). To participate in our latest poll, please visit our website at www.preventpneumo.org.

Research News

1. Epidemiology of IPD Among White Mountain Apache Following PCV Introduction.

A recent study by Lacapa et al reports the decline of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) among White Mountain Apache children less than five years of age since routine use of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) began in 2001. These observations were based on active laboratory and population-based surveillance among Native American residents of the White Mountain Apache reservation between 1991 and 2006. The study has found no evidence of non-vaccine type replacement disease in this group. The rate of IPD continues to be significantly higher than that observed in the general US population, underlying the need to target efforts for vaccination, treatment and disease control in high risk populations.

2. Innovative Pneumococcal Antigen Delivery System by Researchers at Arizona State University.

Researchers at Arizona State University, led by Roy Curtiss at the Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology and the Biodesign Institute and School of Life Sciences, have altered Salmonella genes in order to facilitate delivery of immunogenic components of the pneumococcus to host cells. The preliminary tests in mice are promising and have been published in this month’s issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Curtis’ team was among the Gates Foundation’s 43 Grand Challenge grantees, announced in 2005, and is aspiring to develop a single-dose vaccine that can be delivered orally soon after birth. Although still several years away, a vaccine incorporating this approach and delivery mechanism could have important implications for the prevention of childhood pneumonia globally.

3. PCV Highly Effective Only 2 Years Following Introduction in Norway.

A significant decline in pneumococcal infections in young children has been reported in Norway following introduction of PCV7 into the Norwegian Childhood Vaccination Program in a 2+1 dose schedule, with immunizations administered at 3, 5 and 12 months of age. According to a recent analysis by Vestrheim et al published in Vaccine, introduction of PCV7 merely two years ago, has already led to a dramatic decline in vaccine serotype IPD in children less than 2 years of age, while the incidence of nonvaccine serotype IPD has remained stable. The vaccine program’s effectiveness is estimated to be around 74%, with no vaccine failure observed after the administration of 2 doses. Norway has played an important role in efforts to increase developing countries’ access to vaccines, facilitated in particular by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and including Norway’s participation in the Advance Market Commitment for pneumococcal vaccines.

4. Government Statistics Reveal Pneumonia Costs $10 billion yearly in the USA.

The latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) indicate that more than 1.2 million Americans, most of whom are elderly, were hospitalized for pneumonia in 2006, making it the most common cause for hospital admission other than childbirth. Data suggest that treating pneumonia cost hospitals an estimated $10 billion in 2006. Of particular interest to clinicians, is the Pneumonia Severity Index Calculator, a web-based tool provided by AHRQ, which is designed to assist clinicians in determining the most appropriate care for newly diagnosed cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) at the point of care. The output includes mortality rates and pneumonia class types.

Media News

5. PEPFAR Reauthorization Bill Includes Support for New Vaccines

Yesterday, President Bush signed landmark legislation to reauthorize PEPFAR (President¹s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), a significant step in addressing the triple threat of HIV, TB and malaria. The reauthorization measure not only expands access to existing lifesaving prevention, treatment and care services helping those most at need, it also expands support for the research and development of health technologies such as new drugs, vaccines and microbicides.  In addition, the legislation promotes participation by the US in negotiations on Advance Market Commitments (AMC) to spur vaccine development, and strengthens technical assistance to countries conducting their own research and preparing to introduce new vaccines. PneumoADIP thanks and congratulates the Global Health Technologies Coalition for their hard work in helping to include support in this bill for important new lifesaving technologies through the AMC. To read the text of the bill, please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.05501

6. Science Magazine Examines the Impact and Future of Meningitis Epidemics.

The June 27 issue of Science Magazine features, in its NewsFocus section, a compelling article by Leslie Roberts entitled, “An Ill Wind, Bringing Meningitis”. The piece outlines the impact of epidemic meningitis, with particular emphasis on Africa, and the deadly cycles of transmission linked with climate and geography, and exacerbated by negligent past policies. The individuals and institutions instrumental in meningitis vaccine development, supply and distribution are introduced and Roberts underlines the critical role of the GAVI Alliance in facilitating progress against the disease in recent years. Longtime PneumoADIP Collaborator from Mali's Center for Vaccine Development, Dr. Samba Sow, is featured in the article discussing his involvement with the clinical testing of new meningitis vaccines.

7. Free Vaccine Inc Launches New Quiz to Increase Vaccine Awareness and Facilitate Donations to GAVI Alliance Online.

Free Vaccine Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness surrounding vaccine-preventable diseases and empowering individuals to take action, launched GiveVaccines.org. The site features a vocabulary quiz for which every correct answer facilitates 0.01 milliliter of life-saving vaccine to be donated to the GAVI Alliance.

8. WHO Welcomes G8 Renewed Commitment to Millenium Development Goals.

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement welcoming an agreement announced at the G8 Summit in Japan on July 8th to reinforce these 8 nations’ commitment to full, annual measurements of progress in countries meeting their pledges to improve global health. The G8 also agreed that the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000 should be supported in a more comprehensive manner, in particular, greatly increasing efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health, including access to and delivery of life-saving vaccines.

Upcoming Events

The American Public Health Association’s 136th Annual meeting & Exposition will be held October 25-29 in San Diego, California. Deadline for early and discounted registration is August 15. For more information, please visit: www.apha.org/meetings

The 48th ICAAC/46th Annual IDSA Joint Conferencewill be held in Washington, DC from October 25-28. The American Society of Microbiology sponsors the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) and has teamed with the Infectious Disease Society of America to present this joint meeting. Registration must be completed by September 15th. For more information, please visit: http://www.icaacidsa2008.org.