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DISCUSSION: How Will Vaccine Be Used Against Pandemic Influenza?

COMMENT: Is there age-group susceptibility to H5N1?


Submitted by Joel Palmer on 12/4/07 6:30 AM

I agree with most of the post about priorities being based on when the vax is available - pre-pandemic or in the middle of it - but did have one question to raise, as much for my own clarification as the discussion. In many articles and papers there is an assumption that the cascade (seen in 1917-18) will be repeated with the next pandemic, but have the current cases (H5N1) demonstrated that? An alternate interpretation of the high death rate in the 20-40 age range is higher rates of exposure rather than any special vulnerability to the virus. Again, I'm raising this to clarify whether or not there is evidence of age-group susceptibility to H5N1.

Taking the idea that reducing deaths is key, having a stronger understanding of who is most at risk of death is also key.

[Joel, I've changed your subject line to attract readers to your posting - Nicholas/Facilitator]



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Time period is important to discussion

Submitted by Roy Kamen on 12/4/07 05:55 AM