Blog RSS Blog.

Addressing Unapproved Meningitis Vaccine at Princeton

11/18/2013

by Arthur L. Caplan, PhD

Emergency doses of a meningitis vaccine not approved for use in the U.S. are likely to be on the way to Princeton University to halt a meningitis outbreak that has already sickened seven students http://www.nbcnews.com/health/emergency-meningitis-vaccine-will-be-imported-halt-ivy-league-outbreak-2D11603651.  There are approved meningitis vaccines available, but they do not protect against Meningitis B—a strain not covered by the shots given in the U.S. and not a strain prevalent here.

Government health officials said Friday they have agreed to import Bexsero, a vaccine licensed only in Europe and Australia that does protect against meningitis B.  And that decision seems entirely reasonable given the threat that this nasty strain of meningitis poses.…

Full Article

Other Featured Blog Articles

12/05/2013
When Less is More—Saying No to the Technological Imperative at the End of Life
12/04/2013
Where Have All the Negative Results Gone?
12/04/2013
When Religion Trumps Medicine
11/26/2013
The FDA and Home DNA Testing
11/25/2013
Cuthbertson v. Rasouli: Limited Guidance from Supreme Court of Canada
11/21/2013
Potential Organ Donation + HIV Infection = HOPE

Btn Rss Bioethics News.

11/25/2013
FDA Tells Google-Backed 23andMe to Halt DNA Test Service

The Google Inc.-backed DNA analysis company was told by U.S. regulators to halt sales of its main product because it’s being sold without marketing clearance or approval.

11/22/2013
Cutting Heart Risk From Obesity: Treat The Symptoms Or The Cause?

A huge new study out today in The Lancet shows that reducing three key factors linked to obesity – high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol – could cut heart disease in obese people by half.

11/21/2013
Research shows closer ties between Native Americans, Europeans

Native Americans have closer genetic ties to people in Eurasia, the Middle East and Europe than previously believed, according to new research on a 24,000-year-old human bone.

11/21/2013
We’re No. 26! US below average on most health measures

Americans are fatter and sicker than people in other comparable countries, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development finds.