Don't ignore the adults

"The proportion of older children and adults succumbing to malaria is high — “almost always more than 40 per cent.” This goes against the grain of acquired resistance seen in adults living in endemic regions. "

The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Don't ignore the adults: Higher mortality in adults reflects lower immunity, probably due to reduced infection during childhood.

The vital message is that while continuing to focus on those below five, older children and adults cannot be ignored in any malaria protection programmes.

'This is a profound moment in the history of immunisation'

Q&A


Seth Berkley is CEO of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), a public-private partnership dedicated to spreading immunisation across the world. Bring together developing nations with donors, vaccine industries with international organisations like the WHO and Unicef and philanthropists like the Gates Foundation with civil society, Berkley spoke with Kounteya Sinha about the exciting moment we are witnessing in global health today, growing equity between rich and poor nations in health - and how a shot in the arm could save a child's life:

Interview - Q&A

-The Times of India, February 8, 2012

Censorship won't stop bird flu contagion

"The ‘security threat' posed by H5NI mutations is already out there. What is needed is collaborative research based on the sharing of scientific literature."

The United States National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity (NSABB) decision to “recommend” that Science and Nature journals publish only redacted versions of bird flu research results is nothing but an exaggerated and over-zealous reaction that is bound to fail in its prime objective. The Hindu : Opinion / Lead : Censorship won't stop bird flu contagion

Most of the information the United States government intends to censor is already available in scientific literature. If anything, its decision will only seriously impact legitimate flu researchers.

Polio – the fight must go on

Though no Indian child was recorded as having fallen victim to the disease in the past year, India cannot lower its guard in the matter of immunising its children against polio for a considerable time to come.

This article discusses the challenges and the endgame in polio which needs a carefully planned strategy. The Hindu : Opinion / Editorial : Polio – the fight must go on

The goal of freeing ourselves from all polio viruses can be achieved only by resolutely following a clear, well-considered strategy.