Latest news with #MMR
Global News
2 hours ago
- Health
- Global News
Alberta surpasses 1,000 measles cases, AHS warns of potential exposures in Edmonton
Health officials in Alberta warn measles transmission is ongoing and as of Friday, the total number of confirmed cases this year has now surpassed the 1,000 mark. According to the measles page on the Alberta government's website, 1,020 measles had been confirmed as of noon on Friday. The majority of the cases (681) have been in the South zone. Since the province's last update, however, the North zone saw the most new cases with 14. Story continues below advertisement Upon Alberta's surpassing 1,000 cases, Opposition health critic Sarah Hoffman called on the provincial government to increase vaccination rates and to improve efforts to promote public health. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The good news is there is an effective vaccine available to all Albertans,' she said in a statement sent to media outlets. 'Please call 811 to ensure your vaccines are up to date; if they aren't, you can get an MMR booster which could save your life.' 2:08 Alberta doctors concerned over impact of no full-time chief medical officer of health One person is currently hospitalized with measles in Alberta at an intensive-care unit. 'Most reported cases have been in children under five years old and those aged five to 17 who are not immunized,' according to the provincial government's website. 'Cases have been reported in all zones of the province, with the highest numbers in the north, south and central zones. Story continues below advertisement 'Due to the number of people in these areas who may not be immune to measles, it's likely that some cases are going undetected or unreported.' On Thursday, Alberta Health Services advised it has been notified of a person who has been confirmed to have measles in the Edmonton zone and who was at a number of public places in the provincial capital over the last few days. A list of the places the person visited in Edmonton can be found on the AHS website by clicking here. Health officials warn that anyone who was at one of the locations at the times specific, or who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine, could be at risk of developing measles. 'Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks including Canada, the United States and Europe,' reads a post on the provincial government's website. 'Measles is a virus that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Measles is sometimes called rubeola or red measles.' Measles has already spread to more than 3,000 people across the country this year. More than 2,000 of those infected are in Ontario. For more information on measles in Alberta, you can visit the AHS website by clicking here. Story continues below advertisement –With a file from The Canadian Press
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Health
- Toronto Star
New measles cases increase for third week in northern Ontario public health unit
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Real estate major Kalpataru's Rs 1,590 crore IPO opens on Tuesday
MUMBAI: City-based realty major Kalpataru, which is the fifth largest player in the MMR, has fixed the price band for its Rs 1,590-crore IPO at Rs 387-414, and said the issue will open to public subscription on Tuesday. The IPO is a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 1,590 crore with no offer-for-sale component. At the upper end of the price band, the company is valued at around Rs 8,500 crore. As much as Rs 950 crore of the IPO proceeds will be used for pre-payment debt, which is a little over Rs 10,000 crore and the rest will be used for general corporate purposes, the 55-year-old company, which has delivered over 25 million sqft of developed areas across 155 projects, said. Kalpataru, part of the Kalpataru group which has a listed infra arm called Kalpataru Projects International that is primarily into building energy infra through EPC EPC for power transmission and distribution, oil and gas, railways, civil infrastructure projects, warehousing and logistics, and facility management, has most of its projects located in the MMR and Pune. It also has projects in Hyderabad and Noida in Uttar Pradesh. The company develops luxury, premium, and mid-income residential, commercial, and retail projects, integrated townships, lifestyle gated communities, and redevelopments.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
RFK Jr.'s new vaccine advisers to discuss preservative wrongly linked to autism
A key vaccine advisory panel handpicked by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to vote on a vaccine ingredient wrongly linked to autism as part of its scaled-down two-day meeting next week. It's the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) since Kennedy fired all 17 members and appointed eight new panelists, several of whom are vocal vaccine critics. The draft agenda for next week's ACIP meeting revisits issues that scientists and public health experts have long considered to be settled, including the use of the measles vaccine in children under 5 years old. ACIP is an influential panel that recommends which vaccines go on the childhood and adult schedules after reviewing safety data. If ACIP endorses a vaccine, insurers must cover it. The committee will also vote on recommendations regarding 'thimerosal containing' influenza vaccines. Kennedy has long advocated for banning thimerosal, a preservative that was widely used for decades in a number of biological and drug products, including many vaccines. In his 2014 book, Kennedy said thimerosal was 'toxic to brain tissue' and likely caused autism. Thimerosal, a compound that contains mercury, is used as a preservative to prevent harmful bacteria in multidose vials of vaccines. The compound has been largely phased out as manufacturers have shifted toward single-use vials that contain little or no thimerosal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thimerosal was largely removed from pediatric vaccines by 2001, amid concerns that it could be linked to autism in children. But numerous studies have disproved such a link. According to the CDC, 'a robust body of peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted in the U.S. and other countries support the safety of thimerosal-containing vaccines.' 'Even after thimerosal was removed from almost all childhood vaccines, autism rates continued to increase, which is the opposite of what would be expected if thimerosal caused autism,' CDC says on its website. Thimerosal is currently used in three flu vaccines for adults sold by Sanofi and CSL Seqirus, according to the Food and Drug Administration. It's unclear yet what the panel will discuss regarding the measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccines (MMRV). The current CDC childhood vaccine schedule recommends two doses for children, with the first dose at age 12-15 months and the second at age 4-6 years. CDC suggests that the MMR vaccine be given rather than MMRV for the first dose, but both shots have been on the schedule for decades. The current agenda is pared down from what was previously on the schedule. The panel is no longer scheduled to vote on recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccines, as well as HPV and meningococcal vaccines. Last month, Kennedy changed CDC's COVID-19 vaccine recommendation without the panel voting on it.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Cases of 'highly infectious virus' rise in Birmingham leading to calls for parents to act
Parents across the West Midlands are being urged to ensure their children are vaccinated amidst rising cases of measles in Birmingham. Nurse leaders in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country want to ensure youngsters are up to date with measles, mumps and rubella jabs to stop it spreading. Measles is highly infectious and can lead to severe lung infections and inflammation of the brain. READ MORE: Billions to be spent on West Midlands transport projects and leaders must "get things right" It also damages and suppresses the immune system, leaving children more vulnerable to catching other illnesses. Cases have risen in recent weeks in Birmingham, prompting calls for parents to ensure their children are fully vaccinated and encouraging anyone who wasn't as a child to speak to their GP about a catch up immunisation if needed. The virus can spread quickly in communities, particularly in settings such as schools and nurseries, if children have not received both doses of the MMR vaccine. The NHS said symptoms includes: High temperature A runny or blocked nose Sneezing Cough Red, sore, watery eyes A rash, which usually appears a few days after cold-like symptoms All children are invited for their first MMR vaccine on the NHS when they turn one. The second dose is given when they reach three years and four months of age. Adults and older children can also be vaccinated at any age if they have not been fully vaccinated before and are being encouraged to come forward if they haven't had two doses. Are car headlights too bright? Sally Roberts, chief nursing officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: "The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine, which protects against three serious illnesses - measles, mumps, and rubella. "Measles is a highly infectious virus which spreads very easily, especially in schools. "While most people recover completely within a couple of weeks, measles can cause very serious illness for those in certain at-risk groups including babies and small children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. "There's no specific medical treatment for measles, so it's important to get vaccinated as it's the best protection against becoming seriously unwell. "If your child has not yet had the MMR vaccine or hasn't had both doses, you should call your GP and book an appointment as soon as possible. "Anyone with symptoms is advised to phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice, rather than visiting their GP surgery or A&E to prevent the illness spreading further." Helen Kelly, chief nursing officer for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board said: "We have seen a small rise in measles cases in Birmingham, but it's important to remember that even a few cases can lead to rapid spread within our communities. "There are lots of myths and misconceptions about the MMR vaccination, but we know it is safe, effective and remains our best protection against a virus which can be life-threatening in the most serious cases. "The MMR vaccination is safe for all faiths and cultures, and a pork-free version is available for those who avoid pork products. "If you're unsure, I strongly encourage parents to speak to their GP, health visitor or nurse to get accurate information and avoid the risks of misinformation which spreads easily online." Parents who are unsure if their child is up to date with all their routine vaccinations should check their child's Red Book (personal child health record), check the NHS app, or contact their GP practice.
