Meningococcal B vaccine given to Kiwis also protects some against gonorrhea

A breakthrough in the battle against gonorrhoea uncovered by Kiwi researchers has lifted hopes of finding a vaccine for the disease that is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.  The researchers at Auckland University made the surprising discovery that New Zealanders given the MeNZB vaccine to counter meningococcal B also had improved protection against gonorrhoea.  Their study found people who received the MeNZB vaccine about 10 years ago were 30 per cent less likely to be diagnosed with gonorrhoea, compared to those who were unvaccinated.

Stuff Health New Zealand, September 10, 2016

Pharmacists help to combat meningococcal disease

 

As bacterial meningitis spikes in certain regions of the U.S. and with more schools recommending vaccination, some pharmacy chains are helping to combat the disease. Walgreens-and perhaps other pharmacy chains- is now offering the meningitis B vaccinations at all of its pharmacies, including Duane Reade pharmacies in New York, and its Healthcare Clinics nationwide. Vaccinations are available daily without an appointment and may be covered by insurance.

Drug Topics, September 9, 2016

Public confidence in vaccines varies widely between countries and regions around the world, and the European region is the most sceptical about vaccine safety, according to the largest ever global survey of confidence in vaccines. With recent disease outbreaks triggered by people refusing vaccination, the authors believe the findings provide valuable insights, which could help policymakers identify and address issues.

Science Codex, September 9, 2016

The small African country has significantly lowered its rates of HIV/AIDS-in no small part through circumcising men and adolescent boys.

One of Malawi's most recent efforts to combat HIV/AIDS may also be one of its least well known: voluntary medical male circumcision. The reasons  why  it works remain  unclear  (tougher and quicker-drying skin may be contributing factors, as well as a reduced surface area for the virus to proliferate in), but  three separate studies  have shown that male circumcision reduces the risk of sexual transmission from HIV-positive women by 50 to 60 percent. As the author of one of the studies (conducted in the Orange Farm region outside Johannesburg, South Africa)  puts it : "This is equivalent to what a vaccine of high efficacy would have achieved."

Pacific Standard, September 8, 2016

There's an effective vaccine, but 12 states still don't require it for incoming students

While many states have mandates of vaccination for all incoming college and university freshman, at least 12 states do not require the vaccination, including my own state of Michigan. This needs to change. Most college students physically interact with other students from out-of-state. As such we cannot afford to a situation where divergent vaccination policies further limit the effectiveness of vaccines in states they are required. To optimize herd immunity against meningitis among college students in the U.S, we need to mandate vaccination in all schools in all states.

Scientific American, September 7, 2016

Academy of Pediatrics' grant recipients develop strategies to increase HPV immunization rates

Training videos, educational webinars and use of electronic health records (EHRs) are among the strategies used by six AAP chapters to improve HPV immunization rates. The Academy awarded grants to six chapters to identify opportunities to increase adolescent immunization rates, with a focus on the HPV vaccine. Each chapter developed a program to fit the needs of pediatricians and families in their state.  

AAP Gateway, September 7, 2016

Meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero, 83 percent effective according to new data

Preliminary data from the world's first national meningitis B immunization program with Bexsero, launched one year ago in the UK, shows the estimated effectiveness of the vaccine at 83 percent against any meningitis B strain and 94 percent against vaccine preventable strains, for all children receiving the first two of three recommended doses. Reported cases of the disease have dropped 50 percent in the vaccine-eligible population in the first ten months of the program, compared to the average number of cases over the last four years.

Outbreak News Today, September 6, 2016

New Book Release:

"Dating and Sex"

 by Andrew Smiler, Ph.D.

America's leading expert on the masculine self

Written for teen boys, Dating and Sex provides them with the knowledge they need to understand dating, relationships, and sex. It goes beyond basic descriptions of biological processes with a progressive, practical approach that relies on secular ethics and emphasizes sexual health and personal responsibility. The book addresses common questions about what's typical, provides a framework for dating and sex that fits their values and identity, and helps boys identify what feels right for them in a variety of common situations. 

Release date September 5, 2016

The Weekly News Roundup is produced by The Partnership for Male Youth and is released every Monday. 

For more information contact Dennis J. Barbour, JD. News Roundup editor and President/CEO of the Partnership, at [email protected].