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Press Releases

DR. BRIAN IDDON MP ENCOURAGES MPs AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS AT RISK OF FLU TO BE VACCINATED THIS WINTER

4th November 2009

MPs and Peers from all parties were today, 4 November 2009, offered flu vaccinations, in line with Government recommendations, in a bid to encourage their constituents to be vaccinated against flu for this 2009/10 season.
“We are all hearing a lot about pandemic these days but it is really important that people over the age of 65 and all those in at-risk groups don’t forget about their seasonal flu jab, and visit their surgeries to be vaccinated,” said Brian Iddon MP. “Seasonal flu vaccination is important to help protect those people who are more susceptible to serious complications from the condition,” he added.

Pandemic alert raised to phase 6

11 June 2009

The World Health Organization (WHO) has decided that the scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met and has therefore raised the level of pandemic alert to phase 6. This is as a result of the rising number of cases of A/H1N1 influenza in several continents

UVIG Statement regarding the outbreak of A/H1N1 swine influenza

30 April 2009

UVIG member companies are in close contact with the relevant institutions and national health authorities regarding the outbreak of A/H1N1 swine influenza. UVIG member companies are committed to collaborate with them to ensure the most appropriate and efficient response to this potential public health threat.

UK Pandemic influenza information
Department of Health swine flu information

The time is right for change: UVIG supports call for greater transparency and involvement in vaccine review

10 March 2009

UVIG welcomes the report published today by 2020 Health* considering the current system for the review and policy recommendation for vaccines. The authors conclude that expert opinion supports the continued independence of the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI); and based on the evidence the authors recommend that the working processes of the JCVI must be reviewed and reformed to bring them in line with current best practice.

NHS patients should benefit from new measures to improve access to vaccines and not just drugs

3 March 2009

UVIG welcomes the package of measures announced today from Lord Darzi and NICE to improve access to new drugs and treatments for NHS patients. However, UVIG is disappointed that similar measures for the review and recommendation of vaccines have not been announced.

European Vaccine Manufacturers update their pandemic preparedness plan

6 November 2008

The European Vaccine Manufacturers group (EVM) has launched its updated ‘Proposal for Action Plan’ to ensure availability of effective vaccines in the event of an influenza pandemic. The EVM calls on Member States and the EU Commission to define effective vaccination strategies for protection of their populations in case of a pandemic and to set up processes to secure development, purchasing and deployment of pre and pandemic vaccines.

Conservatives call for reform of vaccine review

3 November 2008

The UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) is aware of the recent Conservative Party proposals for the reform of NICE*, including the suggestion that future vaccines and immunisation programmes should be evaluated by NICE, rather than the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)with its UK wide remit, as at present. For some time now, UVIG has been calling for a debate around the process for the recommendation of vaccines and vaccination programmes, to ensure that UK vaccination policy is able to keep pace with the anticipated new vaccines and developments in vaccine technology.

Dr Ian Gibson MP Encourages Uptake of Flu Vaccines

8 October 2008

MPs and Peers from all parties were today, 8 October 2008, offered flu vaccinations, in line with Government recommendations, in a bid to encourage their constituents to be vaccinated against flu for this 2008/09 season.

Dr Ian Gibson MP, member for Norwich North, said that last year in the UK 74% of people over 65 years and 42%(1) in at risk groups were vaccinated against flu.

UVIG welcomes HPV vaccine programme

6 October 2007

UVIG welcomes today’s announcement by the DH to introduce a national HPV immunisation programme to vaccinate girls aged 12 – 13 years of age against cervical cancer, starting from September 2008, together with a 2 year catch up programme from 2009.

This demonstrates the value of vaccines and their role in preventing serious disease. We welcome the Government’s decision to focus on the prevention of ill health and the move from a sickness service to a wellbeing service. Vaccines have, and will continue to have, an important role in the strategy against infectious diseases.

A Third of the UK doesn’t understand importance of vaccination

30 August 2007

Medical experts and Tony Robinson launch campaign for better understanding of the value of immunisation to prevent diseases like typhoid becoming more common in Britain

Department of Health publishes seasonal flu programme review

8 March 2007

Department of Health publishes seasonal flu programme review

UVIG Statement: Pulse Survey Results

23 November 2006

The UK Vaccines Industry Group (UVIG) recognises the importance of the seasonal flu vaccine as a public health initiative and, as part of this, the importance of communication about the delivery of supply.

Flu vaccine manufacturers confirm quantities for winter 2006

1 August 2006

The UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) is pleased to confirm that the volume of flu vaccine available for 2006/07 will total more than 15 million doses.

This volume of vaccine meets the estimates indicated by the Department of Health in March as being required to successfully implement the UK vaccination programme.

In June, UVIG advised UK governments and public health officials, customers and the media that a delay of the 2006 seasonal flu vaccine was anticipated due to the difficulties in growing one of the strains, recommended by the World Health Organisation, for the vaccine. A number of measures were put in place and a longer production period has made good the initial shortfall.

Chairman of UVIG, Paul Rayner said “The bulk of the vaccine will arrive in October and November, and manufacturers will contact GP practices during August with details of delivery schedules so that flu clinics can be organised appropriately.”
Mr Rayner said that UVIG appreciates the co-operation it is receiving from all public health authorities and GPs and their staff in dealing with the delay in supply. UVIG supports fully the Chief Medical Officers’ letters to GPs and guidance to prioritise those people in at-risk groups.

The annual influenza campaign is an important public health initiative and UVIG continues to work closely with relevant authorities throughout the UK.

FLU VACCINE SUPPLY FOR THE 2006/07 SEASON

28 June 2006

UVIG response to House of Lords debate on report published by Science and Technology Select Committee on pandemic influenza

13 March 2006

The House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee published its report on Pandemic Influenza on 16 December 2005. UVIG welcomes the publication of this report and the subsequent debate in the House of Lords on 20 January 2006.

UK government builds stockpile of vaccine against H5N1 pandemic flu strain

9 March 2006

UK government builds stockpile of vaccine against H5N1 pandemic flu strain.

WHO announces composition of flu vaccines for 2006-2007

6 March 2006

WHO announces composition of flu vaccines for 2006-2007

Government responds to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee's Report on pandemic influenza

17 February 2006

The Government has issued a formal, written response to a report published by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on pandemic influenza. The response follows a debate in the House of Lords on 20 January 2006

Department of Health announces changes to the paediatric immunisation schedule

9 February 2006

The Government has issued a formal, written response to a report published by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee on pandemic influenza. The response follows a debate in the House of Lords on 20 January 2006

UVIG’s response to the revised UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan

20 October 2005

The UK Vaccine Industry Group welcomes the publication of the UK Health Departments’ revised pandemic preparedness plan which identifies vaccines as being fundamental in preparing for a potential influenza pandemic20

JCVI recommends review into lowering age to 50 years for flu vaccine

3 August 2005

The UK Vaccine Industry Group supports the recommendation from the JCVI influenza subgroup to review the benefits of lowering the age from 65 to 50 years for routine flu vaccination.

Government plans to purchase 2 million doses of Avian Flu vaccine

3 August 2005

The UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) welcomes the recent announcement to purchase Avian Flu vaccines as a strategic stockpile for use with priority groups in the first instance.

Influenza vaccine supply 2005/6

26 July 2005

Supply assured for influenza vaccines 2005/06 season – some delivery delays expected.

UVIG calls for Government to invest now to meet pandemic flu needs

2 June 2005

The UK Vaccine Industry Group today urged the Government to invest in securing sufficient quantities of flu vaccines in order to meet its stated goal of protecting the British public in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak.

Flu pandemic preparedness

1 March 2005

Vaccines offer best line of defence to protect the UK population.