Also, the FDA informed two of the country's four vaccine production companies that they would have to make improvements in their factories. This caused a delay in production of the vaccine. Those who are at the greatest risk of dying of the flu are the elderly and people who have chronic heart or lung diseases, or who have diabetes, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system. The National Institutes of Health is also conducting studies to determine whether a half-dose of the flu shot can effectively prevent healthy young adults from getting the flu. The study will involve 840 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 49.
Information is available on their website.
Study Compares Heart Medications Congestive heart failure is a growing epidemic in the United States, but developments in medications offer hope to those at risk of death from this problem. A recent study suggests that one medication in particular is the most effective in treating heart failure. After an average of 23 months had passed, researchers compared the two groups' left ventricular ejection fraction values. This is a measurement of how well the heart is pumping. Those who were taking carvedilol had higher ejection fraction values, meaning healthier hearts and a decreased risk for heart failure.