“Abstract

Purpose of Review: To describe what is currently known about the role of virus vaccines in the pathogenesis of asthma and atopy and summarize their role in the prevention of morbidity due to childhood asthma.

Recent Findings: The development of virus vaccines and their incorporation into infant and childhood immunization programmes over the last few decades of the twentieth century have been accompanied by a striking concomitant rise in the incidence of asthma and atopy. However, a causal relationship is not supported by the majority of observational studies. The role of childhood immunization against respiratory viruses in the reduction of morbidity from asthma is another important public health issue. Recent findings suggest that influenza is not strongly associated with exacerbations of asthma in children, despite recommendations that this group should be immunized against it.

Summary: Current evidence suggests that virus vaccination is well tolerated and does not lead to an increased incidence of asthma or atopy in children receiving vaccines. Debate continues regarding the place of respiratory virus vaccination in the therapeutic armamentarium for children with asthma. In the case of influenza, there appears to be an absence of harm, but benefit seems to be limited to younger children.”

al

Everyone has picked up on the measles graph for 2008 but I am waiting for the HPA Jan 09 figures with interest. The previous numbers suggested measles might have peaked in London in May 08 and have been declining since then. It was still heading up oop north but I am hoping that will be some kind of lag effect and it will settle v soon. The first couple of months of 2009 may be revealing.

Fingers crossed the net effect of all this will be to push vaccines up and measles down.

Yes, the issue of autonomy v. justice is fascinating and I might have been more sympathetic, albeit still convinced of her wrong-headedness on matters of fact, had she been conflicted because of that. But, as you say, she wasn’t.