Research aims to find "sweet spot" for vaccination against whooping cough in babies

Pertussis vaccine given to six-week-old infants will be tested for efficacy in infants whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy.

A University of Auckland researcher suspects that antibodies transmitted from mother to baby disease could interfere with the infant's primary immune response during the first pertussis vaccination, which takes place in New Zealand at six weeks.

Dr. Helen Petousis-Harris has just received a $ 210,000 grant from PHARMAC and the New Zealand Health Research Council (HRC) to test the protective effect that maternal vaccination has on whooping cough, taking into account account of the overall additive effect of the first baby vaccine.

In most other high-income countries, the vaccine is given at eight weeks and there is evidence that at this age, combined with maternal vaccination, it provides additional protection in infants. According to Dr. Petousis-Harris, however, a major question remains about the benefits or risks of vaccination: "Giving vaccines to pregnant women is a very effective way to protect babies during their first weeks of life and many more. Countries have adopted this strategy, but perhaps we could improve efficiency even more by looking at how we are doing things, "she says

.

Dr. John Wyeth, Medical Director of PHARMAC, says that PHARMAC is pleased to support this research

. "The purpose of our partnership with the Health Research Council is to support research that helps to make the most of the drugs that are being funded.There are important advantages for New Zealand to use at best ssis, and understand the optimal timing of vaccination.This research could ultimately shed light on how this vaccine will be funded for babies in the future, and help health care professionals and patients make informed decisions, "says Dr. Wyeth

a decision-aid tool to help rheumatoid arthritis patients to make therapeutic choices

Biologic drugs specifically target the inflammatory pathways responsible for joint inflammation, a critical clinical factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis, but they have revolutionized the management. According to Professor Carlo Marra of the University of Otago

recent data suggest that some people who respond well to these agents may actually stop using them while retaining their rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, some will relapse and their arthritis symptoms will come back to the stoppage of treatment

According to Professor Marra, the point of the decision tool is to decide if one has to reduce treatment (or continue) once remission is complete.

"Patients must decide if they want to risk an outbreak of arthritis. the prospect of being free of potentially toxic drugs, "he says. "This tool helps them understand the options available, including their disadvantages and benefits, and weights them individually according to their values."

Kath McPherson, Executive Director of the HRC, says that innovations such as Effective decision-making not only helps their health and well-being decisions, but should help ensure that drugs are used as and when needed.

"These two projects offer a fresh look at how people can use the best available treatments. advantage. "