Share Boost for GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline has gone in reverse after it announced third quarter results slightly below market expectations.

Its shares, which touched £12.67 earlier, are now down 10.5p at £12.46. The company said third quarter revenues rose 15% while earnings per share was up 13%, just below forecasts.

Sales were boosted by flu drug Relenza, which made up for losses to generic competition in other products, while the company is expecting a big boost in the final quarter from its swine flu vaccine. So far it has taken orders for 440m doses of its H1N1 vaccine, and it is happy with market estimates of £1bn worth of sales of the vaccine in the fourth quarter.

Yes, I'll bet it is!

THE FLU CASE

FYI

A row in Germany over a "two-tier" swine flu vaccination programme has prompted Chancellor Angela Merkel to say she'll get the jab meant for the public rather than one reserved for "essential workers".

Criticism over "government-only" flu jabs, reserved for soldiers, policemen, and essential workers, comes against the backdrop of a nationwide immunisation campaign due to start next week.

The H1N1 virus has so far affected just 23,000 people in Germany, but the government is keen on vaccinating as many people as possible to avoid a possible large-scale outbreak at the start of the winter season.But revelations in the press that top officials and other essential workers will get the Celvapan vaccine, manufactured by Baxter, which has fewer side effects than the mass Pandemrix vaccine manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline has caused a public outcry.

Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm has rejected accusations of a "two-tier medical system", saying both vaccines have equal worth.

Three vaccines -- Pandemrix, Celvapan, and Focetria -- have been approved by the European Union to fight the swine flu epidemic and "there isn't a 'better' or a 'worse' one", Wilhelm told a news conference Monday.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Which measures are being taken to ensure the safe use of Focetria? - European Medicines Agency

"The company that makes Focetria will collect information on the safety of the vaccine while it is being used. This will include information on its side effects and its safety in children, pregnant women, patients with severe conditions and people who have problems with their immune systems".

Which measures are being taken to ensure the safe use of Pandemrix? - European Medicines Agency

"The company that makes Pandemrix will collect information on the safety of the vaccine while it is being used. This will include information on its side effects and its safety in the elderly, pregnant women, patients with severe conditions and people who have problems with their immune systems".

Which measures are being taken to ensure the safe use of Celvapan? - European Medicines Agency

"The company that makes Celvapan will collect information on the safety of the vaccine while it is being used. This will include information on its side effects and its safety in children, the elderly, pregnant women, patients with severe conditions and people who have problems with their immune systems".

I'm not saying anything! - I wouldn't want to be accused of scaremongering!

Swine Flu Jab NOT TESTED!

Swine flu vaccine fears as first jabs available before full details of clinical safety trials are known

I've already seen this mentioned on a few other sites here and here. Infact, there are numerous reports by professionals who are condemning the widespread mass innoculation of the public.

"And today a senior adviser to the Government moved to calm concerns over the swine flu vaccine and said that the benefits far outweighed any potential risks". I'm convinced, after all, this government NEVER LIES!

Of course there have been no time for trials, it doesn't take a genius to work that one out.

I am decidely uncomfortable about this vaccine.

NONE of my family will not be participating in this mass innoculation.

YOU CAN STICK YOUR JAB WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE!

GaGa

Has the world gone completely gaga? The new "swine flu" leaflet is available for download from the Department of Health in PDF format. It's an unbelievable 11 pages long full of valuable information on what to do if you have, err.. flu!

"Flu viruses are made up of tiny particles that can be spread through the droplets that come of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk of breathing them in.

If you cough or sneeze into your hand, those droplets and the germs in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard surfaces that you touch, and they can live on those surfaces for some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computers keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common surfaces where flu viruses can be found.

If other people touch these surfaces and then touch their faces, the germs can enter their systems and they can become infected. That's how all cold and flu viruses, including swine flu are passed on from person to person".

Well, I knew none of that, I am truly educated and enlightened now, thanks Gov!

They even have one of those natty little rhymes for remembering what to do....

BIN IT, INIT?

But, best of all... they suggest you set up a network... so come on, who wants to be my "flu friend"

I think I'm going to throw up. 

This leaflet is a complete waste of time and money. 

FFS! 

Let's get some perspective on this. Out of an estimated world population of  6,706,993,152 people, this is the map of reported cases and deaths in the world.