Tuesday, December 29, 2009

School Calendar Year 2010 - Malaysia

School Calendar Year 2010

Kalendar Persekolahan Tahun 2010

Kumpulan A

Penggal

Cuti dan Hari Persekolahan

Mula

Akhir

Hari

I

Hari Persekolahan

03.01.2010

31.01.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

01.02.2010

28.02.2010

20

Hari Persekolahan

01.03.2010

11.03.2010

9

Cuti Pertengahan Penggal

12.03.2010

20.03.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

21.03.2010

31.03.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

01.04.2010

29.04.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

02.05.2010

31.05.2010

22

Hari Persekolahan

01.06.2010

03.06.2010

3

Cuti Pertengahan Tahun

04.06.2010

19.06.2010

16

II

Hari Persekolahan

20.06.2010

30.06.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

01.07.2010

29.07.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

01.08.2010

31.08.2010

23

Hari Persekolahan

01.09.2010

02.09.2010

2

Cuti Pertengahan Tahun

03.09.2010

11.09.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

12.09.2010

30.09.2010

15

Hari Persekolahan

03.10.2010

31.10.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

01.11.2010

18.11.2010

14

Cuti Akhir Tahun

19.11.2010

01.01.2011

44

Jumlah

288

Jumlah Hari Persekolahan Termasuk Cuti Am

210

Jumlah Hari Cuti Penggal

78

Kumpulan B

Penggal

Cuti dan Hari Persekolahan

Mula

Akhir

Hari

I

Hari Persekolahan

04.01.2010

29.01.2010

20

Hari Persekolahan

01.02.2010

26.02.2010

20

Hari Persekolahan

01.03.2010

12.03.2010

10

Cuti Pertengahan Penggal

13.03.2010

21.03.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

22.03.2010

31.03.2010

8

Hari Persekolahan

01.04.2010

30.04.2010

22

Hari Persekolahan

03.05.2010

31.05.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

01.06.2010

04.06.2010

4

II

Cuti Pertengahan Tahun

05.06.2010

20.06.2010

16

Hari Persekolahan

21.06.2010

30.06.2010

8

Hari Persekolahan

01.07.2010

30.07.2010

22

Hari Persekolahan

02.08.2010

31.08.2010

22

Hari Persekolahan

01.09.2010

03.09.2010

3

Cuti Pertengahan Penggal

04.09.2010

12.09.2010

9

Hari Persekolahan

13.09.2010

30.09.2010

14

Hari Persekolahan

01.10.2010

29.10.2010

21

Hari Persekolahan

01.11.2010

19.11.2010

15

Cuti Akhir Tahun

20.11.2010

02.01.2011

44

Jumlah

288

Jumlah Hari Persekolahan Termasuk Cuti Am

210

Jumlah Hari Cuti Penggal

78

Kumpulan A

Kumpulan B

  • Kedah
  • Kelantan
  • Terengganu
  • Perlis
  • Pulau Pinang
  • Perak
  • Selangor
  • Negeri Sembilan
  • Melaka
  • Johor
  • Pahang
  • Sabah
  • Sarawak
  • Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
  • Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan
  • Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya









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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/informationcentre
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Public Holiday in Malaysia 2010

Federal Territory Public Holidays 2010

Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Persekutuan 2010

State Public Holidays 2010

Jadual Hari Kelepasan Am Negeri 2010

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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/informationcentre
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Using Equipment Wisely (Energy Saving Tips)

Using Equipment Wisely (Energy Saving Tips)

In the Kitchen

Refrigerator

The refrigerator is used throughout the year and is considered as the most expensive item to run in the kitchen. Therefore, the energy saving potential is high for these appliances. The lower energy costs of the more efficient, newer refrigerators can often justify replacement even if existing ones are still in good service.

Purchasing guide

  • Choose the right capacity of the refrigerator to suit the family needs.

  • Remember to check for Energy Rating of the refrigerator. The nameplate data will give the wattage of the equipment.

  • Look for Energy Labelling for the refrigerator. In Malaysia, there are energy labels in the form of inverted tree. Soon, energy labels will be formally introduced to the market and will assist in the purchase decision.

  • A 550 W refrigerator would cost about RM 22.50 per month to run, therefore avoid buying oversized appliances.

Freezer

An upright freezer uses more energy compared to a chest freezer. On average, a chest freezer will cost about RM 10.00 per month to run compared to an upright freezer, which costs RM 14 per month.

Installation guide
Refrigerators/freezers give off heat when they operate to cool their contents. This heat must be removed, otherwise the refrigerator/freezer compressor may have to work longer, or become overheated, and shorten its life. It will thereby consume more electricity and wear out quicker. Therefore:

  • The refrigerator should not be placed in a very warm place e.g. area exposed to direct sunlight, or near a cooker.
  • There should be adequate space above, behind, and if possible, the sides of the refrigerator for free air circulation.

Operating/maintenance guide

REFRIGERATOR

  • When going away for an extended holiday, empty and clean the refrigerator, switch it off, and leave its door open.
  • Keep the condenser coils at the rear of the refrigerator clean. Dust and dirt on the condenser coils will reduce the working efficiency of the refrigerator.
  • The compartments should be kept full to avoid unnecessary cold air loss on door opening.
  • Arrange foods in the refrigerator slightly apart to allow free air circulation. Always cool hot food before storing it in the refrigerator.
  • Defrost frozen foodstuffs in the refrigerator.
  • Avoid frequent opening of the refrigerator, or leaving the door open unnecessarily.

FREEZER

  • Freezer should be kept as full as possible to prevent icing.
  • Use vapour proof air tight wraps and containers when packaging the food for freezing to ensure that food is not dehydrated.
  • Decide on what you need before opening the door.
  • Repeated opening of the door wastes energy. Defrost the freezer when there is a 6 mm (1/4 inch) frost build up.

Kettle

Electric kettle is a real piece of cost-saving equipment. It uses less electricity compared with boiling water in a traditional kettle on an electric hotplate. In the electrical kettle the heating element is placed directly in the water, which is to be boiled. Heat loss is thereby avoided.

Purchasing guide
Choose the correct size of electric kettle that is required. For a typical electric kettle of 2400 W, it will cost about 2 sen of electricity to boil a litre of water.

Alternatively, use a gas stove to boil water
Boil water using gas stoves. This is much cheaper and more efficient. Heat source from the gas stove is directly used to boil water instead of the double stage of using gas to generate electricity and then using electricity to boil water. You will definitely save money since gas is much cheaper than electricity.



Oven and Microwave Oven

The traditional oven is a heavy energy consumer, so it has to be utilized in the best possible way. Alternatively, you should consider a microwave oven instead if it can cover your cooking requirements. It is safe, efficient, simple to operate and an energy saver.

Purchasing guide

  • Choose microwave ovens rather than conventional types as they use less energy and cook faster. They are also useful for quickly heating (or re-heating) food as Asian meals often call for hot meals.

  • A microwave oven saves up to 75% of energy for cooking compared to conventional electric oven because of its lower power demand and quicker cooking time.

OVEN

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Preheating of oven is normally not necessary and the oven can be switched off 5 to 10 minutes before the normal cooking time limit to use the retained heat of the oven. This can save 10-25% electricity required for the cooking.
  • The oven door should be kept closed. If inspection is required, peek through the oven window.
  • Thaw frozen food before cooking. This will save energy which otherwise would be needed to thaw food in the oven (and may not cook evenly).
  • Plan oven meals and cook several dishes at one time, then approximately 60% electricity can be saved. (However do not position the pans and containers to touch each other or the sides of the oven.)


MICROWAVE OVENS

Operating / maintenance guide

  • Avoid operating the oven when empty. This can damage the magnetron.

  • Avoid using metallic containers in the microwave oven.

  • Food in a microwave oven continues to cook, or heat up, even after the oven is switched off.

COOKER HOODS

Purchasing guide

  • Cooker hoods don’t cost much to run, but they will pull heated or cooled air out of your house quickly. Turn them off as soon as the job is done

In the laundry and bathroom

Electrical appliances in the laundry and bathroom will cost up to RM 400 per year. You can save money by using them according to the recommended operation and maintenance guide – RM 37 per year on your washing for example.

Washing Machine

It is a waste of electricity and water to use the washing machine to do the part loads of, say, a pair of trousers or few shirts. Gather the laundry, so that the machine can be filled up. The electricity consumption is almost the same.

Purchasing guide

  • Select a washing machine with capacity to suit the family needs.
  • Top loading automatic washing machine consumes less energy than the front loading automatic machine.

Operational / maintenance guide

  • Wash only with full loads. The washing machine uses the same amount of energy for full load as for a part load.
  • Do not overload the washing machine.
  • Choose the correct wash cycle.
  • Forget about the pre-wash programme.
  • Use optimum temperature setting of necessary; avoid hot washing cycle, if possible.



Iron

An electric iron can be an “energy guzzler”, if it is not used optimally as it usually has a demand load of 1000 watts.

Purchasing guide

  • Steam iron consumes more energy than dry iron.
  • A lighter iron will heat up quicker, and not hold too much heat after being switched off.

Operational / maintenance guide

  • Iron low temperature fabrics first to reduce the warm-up time and switch the iron off before finishing the last garment.
  • Iron large batches of clothing at the same time to avoid wasting energy in reheating. Remember, an iron takes energy to heat up, and this energy is wasted if the iron is used for frequent ironing of a few items at a time.
  • Turn the iron off if interrupted.
  • Forget about the pre-wash programme.
  • Fold washed items carefully to avoid the need for ironing, where possible.

Water Heaters

Electric water heaters are of two types, “instant water heaters” (very common now) which heat the water as it is used, and “storage water heaters” (less common), which
store heated water for later use. The storage type of heaters tend to waste energy as they attempt to keep the stored water hot all the time, even when the water is not in used.

Purchasing guide

  • Choose an instantaneous type of water heater; it consumes less energy than storage type water heater.
  • Should a storage hot water system be needed, select the correct size. A water heater with a storage capacity of 23-27 litres is sufficient for a family of 4-5 members. Also switch off the heater after use (but use its stored water capacity), to save on its energy consumption.
  • Solar storage water heaters do not consume electrical energy, however they are still relatively expensive.

Installation Guide

  • Always install hot water system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • For maximum efficiency, the hot water system should be installed as close as possible to the point of most frequent use (especially for the storage type).
  • Fit a “low flow fittings” that can reduce water consumption by up to 70%.

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Encourage quick showers instead of baths; for less hot water is used in taking a shower.

In the living room

Many families spend RM 500 per year on electricity in the living area. A 10% savings would mean RM 50 in your pocket per year.

Air Conditioners

Home air conditioning, which was once a luxury, is now becoming a necessity, or an affordable convenience to the middle income population, as air conditioners become cheaper and more energy efficient. The cheaper, window type air conditioners are now losing out to the “split” type, which have the advantage of separating the compressor from the cooling unit, thus reducing the noise level in the cooled room. The lower energy costs of the more efficient, newer air conditioners can often justify replacement even if existing ones are still in good service.



Purchasing guide

  • Choose the correct size air conditioning unit that you require. As a guide, the following room size and corresponding air conditioning unit size may be helpful.
  • Look for the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of the air conditioner. EER for 1 hp units range from 8 to 10. The higher the EER the more efficient is the unit. The air conditioner output is usually stated in BTU/hour (1 hp is about 9200 BTU/hr).
  • Check the energy star rating of the unit. The more the stars, the more efficient is the air conditioner (up to a maximum of 6).
  • Check the airflow rate, (normally in cubic feet per minute, or cfm); the higher the rate (between 200-300 cfm for a 1 hp unit) the faster the cooling and the better the air circulation.

Installation Guide

  • For split units, the compressor should be placed in shade to avoid the heating effect of the direct sunlight on the unit, but should have adequate air circulation around it.

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Do not block air conditioner vents with drapes or furniture.
  • Keep windows and outside doors closed to keep the cool air inside.
  • Roof, or ceiling insulation, and minimisation of air leaks from under doors and through windows can help to reduce the cooling energy consumption.
  • Stopping air leakages will help keep out the hot humid air, or reduce outflow of cool air, and thus reduce air conditioning load.
  • Glaze your window with heat reflective glass – some glazing has selective reflective coatings where heat is reflected but light is allowed in.
  • Insulating and glazing can reduce your cooling bill by up to about 40%.
  • Regular maintenance will prolong the life of the equipment and help save energy.
  • When you expect a hot day, turn on the air conditioner early rather than wait until your home becomes too hot.
  • On a hot day, close your curtains and blinds. This helps to keep sunshine heat away.
  • Regular maintenance of the air conditioner, including cleaning of the filters and heat exchanger coils, is necessary to get the best out of the air conditioners.
  • Landscaping – trees and shrubs next to the house help in reducing the cooling load.
  • Shadescreens,glass tints,and window/wall awnings are another way of cutting down on heat gain.

Fans

Fans are cheap but reliable, and are thus not replaced frequently. However, technological developments make the newer fans more energy efficient than older ones. The lower energy costs of the more efficient fans can often justify replacement even if existing ones are still in good service.

Purchasing guide

Check the Coefficient of Performance (COP) described in m3/min/W for the fans. The COP range is as follows:

An 80 W fan, running for about 12 hours a day, would cost about RM 7 per month to operate. It is important to select energy efficient fans to reduce operating costs as they normally operate for long hours everyday.

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Ensure that the fan is not blocked from behind, as the resistance to the air flow will either reduce its performance, or make it operate in an “overload”condition.
  • Switch off fans if not needed. Automatic switches such as occupancy sensor switches may be helpful, as they will avoid energy waste when the convenience is not needed.
  • Fans only circulate the air, and should be operated with possibility for external air exchange, to use the cooler outside air when possible.

Home Entertainment

Red and green bulbs or blinking figurers on a display tell tales about electricity waste. You see them on televisions, video players, stereo sets, computers, microwave ovens, etc. It is expensive to have all these electrical appliances switched on in stand-by mode. The electricity consumption for standby can easily run up to 100 kWh per year equivalent to RM 22. The most simple and straight forward saving advice therefore is: “Switch off the appliances when you don’t use them – preferably at the plug”.

Purchasing guide

Home entertainment equipment is quite energy efficient, but different manufacturers may still have different power requirements for similar appliances. Equipment graded under “Energy Star”, or similar standards is efficient, and should be selected where available.

Operating/maintenance guide

TELEVISION, VIDEO PLAYER, RADIO AND STEREO

  • Keep the lights low when watching television or video.
  • Switch off the television, radio, etc when no one is watching or listening.
  • Avoid leaving the equipment on standby or left connected to the electricity supply, e.g., on standby mode.

Computers

Purchasing guide

  • Purchase a computer that has an energy star label. The more the number of stars, the more efficient is the computer with regard to energy consumption.
  • Check that the computer has a sleep mode.
  • Flat screen monitors are far more efficient than conventional types (using cathode ray tubes).
  • Lap-top, or note-book computers, consume much less energy (less than 30%) of desk top PCs.

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Avoid leaving the computer on standby mode. The following table shows the energy usage of the computer on standby mode.

Off: The Computer is switched off at the contact breaker on the computer, but not at the plug.
Sleep mode: The computer is almost switched off – both the processor and and the monitor can have a load of 1-30 W.
Screen-saver: Is used to protect the monitor. It is a waiting position with a picture and it does not save much electricity.

COMPUTER LOADS UNDER THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS

Lighting

Lighting accounts for only around 10% or less of your electricity bill. However, you can do several things to reduce this cost by choosing the energy saving bulbs and act energy-minded.

Purchasing guide

  • Shop for energy saving bulbs and lamps which save up to 80% in lighting energy costs.
  • In all cases attempt to use energy saving lamps such as “compact fluorescent lamps” (CFLs). Even though they are more expensive to purchase, they save considerably more due their lower energy costs, as shown in the table below.
  • Use the right amount of light for the need at the right place, e.g., brighter for reading, dimmer for watching television or video, etc.
  • Ordinary fluorescent lamps give about two times the light of an incandescent bulb.

Where possible, use photo-electric switches, timers and dimmer controls to save energy further.

Operating/maintenance guide

BEDROOM

  • Use a ceiling mounted diffuse light with a dimmer for general lighting.
  • Use bedside table lamp for reading.
  • Make use of natural light. Rearrange your work tables, if any, near windows.

LIVING ROOM

  • Use dimmer switches to turn the lights down low.
  • Make sure there is no light reflection on the TV screen to ensure comfort.
  • Where light is not needed for 15 minutes, switch it off.

KITCHEN

  • Make sure all the specific work area are suitably lit.
  • Install lighting directly above work area.
  • Install only a doorway switched light for pantry.

BATHROOM AND STOREROOM

  • Place a light above the mirror.
  • Install a ceiling light for a larger bathroom.
  • Install low wattage lamp for passage ways and storerooms.

Operating/maintenance guide

  • Dust your light bulbs and lamp shades once every 1 or 2 months. Keeping them clean increases the amount of light emitted.

LAMP TYPES

  1. Incandescent lamps
    Generate a high amount of heat and are typically used with a rating of 60 W. They are inefficient artificial light source and their light intensity efficiency is about 18 lumens / watt.
  2. Fluorescent lamps
    Generate bright light and are most often used with a rating of 32 W/36 W. These lamps come together with ballasts, normally rated at 8 W loss, although low loss ballasts (up to 6 W) or high frequency electronic ballasts (nominally less than 2 W) are also available.
  3. Compact fluorescent lamps
    Compact fluorescent lamps with power consumption of 9 W have equivalent bright light compared to incandescent lamps with power consumption of 60 W. Light intensity efficiency of compact fluorescent lamps is about 60 lumens/ watt. These lamps are fairly expensive, but they last up to 8 times the typical incandescent lamp and use only about 20% of the energy to emit the same amount of light.

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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/informationcentre
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Monday, November 30, 2009

Events Listing in Malaysia (December 2009)

Events Listing in Malaysia (December 2009)

Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA ’09)

1 December 2009 Until 5 December 2009

This is a high-profile biennial event featuring the latest technologies in the aerospace and maritime sectors. Manufacturers, industry players, senior government officials and key decision makers converge here to make the best of this excellent platform. Visitors can marvel at an impressive showcase of highly advanced technology.

Venue:

Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, Langkawi

Kedah

Phone: 603 4142 1699

Fax: 603 4142 2699

Website: www.lima2009.com.my

Organiser:

HW LIMA Sdn. Bhd.

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Monsoon Cup Terengganu

2 December 2009 Until 6 December 2009

A prestigious sailing competition, the Monsoon Cup Terengganu is dubbed as the ‘Formula One of Sailing’. It is also the 50th event under the Swedish Match Tour leg. Locals and foreign tourists will find a range of interesting programmes held to coincide with the competition, including displays of Terengganu’s splendid arts and heritage.

Venue:

Terengganu

Phone: 603 2142 2882

Fax: 603 2142 2822

Website: www.monsooncup.com.my

Organiser:

T-Best Events Sdn. Bhd.

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Melaka International Tourism Show (MITS 2009)

4 December 2009 Until 6 December 2009

MITS showcases the best of Melaka, Malaysia and International destinations, products and services all under one roof and is the premier event in Melaka for the tourism industries.

Venue:

Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC)

Melaka

Phone: +606 – 2328358/8402/8403

Fax: +606 – 2328367

Website: www.melaka.gov.my

Organiser:

Tourism Promotion Division, Melaka Chief Minister

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National Canoe Championship

4 December 2009 Until 6 December 2009

See the best teams around the country compete in this canoe championship for the grand prize!

Venue:

Water Sports Complex

Putrajaya

Phone: 03-8887 7000

Fax: 03-8887 5001

Website: www.ppj.gov.my

Organiser:

Perbadanan Putrajaya

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Putrajaya Extreme Games Competition 2009

19 December 2009 Until 20 December 2009

Catch the Extreme Games in action at Putrajaya!

Venue:

Taman Cabaran

Putrajaya

Phone: 03-8888 8854

Fax: 03-8888 8580

Website: www.ppj.gov.my

Organiser:

Putrajaya Tourism Action Council & Perbadanan Putrajaya

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Christmas

25 December 2009 Until 25 December 2009

The Christmas spirit is made merrier with Malaysia’s tropical weather and friendly people. Visitors will be spoilt for choice as there are many restaurants, bistros, shopping malls and hotels that offer great promotions planned specially for the occasion. Join in the celebration and have a sunny Christmas in Malaysia!

Venue:

Throughout Malaysia

ALL

Phone: 603 2612 7600

Fax: 603 2693 5114

Email: info@heritage.gov.my

Website: www.heritage.gov.my

___________________________________________________________________

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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=581
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/travel&tourinfo
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Friday, November 20, 2009

Experts advise WHO on pandemic vaccine

Experts advise WHO on pandemic vaccine policies and strategies

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 14

30 OCTOBER 2009 | GENEVA -- The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization, which advises WHO on policies and strategies for vaccines and immunization, devoted a session of its 27–29 October meeting to pandemic influenza vaccines. The experts reviewed the current epidemiological situation of the pandemic worldwide and considered issues and options from a public health perspective.

Items on the agenda included the status of vaccine availability, results from clinical trials on vaccine immunogenicity, and early results from safety monitoring in countries where administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine is currently under way.

The experts also advised WHO on the number of doses of vaccine needed to confer protection, also in different age groups, the co-administration of seasonal and pandemic vaccines, and vaccines for use in pregnant women. Recommendations on the formulation of seasonal influenza vaccines for the southern hemisphere in 2010 were also provided.

Current situation

Globally, teenagers and young adults continue to account for the majority of cases, with rates of hospitalization highest in very young children. Between 1% to 10% of patients with clinical illness require hospitalization. Of hospitalized patients, from 10% to 25% require admission to an intensive care unit, and from 2% to 9% have a fatal outcome.

Overall, from 7% to 10% of all hospitalized patients are pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Pregnant women are ten times more likely to need care in an intensive care unit when compared with the general population.

Based on these and other current findings, the experts made a number of recommendations.

Dosage

The experts noted that a variety of pandemic vaccines, including live attenuated and both adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted inactivated vaccines, have now been licensed for use by regulatory authorities. SAGE recommended the use of a single dose of vaccine in adults and adolescents, beginning at the age of 10 years, provided such use is consistent with indications from regulatory authorities.

Data on immunogenicity in children older than 6 months and younger than 10 years are limited and more studies are needed. Where national authorities have made children a priority for early vaccination, SAGE recommended that priority be given to the administration of one dose of vaccine to as many children as possible. SAGE further stressed the need for studies to determine dosage regimens effective in immunocompromised persons.

Co-administration of vaccines

Clinical trials investigating the co-administration of seasonal and pandemic vaccines are ongoing, but SAGE acknowledged the recommendation, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that live attenuated seasonal and live attenuated pandemic vaccines should not be co-administered.

The experts recommended that seasonal and pandemic vaccines can be administered simultaneously, provided both vaccines are inactivated, or one is inactivated and the other is live attenuated. The experts found no evidence that co-administration of vaccines, as recommended, would increase the risk of adverse events.

Vaccine safety

The experts reviewed early results from the monitoring of people who have received pandemic vaccines and found no indication of unusual adverse reactions. Some adverse events following vaccination have been notified, but these are well within the range of those seen with seasonal vaccines, which have an excellent safety profile. Although early results are reassuring, monitoring for adverse events should continue.

Vaccines for pregnant women

Concerning vaccines for pregnant women, SAGE noted that studies in experimental animals using live attenuated vaccines and non-adjuvanted or adjuvanted inactivated vaccines found no evidence of direct or indirect harmful effects on fertility, pregnancy, development of the embryo or fetus, birthing, or post-natal development.

Based on these data and the substantially elevated risk for a severe outcome in pregnant women infected with the pandemic virus, SAGE recommended that any licensed vaccine can be used in pregnant women, provided no specific contraindication has been identified by the regulatory authority.

Vaccines for the southern hemisphere in 2010

SAGE also considered vaccines for use in the southern hemisphere during the 2010 winter season. Two options were assessed: a trivalent vaccine, effective against the H1N1 pandemic virus, the seasonal H3N2 virus, and influenza B viruses, and a bivalent seasonal vaccine, effective against H3N2 and influenza B viruses, which might need to be supplemented with a separate monovalent H1N1 pandemic vaccine.

The experts concluded that both options should remain available for vaccine formulations in the southern hemisphere, subject to national needs.

专家向世卫组织提出关于大流行性流感疫苗政策和战略的意见

2009H1N1流感大流行情况说明14

20091030 | 日内瓦 -- 向世卫组织提供疫苗和免疫政策与战略方面意见的免疫战略咨询专家组(SAGE)于1027-29日召开会议专门讨论大流行性流感疫苗问题。专家们审议了流感大流行在世界范围内当前的流行病学情况,并从公共卫生的角度考虑了各项问题和方案。

议程上的项目包括疫苗可得性的现状、疫苗免疫原性临床试验的结果以及目前正在施打H1N1大流行性流感疫苗的国家中安全监测的早期结果。

专家们还就以下问题向世卫组织提供了意见:提供保护所需的疫苗剂数(包括在不同年龄组中),合并施打季节性和大流行性流感疫苗的问题,以及用于孕妇的疫苗。还提出了关于2010年南半球季节性流感疫苗配制的建议。

目前情况

在全球,青少年和年轻成人仍然占病例的绝大多数,住院率最高的是幼儿。呈临床病症的1%10%的病人需要住院治疗。在住院病人中,10%25%需要接受重症监护,2%9%导致死亡。

总体上,所有住院病人的7%10%是中、晚期妊娠孕妇。与一般人群相比,孕妇需要接受重症监护的可能性要高10倍。

根据这些及当前的其它调查结果,专家们提出了若干建议。

剂量

专家们注意到各种大流行性流感疫苗,包括减毒活疫苗以及加入佐剂和未加佐剂的灭活疫苗,现在已由管制当局颁发使用许可证。SAGE建议成人和青少年使用单剂疫苗,起始年龄为10岁,前提是这种使用方法符合管制当局的指示。

关于年龄为6个月以上到10岁以下儿童中免疫原性的数据有限,需要开展更多的研究。在国家主管当局把儿童作为早期疫苗接种重点的地方,SAGE建议优先为尽可能多的儿童施打一剂疫苗。SAGE还强调需要开展研究,确定对免疫功能受损者有效的剂量方案。

合并施打疫苗

调查合并施打季节性和大流行性流感疫苗的临床试验正在进行,但SAGE认可美国疾病控制和预防中心的建议,即季节性流感减毒活疫苗和大流行性流感减毒活疫苗不应合并施打。

专家们建议可同时施打季节性和大流行性流感疫苗,前提是两种疫苗都是灭活的,或者一种是灭活的,另一种是减毒活疫苗。专家们未发现有证据说明按建议合并施打疫苗会加大不良事件的风险。

疫苗的安全性

专家们审议了对接受大流行性流感疫苗者进行监测的早期结果,未发现迹象说明有不同寻常的不良反应。曾有关于接种疫苗之后某些不良事件的报告,但情况决不超过接种季节性流感疫苗的情况,而后者具有极佳的安全记录。虽然早期结果令人鼓舞,但应继续监测不良事件。

供孕妇使用的疫苗

关于供孕妇使用的疫苗,SAGE注意到使用减毒活疫苗以及加入佐剂和未加佐剂的灭活疫苗对试验动物进行的研究未发现有证据说明对生育能力、妊娠、胚胎或胎儿发育、分娩或者产后发育有直接或间接的有害影响。

根据这些数据以及孕妇感染大流行性流感病毒后产生严重后果的大量加大的风险,SAGE建议任何获得许可证的疫苗都可用于孕妇,前提是管制当局未确定有任何特定禁忌。

2010年用于南半球的疫苗

SAGE 还考虑了2010年冬季期间用于南半球的疫苗。评估了两项方案:对H1N1大流行性流感病毒、H3N2季节性流感病毒和乙型流感病毒有效的一种三价疫苗, 以及对H3N2和乙型流感病毒有效的一种双价季节性流感疫苗,后者可能需要另接种一种单价H1N1大流行性流感疫苗作为补充。

专家们的结论是,根据国家需要,应保留这两种方案用于南半球的疫苗配制。

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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/informationcentre
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Pandemic (H1N1) 2009-update 74-Weekly update

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 74

Weekly update

13 November 2009 -- As of 8 November 2009, worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6250 deaths.

As many countries have stopped counting individual cases, particularly of milder illness, the case count is likely to be significantly lower than the actual number of cases that have occurred. WHO is actively monitoring the progress of the pandemic through frequent consultations with the WHO Regional Offices and member states and through monitoring of multiple sources of data.

Laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 as officially reported to WHO by States Parties to the IHR (2005) as of 8 November 2009

The countries and overseas territories/communities that have newly reported their first pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed cases since the last web update (No.73): Somalia, Nigeria, and Burundi.

The countries and overseas territories/communities that have newly reported their first deaths among pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed cases since the last web update (No 73): Saint Lucia.

*Given that countries are no longer required to test and report individual cases, the number of cases reported actually understates the real number of cases.

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Source: http://www.my-hut.com/default2.asp?tree=558
Source:http://www.my-hut.com.my/informationcentre
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