Prestigious medical journal The Lancet has formally retracted the paper in which Andrew Wakefield, the doctor behind claims that the MMR vaccine can be linked to autism, first claimed such effects.

GENEVA - Almost 400 000 Americans are predicted to die of coronary heart disease in 2010, according to research published today in the international public health journal, the Bulletin of the World Health Organization.

Even though we feel like winter will never come, putting a reminder in your diary to make your seasonal influenza vaccination appointment is the recommendation from Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Felicity Dumble.

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti - 25 January 2010) - A coalition of animal protection groups has arrived in Haiti to aid animals left imperiled by the devastating earthquake.

Family First NZ has released its annual list of the top family issues to be tackled, and heading the list for 2010 is the protection of children from 'corporate pedophilia' and reducing the 'raunch culture' which is harming the self-esteem, body image and academic performance of young people - es

Critical step as global eradication effort faces entrenched challenges

The situation in New Zealand essentially remains the same since the last update on 18 November 2009. Influenza activity, as indicated by the number of visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI), continues to be low.

New Zealand is to contribute $420,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) in support of an H1N1 vaccine roll out in the Asia Pacific region, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today.

During the week ending 30 October there was a slight rise in the number of New Zealanders seeing their doctor in relation to influenza-like illnesses (ILI). Most people were seeking advice for sick babies and children aged under four.

Next winter's seasonal influenza vaccine will contain the pandemic (swine flu) strain and be free to extra groups who are at particular risk from swine flu.