Whether you know it or not, our nation’s health care system is gearing up for a fight with the H1N1 flu this fall. Health officials estimate that as students return to school, the number of infections could increase by ten-fold every two weeks. This has led authorities to expedite vaccine research and production. Right now, the target date for vaccine distribution is mid-October. However, the vaccine is still under testing. For example, it is as yet unclear what the exact dosage should be. Some experts, including Health and Human Services Secretary, Kathleen Sebelius, believe that in order to prevent infections from skyrocketing the vaccine should get the go ahead and be used even though full testing is not completed. Just as many experts say we should not risk using the vaccine without full and proper testing. What is agreed upon are who should get the first doses of the vaccine – namely, high risk groups that include pregnant women, health care and emergency personnel, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, people 6 months to 24 years old, and people age 25 to 64 who are at high risk due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. [via ABC News]
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Tags: flu, H1N1, influenza, Kathleen Sebelius, pregnant, swine, vaccine
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Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
August 31st, 2009 at 5:49 am
What about the seniors over 64, are they just going to be let to die?
August 31st, 2009 at 7:19 am
Are we looking at another 1978, debacle where thousands die and many other thousands suffer from nerve damage due to an expedited vaccine? What’s the answer, practice good sanitation and keep your immune system healthy with hydrogen peroxide and supplements that support it.
Don’t chance getting the vaccine that may render you either dead or maimed for life.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:54 am
It needs to be continually tested for safety, we do not want the flu, but in the same sense we do not need any further medical problems to occur, if the vaccine is not safe.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:35 am
ow do you know the signs of HlNl to flu?
August 31st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I would not take it, regardless of any situation. It has squalene in it which was a major contributor of mystery illnesses the soldiers had during and after the Persian Gulf war. Taken orally it is no problem (from what I have heard), but when injected into the body it is VERY DANGEROUS. Hence all the symptoms and systemic issues many of the Persian Gulf soldiers.
It’s all a pitch for money. Scare people into taking it. Look at the Cervical vaccine debacle and the Persian Gulf debacles, etc. We are sliding down the slope to destruction for the love of money and the devaluation of human beings.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 am
Question for Kent 23:
What does one do with the hydrogen peroxide? Never heard of taking
it internally????—which is what it sounds like here. Thanks.
September 2nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
To Kemt 23″
What does one do with hydrogen peroxide??? Never heard of taking it internally??? …which is what it sounds like here. Thanks.
jatn
September 4th, 2009 at 5:49 am
Why has Steven not advocated people up their supplemental intake of Vitamin D3. I take 2000iu in the summer and 4000iu in the winter months. Vitamin D3 is safer than taking a H1N1 flu shot and its unknown side effects.