UP Ibalon Bicol: In spite of emergency declaration, USA suffers from H1N1 flu vaccine shortage

In spite of emergency declaration, USA suffers from H1N1 flu vaccine shortage

11/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Of the 250 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine purchased by the US government, only 40 million was expected by Center of Disease Control (CDC) to be available by mid-October. CDC director Dr. Thomas Friedman however said, in reality, only 22.1 million were shipped.

Despite the emergency declaration of Pres. Barack Obama on the flu pandemic, the delay in vaccine availability has led to scrambling for the few medicines available as swine influenza surges in 46 states as of mid October.

“The CDC identified at-risk groups, including pregnant women, children and young adults, and recommended they be vaccinated first. But in many cases, even physicians who have vaccine don't have enough to inoculate all their high-risk patients.”----amednews (11/02/09, Moyer, C. S.)

People waiting in community clinics are afraid of catching disease as they learn the vaccine is in short supply. Since the outbreak of the flu in April, there have been 1,000 deaths and about 2,000 hospitalizations.

The CDC suggests that patients with flu-like manifestations and showing severe symptoms should be given antiviral treatment. Since it takes time to make a lab diiagnosis of the flu and the maximum benefit of the antiviral is within the first 48 hours after the onset of symptoms, health authorities recommend that doctors start the medication even without the laboratory confirmation.

Vaccine production is accelerating to meet the demand. In response to CDC request, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA,) has approved the use of emergency intravenous antiviral peramivir for hospitalized patients with worse symptoms and do not respond to oral and inhalational anti-flu medications.

The public is encouraged to watch for advisories regarding the flu including particular attention to precautionary measures, prevention, and treatment regimens. In spite of the health preparations and citizen alerts conducted by health authorities, the vaccine delay is causing fear in the community.

Obviously the expectation on drug availability doesn’t match what has happened in the field. Doctors advise those with flu-like symptoms to stay away from people, wear masks, and bypass staying in patient’s waiting rooms---all to avoid spread of the disease. More cases of the virus infection are expected as the flu season goes in high gear. (Photo Credit: Ben Chau) =0=

=============================================================

Labels: CDC, epidemic, FDA, H1N1 virus, Health, Influenza, influenza virus, pandemic, Totie Mesia, vaccination, vaccine

UP Ibalon Bicol

In spite of emergency declaration, USA suffers from H1N1 flu vaccine shortage

Blog Archive

About Me

UP Ibalon Newsmakers

Topics/Categories

Feedjit Live Blog Stats

Topics/Categories

Featured

Ateneo de Naga HS Batch 74

ABS-CBN News

Recent Posts

GMA News.tv

Philippine Commentary

Inquirer Breaking News