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Swine Flu (AP)
Pregnant women and young children are still considered to be the priority groups for receiving the H1N1 vaccine – but that vaccine has become difficult to find. Production and distribution of the swine flu vaccine has run into some supply and demand problems. Originally, 90,000 sites across the USA were poised to administer 250 million doses of the vaccine – but demand for the vaccine has far outweighed the supply.
Due to production and subsequent distribution delays, Maryland will be receiving less than half, or approximately 45%, of its originally intended vaccine order. Clinics across the state are cancelling their vaccination dates at a time when schools across the state are reporting outbreaks of the virus.
Individuals are still being encouraged to contact their doctors and pediatricians and check their local government websites for information regarding where and when vaccinations can be obtained – but there just is not enough to go around at present. The recent outbreaks in Maryland and the October 21st death of 18 year old Walter Brooks who died of complications from the Swine Flu has fueled the public’s desire to get the vaccine at a time when the vaccine is increasingly more difficult to obtain.
Officials are still encouraging the public to get the vaccine as it becomes available and to continue to take basic precautionary measures:
- Cough and / or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve;
- Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth;
- Use hand sanitizers liberally, and wash hands with warm soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds;
Related Article:
Controversy surrounds H1N1 vaccine administration methods at Baltimore city vaccine clinic
H1N1 Links:
Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene
Harford County Health Department 2009 Seasonal Flu Vaccine Clinic Locations
Harford County Health Department
What To Do If You Get Sick: 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu (Center for Disease Control)
Comments
Here it is, the 21st Century, and we're still vying for timely meds, cures for ails centuries old and health care help. It literally saddens me!
Nice Richard!
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