Obama girls get H1N1 vaccinations amid shortages; Peramivir approved by FDA

October 28, 9:02 AMAtlanta Faith & Family ExaminerPatricia Walston

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The First Family

blacksnob.blogspot.com

While the First Daughters, Sasha and Malia had already received their seasonal flu shots, this week they also received the “swine flu” shots given to them by the White House doctor. Many have been asking (and were curious) if these girls would in fact get the vaccine since there has been so much controversy over the effectiveness versus the possible side effects of a vaccine that seemed to have been rushed up. One lady reportedly said, “When the president’s girls get the vaccine, I will consider if my children will get it.”

Not wanting the public to think these girls got priority, they received their shots when they were made available at their school. The White House doctor ordered the vaccine through the same channels as any other health provider, it was reported. But there is bound to be those who feel these girls got priority since there is a shortage. By making public that Sasha and Malia had received the H1N1, it was hoped that this would help alleviate the fears of parents.

The President and Mrs. Obama, who have also had their seasonal shots, are waiting like everyone else until the priority groups have received their vaccine. This group is those under 24 years of age, pregnant women, and those with underlying health problems that would put them at higher risk.
With all the promises of the government months ago that there would be sufficient supplies for the vaccine for everyone, there are now shortages - facilities with no vaccine available - and long waiting lines for those who wish to receive what is available.

Many facilities throughout the nation are completely out of the injection vaccine; but some have the mist which is sprayed into the nose – this is the one with the live vaccine which can have more uncomfortable side effects such as fever and chills. Also with the live vaccine, others around you who were not vaccinated can actually catch the flu from you if you have the mist.

There have been some questions regarding the shortage – it is for real or is it a ploy to make citizens think there will not be enough to go around; thus causing a demand; even from those who previously had decided they would not be taking the vaccine. Originally, there seemed to be sufficient vaccine ordered from the manufacturers; and now that does not seem to be the case. Dena Iverson, a spokeswoman for the District of Columbia Health Department, says that while there are lines at the District’s vaccination clinics, no one who is in a priority group has been turned away. Because of their age, Malia 11 and Sasha 8, they fall in the priority group.

Seasonal flu shots are usually administered in the early fall to prevent flu in the winter; but H1N1 is here now.

While President Obama is declaring a Pandemic, many doctors on TV are saying that this flu is turning out not to be as severe as they first thought; and cases for most people are light or no worse than the seasonal flu. But this H1N1 has targeted those of younger ages and has proven deadly in some cases. The cases have been reported as mild – moderate – and severe.

There is still so much we do not know about this vaccine; while pregnant women are a number one priority, one of the manufacturers of this vaccine says it has not been tested in nursing mothers; and they do not know if the vaccine could be passed along to newborns from nursing... And they also stated that it had not been tested in people with asthma.

The White House is searching for answers as to why more shots are not available to all citizens. Kathleen Sebelius says the holdup is with the manufacturers; and the processing of the vaccine has been slower than expected. The nation is already suffering from this flu and the vaccine is in short supply – will many have the flu and be past it before they can even get the vaccine?

The New York Times has a site that further explains their reasoning: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/26/health/26flu.html?_r=1

There is a web site http://flu.gov/  that shows a map. You can click on your state to see the availability of the vaccine.

As an emergency measure and at the request of the CDC, the FDA has approved the drug Peramivir for those who are extremely ill with the H1N1 for those who have been hospitalized. This is the only IV administered drug that has shown effectiveness against the virus.

This drug had not been approved when the statement below was issued as the testing had not been completed. But due to the severe nature of the H1N1 for some people, they have gone ahead and approved this drug in special cases. It also carries risk and since the testing has not been completed, it may be a life or death decision as to whether you receive it. Also, one can only ask if this drug proves effective and safe – will there be enough manufactured in time to make a difference if many are severely ill from this virus. Be sure to read about this drug and its known side effects.
 

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/UCM187799.pdf
http://www.flu.gov/news/blogs/20091027.html