Fox News has depicted the H1N1 vaccine and the peak of the influenza as ships passing in the night. The fact of the matter is the H1N1 vaccine will not be available for most of us, at least in this first go around, to make a measurable difference, since the spread of the disease has outpaced the distribution of the vaccine. The CDC has again pushed back the delivery of the vaccine until Mid-November, while the peak of the current strain of H1N1 is expected by next week. In fact, in recognition of the slow roll-out of the vaccine to the general public, on Wednesday Minnesota became the first state to establish a dedicated phone line by its’ Department of Health (MDH)to handle inquiries on individual symptons in an attempt, one assumes, to provide intial intake of triaging victims of H1N1 and providing callers information on treatment for those mildly affected, while directing more severe cases to the appropriate medical personnel and medical facilities. At present MDH switchboard has been overwhelmed with the public response.
But As For Me…
Since the present H1N1 vaccine will not reach most of us to prevent us from becoming infected, the government should focus its’ energies to increasing production of Tamiflu and other antivirals, despite reports that strains of the virus have been found to be resistant to the two most common antivirals in Europe. Concomitantly, the government should increase testing in order to detect possible mutations of H1N1 that might appear in the next 6 months or more.
Additionally, the government should review its’ preparedness for pandemics in light of the problems it has encountered thus far and correct any areas that have limited dealing effectively with a pandemic now and for the future. It is apparent from our current situation that pandemic preparedness has a long way to go.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Obama’s katrina is the economy. Millions are waiting in the superdome of America on the unemployment lines, yet he is doing everything but dealing directly with this central issue.