Forwarded Email on the Swine Flu

Nobody wants your poisonous vaccine:

Low demand for vaccine prompts New York City health officials to broaden eligibility.

The New York Times (11/12, A29, Bosman) reports that after "fewer than 3,500 people" attempted to get the swine flu vaccine last weekend, New York City health officials have broadened who is eligible to visit their vaccination clinics. This weekend, "people 25 to 64 who have underlying health problems, like diabetes, asthma or chronic heart and lung conditions, and caretakers of infants less than 6 months old" will be "eligible for free vaccinations, said Jessica Scaperotti, a spokeswoman for the health department." Additionally, "two neighborhood health centers will offer free vaccinations on Thursday and Friday, as part of an effort to reach low-income people."

Florida sees bump in H1N1 vaccine supply. The Miami Herald (11/12, Tasker) reports that the H1N1 vaccine is becoming more plentiful in Florida, as "nearly half a million doses have arrived in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and local health officials have announced long lists of places to get the shots and the nasal spray." The state has also reported improvements in the distribution process. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Ana M. Viamonte Ros, upon visiting Miami-Dade's free clinic Wednesday, "called it a good example of how to disburse vaccine." Still, the state "has received only about one-third of the doses it had expected by now."

Scary..Don't believe the hype..just wash your hands and take extra Vitamin C and Vitamin D:

Minnesota residents said to be unhappy about vaccine distribution methods. The Minneapolis Star Tribune (11/12, Lerner) reports that tight restrictions over the H1N1 vaccine have caused many parents to go "underground -- trading tips on where to find shots for their kids, crossing state borders in search of looser rules, and cajoling, demanding or even making threats to try to get their hands on vaccine." Kris Ehresmann, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health, says that health workers are "getting people calling the [state flu] hot line saying they're going to sue the department because they don't like how we're distributing the vaccine." Still, experts say the state "is handling the vaccine rollout better than most," and has had success being "more close-lipped" about their vaccine supply by relying on a phone contact distribution system.

Michigan hospitals create swine flu hotline. The AP (11/12) reports that suburban Detroit's Beaumont Hospitals chain "has started a 24-hour nurse-staffed hot line for people with questions about swine flu." The call center, which "will be staffed around the clock.," was "designed to give accurate information about flu symptoms and when and where to seek medical care." Beaumont will also be "holding a live Web chat on swine flu next Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. at its Internet site, www.beaumonthospitals.com."