discussion title:
Swine Flu Vaccine Availability
So far, the H1N1 vaccine is not available where I live. I am about an hour south-west of Houston. I heard that there might be some of the mist available in Houston but I am not sure of that. A Houston tv station did a report questioning why Houston was not receiving it. A heart family from Fort Worth drove to Oklahoma, 3 hours each way, in order for their son to receive the H1N1 shot.
There was a small bit in our local paper on Oct. 24 that confirmed that a lady found dead in her home tested positive for H1N1. They said that they didn't know the cause of death but that she did have the disease. She died on September 20th. On September 11th, our local paper, the Brazosport Facts, had an article about the flu which said:
"Confirmed cases in Brazoria County this week of the so-called swine flu — officially the H1N1 virus — shouldn’t cause anyone concern, health officials say. Not only have there been cases confirmed all summer, but its effects are so similar to the common flu, the county is not even keeping an official tally."
“There’s really no need for panic,” said Jo Mapel, Brazoria County team leader for public health emergency preparedness."
"The first round of the new virus proved to be much milder than feared last spring, and officials are expecting the same this fall. Because the symptoms and consequences of the virus only have been mild or moderate, lab testing to confirm the H1N1 virus is not recommended, Mapel said."
In my opinion, the lady's death nine days after this article would suggest there should be some concern. Yes, many cases are mild but there are many that haven't been mild. Everyone is different.
My youngest daughter teaches at a school close to Houston. She got the flu. Although it was not tested for H1N1, that is what the doctor believed she had. She still does not feel well and it has been 3 weeks. There are many cases in her school. Some kids have bounced back pretty quickly but some haven't. Many kids have also come down with it very quickly. One of the moms told my daughter that her child becamse ill very suddenly and that her eyes were extremely red.
On the good side though, we were all able to get the regular flu shot last week, except for the daughter who'd been sick.
