Post by The Great Aztec Joe on Aug 22, 2010 9:04:22 GMT -8
I have cautioned people that the first leg of a pandemic is usually fairly mild but the second leg can be serious.
That is what is happening in New Zealand right now. They had Swine Flu last year at this time, and the outbreak was fairly mild. Now, they are seeing the second leg (wave, outbreak.....) and they are running out of vaccine and having multiple deaths and additional loads on their hospitals.
New swine flu vaccine ordered as stocks run low
By LOIS CAIRNS - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 14:06 22/08/2010
Health authorities are bringing in a new vaccine for swine flu as the virus takes hold in the community and claims more lives.
With stocks of the existing vaccine running out, the Ministry of Health has been forced to introduce a new vaccine, Intanza, previously available only on the private market.
It has ordered 35,000 doses amid concerns that in a few weeks there will be none of the original vaccine left. The new vaccine is only suitable for adults aged 18 to 59.
In the past two weeks three people have died from swine flu. The latest victim, a 53-year-old Waikato man, had no underlying health conditions. More than a dozen others are in intensive care.
Dr Darren Hunt, deputy director of Public Health, said so far this year there had been nine deaths linked to swine flu. Close to 500 people had been hospitalised and 67 admitted to intensive care units.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/4048548/New-swine-flu-vaccine-ordered-as-stocks-run-low
Also, in Australia and New Zealand the influenza shots this year have resulted in a ten fold outbreak of strong reactions in children. After the shot their temp soars, they slip into unconsciousness and then start to seizure. Some have died.
For parents, that leaves a damned if you do and damned if you don't decision up to them. Do you inoculate your children and risk their deaths from the needle, or to you forego the inoculation and risk their death from influenza. It looks like it is not going to be mild this year.
That is what is happening in New Zealand right now. They had Swine Flu last year at this time, and the outbreak was fairly mild. Now, they are seeing the second leg (wave, outbreak.....) and they are running out of vaccine and having multiple deaths and additional loads on their hospitals.
New swine flu vaccine ordered as stocks run low
By LOIS CAIRNS - Sunday Star Times
Last updated 14:06 22/08/2010
Health authorities are bringing in a new vaccine for swine flu as the virus takes hold in the community and claims more lives.
With stocks of the existing vaccine running out, the Ministry of Health has been forced to introduce a new vaccine, Intanza, previously available only on the private market.
It has ordered 35,000 doses amid concerns that in a few weeks there will be none of the original vaccine left. The new vaccine is only suitable for adults aged 18 to 59.
In the past two weeks three people have died from swine flu. The latest victim, a 53-year-old Waikato man, had no underlying health conditions. More than a dozen others are in intensive care.
Dr Darren Hunt, deputy director of Public Health, said so far this year there had been nine deaths linked to swine flu. Close to 500 people had been hospitalised and 67 admitted to intensive care units.
www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/4048548/New-swine-flu-vaccine-ordered-as-stocks-run-low
Also, in Australia and New Zealand the influenza shots this year have resulted in a ten fold outbreak of strong reactions in children. After the shot their temp soars, they slip into unconsciousness and then start to seizure. Some have died.
For parents, that leaves a damned if you do and damned if you don't decision up to them. Do you inoculate your children and risk their deaths from the needle, or to you forego the inoculation and risk their death from influenza. It looks like it is not going to be mild this year.