Demand for H1N1 Vaccine Causes Shortages

(CBS)  While millions of doses are being distributed, spot shortages of the H1N1 flu vaccine are being reported, and Americans remain divided over whether to get it.

In a new CBS News poll, more than half say they're unlikely to be vaccinated, but almost 60 percent of parents .

In Bakersfield, Calif., people began lining up at daybreak this weekend for the H1N1 vaccine. But the supplies ran out before everyone could get vaccinated, a situation likely to be repeated across the nation as the first supplies of vaccine become available, reports CBS News Correspondent Randall Pinkston.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 6.8 million doses of vaccine are available, but states, so far, have only placed orders for 3.7 million.

Public officials promise there will be enough for everyone, but it will take time.

"When will the H1N1 vaccine be available here? Very soon, don't have an exact date, but sometime in the next two weeks," Susan Pugh, the nurse in charge of a New York City hospital's emergency services room, told Pinkston.

CBSNews.com Special Report: H1N1

Last spring, her hospital was swamped with patients after an outbreak of H1N1 flu at a nearby parochial school. Pugh says the experience helped the hospital prepare for this flu season.

"A lot of it was patient education and telling people, reassuring them that they could treat themselves at home adequately with fever control and fluids and rest," Pugh told Pinkston.

Doctors say that treatment works for most cases of any kind of flu but the H1N1 strain can also be fatal especially among children.

So far this year from the H1N1 virus. Just last week, federal health officials reported 19 new deaths in 10 states, seven of those deaths in Texas.

The possibility that the H1N1 flu can kill is prompting some parents to get their children vaccinated.

"I have a brother in law who is a doctor, and I'm going to do whatever he says. I think it'll be good," father Jacob Root told Pinkston

But the rush to get the vaccine to the public has unnerved other parents.

Public health officials insist the H1N1 vaccine is as safe as any other flu vaccine because the manufacturing process is the same.

[erasmus111]

by 55nurse October 12, 2009 8:57 AM EDT
As a healthy middle aged nurse who cares for patients in a CCU, I don't understand why vaccinating me should be a priority. Health care professionals are well trained in Standard Precautions to prevent transmission of the many diseases we exposed to on a daily basis.


They may be well trained, but that doesn't mean that everybody follows the procedures. In fact we KNOW they don't. I read an article on here about nurses and doctors not washing there hands properly or often enough. The article was about the spread of infections. Actually I think that they had someone come in to show them the proper way to wash their hands. And we also know that no matter what the job, there is always the slacker.

The point is that there is no guarantee that a health care worker can't get it. And if health care workers get sick, who is going to be there to look after everyone else? There is no question that the health care worker should be the first to get it.

Obviously someone working in the ER would have more chance of getting it than someone working in CCU, but you should still get it.

[rhs648]

Here we go again complaining. The government didn't have foresight. Health workers are grabbing the first doses. I should have priority because of poor health. We are vaccinating children first. Does the complaining ever end? What to produce and how much to produce is a guessing game. Produce too little and there isn't enough. Produce too much and we throw it out. Produce it too quickly and people complain that it hasn't been tested properly. Take too long and we miss the flu season. Are we that pathetic and weak willed that we can't put up with inconveniences and the fact that we don't live in a perfect world?

[Oregon_State_OSU]

I love it when people panic and rush and just over blow the situation.

[DaVicar8]

What does Limbaugh have to do with it?

[book_of_wally]

I want my vaccine now, screw everybody else!

[sandy19731]

55nurse,
Perhaps you can enlighten Sanjay Gupta of CNN, he contracted the H1N1 virus while in Afganistan.
I guess he wasn't trained well enough, or something.

[55nurse]

As a healthy middle aged nurse who cares for patients in a CCU, I don't understand why vaccinating me should be a priority. Health care professionals are well trained in Standard Precautions to prevent transmission of the many diseases we exposed to on a daily basis.
I believe my 24 yr old severe asthmatic daughter and 6 yr old grandson, who has been hospitalized with severe upper respiratory infections SHOULD be the priority recipients.

[John_Merritt]

The giving person I am, you can have my dose. Give it to someone in a high risk group and than it will make it feel worth while. I am certain there are many healthcare workers who would be glad to give their shots to the patients that walk through the doors. They also are very giving towards mankind. May you all be well.

[baileyccc]

The media has done a great job supporting their largest advertiser "Big Pharma". These untested vaccines will cause more harm than good. Vaccines have a checkered past and is all for profit. Posted by Baileyccc

[Swine_Flu_Virus]

Please note how "Health Care" workers have grubbed up the first doses.

"Well, we need it," they say. Interesting. I called my HMO with flu symptoms and they told me to "stay home" (and, presumably, if I didn't die, to call them the next day.)

I did so, still running a temp. Well within the guidelines of a successful Tamiflu protocol (within 2 days of symptom onset it can be effective), I asked to get the drug. They said "No, you meet none of the guidelines for the prioritized use of either Tamiflu nor H1N1 injection.

I protested further, citing the CDC, and informed them I was 64 years old, had asthma, a heart condition AND was myself a health care worker.

"Sorry," the nurse said.

I said, "Fine, I'll have the hearse drop me off tomorrow. You can do the autopsy.

[DaVicar8]

"Please note how "Health Care" workers have grubbed up the first doses."




Those guys who "grubbed up" the first doses are the ones who have to administer the remaining doses to snivelling winers like you.

[inimitableRecords]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYzRmzVklv4