MN Senator Amy Klobuchar wants to see improved preparedness

As we all know there is a shortage of both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines. We've all heard the reason for this has been blamed on the way the vaccines are made, in chicken's eggs. Apparently the virus' did not grow well this year and therefore caused fewer vaccines to be developed in a timely manner. This has caused many to ask the question, why do we still grow these viruses in chicken's eggs? The obvious answer is "that's how we've always done it" but why do we still do it? Surely in this day and age of advanced medicine we have better ways to grow these viruses and develop them into vaccines. These are the questions our Minnesota Senator, Amy Klobuchar, hopes to get answered. Ms Klobuchar is holding discussions with public health experts to try to find answers to these questions. She's also believes there must be better ways for the state of Minnesota to distribute the vaccines and prepare for health emergencies in the future. I say bravo, Ms Klobuchar! Please contact Ms Klobuchar's office to voice your support for her efforts.

Thank you!

New Widgets added

I've added a couple new widgets to my blog. If you'll scroll to the bottom of the page, you'll see a map of the United States. This map, called FluView, shows the current flu activity in each of the states including the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Further down you will find a widget that provides H1N1 tips, Facts and News. Click on the desired "tab" to read the updated text for each option.

Want one of these widgets for your site? CDC Widgets has these and many more!

Google has done it again!

Leave it to Google to come up with a Seasonal/H1N1 Flu vaccine finder. Of course there still aren't any H1N1 vaccines available to my son or I but this is a victory for everyone else in the country who is looking for both of the vaccines.

I wish I woulda bought stock in Google a long time ago. Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.

Asthma & the Swine Flu threat...

Compared with the general population who do not have Asthma, people with Asthma who contract the H1N1 (aka Swine Flu) virus are more likely to develop serious illnesses such as pneumonia and could even die as a result. People who have risk factors, such as Asthma, are encouraged to get both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to reduce their risks for complications.

If you or someone you love develops flu symptoms, contact your doctor right away. Antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, work best when begun within 48 hours of the first onset of symptoms. Monitor your breathing closely. If you have a peak flow meter, use it frequently and chart your "peak expiratory flow," or "PEF" numbers. This information could be helpful in treating your symptoms if they should worsen. See WebMD for information on using Peak Flow Meters. They should be available at your local pharmacy.

Over the counter medications such as Mucinex, in addition to Tamiflu, can help your body fight the effects of the flu. Mucinex works by loosening mucus in your body and allowing it to be removed more easily through coughing or blowing your nose. Coughing is a good thing when you have the flu. It's your body's way of getting the virus, and the mucus your body produces to fight the virus, out so you can recover more quickly. Anti-coughing remedies should not be used during the day because a productive cough is exactly what the body needs. Follow manufacturer dosing instructions.

Protect yourself and others by taking these steps if you become ill:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.


• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub*.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.


• Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

References for the above information were obtained from the CDCs Asthma and 2009 H1N1 Flu page as well as from my own experience.

Socialized Health Care... Dangerous?

"In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine. Doctor's offices aren't swamped with desperate calls. And there are no cries of injustice that the vaccine is going to wealthy corporations or healthy people who don't really need it." ...

"When Britain unrolled its pandemic vaccination program last month, it designed its campaign to ensure that priority groups — including pregnant women, health workers and those with chronic health problems like diabetes, cancer and AIDS — get the shots first." ...

"Field said Britain's socialized health care system allows the country to target people who need to be vaccinated quickly: "It's not like the U.S., where it's the survival of the fittest and the richest."

Source Associated Press via MSNBC

Orderly administration of health care to those most in need when it is needed most. Wow, now there's something to fear.

A breakthrough in H1N1 vaccine distribution

I'm SO excited to report that the local clinic who denied my son the H1N1 vaccine has decided to share it with area clinics. See the story below:

Area health care providers to share H1N1 vaccine

Submitted by Jorge Sosa on November 3, 2009 - 3:24pm.

Hutchinson Medical Center, selected by the Minnesota Department of Health to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine, will share its supply with area health care providers.

According to a news release from McLeod County Public Health, the goal is to ensure area high-risk patients have access to the vaccine.

“Health care organizations in McLeod County have been working collaboratively on flu planning and pandemic preparedness for many years,” County Public Health Director Kathy Nowak noted in the release. “Ensuring access to high-quality patient care has always been our top priority. Now more than ever we have a responsibility to provide a public service in as safe and effective a manner as possible.”

“Due to limited supplies of the H1N1 vaccine,” Nowak added, “it’s important we work together in a transparent and responsible manner to make use of what we have.”

The Flu has arrived at our door

As I previously told you, my son has Asthma and I've been unsuccessful at getting the H1N1 vaccine for him. Monday DS stayed home from school with a sore throat and overnight he developed a fever. The highest the fever reached at this point is 101+˚ but I was able to get a prescription of Tamiflu from our family doctor and we started dosing him with that right away. He's still run down and occasionally has a fever but once we started the Tamiflu the symptoms seem milder. Most importantly his breathing tests has been steady and have stopped declining. Hopefully we got to it in time to keep the flu from advancing beyond what his body can handle.

Remember, if you contract the flu, Tamiflu should be taken within 2 days of the onset of symptoms to be most effective.

Keep us in your thoughts! I'll update you on his condition in a few days.

Thanks for following.

Thoughts on H1N1

Long time no posts, sorry bout that. We've all been a bit overwhelmed this summer and now there's H1N1.

Who isn't worried about this? President Obama has named it a National Health Emergency. It effects those in the population who are most at risk, children and those with underlying medical conditions. We are all looking for the vaccine, especially those of us with children who have these underlying medical conditions. My son has Asthma. After weekly attempts to get the vaccine through my own medical clinic with no luck, I found out another local clinic has received doses of this elusive and high demand vaccine. I think "*whew*" finally I can get my son vaccinated and some of my worrying can be alleviated. So I call the local clinic, ask them if they still have the H1N1 vaccine available, "Yes" the employee says. "Good!" I reply, "I'd like to make an appointment for my high risk child. "Is he a patient with our clinic?" she asks. "No." I reply. "Sorry we can't help you, you must be a patient with our clinic to receive a vaccine here." What!?! No, "You must provide us with proof of his condition to qualify" or any other hoops to jump through, just a plain and simple "No".

What kind of health system is this when high risk patients in a Nationally declared Health Emergency are turned away? I contacted the CDC, yes I was upset and decided to go straight to the top. They were sympathetic but said they could not help me and advised me to contact the Minnesota Department of Health Services, which I did. They were sympathetic and gave me the phone number to the commissioner, unfortunately it was after his office hours so I was unable to get help from him. Still frustrated and angry I decided to contact the television media for help. Finally, someone who will listen to me! Of course they didn't show the whole interview but they did show part of it. You can watch it below.



It's important to realize this is not an isolated incident. I also know of a woman with a child who has a heart condition who was turned down by this same clinic for the same reason. Honestly I don't think this should be allowed to happen. Those who are most at risk should not have to bear the burden of waiting if there is vaccine available in their community. Seriously. Please contact someone who you feel can make a difference about this. Your Legislator or The Department of Health & Human Services. Children should not be allowed to remain at risk like this.

Thank you for "listening"