Do we really have a National "Swine Flu Emergency" ?!?

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 20, 2009 at 4:43am

Flu Myths and Realities from www.pandemicflu.gov




“The federal government is running a mandatory vaccination campaign.”

The federal government’s vaccination program for H1N1 flu is VOLUNTARY. Some hospitals and localities are requiring that health care workers get vaccinated for the flu, but that is a local decision. HHS and the CDC have included health care workers as one of our top priority groups to receive the vaccine, and several places across the country began offering H1N1 vaccination to health care workers this week.

The petition on a few selected internet sites protesting the federal government’s “mandatory” vaccination campaign is simply false in its claims. Vaccination is highly recommended as a protective measure against the flu, but is absolutely voluntary.



“It costs too much money to get an H1N1 vaccine.”

The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is providing it to the states free of charge. This is different in many places from the seasonal flu vaccine.

Public vaccination clinics (sponsored by local health departments at schools or other places) will offer vaccine at no charge. Some private providers may charge a small fee to administer the vaccine, but cost should not be a barrier to getting immunized. Many, many people and businesses have stepped up to the public health challenge we all face and are working together for the overall public good to make this vaccine free – or at least affordable – for all those who want it.



“You need to get two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, and it takes a month between each dose.”

There is really good news that has come out of our clinical trials being run by the National Institutes of Health and the flu vaccine manufacturers. The H1N1 vaccine is a really good match with the H1N1 virus currently circulating across the country, and healthy adults and children 10 and older will need only one dose of vaccine.

Though scientists initially thought that two doses might be required, information from clinical trials has since demonstrated the H1N1 vaccine works faster than we expected and works well against the H1N1 virus, which is making millions of Americans sick.

It’s also fine to get the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot at the same time. It is true that if you get the nasal spray form of the vaccine, you need to wait three to four weeks before getting another nasal spray vaccine.



“This new vaccine is not safe and is untested.”

Clinical trials conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective. The FDA has licensed it. There have been no safety shortcuts.

It is produced exactly the same way the seasonal flu vaccine is produced every year. It is simply a new virus strain. In fact, had H1N1 struck this country earlier than this spring, the H1N1 strain probably would have been included as part of this year’s seasonal flu shot.

Millions of Americans get the seasonal flu vaccine each year without any problems. Still, understanding that some Americans have concerns about “new” vaccines, the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers have conducted more rigorous tests on the H1N1 vaccine than they do on other flu vaccines, and there have been no red flags from these clinical trials.

Also, CDC has stepped up surveillance efforts to track the H1N1 vaccine and any possible adverse events. Since it is so closely related to the seasonal flu vaccine, we do not expect to see serious side effects. But we are taking all the necessary steps to promote and monitor safety.

Our top doctors and scientists believe the risk of the flu, especially for pregnant women, children, and people with underlying health conditions, is higher than any risk that might come from the H1N1 vaccine.



“I got an email that tells the story of someone who got a flu shot and had a miscarriage two days later.”

Tragically, every day in the U.S., people suffer from heart attacks, miscarriages, strokes, and other health-related events. Some result in serious illness, even death. For example, there are approximately 8,700 deaths from heart attack, 140 cases of Guillain-Barre, and 14,000 miscarriages in the U.S. every week. These events are no more common among people who have received seasonal flu vaccine than in people who have not.

The CDC has received no reports of serious adverse events from people who have received the H1N1 vaccine to date in the clinical trials or in the few places across the country where vaccinations have begun. We have created a strong new surveillance system that will allow us to track adverse reactions and quickly analyze whether there is a link to the vaccine.



“You can get infected with H1N1 virus from eating pork.”

False. The 2009-H1N1 virus is not spread by food. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.



“A 14-year old girl in the United Kingdom died after being vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.”

British scientists report this particular event was unrelated to the HPV vaccine and definitely unrelated to the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Public health officials in the UK have said the safety of the HPV vaccine was not in question, and no link can currently be made between the girl’s death and the vaccine. According to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency—their counterpart to the FDA—the girl had a rare serious underlying medical condition that was likely to have caused her death.

Licensed seasonal flu vaccines have a long track record of safety based on use in hundreds of millions of people. H1N1 vaccines are being manufactured by the same methods as the seasonal flu vaccines administered every year.



“You can get flu from drinking water or swimming pools.”

Chlorinated tap water and swimming pool water does not put you at risk for flu. To date, we don’t know of anyone who has acquired flu from drinking water or from a swimming pool.



“The H1N1 vaccine includes adjuvants, such as squalene.”

None of the H1N1 vaccines currently distributed by the U.S. government contain adjuvants.

All H1N1 vaccines used in the United States are licensed by the FDA and are made in the same way as seasonal influenza vaccines are made. Currently, seasonal flu vaccines in the United States are also made without adjuvants.

If needed, an adjuvant is a component that can be incorporated into a vaccine to help to generate a stronger immune response to the vaccine and help prevent disease. Squalene is a compound found in many natural sources, such as olive oil, that can act as an adjuvant and is used as an adjuvant in vaccines in many countries.

The evaluation of any vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration considers the safety, effectiveness, and the immune response and includes consideration of all components of the vaccine.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 20, 2009 at 4:36pm

Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of October 4-10, 2009, a review of the key indictors found that influenza activity continued to increase in the United States from the previous week. Below is a summary of the most recent key indicators:

•Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) continued to increase in the United States, and overall, are higher than what is expected for this time of the year. ILI activity now is equal to or higher than what is seen at the peak of many regular flu seasons.

•Total influenza hospitalization rates for laboratory-confirmed flu are climbing and are higher than expected for this time of year.

•The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) based on the 122 Cities Report has increased and exceeds what is normally expected at this time of year. In addition, 11 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week; 10 of these deaths were confirmed 2009 H1N1, and one was influenza A virus, but unsubtyped. Since April 2009, there have been 86 confirmed pediatric 2009 H1N1 deaths; 39 of these have been reported to CDC since August 30, 2009.

•Fourty-one states are reporting widespread influenza activity at this time. They are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This many reports of widespread activity are unprecedented during seasonal flu.

•Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far are 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir [TAMIFLU] and zanamivir [RELENZA] with rare exception.


Please keep in mind that we are just NOW entering the flu season.


No need to panic, but let's take it seriously.

-Tom Durkee

http://umich.confidentialresume.com/tomdurkee

www.linkedin.com/in/tomdurkee

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 20, 2009 at 4:51pm

CDC H1N1 Press briefing Mp3 (Podcast), from last Friday, October 16, 2009:

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/press/

and attached to this discussion. Get the real deal from the experts, not CNN or Fox Noise.

-Tom

Attachments:

• H1N1_10-16-09.mpeg, 6.8 MB

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 20, 2009 at 6:38pm

Hey do you wanna see something COOL?!? - - - -

http://video.pbs.org/video/1174115155/subject/957383245/topic/95738...


Notice the similarities in the points-of-view between the Polio vaccine and today's H1N1 vaccine. Notice the pushback from scientists and health care providers.

When then Polio vaccine was announced (at the University of Michigan!!) on April 12, 1955, Fire & ambulances sounded their sirens and activated their light bars. Factory whistles blew. Children cheered. Adults wept with joy.

Watch the video. It's a remarkable story.

--Tom

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Permalink Reply by Frederick Georges on October 20, 2009 at 8:42pm

Yes Tom I do remember this event and how relieved everyone was as I was still recovering at my Aunts farm in Connecticut from my fight with polio. I had been infected in 1953 at age six and remember having been given the vaccine anyway after I finally returned to school. So many people before my generation had this killer desease and were so crippled as a result. I am fortunate to have survived, huh, well enough to be drafted in 1968!

I wear homemade prosthetics to this day to correct my leg length difference ( only 2 1/2 inches ) and to help with the lower back muscle spasm and weak ankles.

Thank you for this heads up, I admire your depth of knowlege and dedication to enlighten us all.

Be well and safe,

Fritz

Thomas Durkee said:

Hey do you wanna see something COOL?!? - - - -

http://video.pbs.org/video/1174115155/subject/957383245/topic/95738...


Notice the similarities in the points-of-view between the Polio vaccine and today's H1N1 vaccine. Notice the pushback from scientists and health care providers.

When then Polio vaccine was announced (at the University of Michigan!!) on April 12, 1955, Fire & ambulances sounded their sirens and activated their light bars. Factory whistles blew. Children cheered. Adults wept with joy.

Watch the video. It's a remarkable story.

--Tom

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 21, 2009 at 1:54am

take a look at some old (over 50 years ago) videos here:

http://connect.jems.com/forum/topics/hey-do-you-wanna-see-something

Although they are old.. they still have something to teach us (sorta like Skip and Duncan!), especially related to the H1N1 vaccine.

Thanks for watching.... take care
Tom

Frederick Georges said:

Yes Tom I do remember this event and how relieved everyone was as I was still recovering at my Aunts farm in Connecticut from my fight with polio. I had been infected in 1953 at age six and remember having been given the vaccine anyway after I finally returned to school. So many people before my generation had this killer desease and were so crippled as a result. I am fortunate to have survived, huh, well enough to be drafted in 1968!

I wear homemade prosthetics to this day to correct my leg length difference ( only 2 1/2 inches ) and to help with the lower back muscle spasm and weak ankles.

Thank you for this heads up, I admire your depth of knowlege and dedication to enlighten us all.

Be well and safe,

Fritz

Thomas Durkee said:

Hey do you wanna see something COOL?!? - - - -

http://video.pbs.org/video/1174115155/subject/957383245/topic/95738...


Notice the similarities in the points-of-view between the Polio vaccine and today's H1N1 vaccine. Notice the pushback from scientists and health care providers.

When then Polio vaccine was announced (at the University of Michigan!!) on April 12, 1955, Fire & ambulances sounded their sirens and activated their light bars. Factory whistles blew. Children cheered. Adults wept with joy.

Watch the video. It's a remarkable story.

--Tom

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 21, 2009 at 2:28am

Here is a 60 minutes (CBS News) video that helps put H1N1 in perspective:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5394553n&tag=contentMain...


Is H1N1 serious? Yes. Do we need to panic?? No. It's still far more likely to get killed in an auto accident, than die from Swine Flu. But, as the video explains, it IS serious. We are just NOW entering the Flu season, and already we have seen more flu deaths than last year's flu season.


Watch it. Inform yourself.

-Tom

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 21, 2009 at 3:48am

And this is a follow-up one-minute video, explaining why this year's flu season is SO MUCH WORSE than previous years - - --

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5394509n&tag=mg;60minutes

It is just over 1-minute long.


No need to panic. Just take it seriously.

-Tom



Thomas Durkee said:

Here is a 60 minutes (CBS News) video that helps put H1N1 in perspective:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5394553n&tag=contentMain...


Is H1N1 serious? Yes. Do we need to panic?? No. It's still far more likely to get killed in an auto accident, than die from Swine Flu. But, as the video explains, it IS serious. We are just NOW entering the Flu season, and already we have seen more flu deaths than last year's flu season.


Watch it. Inform yourself.

-Tom

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 23, 2009 at 5:00am

Please let me know if you see or experience an increase in EMS calls for patients with flu-like symptoms.

Thanks
Tom

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Permalink Reply by TheCannulator on October 23, 2009 at 5:09am

No we longer see it. We also no longer highlight the potential H1N1 in call outs.

Swabs are no longer being taken e masse for H1N1 unless in sepcialised cohorts.

The biggest minsonomer is assuming all flu like illnesses are Swine Flu.

With the need to charge for seasonal flu vaccinations is it any wonder the uptake is low and subsequently the spread of seasonal flu casuing the increase. How much swabbing of normal flu patients occurs? 5/8 of none.

But seeing it was free I got my vaccine today!

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 24, 2009 at 11:56pm

A NATIONAL swine flu emergency?!?!?

Does the CDC know something we don't?

So far, in the months that I have been following the 2009 Swine Flu epidemic, and in the weeks that I have been posting information about H1N1 here on JEMS Connect, the answer from the EMS community is:

NO, we have not seen an increase in patients with flu-like symptoms.

So why a "National Emergency"? Is EMS going to receive any more money because a Pandemic flu emergency has been announced?? Do YOU have the first clue on how to receive dollars from ASPR or DHS or the CDC or the HHS to respond? Or are you just going to sit back and not swing at this pitch?


-Tom

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Durkee on October 31, 2009 at 4:57am

UPDATE: Nov. 1st, 2009 - -

THE GOOD NEWS: Vaccine production has ramped up and most jurisdictions will see an increase in vaccine shipments around Thanksgiving. The West Coast continues to see shortages. The CDC and Federal Public Health Officials have seemed to grasp the concept of Supply Chain Management and are using these techniques to ship the vaccine where it is needed most.

THE BAD NEWS: Reported cases of Seasonal Flu and H1N1 flu are still rising as we enter the first few weeks of flu season. We are approaching 3,000 deaths in the U.S. from Swine Flu since Sept. 1st. 22 PEDIATRIC FLU DEATHS were reported last week, 19 children died of confirmed H1N1 flu last week, with another 3 pediatric deaths from a laboratory-confirmed unknown subtype of Influenza A. During week 42 (October 18-24, 2009), influenza activity increased in the U.S.:

* 8,268 (42.1%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.

* All subtyped influenza A viruses being reported to CDC were 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses.

* The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was above the epidemic threshold.

* Twenty-two influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported. Nineteen of these deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection and three were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype was undetermined.

* The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) was above the national baseline. All 10 regions reported ILI above region-specific baseline levels.

* Forty-eight states reported geographically widespread influenza activity, Guam and two states reported regional influenza activity, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico reported local influenza activity, and the U.S. Virgin Islands did not report.



[Tom's Note: I am back in Washington D.C. and expect to be updated on H1N1 over the weekend. I'll understand how this affects EMS and how EMS can better prepare and respond for H1N1 sometime next week. Plans to include EMS in the response to this epidemic are being prepared now... if you haven't gotten the H1N1 vaccine yet, now is the time to consider it. ]

--Tom Durkee
MWCOG BEPS Planner
EMS/Public Health Preparedness
http://umich.confidentialresume.com/tomdurkee

Follow me on TWITTER! @tomdurkee

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