While the political parties try to out-testosterone each other on the war in Iraq, the economy and homeland security, a possible public health catastrope is on the horizon for all citizens of the US that is not getting enough attention.
Once you get past all the media hype and panic about the shortage of flu vaccine because Chiron, the British manufacturer, has been shut down for 3 months by the British government for contaminated product, US health care clinics and doctors face the task of rationing half of the vaccine they were expecting. What makes this galling in some ways is that the CDC in late August had warned the Administration that the manufacturer of 50-90% of the US supply (Chiron) was in serious difficulty due to contamination of its vaccine during the manufacturing process, but the government kept quiet.
Now we are faced with a case of rationing, because it is too late for the only other producer of injectable vaccines, Aventis, to ramp up to produce more vaccine.
The public health of our citizens is as important as Homeland Security. The rationing guidelines state that anyone who is "healthy" should opt out of having a shot this year. In 2000 and 2002, there were also shortages of the injectable vaccine, but there were also more manufacturers producing the shots. This year, there were only 2 in the world meeting our standards with whom we did business.
Since 2002, instances of avian bird flu have become epidemic in Asia and there are many scientists all over the world studying the 1918 influenza pandemic that swept the world and killed hundreds of thousands of people. (They have discovered that bird flu can be contracted by people). Scientists have all but conceded the fact that another influenza pandemic could occur soon.
National and state public health bugets in this country have steadily been eaten away since the 1970s in favor of more "sexy" issues. If we don't have a healthy population, how can the economy improve?
For those of you who are not in one of the high risk categories (and even if you are, but can't get a shot because there aren't any available) about the only things you can do during this upcoming cold and flu season are: wash your hands constantly and stay away from crowds. Do your Christmas shopping now so you can avoid the huge crowds at the mall in late November and December. Or, do what the Asians do: wear a facemask when venturing outdoors.
Miulang
More here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6183476/
Once you get past all the media hype and panic about the shortage of flu vaccine because Chiron, the British manufacturer, has been shut down for 3 months by the British government for contaminated product, US health care clinics and doctors face the task of rationing half of the vaccine they were expecting. What makes this galling in some ways is that the CDC in late August had warned the Administration that the manufacturer of 50-90% of the US supply (Chiron) was in serious difficulty due to contamination of its vaccine during the manufacturing process, but the government kept quiet.
Now we are faced with a case of rationing, because it is too late for the only other producer of injectable vaccines, Aventis, to ramp up to produce more vaccine.
The public health of our citizens is as important as Homeland Security. The rationing guidelines state that anyone who is "healthy" should opt out of having a shot this year. In 2000 and 2002, there were also shortages of the injectable vaccine, but there were also more manufacturers producing the shots. This year, there were only 2 in the world meeting our standards with whom we did business.
Since 2002, instances of avian bird flu have become epidemic in Asia and there are many scientists all over the world studying the 1918 influenza pandemic that swept the world and killed hundreds of thousands of people. (They have discovered that bird flu can be contracted by people). Scientists have all but conceded the fact that another influenza pandemic could occur soon.
National and state public health bugets in this country have steadily been eaten away since the 1970s in favor of more "sexy" issues. If we don't have a healthy population, how can the economy improve?
For those of you who are not in one of the high risk categories (and even if you are, but can't get a shot because there aren't any available) about the only things you can do during this upcoming cold and flu season are: wash your hands constantly and stay away from crowds. Do your Christmas shopping now so you can avoid the huge crowds at the mall in late November and December. Or, do what the Asians do: wear a facemask when venturing outdoors.
Miulang
More here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6183476/
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