With school back in session, swine flu may be popping up on many parents' minds. Did your children get the shot last year?
The World Health Organization (WHO) says the vaccine used to contain the recent swine flu pandemic was effective. But we're not completely in the clear. Now, health authorities are being urged to ramp up the speed and volume of production during the next global outbreak.
Last month, the WHO declared the swine flu pandemic that started in June of 2009 was over. It claimed about 18,600 lives worldwide, which is actually far less than the worse-case scenario in which authorities feared millions could die. It looks like mass vaccinations worked. The WHO says the widespread use of vaccines, an estimated 350 million doses, was critical in limiting the number of casualties.
"That gives us considerable hope for the future, for the future pandemics, that the technologies that we have to actually make the vaccines are" effective, said David Wood, the quality and safety team coordinator for the WHO's immunization and vaccines department.
But while vaccines became available six months after the H1N1 virus strain behind the pandemic was identified in April 2009, it was still too late for some countries, Wood said.
In the U.S., vaccinations started on Oct. 5, 2009, weeks after a second wave of cases hit as schools resumed. Now, the WHO is researching ways to produce the vaccines more quickly.
You may recall, the WHO was accused by some of hyping the pandemic, prompting excessive buying of vaccines and antiviral drugs that enriched drug companies. Asked about such accusations, Wood said the organization only advised countries to vaccinate high-risk groups, like health care workers and pregnant women. "I believe that the recommendations that came from the organization were proportionate to the risks that we had at the time," he said.
Meanwhile, a New York school district will now stop rewarding students for perfect attendance, something the top public health official in Erie County says indirectly pushes kids to go to school when they're sick, which can spread germs and get other children sick.
Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Anthony Billittier says the Lancaster school district has agreed to discontinue the perfect attendance award program for the school year. Billittier says he's encouraging other districts to consider doing the same in light of last year's swine flu outbreak.
If you don't have health insurance and want a flu shot, there's good news for you. CVS Caremark says it will give away up to $5 million in seasonal flu vaccinations to the uninsured.
Those eligible for the shots will have to obtain vouchers for the vaccines at clinics or community health centers starting Sept. 20. The vouchers can be redeemed at CVS locations and its retail MinuteClinics that are participating.
Walgreens also plans to give away vouchers for up to $1 million in free flu shots this year.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
