H1N1 Flu Skepticism Demands Deft Response

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE5A52FU20091112

"...

Scientists say the truth is they can't win.

The World Health Organization has been urging countries to prepare for a flu pandemic since 1997, when H5N1 avian flu infected 18 people in Hong Kong and was stopped only after a mass slaughter of birds. The re-emergence of H5N1 in China and South Korea in 2003 fueled the urgency to get ready.

Now that it has arrived, the apparently low impact of the H1N1 pandemic so far may show that the planning is paying off, the Wellcome Trust's Hayden said.

British officials repeatedly said the nation was well-prepared for a flu pandemic. It had high stocks of antivirals and orders for enough vaccines to cover its population in place very early.

..."

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It boggles my mind that people are "upset" because there's not enough death and destruction.

They are not only short the H1N1 vaccine, but also the regular flu vaccine

If this is what they call prepared, then we are screwed

and where are the U.S. manufacturers of the vaccine? Most of our vaccine is coming from Europe

That we become dependent on foreign countries for our vaccines should be troubling to us

It is just like what we are doing with food, off-shoring more and more of that also

The people who thought is was nothing ignored all the work that went into preventing it.

at least in the US

Well it's at 4,000 now, so we'll see.

And we're talking about data that is always well beyond the reality.

where the MOH and President refused to buy the vaccine? Last I checked four people had died.

I am 71 and obviously not anti-vax because I have had all the usual shots as have my four kids. However, I never get the flu shot and have not got the H1N1. It really annoys me to be scolded and lectured by the MSM on this issue. Since the regular flu kills far far more people than the swine flu why don't they freak out every year about so few folks bothering to get the regular flu shot?

Besides seniors may be protected from H1N1 from previous exposure.

I had a one time pneumonia shot. But I have advised my daughters not to have their daughters get the papliwhatever because there have been problems and they still need to have yearly pap tests so what's the point?

a serious epidemic, with over 180 deaths. They probably will start vaccinating now.

One can be lucky or not. If Poland still doesn't want to vaccinate, it had better tighten its border with Ukraine till their epidemic is over.

As you say, you probably have some immunity already.