Dec 16, 2009
Colleges report less flu, tad more vaccination
After a slight increase in flu activity after students returned from Thanksgiving break, the number of cases dropped again on college campuses, reflecting a decline seen across the nation, the American College Health Association (ACHA) said today. In its report for the week ending Dec 11, the group said new cases were down 35% from the week before. The attack rate was 3.4 cases per 10,000 students. The percentage of students who have received the pandemic vaccine rose from 5% to 7%.
http://www.acha.org/ILI_Surveillance.cfm/date=121609
ACHA report for week ending Dec 11
Walgreens offers H1N1 vaccine in 27 states
Walgreens today said the pandemic vaccine is available at many of its pharmacies in 27 states, expanding to all 50 by year's end. The chain is now offering the vaccine to anyone who wants it. Walk-in vaccination is available when an immunizing pharmacist is on duty. Customers can also get the shot during flu clinics and at select in-store clinics. The company advises calling ahead to check availability. The $18 cost may be covered by insurance plans.
http://news.walgreens.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5243
Dec 8 Walgreen's press release
China sees big rise in flu deaths
China's health ministry said today that flu deaths have risen by a third over the past few days to 442, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. This announcement comes just a few days after health officials warned that flu activity could rise during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, when millions of people travel and return home. Last week the health ministry said it would step up vaccination efforts to add to the 34 million in China that have already been vaccinated.
Commentators say it's time for US to share vaccine
With the H1N1 vaccine supply growing rapidly, the United States and other rich countries should now donate 10% of their supply to the poorest countries, write three professors from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In a San Francisco Chronicle commentary, they note that the United States and eight other countries previously pledged to give away 10% of their supply. They also say the World Health Organization (WHO) should set up a public system for reporting contributions to the global H1N1 vaccine supply.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/12/15/EDD51B4JTJ.DTL#ixzz0Zrfk3q1A
Dec 16 San Francisco Chronicle commentary
