Obama declares swine flu a national emergency

By PHILIP ELLIOTT (AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, giving his health chief the power to let hospitals move emergency rooms offsite to speed treatment and protect noninfected patients.

The declaration, signed Friday night and announced Saturday, comes with the disease more prevalent than ever in the country and production delays undercutting the government’s initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses of the vaccine could be available by mid-October. Read the full story

Swine flu sends mostly under-25s to hospital: CDC

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Half of those hospitalized with the new H1N1 virus are under 25, a clear illustration that the pandemic is affecting the young disproportionately, U.S. health officials said on Tuesday.

They said reports from 27 U.S. states show 53 percent of people sick enough to be hospitalized with H1N1 flu are under the age of 25, with only 7 percent of hospitalizations among people 65 and older. Read the full story

Pontiac — Oakland County health officials unveiled this morning their plans for a mass inoculation of the H1N1 vaccine once supplies of the nasal mist and shot begin to arrive this month.

The first shipment of the vaccine is expected to arrive later this week or next week in the nasal form, which is a live virus, said George Miller, director of the county’s department of health and human services. Read the full story

H1N1 vaccine risks are a major concern for many Americans this flu season. With flu season just around the corner, many people are getting not only the flu shot, but the H1N1 shot as well.

H1N1 vaccine risks exist. Whenever you inject something in to your body, you are not without risk. The question to ask yourself is this: is the H1N1 vaccine risks worth the reward of not catching the H1N1 flu virus?

The H1N1 flu virus, also known as the “swine flu” has claimed the lives of several individuals. According to the CDC, those at high risk for the H1N1 virus are children under 2, individuals over 65, pregnant women, individuals with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and HIV, and children under 19 on aspirin therapy.

For the high risk group, the H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth the reward. The H1N1 virus is more likely to claim the lives of one of the high-risk individuals than it is someone who is completely healthy.

Pregnant women and those caring for infants under 6 months of age are suggested recipients of the H1N1 vaccine. The H1N1 vaccine risks may be worth it for those trying to protect their children from the virus.

CBS’s The Early Show discussed one of the most disturbing H1N1 vaccine risks. Someone who takes the H1N1 vaccine could develop GBC – Guillian Bar Syndrome. Dr. Jennifer Ashton estimates that this risk is only 1 in a million vaccines.

Still, that’s one of the H1N1 vaccine risks that freaks people out. According to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, GBS is a “rare, neurologic disorder that has elements of an auto-immune condition in that some trigger (usually an infection or rarely a vaccination against an infection) results in a progressive weakening of nerves. GBS starts in the legs and works its way up the body.”

80% of GBS patients have a full recovery about a month after their onset of symptoms. 2 to 3 people can die of this disorder.

I will take the risk of getting a bad case of the flu over the risk of getting GBS. The H1N1 vaccine risks are just too high for me.

Would I give my child the H1N1 vaccine? If I had a young child, I would be more torn over the H1N1 vaccine risks. I would have to sit back and talk to a few medical professionals before I would make a decision.

Me, on the other hand – I’m not worried about myself. Yeah, I might get the H1N1 flu virus this season. The H1N1 vaccine risks aren’t worth it to me. I will just take my chances.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/

Flu season is fast approaching, and many people are concerned about whether H1N1 – more commonly known as the “swine flu” – will devastate entire communities. When cooler heads prevail, however, it’s easy to see that H1N1 isn’t all that different from any other flu in any other year. If you aren’t an infant, elderly or suffering from a serious health ailment that would make contracting the flu a danger (this is the biggest thing, truly), there isn’t much to worry about. Wash your hands regularly, use a surgical mask if you’re sick and have to go out in public and deal with H1N1 the way you would any normal flu. Take in nutrients, get rest and try not to expose others. It’s common sense, the same way same day loans can float a budget in the short term during an emergency.

There Are H1N1 Vaccine Risks, Anyway

Some people will opt for the H1N1 vaccine, whether it is because they are at risk or that they think flu shots are essential. However, there are medical experts that have stated their concerns over H1N1 vaccine risks. This leaves people in the position of having to decide whether the vaccine is worth the risk or worse than simply contracting the flu and letting normal immune systems deal with the invader.

According to the Center For Disease Control, high risk individuals are children under 2; those over 65; pregnant ladies; people with chronic asthma, diabetes or HIV; and children younger than 19 who are involved in aspirin therapy. For these groups, the shot may be worth it. There are even locations that will deliver it for free or at a discounted rate, depending upon a patient’s financial situation.

But What About GBC Risk?

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Also known as Guillain-Barré syndrome, it is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to death. However, Dr. Jennifer Ashton estimates that this risk is “only 1 in a million vaccines.” However, since I’m not in an “at risk” group, I’ll take the flu instead. Since I have young children, I have more to consider. Yet it is my belief – based upon my understanding of the evidence – that H1N1 vaccine risks are just another sign that the more you look for loopholes, the more you’ll find. I am not concerned about my children dying due to swine flu. Common sense treatment and doctors (if necessary) are all they’ll likely need if the swine flu comes to call. If I need financial backup, I’ll consider same day loans.

http://personalmoneystore.com/

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STONY BROOK, N.Y. (CBS) ― They’re upset over an ultimatum from the health department.

Workers are being told to either get the swine flu vaccine or lose their jobs.

New York is the first state in the country to mandate flu vaccinations for its health care workers. The first doses of swine flu vaccine will be available beginning next week. Much of it is reserved for state health care workers, but there is growing opposition to required innoculations.

Health care workers in Hauppauge screamed “No forced shots!” as they rallied Tuesday against the state regulation requiring them to roll up their sleeves.

“I don’t even tend to the sick. I am in the nutrition field. They are telling me I must get the shot because I work in a health clinic setting,” said Paula Small, a Women, Infants and Children health care worker.

Small said she will refuse, worried the vaccine is untested and unproven, leaving her vulnerable. In 1976, there were some deaths associated with a swine flu vaccination.

Registered nurse Frank Mannino, 50, was also angry. He said the state regulation violates his personal freedom and civil rights.

“And now I will lose my job if I don’t take the regular flu shot or the swine flu shot.”

When asked if he’s willing to lose his job, Mannino said, “Absolutely. I will not take it, will not be forced. This is still America.”

The protest also shook Albany Tuesday. Hundreds of demonstrators demanded freedom of choice. After all, as health care professionals they argue they’re already constantly washing their hands and aren’t likely to transmit or contract the flu.

Around 500,000 health care workers are slated to receive the vaccine.

“It’s certainly their prerogative to voice their opinion,” said Dr. Susan Donelan of Stony Brook University Hospital.

Donelan said most in the medical community see the benefits and safety of the shots and welcome them, and that hospitals must obey the law.

“Our hospital is committed to following the mandate to have our personnel vaccinated,” she said.

The state said change was needed this year to save lives, typically only about 45 percent of health care workers take advantage of voluntary flu vaccines.

More than 150 institutional outbreaks of seasonal and H1N1 flu are expected this year in hospitals, nursing homes and hospice centers.

New York and New Jersey will get their first doses of the swine flu vaccine next week. It will be the nasal mist, not a shot.

http://wcbstv.com/

(CNN) — Vaccine maker Sanofi Pasteur said Tuesday it shipped the first batch of H1N1 flu vaccine from its plant in Swiftwater, Pennsylvania, several days earlier than expected.

A single dose induces a strong immune response in healthy adults and children as young as 9.

Further shipments will be ongoing on a regular basis, with a total of 75.3 million doses expected through December, said Donna Cary, spokeswoman for the vaccine maker.

Citing security concerns, she would not divulge which of the distribution centers set up by the Department of Health and Human Services will get the first doses.

Sanofi Pasteur is one of four vaccine makers approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

“We will have enough vaccine available for everyone,” Kathleen Sebelius told the House Energy and Commerce Committee this month.

Tuesday’s shipment comes a few days before health officials had anticipated. This month, Sebelius had predicted that the large-scale vaccination program against H1N1 — also called swine flu — would begin in mid-October at as many as 90,000 sites, and that limited amounts of the vaccine were expected to be available a week to 10 days earlier.

A single dose induces a strong immune response in healthy adults and children as young as 9, though children younger than that may need two doses, she said.

Clinical trials are under way among pregnant women, who appear to be at heightened risk of dying from the disease.

Though researchers had originally expected it would take 21 days from the time of inoculation for the vaccine to induce an immune response robust enough to confer protection, they were pleasantly surprised when the first trials found that protection occurred in eight to 10 days for most people older than 9 years of age.

The two types of vaccine that have been approved — a flu shot made from inactivated or dead virus and a nasal spray made from live, weakened virus — will be available free of charge, though some providers may charge an “administration fee,” Sebelius said.

The last attempt to inoculate the U.S. population against a type of swine flu occurred in 1976 after some 200 soldiers from Fort Dix, New Jersey, became infected. Though the flu never spread, some 40 million Americans got the vaccine, which was blamed for hundreds of cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes severe muscle weakness.

http://www.cnn.com/

Supermarkets’ Bloody Vaccination Campaign Advances “Health Care Reform” by Lethal Injections

By Dr. Leonard Horowitz and Sherri Kane 09-26-09

Wondering why food stores and pharmacies have replaced doctors offices and clinics as vaccination stations? Ask Steve Burd, the wizard behind Obama’s Health Care Reform plan.

Burd, the Chairman of Safeway Supermarkets (VONS, Pavilions, and more) is also the founder of the Coalition to Advance Healthcare Reform (CAHR) in the US., and Burd has his fingers in more pies than healthcare. Read the full story

MEXICO CITY — The next wave of swine flu has arrived, and Mexicans are bracing for an outbreak that may be even larger than the one here last spring that became a pandemic. Daily diagnoses reached higher levels in September than the H1N1 peak in April, with 483 new cases in just one day this month alone. It’s unlikely there will be large-scale closings of schools and stadiums, however, because health officials know the virus is usually mild if treated early. Read the full story

by Kevin D. Annett, M.A., M.Div.

Last week, many of the aboriginal people in the remote west coast village of Ahousaht were innoculated with the tamiflu vaccine. Today, over a hundred of them are sick, and the sickness is spreading.

In the same week, body bags were sent to similarly remote native reserves in northern Manitoba that have also received the tamiflu vaccine.

Read the full story

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.–(Business Wire)–
Cannabis Science Inc. (NASD OTCBB: CBIS) an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis
company, is pleased to report progress for its phytocannabinoid pharmaceutical
products to help reduce ARDS-associated deaths from both the Avian and Swine
Influenza infections.

Read the full story

(Reuters) – Shares of VeriChip Corp (CHIP.O) tripled after the company said it had been granted an exclusive license to two patents, which will help it to develop implantable virus detection systems in humans.

The patents, held by VeriChip partner Receptors LLC, relate to biosensors that can detect the H1N1 and other viruses, and biological threats such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, VeriChip said in a statement.

Read the full story

Video is of former State Trooper Greg Evensen.

This excerpt is from The Daily Paul on 9/15/2009:

Many of you have been wondering about the validity of Greg Evensen’s information about the RFID vaccination-bracelets. Read the full story

MEMPHIS, TN – A federal prison in Memphis has been quarantined because of an outbreak of Swine Flu, according to a court document.

United States Attorney Lawrence J. Laurenzi says in the document, prisoners are not allowed to leave FCI Memphis for court appearances because of the H1N1 quarantine. Read the full story