Flu deaths still hitting close to home for me.

[pomtzu]

I get my seasonal flu shot tomorrow, but I won't be getting the H1N1. My doctor is still not recommending it for anyone, but he will give one if a patient insists. He feels that there are still too many "unknowns" with the H1N1 vaccine, and that's why he has taken that position on it.

[Freedom]

RIP George, and to all his family and friends, my condolences.

We've had two 12 year old girls die in RI from H1N1 in the past 10 days. Different schools, different cities. It IS scary! In each case, no underlying health issues. Both girls seemed to be recovering, then suddenly and rapidly declined. One girl, her sister had it the week before, a seemingly mild case, and recovered. Both families are in shock, needless to say.

Dad and I both got the seasonal vaccine in Sept.

RI is having some difficulty getting H1N1 vaccine. School clinics start this week. Dad and I are on the list but not a high risk as this thing came around twice before - 1968 and 1989, so we are considered to have some immunity. Even with all Dad's health issues, he is quite low on the list.

Schools have about 20% absenteeism, but some of that is cautious parents keeping healthy kids home, and some is kids "faking" to stay home. Still, it is a high rate and expected to climb.

What I heard over the weekend, even afterwards, when you feel find again and have no symptoms, you can be contagious for up to 2 weeks! THAT will make this tough to control.

[Taz_Zoee]

Yes, this is all too scary. Even the vaccine is scary. I just don't know anymore.
George was 3 years younger than me, so he was around 33 years old. There have been several children lost here in California to this as well. A 5 year old in my town just the week before my friend passed back in June.
It almost makes me not want to leave my house. But that's not possible. So I will just be extra careful and wash my hands often.
Thanks for your kind words.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm sorry to hear that someone you know died from this flu.

[CountryWolf07]

The key is, to wash your hands EVERYWHERE you go. Mike's friend knows a couple people who have the H1N1 flu, but not sure how serious, though..

[pomtzu]

Seeing that there is such a demand for this vaccine, and clinics, hospitals, doctors, etc are having a difficult time getting their hands on it, I'm wondering just what the priorities are.

I heard on the news last week, that some big Wall Street firms were getting supplies of it in for their employees, while the doctors, etc, are still waiting. A whole lot of people are in an uproar over it, and should well be! I wonder who makes the call as to who gets these supplies first? I would hate to think that it goes to the highest bidder.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm so sorry to hear this news, Cindy. George was a young man. What a shame. I am naive I guess but I still can't believe that people are dying from this all over the place. With the technology we have today, you wonder why this disease can't be eradicated. With a young man dying like this, who is safe? I'm not big on getting vaccinated for the flu but I'm thinking maybe I should?

Rest In Peace George