Obama: Brace for Swine Flu Outbreak

Concern high and building, but 60+% don't plan to get a shot

(NEWSER) - Americans are spooked by the growing threat of swine flu but even warier of the vaccine. Half of respondents in a recent Washington Post poll are a “great deal” or “somewhat” worried they or a family member will catch H1N1, up from 39% in August. But more than 60% say they won't get a shot, and just 52% of parents plan to inoculate their kids, even though children are particularly vulnerable to the virus. More»

(NEWSER) - Pregnant women and people who care for infants will be first in line for the swine flu vaccine this fall, the Washington Post reports. Infants, children and young adults under 24, chronically ill adults aged 25 to 64, and health care workers are the other top priority groups under guidelines drawn up by experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention yesterday. More»

Supplies running low, manufacturers can't make more

(NEWSER) - Severe shortages of seasonal flu vaccines are expected across the country in coming weeks as supplies run short amid increasing demand. Manufacturers have committed their production to making H1N1 vaccines and lack the capacity to make any more seasonal flu vaccines this year. The director of the CDC told lawmakers yesterday that officials are “very frustrated” by the shortages but are powerless to prevent them, the New York Times reports. More»

Move will eliminate red tape, allow for speedier vaccinations

(AP) - President Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency and empowered his health secretary to suspend federal requirements and speed treatment for thousands of infected people. Despite the language, the White House emphasized the declaration is bureaucratic in nature and should not signal cause for alarm. The goal is to remove red tape and allow Kathleen Sebelius to grant waivers to overburdened medical facilities on such things as Medicare, Medicaid, or health privacy regulations. More»

But expect long waits around the country amid high demand

(NEWSER) - Children around the country began receiving the first doses of swine flu vaccine, a day after hospitals and health care facilities began immunizing their workers. But medical facilities in only 14 states have so far received the vaccine—so far all as a nasal spray—and high demand means it could be weeks or even months before supply catches up, reports ABC. More»