Gov. John Baldacci on Tuesday declared a statewide civil emergency because of the H1N1 influenza virus, paving the way for mass immunization of Maine schoolchildren and other residents. The emergency designation protects schools and health care providers against liability claims related to their participation in school-based vaccine clinics this fall for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu. "Maine has been proactive in its response to this new flu," Baldacci said in announcing the proclamation. "But as the school year begins, we must continue our vigilance, which will require a responsible and aggressive vaccination and public education campaign. It's our goal that every person in the state has access to vaccines for the seasonal and H1N1 flu." ... Schools are no more liable for injuries associated with the vaccine clinics than they would be for injuries incurred at a basketball game or other community event, [director, Maine CDC Control and PreventionDr. Dora Anne] Mills said. And while vaccine manufacturers are generally not liable for ill effects of the vaccines they produce, Mills said, the federal government does have a compensation fund for vaccine-related illnesses or injuries.... The virus is linked to one death in Maine.... Unlike the seasonal flu, H1N1 thus far has proved to be more dangerous to young people, including children, teens, pregnant women and young adults.
The emergency designation protects schools and health care providers against liability claims related to their participation in school-based vaccine clinics this fall for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu. "Maine has been proactive in its response to this new flu," Baldacci said in announcing the proclamation. "But as the school year begins, we must continue our vigilance, which will require a responsible and aggressive vaccination and public education campaign. It's our goal that every person in the state has access to vaccines for the seasonal and H1N1 flu." ...
Schools are no more liable for injuries associated with the vaccine clinics than they would be for injuries incurred at a basketball game or other community event, [director, Maine CDC Control and PreventionDr. Dora Anne] Mills said. And while vaccine manufacturers are generally not liable for ill effects of the vaccines they produce, Mills said, the federal government does have a compensation fund for vaccine-related illnesses or injuries....
The virus is linked to one death in Maine....
Unlike the seasonal flu, H1N1 thus far has proved to be more dangerous to young people, including children, teens, pregnant women and young adults.
The new H1N1 swine flu virus has killed 36 U.S. children, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday. It said 67 percent of them [24.2 children] had medical conditions putting them more at risk of severe disease, such as asthma, or were disabled with conditions such as cerebral palsy, but 22 percent of the children [7.92 children] were under 5 and healthy.
It said 67 percent of them [24.2 children] had medical conditions putting them more at risk of severe disease, such as asthma, or were disabled with conditions such as cerebral palsy, but 22 percent of the children [7.92 children] were under 5 and healthy.
31 or 32 total "high risk." 5 or 4 additional "healthy" 0-18 y.o. fatalities.
The CDC said that by August 8 it had reports of 477 deaths from the pandemic H1N1 virus, including 36 children under 18. [8% of total] "In two-thirds of those [67% or 24.2], the child had at least one severe underlying illness or underlying disability ... cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, long-standing respiratory or cardiac problems," CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden told reporters in a telephone briefing. "There were some children who didn't have an underlying condition and who did become severely ill, and they were generally infected also by bacteria," Frieden added.... It affects older children and young adults more than seasonal flu does, something that has concerned doctors....
"In two-thirds of those [67% or 24.2], the child had at least one severe underlying illness or underlying disability ... cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, long-standing respiratory or cardiac problems," CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden told reporters in a telephone briefing.
"There were some children who didn't have an underlying condition and who did become severely ill, and they were generally infected also by bacteria," Frieden added....
It affects older children and young adults more than seasonal flu does, something that has concerned doctors....
How does the data support this conclusion?
"We are going to be trying to reach out to children in large number and parents to get kids' vaccines, because we know that so many kids can get the flu, and the vaccine is likely to be quite effective," Frieden said, adding that he would vaccinate his own children.
Obligatory celebrity endorsement, reminiscent of this season's Torchwood plot. Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
Maybe it dosn't support that conclusion, but after MMR vaccine scares and a variety of other vaccine panics, it may be seen that the parents of children are the hardest group to get to immunise, thus causing, if theres a mass panic about the current intection round, the biggest likely dent in herd immunity. Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.
