Health Journal Entry

Swine Flu Vaccine in Short Supply (November 1, 2009)

Delivery of the swine flu vaccine across the United States has been more limited than expected. Long lines formed outside many health clinics as parents waited to have children vaccinated. Health officials hoped 40 million doses of the vaccine would be available by the end of October, but the actual number was much lower. The delay is partly the result of longer testing of the strength and purity of the vaccine.

Most people who get sick with swine flu virus, a type known as H1N1, have typical flu symptoms and then get better. But a small percentage of flu victims become dangerously ill. About 1,000 deaths have been reported in the United States since the outbreak began, with children making up about 10 percent of the total. Widespread outbreaks are currently reported in 46 states.

The global death toll keeps climbing as well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), swine flu has claimed about 5,000 lives since the virus started spreading from Mexico in April 2009. It's the first global flu pandemic in more than 40 years.

Like other varieties of flu, swine flu spreads from person to person from coughing, sneezing, or touching a contaminated object. Because the virus is new, most people have no immunity against it. The virus is hitting children and young adults harder than typical flu viruses. Good hygiene practices, such as covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing hands frequently, can help slow its spread.