It's all over the news. The World Health Organization, Center for Disease Control, National Institute of Health, local and statewide health organizations are all discussing the influenza outbreak particularly throughout the United States. Could this be one of the worst outbreaks we have had in a while. It certainly appears so. The big question is why? and... Did you get your flu shot? Well according to the latest news reports, there seems to be a shortage of the vaccine. It is confirmed by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Thomas Frieden who said "We're hearing of spot shortages." I would say that speaks volumes. Perhaps it's time to head to your local pharmacy and find out if they are administering the vaccine there. The problem here is that the flu shots are normally administered in the fall and by this time they are almost finished. Looks like the manufacturers may have to come up with more - I'm sure they wont mind at all.
Interestingly, parents are discussing the flu out break calling other parents out on sending their sick child/children to school which causes their child to become sick. Meanwhile, jobs/bosses are telling their employees to get to work - flu and all. What's a parent to do? One cannot stay home with their child nor can they call out sick even if they have the flu. Ridiculous, I know but this is a very real issue.
Although the number of reported cases of flu have peaked in some areas; as the virus spreads to other states there are increased number of new cases. Sadly, there are reports of deaths which is rather frightening. In fact after reading an article that titled 'Flu Season Epidemic Likely a Boom for Funeral Homes and Death Care' I'm considering staying indoors until spring with as limited human contact as possible.
What's going on you ask? Let's hear what Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institute of Health has to say.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases......
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