This whole issue is really bothering me.
See: Swine Flu Shot Or Jail in Massachusetts
Already called my state rep and the House leader's office to register my complaints for all the good it will do.
"Study says children sickened by swine flu more than 60-plus adults; CDC issues data on United States and New Zealand" by Tom Randall, Bloomberg News | August 28, 2009
NEW YORK - Children were 14 times more likely to be sickened by swine flu than adults 60 and older, the age group that is typically the most at risk for influenza, according to a US study of the disease.
Children ages 5 to 14 became ill with swine flu, also known as H1N1, at a rate of 147 per 100,000 people, according to the study of 1,557 confirmed illnesses, including seven deaths, in Chicago from April to July, months when the flu virus usually doesn’t spread. The findings were reported yesterday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
US health officials are planning a vaccination campaign that will focus on those who are disproportionately affected by H1N1, which include children, pregnant women, and adults with underlying health conditions.
Also see: Schools to be Swine Flu Infection Centers
Swine Flu Shot to Slaughter Young and Strong
Swine Flu Plan to Cull People of Color
A separate CDC study released Wednesday from New Zealand showed swine flu targeted younger people and dominated other virus strains after circulating for just one month during the winter, when influenza is more active.
Targeted them? DOES a VIRUS CARE?
“Like other Southern Hemisphere countries with temperate climates, New Zealand entered its winter season with cocirculation of both seasonal and 2009 pandemic influenza strains,’’ said the authors of yesterday’s report, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. “The number of viruses identified as 2009 pandemic influenza rapidly overtook the number identified as seasonal influenza.’’
In New Zealand, the number of patients with flu symptoms who sought medical attention was 1,518 doctor visits for every 100,000 people from May 3 to Aug. 2, according to the report by the CDC. The highest concentration of cases occurred in South Auckland, where people went to the doctor with flu symptoms at a rate of 1,308 per 100,000 in a single week, from July 6 to July 12.
That's a 1.3% rate; I'll take my chances without the shot.
And if that's the highest rate, then how can the overall rate be 1.5%?
Am I not supposed to be asking these questions, or....
A weekly rate of 100 to 149 at that time is considered “moderate,’’ while rates of more than 400 indicate an epidemic, according to the report.
Data for the study were provided by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, as well as doctors and nurses involved in the countries flu surveillance system.
Oh, NOW we have FLU SURVEILLANCE -- as if all the other spying, surveillance, and databases were not enough.
--more--"
Maybe you ought to just keep your kid home this semester, parents.
Related: Pigs Really Can Fly!
