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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 | 3 | Next >> Health officials are worried that the H1N1 virus could mutate, becoming more virulent and dangerous.
The WHO last month formally declared a pandemic, triggered by the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus across North America, South America, Europe, Australia and regions beyond.
U.S. health officials have said they are considering a swine flu immunization campaign that could involve an unprecedented 600 million doses of vaccine. Still to be worked out is finding enough health-care workers to administer all those shots, and determining ways to record side effects if the vaccine is given at the same time as the seasonal flu vaccine, officials said.
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The timing of the program depends on how fast a vaccine can be produced and tested. Preliminary trial vaccines are expected within several weeks, and some vaccine could be available by mid-October, Sebelius said.
The 600 million doses would dwarf the roughly 115 million doses of seasonal flu vaccine and the 150 million doses of childhood vaccines distributed each year, the Associated Press reported.
During the one-day summit, the federal officials spelled out specific ways that states and local governments can start their planning and preparation efforts. The officials also unveiled new programs and resources to help state and local governments, the medical community and all Americans prepare for the fall flu season and the return of H1N1 swine flu.
According to a Health and Human Services news release, those measures include:
- a total of $350 million in grants, to help state and local public health agencies and health-care systems ready preparedness plans.
- a new federal government Web site -- www.flu.gov. --
that will be a clearinghouse of information about H1N1 swine flu and seasonal flu.
- a public service announcement campaign contest to encourage more Americans to get involved in the nation's flu preparedness efforts. The winner will receive $2,500 and the announcement will be broadcast on national television. More details are available at www.flu.gov.
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