• VPR COVERAGE

    NPR Swine Flu Coverage

    • American Indians Hit Hard By Swine Flu

      December 25, 2009

      The mortality rate from the virus is four times higher among American Indians and Alaska Natives than any other racial or ethnic group. Officials blame the discrepancy on crowded living conditions, a higher incidence of complications from pre-existing conditions and poor access to health care facilities.

    • U.S. Recalls 800,000 Swine Flu Vaccine

      December 15, 2009

      After massive efforts to convince the public that it should get vaccinated against the swine flu virus, the government Tuesday recalled 800,000 doses of vaccine targeted to children. The recall, which was based on potency concerns, may lead to fresh worries that the government rushed to get the product on the market too quickly.

    • Flu Pandemic Much Milder Than Expected

      December 8, 2009

      Last spring, experts thought it was possible swine flu would kill 1 out of every 100 people who got the virus. But the death rate so far is around 1 out of every 2,000. The CDC says the number of children who've died is troublesome, however, and worries if people think the threat is over, they'll be less likely to get vaccinated.

    • Impact Of Swine Flu Examined

      November 25, 2009

      Where we are in the course of the swine flu epidemic? Has the H1N1 virus behaved as expected? What about the production and distribution of vaccine? Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center For Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, discusses the severity and impact of swine flu so far.

    • Nationwide Reports Of Flu-Like Illness

      November 20, 2009

      Health officials have been using this reporting system for 25 years to get a relative idea of where and how influenza is affecting people across the nation. They gather data from over 2,000 health care providers who are reliable and representative of their region's population. While most flu cases are not being tested to confirm if they are 2009 H1N1 flu, the overwhelming majority of flu cases are from the swine flu, according to the CDC.

    • As Yule Approaches, Santas Seek H1N1 Help

      November 19, 2009

      Holiday season is colliding with swine flu season, and that has Santas concerned. The cheerful Christmas ambassadors come in contact with millions of children each year, and many are being advised to take special precautions. One Santa organization has petitioned a member of Congress to help elevate them to a priority status for the H1N1 vaccine. Ernest Berger, president of the nonprofit volunteer group Santa America, says Santas should be considered seriously for the vaccine because of their close contact with large groups of children.

    • FDA Reassures Doctors Skeptical Of H1N1 Vaccine

      November 18, 2009

      Most doctors fully support the H1N1 vaccine, but there are a few who won't back it. Because patients trust their doctors the most for medical decisions, the FDA is trying to assure these doctors of the vaccine's safety.

    • Swine Flu Vaccine Access May Depend On Location

      November 17, 2009

      It appears some states are doing better than others with the availability and distribution of the swine flu vaccine. In California, for example, health officials are reporting that some high-risk people will not have access to the vaccine until 2010.

    • Flu Funds Boost Local Health Budgets

      November 13, 2009

      The federal government has allocated more than $1 billion to help cash-strapped local health departments hire staff to distribute the H1N1 vaccine. The money has allowed some departments to rehire staff they had recently let go.

    • How Effective Is The New Flu Vaccine?

      November 9, 2009

      Some people say they won't get a flu vaccine — against seasonal flu or H1N1 — because they believe it doesn't work. It's true that the seasonal flu vaccine doesn't stop all cases of the flu in people who get it. But just how effective is the new H1N1 vaccine?

    GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD