swine flu

H1N1 more severe among blacks and Hispanics than whites in Boston

adamg — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:06:59 +0000

From BPHC

The Boston Public Health Commission has posted findings from a study of swine-flu cases in Boston over the past year. One key finding: Hispanics required hospitalization for H1N1 more than four times as often as whites; black three times as often. Almost half the blacks requiring a hospital stay had asthma, which the commission says underscores the need for particularly active vaccination programs for people with certain other existing health issues (UPDATE: Sharp-eyed, statistics-minded SwirlyGrrl notes in the comments the problem seems to be among minority children, not adults).

Boston knows how to put on a flu clinic

adamg — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:56:44 +0000

Went to the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury today for my swine-flu shot (yep, I'm in one of the risk groups). Based on what I'd read about some other flu clinics, I was braced for a long wait.

But no. There were a gazillion Boston Public Health Commission workers and EMTs there and lots of arrow signs and staunchions and stuff, and even with all the stops along the way to pick up brochures and fill out paperwork and hand in paperwork, I don't think I was there for more than ten minutes.

Boston residents can get free H1N1 shots this weekend

adamg — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:19:53 +0000

If you're a Boston resident in one of the high-risk groups, you can get a free shot this weekend at clinics run by the Boston Public Health Commission.

One clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Hyde Park High School, 665 Metropolitan Ave., in Hyde Park. The other is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Ohrenberger School, 175 West Boundary Rd., in West Roxbury.

Record level of flu in Massachusetts

adamg — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:41:32 +0000

A week after reporting flu-related emergency-room visits might have plateaued, WBUR today reports that flu cases have reached record levels in Massachusetts.

Will trade swine-flu vaccine for Bon Jovi tickets

adamg — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:21:16 +0000

This cannot possibly be true, can it?

Via Sambot.

Madhouse at Burlington flu-shot clinic

adamg — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Brian Christiansen reports 3,800 people showed up to try to get one of 2,000 flu shots (500 for H1N1, 1,500 for regular flu):

... Took my 14 month old son to the clinic held at Burlington, MA’s high school today. I got there a half hour before it opened, after sitting in a half hour of traffic on Rt 3A to get there. Police blocked the driveway, sending people to park at Simmons Park, about a half mile up the street.

I parked there and took my son in his stroller back through the pouring rain. When I got about half way up the school driveway, the woman whom I parked next to was coming back towards me with her infant. She said there wasn’t enough vaccine of either seasonal or H1N1 for the number of people in line. She said 3800 people were already there, pushing and shoving. ...

Boston announces first swine-flu death of the fall

adamg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:19:53 +0000

The Boston Public Health Commission reports a 65-year-old man with "multiple underlying health conditions" died of H1N1 on Oct. 31. Test results confirming H1N1 infection came back yesterday, the commission says.

He is Boston's fifth H1N1 death, the commission says. The others died during the spring outbreak.

Swine hunt: Boston hospitals say worst of H1N1 may be over

adamg — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:47:29 +0000

WBUR reports some local hospitals say the number of ER visits by people with flu-like symptoms has plateaued.

Useless drugs before swine?

adamg — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:46:02 +0000

WBUR reports that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeing an increase in prescriptions for antibiotics to treat flu symptoms, which the insurer calls "a little concerning" since antibiotics don't work against the flu.

New group: Flu Fighters

adamg — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:49:23 +0000

New video from the Boston Public Health Commission:

H1N1 shots in Dorchester

adamg — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:52:06 +0000

A couple of clinics on Saturday and Monday. My Dorchester has the details. Because of vaccine shortages, only people in high-risk groups (which the site lists) will get shots.

Panic in the streets, well, OK, some people lined up for flu shots

adamg — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 17:53:44 +0000

Look for Channel 7 to highlight the line that ~~stretched around the corner~~ extended a few feet outside the door of the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center this morning, as ~~frenzied~~ calm people waited in line for a flu shot.

Doc puts her family's arms where her mouth is

adamg — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:55:53 +0000

Dr. Gwenn tries to dampen rising hysteria over swine-flu shots:

... Sometimes as parents we have to stop over thinking a situation and do what we have to in order to keep our children safe. I believe this is one of those situations. Instead of questioning data and acting out of fear, we need to start trusting the doctors and scientists working hard to keep our communities safe. After all, they have families and children, too.

My entire family is getting H1N1 this year. I believe in this vaccine and its safety. Please consider doing the same for your kids ...

Channel 5 reporter shows off newest tool

adamg — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:03:36 +0000

John Carroll sat amazed last night as he watched Rhondella Richardson narrate a report on swine flu with a face mask on - because she was standing outside the house of somebody who apparently had it. Or as he puts it:

A surgical mask?

Really?

When Richardson was nowhere near the maybe-infected family?

Really really pathetic.

Tufts joins BU in making feverish students sleep alone

adamg — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:35:06 +0000

By moving students with flu-like symptoms into quarantine rooms and wearing masks. Oh, wait, you thought I was going to write about, oh, never mind.

Earlier:
BU sets up quarantine rooms for students with the flu.