It is all about the timing.

The novel H1N1 influenza can move slowly this flu season, in which case there could be time for enough vaccine to be produced and given to high-risk populations.

Or, as what is called the flu season never has ended, it could take off quickly, jump-starting the traditional winter outbreaks.

The reason there is so much emphasis on vaccination is that it is the surest protection.

However, there is solid information available for prevention and action if the vaccine does not arrive in time.

Schools and businesses have been given guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), guidance which is flexible enough for local conditions to be taken into account.

Individuals also have been given guidance about prevention, about staying home when sick, what to do should one be sick and more.

Flu.gov is the website where all of this information is collected. Be sure to check it out.

Reuters

“Scientific advisers to President Barack Obama may have asked the government to speed up the availability of swine flu vaccines, but they are unlikely to be ready before October, the new head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday.

“And imperfect tests for the pandemic H1N1 virus means it will be impossible to get precise numbers on how many people are infected, said Dr. Thomas Frieden.

“Nonetheless, swine flu is the No. 1 priority for the CDC, Frieden said in an interview.”

Source: Reuters, August 26, 2009