New Recent Study of H1N1 Reveals Similarities between 2009 and 1918 Strains

Two teams of scientists report that the recent 2009 strain of H1N1 is remarkably similar to the 1918 strain that caused the deaths of millions early in the 20th century.

These similarities also explain why the elderly were not hit as hard and had some immunity to the more recent strain.

"Parts of the 2009 virus are remarkably similar to human H1N1 viruses circulating in the early 20th century," study senior author and Scripps professor Ian Wilson said in an institute news release. "Our findings provide strong evidence that exposure to earlier viruses has helped to provide some people with immunity to the recent influenza pandemic."

In a separate report, scientists have discovered that the 1918 and 2009 pandemic influenza viruses share a key structural detail -- both lack a cap of sugar molecules in a certain area -- that makes them susceptible to the same antibodies.

That study, headed by virologist Dr. Gary J. Nable, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), "This is a surprising result," Nabel said in a statement. "We wouldn't have expected that cross-reactive antibodies would be generated against viruses separated by so many years."

Anthony Fauci, the director of NIAID said, "It gives us a new understanding of how pandemic viruses evolve into seasonal strains, and, importantly, provides direction for developing vaccines to slow or prevent that transformation."

H1N1 Vaccine Locations by State

Below is a list of Vaccine locations by State, and includes links for more information. This information may not be 100% accurate, so please double check with your local health department agency, or your doctor prior to going to one of these locations. 

H1N1 vaccine locations -

CDC Asks State and Local Health Departments to Vaccinate High Risk Groups First Against H1N1

The CDC recently put out a Letter to all State and local health officials urging them to restrict vaccinations to High Risk groups.

Currently demand for the vaccination is exceeding the supply currently available, though more is on the way.

The letter highlights the need to vaccinate those in high risk groups first, and the CDC is asking that State and Local Health departments ensure equitable access to the vaccine.

Law to Require Employers to Provide Paid Sick Leave Over H1N1

The H1N1 Virus has sparked new debate on paid sick leave and a Bill has been introduced, known as the Emergency Influenza Containment Act to require employers to pay sick employees who miss work.

This is the third bill to be introduced on the subject of paid sick days, and is designed to protect employees from becoming infected and reduce the amount of money in lost productivity due to more workers becoming sick.

I'd really like to hear your thoughts on this issue so please comment.

Liquid Tamiflu Shortage Have Parents of Sick Children Searching For the Medication

From the DHS Daily Report: Tamiflu shortages have parents on wild dose chase

Officials have also instructed doctors to suggest that pharmacists mix the powder from capsules with syrup to make a liquid for children if the company’s version is unavailable.

As increasing numbers of children are coming down with swine flu, more parents are facing a shortage of liquid Tamiflu for children.

Spot shortages of the liquid form of the antiviral medicine are forcing mothers and fathers to drive from pharmacy to pharmacy, often late into the evening after getting a diagnosis and prescription from a pediatrician, in search of the syrup recommended for the youngest victims of the H1N1 pandemic. The drug can make the flu milder, go away more quickly and may cut the risk of potentially life-threatening complications.

The shortages are being caused by a surge in demand because of the second wave of swine flu sweeping the country, combined with a decision by Roche, the Swiss company that makes the medication, to focus on producing it in capsule form.

In response, the government has shipped to states hundreds of thousands of five-day courses from the Strategic National Stockpile, which is on standby in case there are disease outbreaks or bioterrorism attacks. Officials have also instructed doctors to suggest that pharmacists mix the powder from capsules with syrup to make a liquid for children if the company’s version is unavailable.

As increasing numbers of children are coming down with swine flu, more parents are facing a shortage of liquid Tamiflu for children. Spot shortages of the liquid form of the antiviral medicine are forcing mothers and fathers to drive from pharmacy to pharmacy, often late into the evening after getting a diagnosis and prescription from a pediatrician, in search of the syrup recommended for the youngest victims of the H1N1 pandemic.

The drug can make the flu milder, go away more quickly and may cut the risk of potentially life-threatening complications. The shortages are being caused by a surge in demand because of the second wave of swine flu sweeping the country, combined with a decision by Roche, the Swiss company that makes the medication, to focus on producing it in capsule form. In response, the government has shipped to states hundreds of thousands of five-day courses from the Strategic National Stockpile, which is on standby in case there are disease outbreaks or bioterrorism attacks.