It's a poor reflection on our public health status, but it seems to be the reality. According to a new study by researchers form Harvard University School of Public Health, the majority of Americans seeking the H1N1 vaccination can't get it.
U.S. officials have managed to boost the total number of available H1N1 swine flu doses to 38 million, up 11 million from just a week and a half ago. Still, 70 percent of adults and 66 percent of children who tried to get the shot weren't able to, Harvard researchers concluded.
The supply of shots is likely to increase, with an additional 8 million doses expected to come available this week. That being said, demand is likely to far outstrip supply, as nine out of 10 people surveyed by the researchers said they were planning to try again to get the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the number of hospitalizations and confirmed H1N1 deaths from swine flu among children has hit 129, with two-thirds having unrelated illnesses like cerebral palsy and asthma. Of total deaths from H1N1, 90 percent are among people under age 65, and 50 percent of those hospitalized are under 25, according to CDC official Dr. Anne Schuchat.
To learn more about this issue:
- read this HealthDay News piece
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