Reports this week indicate that the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been shipped in the U.S.  However, a poll conducted by Consumer Reports suggests some Americans may not want it because of the potential risks involved.  This raises the issue of whether or not health care workers should minimally be required to get the seasonal flu shot.

World Health Organization’s (WHO) situation updates on global H1N1 activity.

The first doses of the vaccine are in transit (and ahead of schedule).

Consumer Reports Poll  shows that  43% of Americans are on the fence when it comes to the vaccine.

Questions arise regarding health care workers and the flu vaccine.

What was your favorite story this week?

The good news this week:   Europe is very close to approving an H1N1 vaccine, and the rapping doctor won the video contest run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

The not-so-good news comes from Sanjay Gupta (CNN) and Kate Dailey (Newsweek).  They both came down with H1N1 flu, but there is a bright side.  They both report that H1N1 is a lot like the regular flu, and they recovered fully within a few days.  Hopefully, this will help quell people’s fear of contracting it.  Here’s our wrap up: 

World Health Organization’s (WHO) updates on global H1N1 activity.

Two H1N1 vaccines have been recommended for approval in Europe.

Follow up to the video contest - the rapping doctor won!!! 

Sanjay Gupta gets H1N1.

Kate Dailey of Newsweek gets the cold shoulder from co-workers after contracting H1N1.  

What was your favorite story this week?

As speculation increases in the U.S. that the H1N1 vaccine may be available in the next few weeks, it’s a good time to focus on the facts, minimize your risk, consider the big picture and recognize that countries need to responsibly share the vaccine. 

World Health Organization’s (WHO) updates on global H1N1 activity.  

Do you know the basic facts on H1N1? Take the H1N1 Quiz: Test Your IQ (Influenza Quotient) from Time.com to find out.  

The Wall Street journal analyzes how the standard “rituals of greeting” may help spread H1N1.  

The bad news/good news on the vaccine is that the WHO is reporting that a substantially lesser quantity of vaccines will be produced than was previously expected; however, recent reports show that recipients will only need one dose (not two) to be adequately vaccinated.

The U.S., France and Britain are among nine countries that are pledging 10% of their H1N1 vaccine to other countries “in recognition that diseases know no borders.”  

What was your favorite story this week?

H1N1 news will be breaking fast over the coming weeks and months. HTB will try to capture some of the most important angles to keep you posted. 

Please tip us off to anything you think we are missing.

• Global travel helps drive H1N1 transmission.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) maps the countries where H1N1 is impacting the health care services.  The latest update indicates that India, Mexico and parts of South America are experiencing moderate degrees of disruption.
• H1N1 vaccine shown to be effective after one dose.
• Health insurers to cover H1N1 vaccine?

Q: What do you get when you run a contest on YouTube to create a new public service announcement (PSA) to help get the message out on how to prevent the spread of H1N1?

A: Ten finalists, all worth watching. 

Eight are 30 seconds.  Two are a full minute.  Total investment of six (6) minutes which should yield, to quote President Obama, “a learning moment.”  If you are a glutton for punishment, you can even slog through the other entries, although I wouldn’t recommend it.

Which one is your favorite and do you think governments should do more things like this?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has published an H1N1 flu alert that summarizes activity around the globe:

In the southern hemisphere where flu season is waning, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia appear to have passed their peak influenza activity and are returning to baseline levels. South Africa and Bolivia continue to experience high levels of influenza activity.

In the tropical regions of Central America and Asia, H1N1 activity is increasing or remaining at high levels with some countries reporting moderate strains on the healthcare system.

In temperate areas of the northern hemisphere, North America, Europe, and Central Asia, H1N1 activity remains low overall, with some countries experiencing localized outbreaks. In Japan, the level of flu activity has passed the seasonal epidemic threshold, signaling a very early beginning to the annual influenza season.

Will the Japanese experience translate to the rest of the northern hemisphere? We will find out shortly.

In conjunction with the White House, Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security and Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, are holding an H1N1 Influenza Preparedness Summit today.  The meeting will focus on plans to monitor the spread of 2009-H1N1 and to initiate plans for a vaccination program (assuming a safe vaccine is produced).

To view today’s live airing of the summit or for more information on preparing for and managing the effects of H1N1, visit Flu.gov.