EDITORIAL: Swine flu calls for caution, not panic

The lack of swine flu vaccine across the region was causing concern among patients in doctor’s offices and hospitals across the region earlier this week. Patients who did not fall into the high at-risk categories were being asked to wait on taking the vaccine until more was produced.

Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 22.4 million doses are available, 8 million more than were available last week. That still falls woefully short of demand, which could exceed 150 million.

The first, limited supplies of the swine flu vaccine appeared in the Pee Dee last week and caused long lines and plenty of frustration.

The rush for the vaccine was created by President Barack Obama, who last week declared a swine flu emergency.

Obama’s announcement mostly was a procedural move, giving hospitals the ability to move emergency rooms off-site to speed treatment and protect uninfected patients.

The declaration was signed Friday night and announced Saturday. It came at a time with the government was red-faced concerning initial projections of having 120 million doses of the vaccine available by mid-October.

More than 1,000 people have died from H1N1, as the swine flu is known. More than 100 have been children. Millions of others have contracted mild forms of the illness.

“As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic,” Obama wrote in his declaration.
Obama said the pandemic has potential “to overburden health care resources.”

The inability of the government to manage the swine flu vaccines accurately is a reminder of the caution of turning over the entire health-care system to federal oversight.

Yes, there were technical reasons for the delay in production. Still, the slow trickle of doses seemed to catch the government, and the medical community, off guard.

At the current pace, the swine flu will kill fewer than a regular flu season. Still, the number 1,000 brings with it a scary connotation.

We do not believe people in the community are panicking concerning the illness, but we do see reason for caution.

Just as your health-care provider would tell you, take normal precautions. Wash your hands. Cover your mouth. Stay home when you’re sick.

If you or your children are at a higher risk for the swine flu, call your doctor so you can go to the front of the list. People at high-risk of complications from H1N1 are children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions.

The flu is widespread in 46 states, including South Carolina. The problem brings with it the increased chance of scammers bilking customers.

Just as we cautioned about washing hands and covering mouths, we caution to be careful about cure-all solutions.

Fraudulent products seem to be everywhere, especially on the Internet. Don’t let con artists prey on you and take your money.

If you’re at the highest risk, call your doctor, press for an appointment and the vaccine. It’s your best course of action in protecting your health.

— Unsigned editorials represent the views of this newspaper. Editorial Board members are Mark Laskowski (regional publisher), James Bennett (regional editor), Sam Bundy (sports editor), Kimberly Ginfrida (news editor), David Johnson (regional circulation director), Charles Tomlinson (Lake City News & Post editor) and Jackie Torok (metro editor).