H1N1 Swine Flu

Listening assignment this week is a little bit different from what we have done before. There is another channel, Radio Boston, for practicing our listening skill. The topic that caught my attention is about a H1N1 swine flu. Some public health officials believe occurrence of the swine flu, or H1N1 flu, might be stop spreading already. But there still be more people are getting and there is a shortage of swine flu vaccine.

Swine flu has spread all over the world, regardless geography. People seem to be quite panic about this flu due to it is different from other flues they have known before. One significant different between seasonal pandemic and swine flu is the high risk group. High risk group for seasonal pandemic flu are older people aged 65 or more, but in contrast, the high risk group for swine flu is the children aged below 10. Even though there is a low death rate for people who caught swine flu, many parents are panic and worried about their children when they notice that their children are sick or have any symptom related to the swine flu.

In spring, Boston is the city that has a highest hit with the swine flu. This makes many people concern more and pay heavily attention it. There are a lot of people go to clinic or health center to get a shot for swine flu prevention, but there is not enough vaccine to be provided to everyone. Any clinic and medical center would like to provide vaccine for everyone not only young children but also older people. However, there is a shortage of vaccine and we have to wait until the end of this month.

Massachusetts is like other cities; we have to wait for the federal government to announce and distribute next lot of swine flu vaccine. Now there is an excess demand for getting a shot of swine flu vaccine. Unfortunately, there might be some delays for the distribution but in the next few weeks; we will have a lot more shots available. At this time, what we can do is to provide a shot to those patients who in high risk group, pregnant, infant and people who in underline health condition first. This is quite a large group of people. And for other groups of people, they will be provided the vaccine soon, not later than the beginning of next month.

Many people might be confused that why some people are still getting sick yet he already got a shot. This because vaccine just gives you an extra protection from the flu but it could not be 100% prevention. You might not get worst but you could still get some minor sick then.

What we can prepare for the spread out of swine flu are just basic things. First, wash your hand frequently and don’t forget to hand sanitizer. Second, stay home when you are sick in order to stop spreading out the flu to others. Third, stay in touch with your doctor if there is any person closed to you getting sick. And last thing; make your health always in a good condition. All of these things are a good preparation for the swine flu.

source: www.radioboston.org