STORM2K

Two more people have died in Oklahoma because of the flu virus. The victims are elderly women ages 83 and 78. Health officials say they also had other conditions that may have contributed to their deaths. A 13-year-old Tulsa girl with asthma and a Midwest City woman with the flu have also died. Even with these cases health officials say it is not time to panic. The Tulsa City-County Health Department is out of the flu vaccine once again. Officials used all 3,000 emergency flu vaccinations received just yesterday. Today, people in Tulsa and surrounding areas hit vaccination clinics, hoping to protect themselves and their family from the virus. Doctor Gary Woodruff with the Tulsa City-County Health Department says they usually do not see so many people during flu season, but things are different this year. Woodruff says it may be because the flu season hit nearly six weeks earlier than it did last year, and there is a higher number of cases being reported, which means there is a higher risk. Also, many victims are younger than usual. Health officials say they will know by early next week when more of the vaccine will be available. The two American makers of flu shots say they have run out of vaccine. Officials say to watch out for when it comes to the flu like body aches, pains, headache, fever, soar throat and dry cough.

Ah... thats bad. Izzy still has the flu here.. but it doesn't sound that bad, like that is in OK and CO.

we really haven't had the problem as of yet.... its mainly the whooping cough around here (fond du lac county has the worst outbreak....it is slowly moving into winnebago county (my county), but thankfully, I have been healthy)

Oh no! THAT's bad news!

pojo wrote:we really haven't had the problem as of yet.... its mainly the whooping cough around here (fond du lac county has the worst outbreak....it is slowly moving into winnebago county (my county), but thankfully, I have been healthy)

Shannon... I had not heard of the whooping cough cases. Is this isolated (in your area) or is it state/region wide?

This flu season is very scary! What's even scarier is that there's not enough vaccine to go around for those that want it/need it!

Stephanie wrote:This flu season is very scary! What's even scarier is that there's not enough vaccine to go around for those that want it/need it!

Yes, I know. I was turned down for a flu shot on Friday because there is a shortage and I am apparently not "at risk". I had to wait until next Wednesday because I am on the non at risk waiting list. *sigh* I realize that there are others who might need it worse than me and I want them to get them first, but there was no one and I repeat no one waiting on a flu shot on Friday.

I don't see how there can be a shortage of vacine. Part of me thinks this is a move by the drug companies who make the vaccine to drive up the price even more. Economics 101 - Supply and Demand.