May 6, 2010
Pandemic may force UK primary-care cuts
The cost borne by primary care practices in England to combat pandemic H1N1 flu may lead to cuts in services, The Guardian reported today. A survey of 107 primary care practices found that each practice paid an average of $512,000 (US) to fight novel H1N1. This may lead one in six of the practices to cut other services, and some have already made cuts. A British Medical Association official said the government should foot the pandemic bill rather than individual practices.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/9063557
May 6 Guardian article
New Zealand sees increase in flu-like illness
As New Zealand heads into its traditional flu season, its Ministry of Health (MOH) said today that surveillance data from physicians' offices and the national Healthline hotline show a continued increase in those reporting influenza-like illness. Though numbers are still below baseline, they are higher than at this time last year. The MOH, which advised people to get vaccinated and to be treated at the first signs of symptoms, said the increase could signal higher pandemic flu activity.
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-update-184-060510
May 6 New Zealand MOH release
Swap-meet clinics bring vaccine to Hispanics
California has devised a unique way to reach Hispanics, who have been hit particularly hard by pandemic flu. Public health officials are setting up clinics at popular weekend swap meets such as the Kern County Fairgrounds meet in Bakersfield. Nurses with the Kern County Public Health Department administer free H1N1 vaccine amid the food booths and discount merchandise. One nurse said, "We're using up a lot more vaccines than we would've if we had them just coming in to our clinics."
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125897630
May 4 National Public Radio story
