http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
Questions & Answers
Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
July 20, 2009 2:15 PM ET
Q. What are the plans for developing novel H1N1 vaccine?
A. Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a novel H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete. Candidate vaccines will be tested in clinical trials over the few months.
Q. When is it expected that the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available?
A. The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials
Q. Will the seasonal flu vaccine also protect against the novel H1N1 flu?
A. The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the novel H1N1 flu.
Q. Can the seasonal vaccine and the novel H1N1 vaccine be given at the same time?
A. Clinical trial results will be necessary to confirm that novel H1N1 and seasonal vaccine will be safe and effective if given at the same time. We expect the seasonal vaccine to be available earlier than the H1N1 vaccine. The usual seasonal influenza viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. Individuals are encouraged to get their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it is available.
Q. Who will be recommended as priority groups to receive the novel H1N1 vaccine?
A. Based on what we’re currently seeing with respect to the virus and epidemiologic data, states, communities, and health care providers should begin planning strategies for how they will vaccinate younger people (children and younger adults), pregnant women, healthcare personnel, and people who have underlying health conditions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and other federal advisory bodies will continue to monitor the virus and review epidemiologic data over the summer. We’ll be looking to the ACIP and other stakeholders, as well as the public, as we move forward in our planning. It is possible that vaccine priority groups will differ from earlier guidance as more data becomes available however it’s very important for planning to continue based on information currently available.
Q. Where will the vaccine be available?
A. Every state is developing a vaccine delivery plan. Vaccine will be available in a combination of settings such as vaccination clinics organized by local health departments, healthcare provider offices, schools, and other private settings, such as pharmacies and workplaces.
Q. Are there other ways to prevent the spread of illness?
A. Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
* Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures. These measures will continue to be important after a novel H1N1 vaccine is available because they can prevent the spread of other viruses that cause respiratory infections.
Q. What about the use of antivirals to treat novel H1N1 infection?
A. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. This fall, antivirals may be prioritized for persons with severe illness or those at higher risk for flu complications.
Food Bank Experiencing Worst Shortage Ever
Number Of People Seeking Assistance Doubled
WINSTON-SALEM — A year ago, only one in 14 families relied on food from the Second Harvest Food Bank. That number has doubled to one in seven — an increase that has food bank leaders saying the organization is experiencing its worst food shortage ever.
Leaders at the Second Harvest Food Bank say their shelves are almost bare. More
“I have never seen the food supply as low as it is,” said Second Harvest spokesman Clyde Fitzgerald. “Demand for food assistance has been up a consistent 75 percent, and it has been month after month after month versus last year.”
Second Harvest gets its supplies from donations and from government funding. With the state budget tied up in the North Carolina legislature, the organization said it isn’t getting the state funding it expects each summer. The fact that donations are less anyway during the summer coupled with the presence of a recession that is exacerbating the problem, and you have the worst shortage in the history of the organization, leaders say.
“The amount of food coming in to us has virtually come to a halt,” Fitzgerald said. That shortage leads to a trickle-down effect at the 400 local pantries that depend on Second Harvest for supplies.
Cathedral of His Glory church in Greensboro is one of those organizations that used to rely on the food bank for food to give to parishioners.
“It’s not worth coming for a bag of beans and, what else — another can of black beans? Basically. It’s not worth coming,” said Deborah Causey, who helps organize the food ministry at the church.
Causey said the church used to conduct food giveaways on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they’ve had to cut back to only one time a week. And now they ask people in need of food to call first to make sure there is enough supply.
http://www.wxii12.com/news/20141704/detail.html
Southern Fried Rattle Snake
This recipe is from the Sweetwater, TX chamber of Commerce.
Texas Rattlesnake
1. Find and capture a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
2. Kill, skin, and remove entrails.
3. Cut into edible portions.
4. Make a batter of flour, cracker meal, salt, pepper, and garlic.
5. Roll your snake portions in the batter.
6. Fry in deep fat, heated to a temperature that will ignite a floating wooden match.
7. Fry until meat is a golden brown.
8. Eat it!!
http://www.geocities.com/familyoutdoors/maind.html
Food for thought...
If Health Care Legislation they are considering is going to save so much money -
WHY do they have to raise taxes to pay for it????????????
Still busy upgrading the Gulch... much detail to come soon. Hope all are prepping for what's coming in earnest! The cracks are starting to show in the messiah... Keep that Popcorn handy!