My doctor firmly believes that for now, Tamiflu should be purchased and held in reserve and then only taken ..if.. Avian Flu has been confirmed in the Northeast area. Then with a 3 to 6 month supply (which he already issued) the Tamiflu is taken as a preventative measure, once daily.
He also said to go ahead and get the regular flu shot and the pneumonia shot which covers a numbers of years (I need more data on that one)
He did state if this thing mutates and then is a mutation of the mutation all of us are sunk until a vaccine is produced and that could 6 to 8 months.
In terms of relying on the government, forget-about-it. We are on our own. As a precaution I feel having the Tamiflu won't hurt, and if nothing else it does cover existing A & B influenza.
Prior to a serious, bimbo, media driven panic on Tamiflu, in my opinion, and my Doc's, it's better to be safe then what around listening to the foolish mindset telling us not to be concerned about anything. I heard that relating to my 'paranoia' over future Islamic terrorism - just prior to 9-11. When crude oil sunk to $30 (2003) brokers said it would not rise to $50, as I stated, plus scores of other baloney.
The doctor mentioned Relenza Diskhaler as equal, possibly even better then Tamiflu (Both meds may be advised) in addition to others, coupled with homeopathic remedies for 'Bird Flu', but even he required more research in that department. At least was open to discussing a very broad range of solutions.
It helps to have a friendly doctor-patient relationship as well. The doctor & I speak on all the major issues of economics, global events, etc. My dentist also advised taking precautions. These guys have that feeling something is in the wind and in the near future.
Run on Drug for Avian Flu Has Physicians Worried
This is interesting...and cheaper than the $$$ La Roche $$$ Swiss version...
Generic version, 99 percent similar to Tamiflu, was manufactured ...