Yah Larousse2, there’s an obvious void now that exists between the opinions of real medical professionals and the Government and it’s agencies, I wonder why!
UK:
Family devastated at loss of soldier from swine flu
Published Date: 11 August 2009
By David Rankin
http://www.colerainetimes.co.uk/news/Family-devastated-at-loss-of.5541906.jp
THE Coleraine family of swine flu victim, Lee Porter, have described him as their “rock”.
Hundreds of mourners gathered last Saturday morning to pay their respects to the popular and much loved Coleraine soldier.
Tributes were paid to Bombardier Porter, a member of the Royal Artillery, who was in the south of England at a training camp when he contracted the bug and died.
The 30-year-old, who was with the Territorial Army, is thought to be the first UK serviceman to have fallen victim with to swine flu.
Bombardier Porter’s heartbroken parents Ross and Esther and younger brother Jason were supported by close family members during a private religious service in their family home. His burial took place at Portstewart Cemetery.
A statement from the family said:
“Lee was a fit, healthy and active young man, who tragically died on July 31, 2009 from respiratory failure and pneumonia, caused by the H1N1 virus. He had no underlying health problem and completed a full Army medical in May of this year.
“Lee joined the Army Cadet Force at the age of 13. He was a very enthusiastic Cadet who was interested in all aspects of Cadet activities.
“He especially had a passion for target rifle shooting. He was honoured to be the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. At the age of 18 Lee furthered his career in the ACF by becoming an Adult Instructor, where he became a role model to so many young Cadets. He progressed to the rank of Company Sergeant Major (CSMI).
Also at the age of 18 Lee joined the Territorial Army (206 Battery Royal Artillery Volunteers) where he rose to the rank of Bombardier. He was a member of this Regiment for a considerable time and such was very much part of the family.
“Lee’s full time occupation was with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service. He was very much a man who understood the meaning of the word “service” and contributed so much to the nation.
“The devastation of losing Lee has greatly affected the entire family circle and friends. Lee had time for everyone around him and took great interest in all of us. He was big hearted and witty with a caring nature.
“He was very sensitive to the needs of others, was compassionate, generous and a true friend to all. We have not only lost a son, a brother and a friend but the rock of our family.
East Londonderry MLA David McClarty extended his deepest condolences to the family.
He said: “Lee was a young man of only 30 years old, and had his whole life ahead of him. He was someone who was deeply involved in his local community, and his willingness to serve and help others was evident in his work in the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service and his service in the Royal Artillery.
“There is no doubt that this is a young man who touched the lives of many people far beyond his home town, and I know that their thoughts and prayers will be with Lee’s family and friends at this terrible time.”
THE Ministry of Defence has apologised to the family of Northern Ireland’s first swine flu fatality.
Initially the MoD said the 30-year-old bombadier from Coleraine had suffered underlying medical conditions which were exacerbated after he contracted the H1N1 virus.
But last Thursday the MoD was forced to withdraw this assessment after concerns were raised by Mr Porter’s grieving family. His parents had become distressed by media speculation, fearing important information may have been kept from them.
A spokesman from the MoD said:”The MoD has apologised unreservedly to the family and for anything we said that we indicated caused concern at that tragic time.”
Family and friends gathered at the Porter family home on Saturday to pay their last respects to the 30-year-old.
UK:
Swine flu vaccination to start in Oct
Yesterday, 07:03 pm
Daniel Fineren
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20090813/thl-uk-britain-flu-vaccine-acc9995.html
Britain’s swine flu vaccination programme is to start in October for at-risk groups, Chief Medical Officer Liam Donaldson said on Thursday, with most vaccines coming from drugs firm GlaxoSmithKline.
A first batch of 300,000 vaccines will arrive this month with 54.6 million expected by December, Donaldson said, adding that exact supply levels would depend on the manufacturers.
“We are getting a lower supply from Baxter than we had envisaged so the majority of our vaccines will come from Glaxo,” Donaldson told reporters.
Earlier this month, the World Health Organisation said it expected the first vaccines to combat H1N1 flu to be ready for use in some countries from September.
Donaldson said the treatments would need to be approved by European medical regulators before vaccinations begin.
“In October we expect, provided the licence is granted, to be able to give the first shots of vaccine,” he said.
The pace of new H1N1 infections in Britain has eased in recent weeks, with doctor consultations for flu-like illness falling by 34 percent last week.
The majority of cases have proven to be mild and the government plans to slash the number of flu call centre staff from around 1,600 to less than 600 by August 23 because of the sharp drop in suspected infections.
But health experts expect another surge later in the year.
“We have seen an increase in the proportion of deaths among previously healthy people,” Donaldson said, adding that five of the eight new deaths in England over the last week were of otherwise healthy people.
“It is causing more deaths in healthy people than seasonal flu,” he said.
Fears the strain could become resistant to anti-viral drug Tamiflu have underscored the need to get vaccines to market quickly.
The government plans to immunise about 11 million people seen as most at risk first because it does not expect to have enough doses for the whole population before winter.
The first to be immunised will include about 5 million people aged over six months in current seasonal flu risk groups, all pregnant women, contacts of people with compromised immune systems, and about 2 million health and social care workers.
Healthy people over 65 will not be prioritised because they appear to have some natural immunity to the virus, the Department of Health said.