Health Secretary Urges Americans to get Swine Flu Vaccine

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius yesterday called for widespread vaccination against the so-called swine flu, and sought to reassure those who are wary of the new vaccine by calling the inoculation "safe and secure." She also reiterated that the vaccine for the swine flu "has been made exactly the same way seasonal vaccine has been made, year in and year out. The adverse effects are minimal, we know it’s safe and secure. This is definitely a safe vaccine for people to get."

Thus far, 600 people have died from the flu, and HHS is looking to have the vaccine issued in 90,000 different sites throughout the country to prevent an epidemic. Sebelius clarified some points on the flu, noting, "This flu is a younger person’s flu. Kids have no immunity to the flu…children are great carriers of bugs and viruses." For those who have no doubts about the vaccine and wish to receive it as soon as possible, Sebelius also had encouraging words, noting, "There’s going to be plenty of vaccine. It’s rolling off the production lines right now, ahead of schedule, and that’s good news. By the end of October we should have a substantial amount available and begin to vaccinate a wider population of folks."

Sebelius’s statements come amidst minor panic around the country, but all indications are that the swine flu, though perhaps more exotic than the standard seasonal flu, is no more deadly than its more conventional viral counterpart. Sebelius spoke at length about vaccine availability, going into detail about production and distribution.