| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 2010 9:53 pm |
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Local News 
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Many Snohomish County kids haven't had second dose against swine flu EVERETT — Last fall, thousands of people stood in line — sometimes for hours — to get their kids immunized against swine flu.At the time, doctors said that children 9 and under would need to get a booster shot to provide full protection. Now's the time. But many children still haven't gotten their boosters. Statewide, less than one-quarter of vaccinated kids under age 5 have received the second dose, according to a survey of physicians by the state Department of Health. A check by The Everett Clinic found less than half of vaccinated children younger than 9 had received a second dose. Studies on the swine flu or H1N1 vaccine show that it takes three to four weeks after the second dose before kids under 10 are fully protected, said Dr. Yuan Po-Tu, medical director of walk-in clinics for The Everett Clinic. The organization, which has clinics throughout Snohomish County, has administered nearly 29,000 doses of the adult and pediatric vaccine. While 3,703 children 9 or younger received the first dose, only 1,521 — less than half — have received the second dose. “The problem physicians are facing is everybody thinks, ‘Well, flu season is over, so why does my kid need a second dose?' ” Tu said. Swine flu is different from seasonal flu, with the outbreak beginning last year in April, usually the end of flu season, continuing into the summer and beginning with a second wave of infection in the fall. State health officials have said that a third wave of infection could begin again in the spring, which is why they're joining local physicians in urging parents to get their children vaccinated. Children as young as 6 months can be immunized. Getting children vaccinated not only protects them, it builds a wall of protection to help stem influenza viruses from spreading rapidly through communities, Tu said. In addition, swine flu is predicted to be the dominant strain of flu that will circulate next year, he said. “So even if the flu doesn't come back this spring, by getting two doses, you're setting them up for protecting them next fall.” Some 270,000 doses of swine flu vaccine have been distributed in Snohomish County. “There's plenty of vaccine right now,” Tu said. A survey of physicians by the state Department of Health, completed on Jan. 23, showed that of the 181,000 children 4 and younger who received the first dose, only 41,000 had received a second dose. “People are responding, but we'd like to see that pace increase,” said Donn Moyer, Department of Health spokesman. Parents are aware of the need to get kids vaccinated at the height of influenza breakouts, he said. “When things normalized, you get past the holidays, people's attention drops.” Influenza is still circulating, though at dramatically lower levels than in the fall. And there's no knowing when it might return, Moyer said. “There's no point in taking a chance when you could get full protection with that second dose,” Moyer said. Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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I would not take that shot for nothing. It contains such poisons as Mercury, Formaldahyde, and I understand that the government added something that will sterilize our children to control population growth. I also understand that there is a chemical that will cause swelling of the joints and cause serious pain and a slow death !
Now ! Would you take it after knowing that ?
NOT ME !
M. Metzger | Feb 3, 2010 11:12 am | 2 replies | Request removal
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That is just silly, dont believe everything you read. Maybe you should research a little more before posting paranoid comments in the paper, Metzger.
l l | Feb 03, 2010 12:21 pm | Request removal
What is stated about the poisons is true.It is not uncommon for people to become ill after accepting the vaccine.The swine flu was not that severe as opposed to more common strains but someone made a whole lotta money on that vaccine.
mark s | Feb 04, 2010 10:27 am | Request removal
So what. More people died from the regular flu.
Stan Jones | Feb 4, 2010 3:13 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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I just found this video on You Tube that really shows how germs and viruses spread. It is so cool. It's meant for kids but I even learned a lot!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56mq1t1BqfY
Sharon Anderson | Feb 3, 2010 10:24 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
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