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Figures underestimated extent of flu’s impact

Saturday, November 7, 2009

(Updated 3:00 am)

The article titled, “Poll: Only 52 percent plan to get swine flu shot,” grossly underestimates the number of people who have suffered from the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus. Rather than “nearly 25,000 people have contracted the flu so far,” it should have said 25,985 people have been hospitalized. There have been 2,916 deaths. No one knows how many people have actually developed infection with swine flu, but the numbers are closer to 1 million people in this nation alone.

Underestimation of the severity of the illness and fears of the vaccine are central to people declining vaccination. Both are incorrect.

Please make sure your children get vaccinated for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza.

Edward N. Robinson Jr.
Greensboro

The writer is medical director for the Guilford County Department of Public Health.

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Yvonne

November 7, 2009 - 7:12 am EST

While I do not disagree it is important to be vaccinated, I think there is an almost hysteria-like reaction to the H1N1 flu, especially when considering seasonal flu kills many, many more. The stance of Moses Cone Hospital is an example of what I am talking about. They have made the vaccine mandatory for their employees while forcing the employee to sign a form saying it is voluntary. If they refuse to do either, they lose their job. Several employees have been forced to resign. I'm not sure how this coercion is going to play out legally, but the reaction of MCH is hysteria, imho.

lilbean

November 7, 2009 - 8:12 am EST

i would say that the reaction to this strain of flu is fueled by a "wishful" media. a few years ago it was sars, then bird flu, now swine flu. its to the point where one can get a better report from cctv or univision rather than our own " borg" media. consider, china and india have far greater populations. maybe they'd be more concerned of a pandemic? uh, no. kinda makes one wonder whats gonna happen when there really is a crisis and people no longer believe our bogus media.

danagain

November 7, 2009 - 8:33 am EST

Dr. Robinson,

On the opposite page of your letter in the print N&R is an article entitled: "Poll: Few able to get swine flu vaccine."

That is what we hear day after day, the vaccine isn't available. So how is everyone supposed to get something that is scarcely available?

Doug Johnson

November 7, 2009 - 3:49 pm EST

I hope none of you gets this flu.
I know three people that have it.
Two are of 67, is that not the age group, Obama and his AMA puppets told us could not catch it?
My wife is now getting over it, after two hospitals and a bucket of drugs.
There has been no vaccine in this area that I am aware of!
I guess, our share was what Obama sent over seas. Wonder what the liberal media, would have said if Bush, had pulled this crap?
Bean, if you think it's not out there, try a emergency room.