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Swine Flu Sarasota:WSLR 96.5 FM reports |
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A WSLR listener takes issue with Sarasota Herald Tribune report on Swine Flu vaccine safety
October 30, 2009 03:31 PM PDT
The following comments were supplied by a WSLR listener in regard to an article that appeared recently in the Sarasota Herald Tribune. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THE COMMENTARY DO NOT NECESARILY REFLECT THE OPINIONS OF WSLR MANAGEMENT, WSLR BOARD MEMBERS, WSLR PROGRAMMERS OR THE FINE FOLKS THAT UNDERWRITE WSLR PROGRAMMING... Flu shots worrying parents:
The attached article is classic New York Times disinformation and
Note that the Sarasota Herald-Tribune is owned by the New York Times.
However, as was to be expected, this article does so in an extremely
Instead, the legitimate reasons why many intelligent parents are
The fact-based data (or lack of it) contained in the FDA-approved
Those who are therefore forced to turn to the web (and to the FDA’s
I suppose this piece is “Exhibit A” as to why many people are
October 30, 2009 03:16 PM PDT
The attached audio excerpt was taken from the Friday Oct 30 Sarasota County Health Department's weekly Swine Flu update. The Sarasota County Health Department (SCHD) is working with school district officials to begin offering H1N1 flu vaccinations to elementary-age students at public schools in the county. The vaccine is voluntary and is not a required vaccine for school attendance. A parent/legal guardian must accompany their elementary-school-age child/children who will be receiving the vaccine at after-school and Saturday clinics. Health officials say that the H1N1 vaccination clinics listed below are open to those who attend public and private schools as well as home-schooled students. Parents/legal guardians of elementary school students should bring the consent form with them when they accompany their child/children to these vaccination sites.
Vaccination sessions will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 and 13 For elementary and Pre-K students at the following locations:
Emma E. Booker Elementary School 2350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way, Sarasota Tuttle Elementary School 2863 8th Street, Sarasota Ashton Elementary School 5110 Ashton Road, Sarasota Garden Elementary School 700 Center Road, Venice Laurel Nokomis School 1900 East Laurel Road, Nokomis Cranberry Elementary School 2775 Shalimar Terrace, North Port
Cranberry Elementary School 2775 Shalimar Terrace, North Port Laurel Nokomis School 1900 East Laurel Road, Nokomis Children’s Health Center Glasser Schoenbaum Human Services Center 1750 17th St., Bldg. E, Sarasota Sarasota County Health and Human Services 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota Children age 9 and under will need two doses, given at least three weeks apart, to get the best protection. Parents will be advised about locations in the community for the second vaccine.
The school vaccine clinic information will be posted on the following Web sites: Sarasota County Health Department www.sarasotahealth.org Sarasota County School District http://www.sarasotacountyschools.net/ Parents with questions can call 941-927-9000, ext. 32101 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. Information on H1N1 vaccine availability for the general population will be available on www.sarasotahealth.org. Those who do not have access to a computer can visit the health kiosks at local libraries across the county. Residents can also call the Flu Information Line at 941-861-2800, or the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 later in November. The Sarasota County Call Center has a TDD line, 941-861-1833, available for those who are hearing impaired. People can also call the Florida Flu Information Line for general questions about H1N1. That toll-free number is 877-352-3581.
CBS news questions accuracy of reported Swine Flu cases
October 28, 2009 02:27 PM PDT
CBS news has some doubts about the accurracy of the H1N! reports beings issued by the Center for Disease Control - the federal agency leading the way on the Swine Flu vaccination program.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/21/cbsnews_investigates/main5404829.shtml Excerpts from Oct 23 Sarasota County Swine Flu updateOctober 28, 2009 02:14 PM PDT
This audio clip features some of the highlights of the Oct. 22 Sarasota County Health Department's weekly Swine Flu update. Heard speaking in this audio clip are Chuck Henry (Incident commander for the Sarasota County’s H1N1/Swine Flu response) and Sarasota County epidemiologist Scott Pritchard. More H1N1 reports from the World Wide Web...
October 15, 2009 12:57 PM PDT
Summary of the following flu/vaccination news roundup: Very important, potentially-historic article in The Atlantic Magazine (Nov., 2009).
Additional incoming reports of serious health damage or death from individuals in US and China who have recently had the seasonal or 'H1N1' vaccine. Legal news out of NY and federal courts re: attempts to stop mandatory vaccinations. Massive profits for the vaccine makers... China Does the Vaccine Matter?: The Atlantic Magazine
[NBC] One-in-a-Million Shot:
Woman Disabled by Flu Shot Reaction:
Redskins Cheerleader Ambassador Suffers Neurological Damage from Flu Shot:
Five die after seasonal flu vaccination:
New York workers must get flu shots, for now, judge rules:
Health care workers protest H1N1 vaccine mandate:
NYCLU argues mandatory H1N1Vaccine Mandate Violates Privacy Rights:
WNDY-TV, Indianapolis: Drive-Thru Vaccination Bays being set up:
Mums-To-Be In Swine Flu Jab Controversy:
Are Vaccines Safe?:
“Stop the Shot” Federal Court Complaint:
October 14, 2009 05:40 PM PDT
On behalf of WSLR, the radio station's board members have submitted this audio editorial voicing opposition to the prospect of any mandatory H1N1 vaccinations taking place in Sarasota County and beyond. Dr. Mark Geier speaks out on potential health hazards and other concerns pertaining to Swine Flu vaccineOctober 12, 2009 03:28 PM PDT
In a follow up interview conducted Monday, October 12, Dr. Mark Geier, a recent guest on WSLR's Local Matters, pulls no punches in sharing his thoughts on the presence of mercury in a large percentage of the H1N1 vaccines that have started arriving in Florida and most other states.
October 08, 2009 08:05 AM PDT
On Wednesday, October 7, Local Matters host Joe Hendricks recorded an off-air interview Sarasota Memorial Hospital infectious disease expert Dr. Manuel Gordillo and Chief Operating Officer Michael Harrington.
Dr. Gordillo and Mr. Harrington also explained their views on the importance of hospital staff being vaccinated and also discussed the risks of not getting vaccinated.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital has also engaged in a clean hands campaign. For more information, please visit www.cleanhandscampaign.org The October 8 Local Matters broadcast also featured a live interview with vaccine safety/autism researcher Dr. Mark Geier. Dr. Geier expressed his opinion that vaccines containing the preservative Thimerosol (which contains mercury) pose potential health risks -- approximately 60 percent of the H1N1 vaccinations will contain Thimerosol. Due to technical difficulties, Dr. Geier's interview was not recorded for podcasting purposes. WSLR has requested a follow-up interview with Dr. Geier in hopes of providing a podcast report that presents both sides of the H1N1 vaccine debate. Please check back for this interview at a later date... For more information on Dr. Geier and his theories on the relationship between mercury and autism, please visit www.mercury-freedrugs.org or www.asdcenters.com Swine Flu: Bad for Victims, Good for Some Businesses...
October 15, 2009 09:30 AM PDT
Published on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 by ABC News Drugmakers, Doctors Rake in Billions Battling H1N1 Flu by Dalia Fahmy Americans are still debating whether to roll up their sleeves for a swine flu shot, but companies have already figured it out: vaccines are good for business. Drug companies have sold $1.5 billion worth of swine flu shots, in addition to the $1 billion for seasonal flu they booked earlier this year. These inoculations are part of a much wider and rapidly growing $20 billion global vaccine market. "The vaccine market is booming," says Bruce Carlson, spokesperson at market research firm Kalorama, which publishes an annual survey of the vaccine industry. "It's an enormous growth area for pharmaceuticals at a time when other areas are not doing so well," he says, noting that the pipeline for more traditional blockbuster drugs such as Lipitor and Nexium has thinned. As always with pandemic flus, taxpayers are footing the $1.5 billion check for the 250 million swine flu vaccines that the government has ordered so far and will be distributing free to doctors, pharmacies and schools. In addition, Congress has set aside more than $10 billion this year to research flu viruses, monitor H1N1's progress and educate the public about prevention. Drug makers pocket most of the revenues from flu sales, with Sanofi-Pasteur, Glaxo Smith Kline and Novartis cornering most of the market. But it's not just drug makers who stand to benefit. Doctors collect copays for injecting shots and use them to cover office expenses and insurance. Pharmacies also charge co-pays or full price of about $25 to those without insurance and often make more money if patients end up shopping for other goods. "Flu shots present a good opportunity to bring new customers into our stores," says Cassie Richardson, spokesperson for SUPERVALU, one of the country's largest supermarket chains. Drawing customers to the back of a store, where pharmacies are often located, offers retailers a chance to pitch products that might otherwise go unnoticed. Even companies outside of the medical industry are benefiting: the UPS division that delivers vaccines in specially designed containers, for example, has seen a bump in business.
New Entrants in Flu Shot Business
"Retailers and other non-medical professionals have siphoned off the passive income that once helped to cover medical overhead," says Dr. Caroline Abruzese,an internist in Atlanta. "The larger retail chains can invest up front in large volumes of vaccine at low prices, and market to customers already in their stores." The promise of profits has attracted new players into the business. Some of the world's largest drug makers, who in the past avoided the vaccine market because of its limited scope -- its not easy to convince healthy adults to get a shot for measles -- are now jumping into the fray. Last month alone saw three large vaccine deals. Abbott Labs bought a Belgian drug business, along with its flu vaccine facilities, for $6.6 billion. JJohnson & Johnson invested $444 million in a Dutch biotech firm that makes and develops flu vaccines. Merck, which already makes vaccines for singles and other diseases, struck a deal to distribute flu shots made by Australian CSL. Smaller biotechs are also angling for a slice of the action, making vaccines one of the fastest-growing areas of research in the biotech industry. Large and small drug makers are drawn to the business largely because of scientific advances which promise to radically expand the range of health problems that vaccines can address. In addition to preventing childhood diseases such as measles and polio, vaccines can now also ward off cervical cancer, and researchers are working on vaccines for HIV and tuberculosis. Scientists believe they can create therapeutic vaccines than treat diseases such as Alzheimers and diabetes after they have set in. (At least one company is betting on a vaccine that helps cigarette smokers quit.) "These innovations broaden the market potential for vaccine makers and party explained the renewed interest by drug makers," says Anthony Cox, a professor at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business who specializes in the marketing of medical products. Alternatives to Vaccines Are Few
The swine flu vaccine has also attracted its share of critics. Frank Lipman, a New York-based doctor who specializes in a mix of Western and alternative medicine, points out that the swine flu is rarely fatal and that it's too early to tell if it's safe because it hasn't been widely tested. Others argue that Americans have little choice. The cost of a widespread pandemic, similar to Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918 which killed 675,000 Americans (and 50 million worldwide), would be devastating. The Trust for America's Health, a Washington-based non-profit organization, estimates that a severe pandemic could push down GDP by more than 5 percent and cost Americans $683 billion. "Were not seeing a pandemic that's this severe," says Jeff Levi, director of Trust for Americas Health. "We've dodged a lot of bullets." © 2009 ABC News Links to H1N1 media coverage and information
October 14, 2009 05:49 PM PDT
WSLR listener Erin Hood submitted links to the following stories pertaining to the H1N1 virus and vaccine: Simpsonwood Meeting On Mercury and Puerto Rico Meeting on Aluminum:
Avian and Swine Flu News Articles Excerpts of Key Avian and Swine Flu News Articles in Major Media:
Health care workers head to court in opposition of flu shots
October 14, 2009 05:45 PM PDT
Health care workers who really don't want flu shots head to court
October 13, 2009 A "stop the shot" campaign has hit federal and state courts. This past Friday, a group of New York doctors and health care workers asked a federal judge in Washington to order the federal government not to distribute the H1N1 vaccine. Specifically, they're challenging the legality of the licensing of the swine flu vaccine, alleging it was approved too quickly without appropriate testing for safety and effectiveness. Furthermore, the plaintiffs, who filed their suit in the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, are seeking an immediate court order to halt mandated H1N1 flu shots in New York state. New York has ordered that all health care workers receive the H1N1 vaccine or risk losing their jobs. That mandate is also facing a legal challenge in New York state trial court in Manhattan, where a lawsuit on behalf of 60,000 state health care workers has been filed against the state health commissioner to halt the required flu shots. The state has vowed a fight. A similar lawsuit has been filed in the state of Washington, where the Washington State Nurses Association is suing a multi-facility health care provider over a policy requiring nurses to get vaccinated for both the seasonal and swine flu. "They don't want to be forced to take it. They know that it could be flawed," said Leslie Fourton, a New York solo practitioner who is one of several lawyers representing plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit in Washington. Those plaintiffs include a medical doctor who believes the vaccine is harmful, a nurse who has had adverse reactions to prior flu vaccines, a pregnant nurse's aide who fears the vaccine could harm her unborn child, and a student who has classes in health care settings and is citing religious reasons for not taking the vaccine. The plaintiffs also fear they'll be fired for not taking the vaccine, said Ralph Fucetola, a New Jersey lawyer working on the case. "They don't want to risk their jobs by not taking it. But these people literally are going to lose their livelihoods if they don't," he said. The Washington regulatory law firm of Swankin & Turner is also advising the New York health care plaintiffs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials declined comment on the pending litigation. But they did defend the agency's approval procedure for the H1N1 vaccine. "The FDA believes that this vaccine is safe and effective," said spokeswoman Pat El-Hinnawy. "The H1N1 vaccine is the same as the seasonal flu vaccine. It's just a strain of virus that's been changed...and it's been given to hundreds of thousands — if not hundreds of millions of people — over the past 20 years." Tresa Baldas can be contacted at tbaldas@alm.com.
Submitted by Jane Blanchard:
October 11, 2009 06:30 PM PDT
On Friday, October 9, the Sarasota County Health Department held its weekly Swine Flu update, announcing the arrival of the first doses of the H1N1 vaccine in Sarasota County. These initial vaccine doses are of the Thimerosol-free nasal mist variety and recommended for healthy adults ages 2 to 49. The nasal mist is not recommended for pregnant women, persons outside this age range or persons with existing medical conditions. The nasal mist does not contain the mercury-based preservative Thimerosol that some researchers feel poses a potential health risk to those who receive the vaccine. Those with concerns about the potential side effects of Thimerosol can request the nasal vaccine or when it arrives, the Thimerosol-free injectable vaccine, both of which will be available in limited supplies, with supplies ultimately determined by state and federal agencies. Taken from the county conference call, this audio excerpt features Chuck Henry, Incident Commander for H1N1 response in Sarasota County, explaining how the vaccine arrives in Sarasota county and how it will be distributed to health clinics, private health care providers and local schools. The vaccination process will soon get underway at local elementary schools, where students receiving the vaccine will be required to have a parent to present. Parents of middle school and high school students will be allowed to sign a release form in lieu of being present when the vaccine is administered. At this point in time, the vaccination process will be voluntary and as of now there are no plans to make the vaccinations mandatory. During the Oct. 9 conference call, Mr. Henry was also asked about “Viral Shedding,” a term applied to spreading the airborne virus while administering the nasal mist vaccine. Mr. Henry indicated that the health department did not have any significant concerns regarding to this matter. When asked about a federal lawsuit expected to be filed in Washington DC today by Health Freedom attorney Jim Turner in an attempt to halt the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine, Mr. Henry expressed support for the vaccination system as a way of preventing the spread of disease and said he hopes the distribution process continues uninterrupted. In a related story, the Natural News website is reporting that in some cases the H1N1 vaccines are being shipped adjuvant-free with some clinics and pharmacies then adding adjuvants such as squaline to boost the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Swine Flu nasal mist vaccine arrives in Sarasota
October 09, 2009 08:55 AM PDT
FIRST DOSES OF H1N1/SWINE FLU VACCINE HAVE ARRIVED IN SARASOTA COUNTY Report submitted by SARASOTA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT (For a PDF copy of the Swine Flu survelliance report, click on the download button) The first 2,100 doses of the H1N1 (swine) flu nasal spray FluMist® vaccine have arrived in Sarasota County. While the initial quantity is limited, weekly shipments are expected. “We are eagerly awaiting additional vaccine which should be available over the next few weeks,” said Chuck Henry, incident commander for the H1N1 vaccination response in Sarasota County. ”After we meet the needs of those most at risk for complications from this virus, the vaccine will be available to all who desire this protection.” The nasal spray H1N1 FluMist® vaccine, is an available alternative to the standard H1N1 flu shot. Since it is a live but weakened virus vaccine, it will be available only for healthy people ages 2 to 49. The initial vaccine supplies will be made available to private pediatrician practices. It will also be available to the Health Department’s pediatricians throughout the county. The Sarasota County Health Department (SCHD) is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to ensure those at the highest risk for H1N1 (swine) flu and its related complications are vaccinated first. The health department is working with local pediatricians, and OB/GYN physicians, Children’s Medical Services, the federally funded WIC program, and other entities that serve pregnant women, and families with children under six months of age to make the H1N1 nasal spray and traditional injection vaccine available to them when vaccine supplies arrive. While the vaccine is free, private healthcare providers may charge an administration fee. This fee is covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Once these needs have been met, the SCHD will work with the school district to provide the vaccine to middle and high school youth during the school day. Only children who have written parental consent will be able to get vaccinated. Elementary school students, accompanied by their parent/legal guardian, will be able to get vaccinated at school-based clinics on Friday evenings and Saturdays. Children age nine and under will need two doses of vaccine, given at least three weeks a part, to get the best protection. Those who have received the nasal spray seasonal flu vaccine will have to wait at least 28 days before getting the nasal spray H1N1 vaccine. The FluMist® nasal spray vaccine may be at vaccination clinics that will be held at regional elementary schools, and will require additional medical screening prior to use. In addition to their established children’s vaccination clinics, local health officials will use their facilities in Sarasota, Venice and North Port to vaccinate people at no charge on Saturdays once a steady supply of vaccine is available. Details on those vaccination clinics are forthcoming. Local public health and school officials are mailing consent forms to parents of middle and high school students along with the required CDC vaccination information sheet in multiple languages. Elementary school students will be bringing this information home from school. Parents/legal guardians are urged to carefully review the information and consult with their healthcare provider or the health department if they have questions about the vaccine. Residents are encouraged to call the Sarasota County Health Department’s flu information line 941-861-2800 or watch for website: www.sarasotahealth.org updates. H1N1 vaccination safety information will also be available online. Those who do not have access to a computer can visit the health kiosks at local libraries across the county. The Sarasota County Call Center has a TDD line, 941-861-1833 available for those who are hearing impaired.
Lawsuit filed to stop Swine Flu vaccination efforts
October 09, 2009 09:13 AM PDT
Health freedom attorney Jim Turner is filing a lawsuit in Washington D.C. mid-day Friday in an urgent effort to halt the distribution of the swine flu vaccine in America. On behalf of plaintiffs Dr. Gary Null and other licensed health care workers of New York State, the lawsuit charges that the FDA violated the law in its hasty approval of four swine flu vaccines by failing to scientifically determine neither the safety nor efficacy of the vaccines... (Use link below to access complete story) http://www.naturalnews.com/027205_vaccines_swine_flu_the_FDA.html Concerns raised about H1N1 nasal mist vaccine
October 08, 2009 07:39 PM PDT
ABC-7, DENVER: Hospitals Shun H1N1 FluMist Vaccine, Wait For Injections
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H1N1 FluMist ~ the Nasal Spray that Keeps on Giving!:
Q: What are the potential complications of the FluMist™ vaccine?
Trial to Assess the Shedding,Immunogenicity, and Safety of FluMist
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Podcast SummaryWSLR 96.5 FM reporters offer this series of radio interviews and podcast reports regarding the H1N1 virus and the vaccination process schedule to begin soon in Sarasota, Florida. About WSLRWSLR 96.5 LPFM in Sarasota, Florida brings you a series of reports and interviews pertaining to the H1N1 virus and the vaccination process here in Sarasota County. Fans of this ShowWslr's FriendsContact MeSubscribe to this Podcast
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