Wandtv.com, NewsCenter17, StormCenter17, Central Illinois News-Fighting the Flu - International outbreak
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Every day on StormCenter 17 at 5:00, we're committed to bringing you the latest on H1N1 and the seasonal flu.
Health experts say even the most extreme efforts to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu have been a complete failure. China initially claimed strict quarantines worked, but now admits H1N1 is more widespread than officially reported. Other nations that closed schools and universities, banned large gatherings, and enacted other radical prevention methods have all been hit with widespread outbreaks. The World Health Organization says about 40 people have died after receiving the H1N1 vaccine, but the vaccine was ruled out as the cause of death. Local experts stress while there are concerns, the vaccine is safe.
“I think it's crucial for people to know it is safe, that this is the way they do things every year, and although there have been these deaths, it's been shown they're not related to the vaccine,” said Brandi Binkley for the Macon County Health Department.”We here at the Macon County Health Department have not seen any negative reaction with the vaccine."
The Macon County Health Department will hold appointment-only clinics for those considered in the priority groups Friday morning and again on Tuesday afternoon.
The Champaign Urbana Public Health District is getting ready to offer its first adult H1N1 clinics. Nurses with the district spent the last few weeks vaccinating children. Now they're ready for older patients.
Friday, anyone under 25-years-old can get the vaccine at Parkland College in Champaign. Saturday, the health district will have a drive-thru clinic at its office on Kenyon Road in Champaign. There's a walk-in clinic on Sunday at Lincoln Square Mall in Urbana. Anyone 25 to 64 with underlying health conditions can get the free vaccine.
