November 2
...serving up your daily dish.
It seems like flu shots may be easier to come by this year than they were last year -- but maybe that's just because we haven't had to stand in line yet.
Tomorrow, they'll be giving them out at the Glen Ridge community center (at the train station) from 10 to noon ($15 or Medicare), for seniors and people with chronic illnesses. No such restrictions at Kings in Verona, which will hold a flu shot clinic tomorrow from 3 to 7 pm ($25).
Www.findaflushot.com lists 14 clinics within 10 miles of Baristaville just this week. If you know of others, add them to our comments.
Meanwhile, it appears that the first line of defense against the feared avian flu pandemic is right down the road in Nutley, where Hoffman LaRoche has concocted a flu-fighting antiviral called Tamiflu, which you can take within 48 hours of first getting symptoms. The Nutley pharmaceutical firm just announced yesterday that it plans to supply the Strategic National Stockpile. Just last week, Roche stopped private shipments of Tamiflu due to concerns about hoarding.
Check out Roche's online flu tracker, which currently puts Montclair flu cases higher than the national average but still low overall.
November 2, 2005 in Flu Shot Central | Permalink
..just downloaded the 'flu tracker'...now we can stay up to date on our paranoia..
Posted by: rz | Nov 2, 2005 1:19:17 PM
What's worse: getting injected with a specific flu virus (one that may not match what's to be spread) and risking a reaction to it, or practicing preventative measures (washing hands often, etc) and taking your chances through the cold season?
Posted by: Jim | Nov 2, 2005 1:40:28 PM
This is so strange. I watched an infectious disease doc on TV last night and basically what he and everyone else is saying is adopt a "wait and see" attitude. The flu vaccine we have now will NOT offer protection against the new strain of avian flu that everyone is talking about. We currently do not have a vaccine for this type of flu, which fortunately, has not yet spread to the U.S.
But what are we doing to stop the spread? The only thing I can think of is to temporarily stop travel to and from those countries that are hosts of this flu and quarantine those folks who have it. And, obviously halting any shipments of birds/poultry products from ALL foreign countries. Can't hurt.
Theis doctor did say that the avian flu has a 50% mortality rate. This is truly scary.
Posted by: Miss Martta | Nov 2, 2005 2:06:27 PM
ok this is one of my greatest fears--
putting in my zip code and then waiting for the results-just gave me the deepest sensation of despair-
someone send sedatives please.
Posted by: cstarling | Nov 2, 2005 4:47:57 PM
take normal precautions.
IT'S A SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: fran | Nov 2, 2005 6:21:44 PM
be aware that the flu shot usually contains mercury, and that although the flu shot is recommended for pregnant women, the fact that it contains mercury is controversial and debatable in it's safety for babies and children.
Posted by: rfw | Nov 3, 2005 7:34:35 AM
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has recused himself from government decisions concerning medications to prevent or treat avian flu, rather than sell his stock holdings in the company that patented the antiviral agent Tamiflu, according to a Pentagon memorandum issued Thursday.
The memorandum, to Mr. Rumsfeld's staff from the Pentagon general counsel, said the defense secretary would not take part in decisions that may affect his financial interests in Gilead Sciences Inc.
Before becoming defense secretary in January 2001, Mr. Rumsfeld was chairman of Gilead. On each of his annual financial disclosure statements, he has listed continued stock holdings in the company.
Gilead holds the patent on Tamiflu, but contracts for it are signed with an American subsidiary of F. Hoffman-LaRoche Ltd., which holds marketing and manufacturing rights.
Mr. Rumsfeld will remain involved in matters related to the Pentagon response to an outbreak, so long as none affect Gilead.
More Articles in Washington >
Posted by: fran | Nov 3, 2005 8:57:22 AM
Montclair Flu Clinics:
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
First Montclair House – 56 Walnut St.
10:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.
Pine Ridge Senior Center – 60 Glenridge Ave.
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon
South End Gardens– 340 Orange Rd
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
For more information please contact the Montclair Health Department at 973-509-4970
http://www.to.montclair.nj.us/story.cfm?m=t&SID=7529&PID=17
Posted by: Bitpusher | Nov 3, 2005 9:27:38 AM
Tamiflu seems to be a little more popular AND hated than it was back in 2005. I've seen a ton of propaganda against it now.
Posted by: N95 Flu Respirators | Aug 7, 2009 1:43:10 PM
I'm sure the conspiracy theorists amoung us will agree that these types of scares are mere marketing ploys by the pharmaceutical giants to swell their coffers!
Posted by: Joy | Sep 26, 2011 11:10:38 AM
