Oct 29, 2009 7:13 pm US/Eastern
Balt. Launches Campaign To Prevent H1N1 Deaths
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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As the death toll climbs from the H1N1 virus, Baltimore City launches a massive campaign to prevent more fatalities.
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The family of the latest H1N1 victim spoke exclusively to
WJZ after losing their son.
Weijia Jiang reports as the death toll climbs, Baltimore City launches a massive campaign to prevent more fatalities.
Eighteen-year-old Walter Brooks and 21-year-old Demetrick Bishop had at least one thing in common. Both battled the H1N1 flu and lost. Their families say no one saw it coming.
"He didn't smoke, he didn't drink, he didn't do drugs," said Rossana Bishop.
"Never one thing wrong with him in his 18 years of life; never had any medical problems," said Walter Brooks, Sr.
"He's a strong man, he can beat this. Then you know he was just gone. You blinked your eyes, and he was just gone," said Danielle Graham, Demetrick's sister.
The young men are the latest of 12 H1N1 flu-related deaths in Maryland, and a delay in vaccine production threatens more.
The government urges the public to step aside for target risk groups.
"Pediatricians, obstetricians, hospitals, and health departments now are the primary vaccinators," said Fran Phillips, Md. Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Although the vaccinations are ready, they can't do anything without the vaccine. Several obstetricians in the area say they're still waiting for doses.
Nationally, more than two dozen pregnant women have died from the H1N1 virus.
"It may have something to do with their immune status and limited immune status during pregnancy, but there is a higher risk of complications and even death," said Dr. Pedro Arrabal, Obstetrics, Sinai Hospital.
Children are also considered most at risk. This week, Baltimore City sent out 80,000 permission slips for students to receive a vaccine at school.
"We have at least 50 nurses ready to go out and implement this school-based campaign, so the fastest way to get free vaccine is for them to sign the consent form," said Dr. Jacquelyn Duval-Harvey, Deputy Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department.
Medical authorities urge action and warn it's nearly impossible to predict how dangerous and tragic each case may be until it's too late.
An open-door clinic is scheduled in Baltimore City Friday from 10 to 4 p.m., but only the seasonal flu vaccine, not the H1N1 vaccine will be provided.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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