Oct 26, 2009 5:29 pm US/Eastern
Maryland Orders Record Number Of H1N1 Vaccines
GLEN BURNIE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Maryland ordered a record number of H1N1 vaccines Monday, just about 70,000 doses. But even with that, the state is not even close to having enough for those considered most at risk.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
The H1N1 vaccine is still scarce in Maryland as the outbreak rages on. But a new experimental drug could save some critical victims' lives.
Weijia Jiang has more on this national emergency.
Maryland ordered a record number of H1N1 vaccines Monday, just about 70,000 doses. But even with that, the state is not even close to having enough for those considered most at risk.
From the city to the county to just about everywhere in the country, thousands waited for the weekend, only to go home without a flu shot.
"I'm really upset right now, because my children's health is at stake," said Yvette Brown.
The government admitted Monday there are less than 20 million doses available. The shortage is a result of production delays. President Obama has declared the H1N1 flu a national emergency.
"In the event that hospitals need to take extraordinary steps and beef up surge, it was getting the legal paperwork out of the way," said Fran Phillips, Maryland Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.
Meanwhile, young children, like 11-month-old Andrew, are getting sick. On Sunday, dozens who were close to Walter Brooks, 18, of Glen Burnie held a viewing service. Family members believe he was a victim of H1N1. The CDC says nationally the virus has caused more than 1,000 deaths and 20,000 hospitalizations.
As authorities at the state Health Department and nationwide wait for vaccines, doctors have a new FDA-approved drug to treat H1N1 flu patients who are critically ill.
John Brudrow took the drug, called peramivir, after he was put on a ventilator. It's still considered experimental, but early tests show it helps.
"I am a lucky son of a gun to be here, no doubt about it," he said.
Until more vaccine arrives, patients like Gina Mannion take their own measures for protection.
"Everybody is expecting their kids to get it," she said. "There's a lot of germs out here right now."
The CDC assigns doses based on population. Maryland expects to have one million vaccines here by mid-November.
Until then, clinics are hard to find. The next one in the city is scheduled for Friday at the Hippodrome Theatre.
A limited number of appointments for the injectable and nasal spray H1N1 flu vaccine are available in Anne Arundel County. Starting at 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, county residents who are in targeted priority groups can call 410-222-4896 to schedule an appointment to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine at the Department of Health's Annapolis, Glen Burnie or Odenton Health Centers.
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