Swine Flu in Georgia
Georgia Public Health Department Says
Vaccination Won’t Be Mandatory

H1N1 is a sub-type of the influenza A virus that causes seasonal influenza worldwide each year. It is the most common form of flu affecting people. H refers to the viral hemagglutinin protein, while N refers to the type of neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the virus. Both H and N are involved in the infection process.

Want some good news? (a) It came in a Seattle Times quote from Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences & Technology that said, “The new virus H1N1 has a protein on the surface that is not very efficient at binding with receptors in people’s respiratory tracts.” Want more? (b) In July New Zealand researchers said swine flu might be at least 40 times less lethal than reported. Want even more? (c) November 16th Georgia’s Dr. Patrick O’Neal, Emergency Preparedness & Response Division, Community Health Department, said in a Capitol hearing, vaccination will be given on a voluntary basis, since swine flu is no more dangerous than an annual seasonal flu.

National Emergency Already Declared. After the March discovery of swine flu in Mexico, the acting Health & Human Services secretary declared the U.S. public health emergency April 26, 2009. Then in June, the World Health Organization declared the first swine flu pandemic in 41 years, saying most cases are mild and need no treatment. On July 24th Kathleen Sebelius, the newly appointed HHS Secretary, reiterated the acting secretary’s earlier declaration.

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