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Latest update from the CDC regarding the novel H1N1 "swine flu" outbreak: over 1 million Americans have been infected, 8,000 hospitalized with culture-proven disease, and over 500 dead.

Good news first: the vaccine appears to be both safe and effective.  Studies in adults and elderly have gone well, and studies in children and pregnant women are pending.  Much of the hoopla over safety fears has been perpetuated by those who would refuse vaccines for any reason but has been compounded by the speed with which the vaccine has needed to pass through the vetting process for FDA approval.  The vaccine is made in the same fashion as the seasonal flu vaccine, and similar side effects are expected at this time.  In addition, neither the H1N1 vaccine nor the seasonal flu vaccine contain thiomerisol, a mercury-containing compound that has been the focus of concern in recent years with other vaccines.

More good news: for most people, the H1N1 virus infection has been mild.  Experts are now predicting that this fall and winter will see a similar pattern of infection as found in a normal flu season.

Now the bad news: seasonal flu kills people - over 30,000 per year in the US.  Those citizens under 50 years old who have not been exposed to a similar strain of the virus may be at risk for more serious complications than expected, and only time will tell.

Worse news: there does not appear to be enough H1N1 vaccine to go around this season.  Priority will be given to the following groups:

If you do not fit into one of these groups of people, please please please don't be angry with your doctor when she tells you she can't give you a vaccine yet.  Doctors are trying to keep everyone as healthy as we can.