Last updated 4:35AM ET
November 21, 2009
Swine Flu Stories
Swine Flu Stories
H1N1 Tapering Off, Vaccine Still Scarce All signs show the outbreak of H1N1 flu is tapering off in western Washington. But, the virus is not going away, and neither is frustration over how scarce the vaccine is. More from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld:
Flu Vaccine in Pharmacies in King County King County is trying a new way of getting the H1N1 swine flu vaccine out to those who need it most: put it in the neighborhood pharmacy. KPLU's Liam Moriarty went to a drugstore in Seattle's Rainier Valley neighborhood to see how that's working out.
Swine Flu Reaching New Peak In case you haven't noticed, there's been a dramatic increase in the amount of swine flu circulating in western Washington. There's no sign that the epidemic has reached a peak, yet. More from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld:
Flu Vaccine For High-Risk, Low-Income Some people with the highest risk of serious illness from swine flu are also low-income. They may not have health insurance or easy access to the vaccine. So King County is opening four special vaccine clinics to serve them. KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld explains:
Swine Flu Starting To Hit Hard The resurgence of swine flu is underway in Washington. So far, it appears to be impacting teenagers and children more than adults. More from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld:
Sick Leave and Swine Flu Concern about the swine flu epidemic has some tribal casinos reconsidering their sick leave policy. It tells workers they face firing if they call in sick on busy days. The news that the policy even existed has a lot of people asking, "Can an employer really do that?" KPLU's Paula Wissel went looking for answers.
Vaccine for Swine Flu to Arrive Soon If you've managed to keep your kids free of swine flu so far, you have just a couple more weeks to hold out. The first vaccine shipments begin arriving next week. More details from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld:
Swine Flu Vaccine Shipments On The Way If you're worried about getting swine flu, it looks like the first shipments of a vaccine to prevent it will arrive next week. Certain high priority groups will get the first batches. KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld has more:
Have Swine Flu, Should I Call a Doctor? Maybe Not With swine flu numbers starting to rise again, health officials are asking the public not to over-react. Doctors and hospitals are concerned they could be overwhelmed by people seeking advice when they don't really need it. KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld explains:
Schools Prepare for Swine Flu The first day of school is right around the corner for thousands of students across Washington State. KPLU's Jennifer Wing reports that as students get back to work, so too will the H1N1 virus known as Swine Flu.
Swine Flu Vaccine to be Tested in Seattle If you live in the Seattle area, you'll have the chance to be first in line for a vaccine against the swine flu. The only catch is, you won't know how well it works. Group Health is one of eight centers around the country running tests of the new vaccine, starting in August. More from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld.
Vaccine Production Ramps Up for Swine Flu Drug companies say they're ready to make plenty of vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 swine flu. The flu shots should be available by the end of the year. One drug company used a Seattle health summit to pledge 10% of its vaccine would go for free to developing countries. More from KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld:
Mild Flu Cases Shape New School Closing Policy Public Health officials in King County will no longer ask schools to close over swine flu concerns. The policy shift reflects patterns that show few severe cases. KPLU's Gary Davis reports.
Kirkland Company Detected Swine Flu Early Lately it's hard to go even a few hours without hearing about another swine flu case. But one company is getting a lot of credit for noticing the earliest signs of the outbreak. It's called Veratect. And it's based in Kirkland. KPLU's Brian Reed reports.
States to Get Testing Capability for Swine Flu Public health officials in Washington State are investigating thirteen probable cases of swine flu. In order to confirm swine flu, microbiologists have to send a sample to the CDC in Atlanta. That will change for the better next week. The state health labs in Washington expect to gain the capability to confirm swine flu locally. KPLU's Tom Banse reports.
Schools Affected By Flu Cases As the number of probable swine flu cases in the state grows, schools continue to be affected. A Des Moines elementary is the latest to shut down after a student was became ill. KPLU's Gary Davis reports.
Six Local Cases of Swine Flu Called "Probable" Madrona K-8 School in Seattle has closed as a precaution against spreading swine flu. The school says it will remain closed through next Wednesday. An 11-year-old student at the school is one of six probable swine flu cases in Washington. More from KPLU health and science reporter Keith Seinfeld.
Swine Flu Testing in Washington Not only are there no confirmed cases of swine flu in Washington state -- there haven't even been any potential cases sent to the federal government labs for testing (as of Wednesday evening). KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld explains the process:
Despite Swine Flu, Alaska Airlines Still Flying to Mexico The swine flu scare is creating turbulence in the travel industry, including Seattle-based Alaska Airlines. KPLU's Tom Banse reports.
Swine Flu Fears Addressed in Seattle Local public health agencies in Washington are watching carefully for signs of the swine flu. As of Monday afternoon, there are no confirmed cases in the state. KPLU science and health reporter Keith Seinfeld has more on what to look for:

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