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Monday, October 26, 2009

H1N1 Vaccine Shortages Create Panic, Concern

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Urges Americans to be Patient
By LISA FLETCHER and HUMA KHAN
Oct. 26, 2009

Two days after the H1N1 flu was declared a national emergency, vaccine shortages around the country are creating anxiety and concern.

In Baltimore, resident Ivette Brown expressed her frustration with the system.

"We've been turned away, we were told they don't have anything," Brown told ABC News. "My children's health is at stake."

Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the vaccine is coming off the production lines slower than the administration would like, but that there will eventually be enough for everyone.

"We're pushing it out the door as fast as we can," Sebelius told "Good Morning America's" Diane Sawyer today. "There's a frustration that we have that the manufacturers are feeling. ... We just want people to be a little patient. It will be there. They will have one."

The government had initially said 40 million doses would be available by this time, but in reality, only one-fourth -- about 11 million -- of those are out. About 150 million doses will be needed to cover all Americans. Sebelius said the administration has ordered 250 million doses, with 16.5 million doses expected to be out the door by today.


source: abcnews.go.com