Pandemic H1N1/09 virus

Later today, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, along with the CDC and other experts, will hold a briefing to update the nation on the H1N1 virus. In anticipation of the update, we speak with Dr. Peter Hotez.

The federal government has thus far not been able to make good on its promise to deliver 120 million doses of the vaccine for H1N1, commonly known as swine flu. We talk about why the shortage is partly a chicken and an egg problem…literally.

A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that children under four-years-old may be the safest from H1N1. Joining The Takeaway to explain why is Richard Wenzel of the Department of Internal Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth.

The president held a press conference to update the nation about the government’s preparedness for an impending outbreak of H1N1. To read between the lines of bureaucratic-speak, The Takeaway turns to its swine flu guru, Richard Wenzler.

A panel studying the H1N1 virus presented a plausible scenario in which as many as 90,000 people could die of the flu this fall. To help understand this prediction, The Takeaway is joined by Richard Wenzel of Virginia Commonwealth University.