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• H1N1 NEWS
NATIONAL - While the feds try to get as many swine flu vaccines to the public as possible, new numbers show the most at-risk group are people who aren't getting the vaccine.
WEAR Channel Three Pensacola's Jake Peterson has the new details.
Harold Foster doesn't plan to receive the swine flu vaccination.
He says the disease has a low risk of making him sick.
"I'm not worried at all."
But unlike the traditional flu, Harold's age does put him at risk.
The number-one group of people dying from the swine flu are in Harold's age bracket: 25 to 64.
39% of the people hospitalized are also from that group.
However, the highest number of people being hospitalized are under twenty.
The elderly are barely seeing the severe effects of the swine flu, and have the lowest swine flu death rate.
Doctors say that's because those over 65 have already been exposed to something like H1N1.
"Much younger people are being affected at much higher rates. Our senior citizens have seen a strain like this some time in the past, so and that leaves the younger population much more vulnerable."
Harold says he does plan to take the steps necessary to keep himself as safe as possible.
"Make sure I wash my hands a lot, and use a lot of hand sanitizers and make sure things around me are kept clean."
But even if Harold wanted to get vaccinated, he would have a hard time: the government is focusing its efforts on vaccinating children and the elderly.
Government health officials are meeting this week to go over the new numbers that seem to show the changing face of the swine flu patient.
Reporting in Escambia County, Florida, Jake Peterson, Channel Three News.
The government ordered 250-million swine flu vaccination doses.
They've only received 12 million of those.
WEAR Channel Three Pensacola's Jake Peterson has the new details.
Harold Foster doesn't plan to receive the swine flu vaccination.
He says the disease has a low risk of making him sick.
"I'm not worried at all."
But unlike the traditional flu, Harold's age does put him at risk.
The number-one group of people dying from the swine flu are in Harold's age bracket: 25 to 64.
39% of the people hospitalized are also from that group.
However, the highest number of people being hospitalized are under twenty.
The elderly are barely seeing the severe effects of the swine flu, and have the lowest swine flu death rate.
Doctors say that's because those over 65 have already been exposed to something like H1N1.
"Much younger people are being affected at much higher rates. Our senior citizens have seen a strain like this some time in the past, so and that leaves the younger population much more vulnerable."
Harold says he does plan to take the steps necessary to keep himself as safe as possible.
"Make sure I wash my hands a lot, and use a lot of hand sanitizers and make sure things around me are kept clean."
But even if Harold wanted to get vaccinated, he would have a hard time: the government is focusing its efforts on vaccinating children and the elderly.
Government health officials are meeting this week to go over the new numbers that seem to show the changing face of the swine flu patient.
Reporting in Escambia County, Florida, Jake Peterson, Channel Three News.
The government ordered 250-million swine flu vaccination doses.
They've only received 12 million of those.
The nation reacts as the swine flu spreads throughout the United States. Keep up to date on the latest information and what you need to do to keep your family safe.
Posted: Wednesday, October 21 2009, 09:12:11 PM
• VIDEO LIST
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• WATCH THIS
• SPRINGFIELD WEATHER
35
DENSE FOG ADVISORY UNTIL 10AM for Sangamon, Morgan, Menard, Scott, Cass & Mason counties.
TODAY: Morning fog... Sunny and mild. HIGH 65.
TONIGHT: Clear skies. LOW 41.
TOMORROW: After a sunny start, look for increasing clouds in the afternoon. HIGH 64.
Joe Crain
Storm Team 20 Meteorologist
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