News about flu shots in the US, from FLU.gov:
http://www.flu.gov/news/blogs/windowopp.html
"Window of Opportunity
December 7, 2009
Good news came out of last Friday’s CDC briefing that H1N1 vaccine supplies continue to increase. Dr. Frieden announced that there is twice as much H1N1 vaccine available now than was available last month, and ten million more than was available the previous week. In addition, another 10 million doses will be made available this week – providing Americans with an excellent window of opportunity to get vaccinated. Today, there are more than 81 million doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine available.
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family from influenza. As the supplies of vaccines are growing, we encourage people in priority populations to get vaccinated including kids who are historically under-vaccinated (about 1 out of every 5 school kids typically get vaccinated). Some states, such as Arkansas, Rhode Island, and Maine, are responding to this creatively by initiating school-based vaccination programs. The vaccination rate for kids in these states is as high as 50%, if not higher, in some places. This community response helps to protect kids and families, while building an infrastructure to respond to influenza outbreaks.
“Vaccination not only prevents severe illness, it also protects us from a disruption in society,” Dr. Frieden said. By reducing the number of people out of school and out of work due to influenza, the more productive we can be now and in the future.
The number of states with widespread H1N1 has declined, down to 25 states, yet there is still more activity than normal. It is uncertain whether there will be additional waves of influenza or what they will look like, but the CDC is monitoring the activity.
This uncertainty is why it is so critical that priority groups get vaccinated, particularly now when there are additional supplies of H1N1 vaccine available. Greater quantities of supplies mean greater access."