Opinion: H1N1 swine flu is not gone; Obama declares a special week for vaccinations, now in ample supply

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And you thought this was just another ordinary winter Monday.

Nearing the end of his first year’s reign, President Obama has issued a presidential proclamation declaring this entire week as National Influenza Vaccination Week, inviting all Americans who have not already done so to take a needle in the arm or a dose up the nose. (See full text below.)

Polls earlier in the fall, when the vaccine was in short supply, indicated many Americans had no intention of getting the vaccine, amid rumors over lack of testing and fears of unanticipated side effects. Those adverse side effects have not materialized. But neither has a rush for the vaccine, now in ample supply. (Obama waited on getting his until just before the family’s holiday trip to Hawaii.)

An uptick in reported cases of H1N1 swine flu the week after Christmas, when millions returned to work, raised concerns about widespread complacency leading to a renewed wave of the sometimes deadly illness this winter.

With that concern and an abundance of the vaccine on hand (an estimated 136 million doses now), officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging even seniors to get the vaccine. Because of their lifelong exposure to more flu strains, seniors were believed less likely to catch H1N1 and many postponed immunizations when supplies were scarce.

‘We think it’s time now for seniors,’ said one senior CDC officer. So, apparently, does the president, with his influenza-week proclamation and invitation.

And you know what happens to people who don’t follow the invitation rules at the White House?

They get into the big parties.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Here’s your invitation to immunize yourself against political ignorance. Click here for Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot. Our new Facebook fan page is here.

Since the first United States cases were identified in April of last year, our Nation has witnessed the worldwide spread of the H1N1 influenza virus. To date, tens of millions of Americans have contracted this virus.

While the vast majority of those affected have recovered without incident, an unusually high....

...proportion of children and younger adults have developed serious complications, resulting in hospitalization or even death.

We know that influenza vaccination is the best way to protect ourselves against the flu, and my Administration moved swiftly to respond to this threat by assisting in the development of a vaccine, which is now widely available and has shown to be both safe and effective.

Every American has a role to play in fighting the H1N1 flu. Expectant mothers, children, young adults, and all those under the age of 65 with chronic health conditions are at high risk for H1N1 flu-related complications and should get the vaccine as soon as possible.

Those not at high risk can protect themselves and prevent the virus from spreading to more vulnerable members of their families and communities by getting vaccinated as well.

This week presents a window of opportunity for us to prevent a possible third wave of H1N1 flu in the United States.

I strongly encourage those who have not yet received the H1N1 flu vaccine to do so. Visit flu.gov to find vaccination sites in communities across our country and to stay informed. Together, we can all fight the H1N1 flu and help protect our families, friends, and neighbors.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the week of January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

I encourage all Americans to observe this week by getting the H1N1 flu vaccine if they have not yet done so, and by asking their families, friends, and co-workers to do the same.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
/s/ BARACK OBAMA

Pete Souza / White House