The New York Daily News reports that a dog in Westchester caught the H1N1 virus from his owner. The dog exhibited flu-like symptoms and was hospitalized and medicated for two days before being released. This infection marks the first confirmed case of canine swine flu in the United States; there are unconfirmed reports of dogs with H1N1 in China.

Federal officials announced a recall of pediatric doses of the H1N1 vaccine on Tuesday, after tests indicated that nearly a million of the doses may not be powerful enough to protect against the virus. According to the New York Times, officials advise that they don’t think children need to be revaccinated. The doses were intended for children between 6 and 35 months old, who health officials recommend should get two doses of the vaccine anyway.

What is known about the H1N1 influenza outbreak? How is the government preparing for the next big threat? Join the PBS NewsHour’s Ray Suarez for an exploration of the science and policy of this year’s swine flu pandemic, from federal vaccination headquarters to big city hospital emergency rooms. “Anatomy of a Pandemic” airs Monday, December 14 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN.

Watch a preview:

According to the New York Times, federal health officials estimate that almost 10,000 people have died of the H1N1 virus since April 2009. This figure is much higher than last month’s number by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which estimated that nearly 4,000 people have died.

The Health Department has lifted almost all of the restrictions on the H1N1 vaccine for the last weekend of a free citywide immunization program. New Yorkers four years old or older can get vaccinated against the virus on Saturday and Sunday. More than 37,000 people have taken advantage of the free shots. The clinics will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information of vaccination locations, go to nyc.gov/flu.

According to the New York Times, health officials are reporting that a review of side effects from the H1N1 flu vaccine indicates that the vaccine is safe, with adverse effects no different from those of seasonal flu vaccines.

Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noted that the results were still preliminary, because the vaccine for the H1N1 flu has been in widespread use for about only two months. Adverse effects might not show up until later, after many more people are vaccinated.

It’s the fourth weekend of free H1N1 vaccination clinics in the city, and anyone in the high priority list is able to get the vaccine, including people between the ages of four and 24, pregnant women and anyone who lives with or takes care of newborns. Also, people between the ages of 25 through 64 with medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, or a weakened immune system and health care workers who cannot get the vaccine through their employer can receive the vaccine. Anyone under 18 must have a signed parental consent form and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To find the nearest H1N1 vaccine clinic, call 311 or visit NYC.gov/flu.

New Yorkers now have a new resource for information about the flu, as the city has launching a “FluLine”. Callers to 311 will be directed to a registered nurse who can give out information about the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu. The nurses can also advise callers about whether they should see a doctor, and they can refer people to clinics. The city is hoping that the “FluLine” will decrease the number of people who show up to emergency rooms looking for treatment.

The hotline will be open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

As concerns about the H1N1 virus escalate across the country, WXXI in Rochester, NY, presents an hour-long special designed to educate viewers on the pandemic strain of flu on from national healthcare series, Second Opinion.

Hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo of New York Presbyterian Hospital, the program features the panelists Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat, MD, Director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), CDC; Mark Shelly, MD, Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease and Travel Medicine, Highland Hospital/University of Rochester Medical Center; Richard Barbano, MD, Chief of Neurology, Rochester General Hospital; Lisa Harris, MD, Primary Care Physician, Temple Medical Internal Medicine and Pediatrics; Janet Corson-Rikert, MD, Executive Director, Gannett Health Services, Cornell University; Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Executive Director, Boston Public Health Commission.

• NY1 reports that more than 15,000 people were vaccinated against the H1N1 virus at clinics across the city over the weekend, a huge increase over the previous weekend. The Department of Health has now opened the free clinics to pregnant women, anyone between the ages of four and 24, and anyone from age 25 – 64 with an underlying medical condition. Find the vaccination site nearest you.
• Amid concerns about thimerosal, a preservative used in flu vaccines that contains mercury, the Centers for Disease Control has released Frequently Asked Questions about the preservative. Thimerosal has been reviewed by the federal government due to concerns about exposing infants to levels of mercury.

In the episode “Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!” from the PBS kids series “Sid the Science Kid,” Sid and his friends learn the basic science behind germs, viruses and vaccines using age-appropriate vocabulary and scientific concepts that have become a hallmark of the series. “’Sid the Science Kid’ explores the science behind the everyday experiences of a preschooler and we know that getting a shot can be scary for many children,” said Lisa Henson, CEO of The Jim Henson Company. “This special episode is an opportunity for us to help kids understand why they are getting a shot while providing parents and caregivers with helpful resources to handle this important issue.” Watch the full episode here, and watch more “Sid the Science Kid” online here. “Sid the Science Kid” airs Monday through Friday at 9am on THIRTEEN.

WNET.ORG correspondent Rafael Pi Roman speaks with Donald G. McNeil, Jr., Science and Health Reporter at The New York Times, about President Obama’s declaration of a H1N1 national emergency, and the reports of shortages of the H1N1 vaccine.

• Federal health officials announced on Tuesday that one dose of the H1N1 vaccine protects pregnant women against the flu, but American children under 10 still need two doses. The announcement comes after clinical trials of the vaccine, conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The officials also announced that a panel of experts from outside the government will monitor vaccinations for any unexpected side effects over the coming months.

 

• Here in New York, the Department of Health has expanded H1N1 vaccinations to middle schools and high schools. Middle school and high school students can be vaccinated this weekend. The Department of Health is opening vaccination clinics on the weekends for students for the next five weekends beginning this Saturday, November 7. While the centers are intended for middle and high school students, they will be open to all students, ages four and up. Anyone under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all students under age 18 will need a parental consent form.

  To find the nearest clinic or for more information, visit the DOH website.