Dear U.S. Medicine Reader,

This month’s issue of U.S. Medicine opens with a painful remembrance of the Fort Hood tragedy. As publishers, we endeavored to treat this sad event with respect for the victims, their families, and those affected in the TRICARE community.  While uncovering any positive in this is likely impossible at this time, we chose to focus on how the DoD responded by devoting considerable resources to counsel all involved, 24 hours per day, for as long as the grieving process lasts. We have attempted to convey the solidarity and perseverance that exists within the Fort Hood community.

All of us at U.S. Medicine extend our best wishes during this holiday season to those who provide care for the active and retired military and their families.

Ken Senerth
Editor, U. S. Medicine

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LATE BREAKING NEWS

Latest estimates suggest that approximately 47 million Americans, or one in six, were sickened by the H1N1 flu from April to mid-November, with 9,280 associated deaths, according to the CDC. These numbers reflect a substantial uptake in the peak season of mid-October to mid-November, with approximately 213,000 hospitalizations during that period. Predictably, non-elderly adults and children constituted the vast majority of those infected. The primary difference between H1N1 flu and the regular flu season was “many times more children and younger adults … have been hospitalized or killed by H1N1 influenza than during a regular flu season,” according to CDC Director Thomas Frieden.

Approximately 85 million doses of H1N1 vaccine were made available for ordering since October. The CDC has started offering the vaccine to its employees.

In a related matter, Sanofi Aventis has recalled approximately 800,000 doses of children’s H1N1 vaccine. According to the CDC, the potency is “only slightly below the ‘specified’ range.