A. Under the current U.S. National Health and Human Services Plan little if any of the necessary medication would be coming to the San Juans. There are about 6 million courses of medication for the entire nation as of the end of 2005. To complicate matters further, resistance to that particular drug seems to be on the rise. In short, here in the islands we will likely be looking at taking care of our sick much like they did in 1918 (keeping the patient warm, hydrated, and cared for).

There is no cure for the flu. Because flus are caused by viruses, antibiotic treatment (which works against bacteria) is ineffective. There are currently four medications (called "antivirals") for flus: symmetrel, flumadine, tamiflu, and relenza. Antivirals may be effective for reducing the severity and duration of the flu. They can also be used to try and prevent the flu if someone has come in contact with flu viruses.

you may have heard in the media, it is anticipated that there will be a shortage of flu vaccines for the 2004-2005 flu season. Because of this shortage, the CDC has coordinated with its Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) to issue interim recommendations for influenza vaccination during the 2004�2005 flu season. These interim recommendations were formally updated by ACIP on December 22, 2004.

At this time, Tamiflu® and Relenza® are the most likely antiviral medications to be used in a pandemic caused by the H5N1 virus. The effectiveness of these antivirals would vary depending on the level of resistance an influenza virus may have to one or more of these medications. No. Although the government is stockpiling antiviral medications, there are not enough now for everyone.

There is not a flu vaccine (also know as a flu shot) against the current avian flu (H5N1) commercially available at this time. However, vaccines are produced each year for seasonal flu ("the flu") that may prevent the flu or lessen symptoms. University Health Services (UHS) schedules "flu shot clinics" during the fall. For more information please see, Flu Shot Update.

The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider an influenza pandemic a serious public health threat. Pharmaceutical interventions such as flu vaccines might not be available at the time of a pandemic influenza outbreak. Therefore, we are evaluating the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions for preventing the spread of seasonal influenza. Return to top

Two of the cornerstones of treating influenza are vaccines and antivirals. Vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body, and the antibodies provide protection. To date, there is no vaccine for the H5N1 virus because the virus has not adapted to human to human transmission. It is estimated that if human to human transmission occurs, it will take up to six months to develop an effective vaccine.

Three of the antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, and oseltamivir) have been approved for prevention of the flu. These drugs are not, however, a substitute for influenza vaccination. All of these drugs are prescription drugs, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used for preventing the flu.

And most importantly, we'll keep you informed on the most recent developments so that you and your loved ones will not be caught unawares. You'll receive advance warning so that you will have time to take actions to protect yourself and those close to you. Vaccines are biological agents that stimulate the body to produce antibodies or other immunity. Influenza vaccines produce antibodies against strains closely related to the strains of the virus contained in the vaccine.

There are two types of vaccines that protect against the flu. The "flu shot" is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. A different kind of vaccine, called the nasal-spray flu vaccine (sometimes referred to as LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine), was approved in 2003. The nasal-spray flu vaccine contains attenuated (weakened) live viruses, and is administered by nasal sprayer.

Both flu vaccines (the flu shot and the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)) work in the same way; they cause antibodies to develop in the body, and these antibodies provide protection against influenza virus infection.

No. Influenza vaccine is currently available both with thimerosal as a preservative and preservative-free. For the 2004-05 influenza season, it is likely that 6-8 million doses of inactivated influenza vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative will be available. This represents a substantial increase in the available amount of inactivated influenza vaccine without thimerosal as a preservative, compared with about 3.2 million doses that were available during the 2003-04 influenza season.

Vaccine materials are generally grown on egg=based media. According to pathologist Dr. Jerry Marcus, "As far as I can ascertain, there is no such thing as a vegan flu shot. Nobody I spoke to could envision a flu vaccine being made which would be vegan." We have a few bumperstickers, buttons and a t-shirt. Our catalog items are at: www.vrg.org/catalog/tshirt.htm and www.vrg.org/catalog/bumper.htm. Are you familiar with Pangea? They have both an online and paper catalog. www.veganstore.com.

Currently available flu vaccines only protect against the currently circulating ordinary flu. The virus causing a pandemic will be so different from the strains in the vaccine that they are very unlikely to provide any significant immunity in a pandemic situation. New vaccine must be developed to match the new pandemic strain. Can any vaccine left from previous years be used? No. It will only provide protection against old strains of influenza virus, not against a new strain.

this time, two drugs in the neuraminidase inhibitor class, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), reduce the severity and duration of the seasonal influenza if administered within 48 hours after symptoms begin. Clinical data is limited for utilization of these drugs with H5N1 viral infections but laboratory data indicates that if administered early, the avian influenza virus will be susceptible.

In addition, an injectable, long-acting (30 day) form of naltrexone (VIVITROL®) became available in 2006.1 These medications have been shown to help people with alcohol dependence reduce their drinking, avoid relapse to heavy drinking, and achieve and maintain abstinence.1 Acamprosate is thought to work by reducing symptoms that follow lengthy abstinence, such as anxiety and insomnia.

No. We will not ship narcotic, scheduled drugs or controlled substances (such as Valium, Vicodin , etc.).