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A recent poll on the H1N1 flu conducted by the American Red Cross found that more Americans are taking or planning on taking extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissue (78%) or wash their hands more carefully (76%) to avoid getting the flu.

The survey also found that 62 percent plan on being vaccinated against this new flu virus if one is offered.

While only 1 in 10 of those surveyed by the Red Cross claimed to be very worried about H1N1 flu (swine flu), results show people have a strong interest in taking protective actions.

The survey found that 93 percent of Americans are taking or planning to take at least one action to guard against this new flu. Nearly half of those surveyed (46%) plan on assembling a twoweek supply of food, water and medicine that they might need in the event they or someone in their family becomes sick and need to stay home for extended periods of time.

“Even though most Americans arent extremely worried about the virus, they seem interested in taking steps to protect themselves and their families,” said Scott Conner, Red Cross senior vice president of preparedness and health and safety services. “Taking those basic steps such as washing your hands more frequently and remaining at home if you are sick become even more important as the new flu season approaches.”

The survey results also found that women are more likely to take protective actions, with 84 percent making an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes (versus 71 percent for men), and 81 percent washing their hands more carefully and more often (compared to 71 percent for men).

However, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that a vaccine may not be available until later this fall, the Red Cross is urging people to remember these simple actions to help guard against the flu

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you dont have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcoholbased hands cleaners are also effective.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home if you are feeling sick.

As with any emergency, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare by getting an emergency kit, making a plan and being informed.

Later this fall, the Red Cross will be releasing a Pandemic Flu educational program for small businesses to help raise awareness and educate workplaces on what to expect and how to plan for a pandemic. Smaller companies often operate with fewer resources and limited capacity compared to their larger counterparts and can be particularly at risk for disruptions resulting from a flu pandemic.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nations blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization not a government agency and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Sanofiaventis, a French global healthcare company that makes vaccines announced on Wednesday that it will be giving the World Health Organization (WHO) 100 million doses of vaccine for H1N1 swine flu so it can distribute them to the countries that most need them.

Sanofiaventis Chief Executive Officer Christopher A Viehbacher told the opening session of the Pacific Health Summit in Seattle, Washington that he wanted to back WHO Director Generals call for common action.

“Exceptional times require exceptional responses. We need to act responsibly and we all have to play our part,” said Viehbacher.

“That is the reason why we intend to donate 100 million doses of influenza vaccine to the World Health Organization (WHO) to help developing countries face the influenza pandemic,” he added.

Although the WHO says it has now received reports of nearly 40,000 worldwide labconfirmed cases of novel A(H1N1) swine flu, including 167 deaths, and has raised the status level to phase 6, indicating global pandemic, the organization has not yet said anything about who should get vaccinated.

Also, because this strain has not infected people before, it is not clear if one or two doses will be needed to achieve full immunization.

Vaccine producers are just coming to the end of producing seasonal flu vaccine, after which they will start making vaccine against the new swine flu virus. It will be several weeks before the first batches are ready, which is probably too late for countries in the southern hemisphere who are about to enter the height of their annual flu season.

Swine flu is now reaching southern countries that have not reported cases before. Earlier today South Africa joined the list, with a new case of swine flu in a 12year old boy recently returned from the US.

WHO estimate world capacity to produce swine flu vaccine is about 4.9 billion, which is not enough to vaccinate a world population of 6.5 billion, and if two shots are needed, then it will barely reach half that number.

Viehbacher said that sanofiaventis will reserve 10 per cent of its swine flu vaccine for the WHO to help developing countries fight the pandemic. Over and above the 100 million doses it will donate, the company will offer additional doses at discounted prices to developing countries, depending on production capacity, reported the Associated Press.

British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline said they will do the same, and have offered to donate 50 million doses of swine flu vaccine for the WHO to distribute to developing countries. They said last week that they would be ready to start large scale production within weeks.

According to the AP report, Novartis, another major vaccine maker based in Switzerland have decided not to go down the donation route.

Company spokesman Eric Althoff said on Wednesday that the company would prefer to find a more sustainable way to support developing countries than one time donations. They are considering selling vaccines at discounted prices instead, he said.

Sources Sanofi Aventis, AP.

Written by Catharine Paddock, PhD