Accessibility links
Swine Flu: The Second Wave Public health officials are preparing for the swine flu to make a strong comeback in the Northern hemisphere this fall, possibly infecting half the U.S.
Special Series

Swine Flu: The Second Wave

Flu Pandemic Much Milder Than Expected

Last spring, experts thought it was possible swine flu would kill 1 out of every 100 people who got the virus. But the death rate so far is around 1 out of every 2,000. The CDC says the number of children who've died is troublesome, however, and worries if people think the threat is over, they'll be less likely to get vaccinated.

Flu Pandemic Much Milder Than Expected

Listen · 4:54
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/121184706/121185336" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

As Yule Approaches, Santas Seek H1N1 Help

Holiday season is colliding with swine flu season, and that has Santas concerned. The cheerful Christmas ambassadors come in contact with millions of children each year, and many are being advised to take special precautions. One Santa organization has petitioned a member of Congress to help elevate them to a priority status for the H1N1 vaccine. Ernest Berger, president of the nonprofit volunteer group Santa America, says Santas should be considered seriously for the vaccine because of their close contact with large groups of children.

As Yule Approaches, Santas Seek H1N1 Help

Listen · 3:19
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120583700/120583667" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

FDA Reassures Doctors Skeptical Of H1N1 Vaccine

Most doctors fully support the H1N1 vaccine, but there are a few who won't back it. Because patients trust their doctors the most for medical decisions, the FDA is trying to assure these doctors of the vaccine's safety.

FDA Reassures Doctors Skeptical Of H1N1 Vaccine

Listen · 3:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120498587/120527417" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Flu Funds Boost Local Health Budgets

CapRadio News

The federal government has allocated more than $1 billion to help cash-strapped local health departments hire staff to distribute the H1N1 vaccine. The money has allowed some departments to rehire staff they had recently let go.

Flu Funds Boost Local Health Budgets

Listen · 3:46
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120353109/120375831" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

How Effective Is The New Flu Vaccine?

Some people say they won't get a flu vaccine — against seasonal flu or H1N1 — because they believe it doesn't work. It's true that the seasonal flu vaccine doesn't stop all cases of the flu in people who get it. But just how effective is the new H1N1 vaccine?

How Effective Is The New Flu Vaccine?

Listen · 3:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120251072/120251537" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Flu Threat Looms As Mecca Readies For Pilgrims

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims circle the sacred Kaaba stone at Mecca's Grand Mosque in December 2008. Saudi Arabian authorities are concerned about the effects the H1N1 pandemic will have on this year's pilgrimage. Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images

Flu Threat Looms As Mecca Readies For Pilgrims

The H1N1 virus is a major concern for Saudi Arabian authorities, who are gearing up to host millions of Muslims on the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Health officials are making recommendations and monitoring pilgrims, but otherwise can do little to mitigate the virus' spread.

Flu Threat Looms As Mecca Readies For Pilgrims

Listen · 4:15
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/120123015/120181223" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Boost Your Flu IQ: Your Questions Answered

With the swine flu virus more widespread than ever and concerns about availability of the vaccine circulating, we solicited your questions about the pandemic. NPR's health editors teamed up with experts to tackle your questions.

Boost Your Flu IQ: Your Questions Answered

Listen · 8:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114299697/120004240" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Swine Flu Spread Highlights Paid-Sick-Leave Debate

Many people continue to go to work when they're sick because they don't get paid if they stay home. A bill that would require employers to offer sick leave has been on hold, stalled by the health care overhaul legislation. But the swine flu epidemic has made the issue more pressing.

Swine Flu Spread Highlights Paid-Sick-Leave Debate

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114181603/114181592" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage: Why?

Millions of Americans already have gotten swine flu, and lines are long at flu shot clinics. President Obama has declared the pandemic a national emergency, but supplies of vaccine against the new H1N1 flu are far below projections. Manufacturers only recently discovered why they can't deliver as much vaccine as expected.

Swine Flu Vaccine Shortage: Why?

Listen · 3:27
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114156775/114156739" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

In N.Y., Vaccine Availability Worries Pregnant Women

New York State health officials say only 23 percent of the state's anticipated supply of H1N1 vaccine will be available by the end of the month. That means they can't even vaccinate all the health care workers they wanted to. Pregnant women, who are considered to be at high risk, are worried.

In N.Y., Vaccine Availability Worries Pregnant Women

Listen · 1:42
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114103972/114103932" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body

In this illustration, new viruses emerge from an infected human throat cell. When you get the flu, viruses turn your cells into tiny virus factories that help spread the disease. Courtesy XVIVO/Zirus hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy XVIVO/Zirus

Krulwich Wonders...

Flu Attack! How A Virus Invades Your Body

When you get the flu, viruses turn your cells into tiny virus factories that help spread the disease. This animation takes you to the front lines of a viral assault that could be going on inside your body right now.

CDC: Swine Flu Cases Widespread And Rising

In this illustration, new viruses emerge from an infected human throat cell. When you get the flu, viruses turn your cells into tiny virus factories that help spread the disease. Courtesy XVIVO/Zirus hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy XVIVO/Zirus

CDC: Swine Flu Cases Widespread And Rising

The 2009 H1N1 virus has spread across the United States, with millions infected. The virus is mostly causing complications in children and young people. Overall pediatric deaths and hospitalization rates from flu are higher than usual and continue to climb.

CDC: Swine Flu Cases Widespread And Rising

Listen · 3:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114093727/114103931" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Study Finds H1N1 Virus Lives Longer Than Expected

When more than 100 students at the U.S. Air Force Academy were diagnosed with swine flu, doctors had an opportunity to study the virus closely. They discovered that some cadets who had been symptom-free for more than 24 hours still had the live virus in their noses.

Study Finds H1N1 Virus Lives Longer Than Expected

Listen · 3:47
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/114025106/114029855" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Flu, Me? Public Remains Wary Of H1N1 Vaccine

Nurse Colleen Goetzke administers the H1N1 vaccine to Jennifer Rose on Thursday at the Memorial Hospital of Burlington in Burlington, Wis. Gregory Shaver/Journal Times/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Gregory Shaver/Journal Times/AP

Flu, Me? Public Remains Wary Of H1N1 Vaccine

Despite the warnings of a pandemic of the H1N1 swine flu, less than half of Americans say they plan to receive the new vaccine. Health professionals are worried and shaping their message to change these skeptical minds, but it won't be easy.

Government Keeps Close Eye On Swine Flu Vaccine

Public health officials are confident that the new H1N1 vaccine is safe. Still, as with any vaccine, they have systems in place to monitor vaccine recipients in order to spot any potential problems.

Government Keeps Close Eye On Swine Flu Vaccine

Listen · 4:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113794574/113803538" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

N.Y. Mandates Flu Shots For Health Care Workers

New York is the only state so far to require all workers in hospitals and clinics to get immunized against the flu. Advocates say it's a matter of patient safety, while opponents worry about the effectiveness and side effects. They also argue about the principle: They want control over what's injected into their bodies.

N.Y. Mandates Flu Shots For Health Care Workers

Listen · 4:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113776378/113781736" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What You Need To Know About Swine Flu Vaccine

Julie Halvorsen receives the trial swine flu vaccine at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Aug. 31. Rob Carr/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Rob Carr/AP

What You Need To Know About Swine Flu Vaccine

After two months of testing, the swine flu vaccine will be released this week. NPR's Richard Knox answers listener questions.

What You Need To Know About Swine Flu Vaccine

Listen · 8:56
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113446539/113491791" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Girl's Harrowing Escape From Swine Flu

Texas has been hit hard by swine flu. While most who get it recover just fine, others aren't so lucky. NPR's Wade Goodwyn has the story of one girl who fought back from near-death.

Girl's Harrowing Escape From Swine Flu

Listen · 4:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113479788/113479776" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

H1N1 Leads N.C. Hospitals To Ban Young Visitors

The two main hospital systems in Charlotte, N.C., have banned anyone younger than 18 from visiting patients. Administrators concerned about the spread of swine flu are worried that kids are primary carriers.

H1N1 Leads N.C. Hospitals To Ban Young Visitors

Listen · 2:45
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/113401817/113405171" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse archive or search npr.org