Seasonal Flu Shot can still protect against H1N1

The World Health Organization claims the Tamiflu, the seasonal flu shot, is still effective against some cases of H1N1. USA Today reports that the organization says that a majority of the isolated cases of the swine flu demonstrated that Tamiflu was still effective in treating the illness. Researchers at WHO are still investigating those few where the seasonal flu shot was not working to help treat their case of the swine flu. 

My Take: Many are worried about quickly getting their hands on the H1N1 vaccine before the winter season kicks into high gear. However, the researchers involved with WHO are saying that if you get the seasonal flu shot you still have a strong chance to fight H1N1. As long as the general public follow proper hygiene methods and plan to get the seasonal flu vaccine, they will have a strong shot to fitting the swine flu.

Upstate University Hospital pushing for new hospital section

The Upstate University Hospital is pushing for the plan of having a psychiatric unit for teens and children, according to Syracuse.com. This 12 bed area has been in the hospital's plans since 2005. The hospital has been unable to fufill this idea since the expansion of the hospital including the new children's hospital. The hospital does not want to send children to other cities like Buffalo to provide them with the proper treatment.

My Take: The hospital initially introduced this idea because of the shortages from other psychiatric sectors in the area. Over a hundred children are sent away each year because of the hospital's inability to treat these younger patients. An analysis by the Hospital Executive Council, Excellus and the county mental health department reported that 30 more beds were required in the area to sustain the proper psychiatric treatment.

Cost of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" items increases

PNC Wealth Management calculated their annual "Christmas Price Index" and the items in the carol have increase, but only a little according to Syracuse.com. The total price to receive all the gifts in the carol is now $87,403 which is less than a one percent increase from last year. This increase is the smallest increase since 2002. The most expensive item on the list was the seven swans with a total of $5,250.

My Take: The small increase can mean a good thing for many and that prices for many items across the market are remaining the same and not substantially increasing. One of the biggest increases from last year was the price of gold, which rose 43 percent from $150 to $500. The hyperlink provides additional information about the prices of all the items in the carol.