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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 12, 2003)
llllllb cate NATION THE BATTALION 9A Friday, December 12, 2003 Officials say more flu vaccines on the way By Angie Wagner and Daniel Yee THE ASSOCIATED PRESS I The number ot states hit hard by the flu has nearly doubled to 24 in the past week, the gov- - emment said Thursday as it rushed to ship iaa j oses 0 f vaccine to combat short- yg ages and head off what could become one of I 1 the worst flu seasons in years. The outbreak has taken an enormous toll nationwide: At least 23 children have died. Schools have shut down. Emergency rooms have been filled with sick children. And doctors’ offices have been forced to turn away droves of people seeking flu shots. Some experts predict this year’s death toll easily could surpass the annual average of 36,000 flu deaths. Health officials are unsure why the outbreak has hit so early, why it has caused so many problems in the West, and why it seems to be so lethal in children. “If it were me, I'd be on the phone to your doctor, calling around to see if you could find some” vaccine, said Dr. Randall Todd. Nevada’s epidemiologist. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the flu has hit all 50 states at least sporadically, and the season has not yet peaked nationally. Nearly the entire western lialf of the country — California being the edy• miowi ma j or exception — j s now considered to have widespread flu. Last week, 13 states 1 widespread outbreaks. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said the government had irranged for 100,000 doses of adult vaccine to x shipped from Aventis Pasteur immediately Nearly half of 50 states hit hard with flu Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that the flu is widespread in 24 states. Influenza activity ■I Widespread [, j Regional Local Sporadic jflheEnoloGi rop the first ir Hie bomber Air and She ties, Vo. urge spacer.- n to I»<a ten kept ati ge fac at Dul SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention AP and distributed based on each state’s popula tion. In addition, 150,000 doses of children’s vaccine are expected to be shipped to the states by January, Thompson said. The nation’s two producers of flu shots reported last week that they had shipped their entire supply of about 80 million doses. However, Aventis had set aside 250,000 doses at the CDC’s request last week when it became clear that shortages might develop. Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the CDC, said the center is recommending that doctors give high-risk groups top priority for flu shots. That means the elderly, chil dren under 2, those with chronic medical conditions, and women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. “The flu season is far from over, we are going to have to prioritize,” Gerberding said. Around the country, several schools closed because so many students are out with the flu. In Colchester, Conn., the public Bacon Academy closed Thursday after more than 300 students — more than one-third of the student body — called out sick with flu-like symp toms. Madison Junior High in Mansfield, Ohio, also closed for the rest of the week after 250 of 900 students were out sick Wednesday, principal Timothy Rupert said. “We’ve never closed down for flu,” said Rupert, who has worked at the school about 60 miles north of Columbus for 23 years. One of the hardest hit communities was Malad, Idaho, a town of about 2,000 people near the Utah state line that virtually shut down in the'past week because so many people were ill. Church services and Christmas programs were canceled, as was the wrestling match and drill team show. Even Santa had to postpone his visit with the children. Students in Malad returned to class on Thursday, but 15 percent of the 860 students were still out sick. “It’s the worst I’ve seen in many years,” said School Superintendent Lynn Schow. “We think we’re OK here, and it hit us hard.” In Las Vegas, residents had to wait hours to get flu shots. “We are out of the vaccine at this point,” said Jennifer Sizemore, spokeswoman for the Clark County Health District. “We are working hard to get some more because there’s still a demand out there.” jOiscxwejBfesearcli You may qualify for a clinical research study you have any of the following conditions: SINUS INFECTION? • Males and Females 18 years of age or older r • Have a frequent cough, facial pain, pressure and/or tightness • Up to $400 paid for time and travel. SORE THROAT? • Males and females between the ages of 2 and 12 • Have a sore throat/scratchy throat, pain or swelling • Reimbursement for time and travel. if <2l oK Q, O, c's. £ & ,c<^' ,or* cP A? & Medical assessments, study-related diagnostic tests, and investigational medication are provided to qualified participants at no charge. (979) 779-3303 or 888-438-9586 toll free .... — , M : NEWS IN BRIEF Udvar-ftoj fortune ini d $60 rail 5 estimated At the tin yer individ feet allowp its. glite* r typic; ors can in Dulles iich has co ntrol tows inished. :- 5 restored > ace •chives sia? Interest group ads cannot name presidential candidates in coming weeks WASHINGTON (AP) — Abortion rights, environmental and other obbying groups running ads for or against President Bush or any ot lis Democratic rivals now have a choice to make: Either remove the andidate’s name or pull the commercial from the airwaves. The campaign finance law that the Supreme Court upheld Wednesday bans ads that mention candidates for federal office 30 days of a primary election and 60 days of a general slection if they are paid for with “soft money.” The huge, unlimited donations from corporations, unions and ndividuals typically are used to broadcast so-called “issue ads,” which critics say are really intended to sway voters just before an election and often include sharp critiques of candidates. The restrictions kick in Sunday, 30 days before the District of Columbia’s nonbinding presidential primary. They next take effect Dec. 20 in Iowa, which holds its caucuses Jan. 19, and Dec. 28 tisfy"IW oblemsfi- erge iis lies f countries-' ar. The ^ nents jtofthe" gesting navoff ^, If I in New Hampshire, where the primary is Jan. 27. They also apply to House and Senate races. The limits do not apply to the candidates themselves, which means that anyone running for president or another federal office could name a rival in a spot airing within days of an election. U.S.-backed proposal to end nuclear crisis delivered to North Korea SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea tried to bolster hopes for a breakthrough in the North Korean nuclear crisis on Thursday, as China confirmed delivery of a pivotal U.S.-backed plan for easing tensions to North Korea. The United States, Japan and South Korea presented a blue print for ending the standoff to China, which is playing the role of mediator, earlier this week but a report Wednesday said Beijing found the plan unacceptable and never bothered relaying it. On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said the proposal was delivered to Pyongyang. WONDERING WHERE TO GO to SELL YOUR BOOKS? loupot’s \ BOOKSTORES GET 10% MORE ON BOOK RETURNS AT BUYBACK NORTHGATE . SOUTHGATE . WOLF PEN RESERVE ONLINE NOW! THF RATTAT TOM 1 niL D/i. 1 1/lJLlUIi Staff Application If you can write, edit, design pages, draw, use a camera... Texas A&M's award-winning newspaper is looking for you. •gain valuable experience • earn extra cash • make friends in a professional newsroom environment Name: Phone number: Cellphone or pager: E-mail: Major: Classification: Credit hours you will take in the spring Expected graduation (semester): How many hours per week would you be available for work at The Battalion? ALL APPLICANTS: Please type your responses on a separate piece of paper, and attach a resume and samples of your work (stories you have written for publications or classes, pages you have designed, photos taken, drawings made or other creative samples—just show us what you can do). Section Editor Applicants 1) What are your goals for managing your staff? 2) What do you believe is the role of the section for which you are applying? 3) What changes would you make to improve The Battalion! Pay particular attention to the position for which you’re applying. Staff Applicants 1) Why do you want to work at The Battalion, and what do you hope to accomplish? 2) What experience do you have that relates to the position for which you are applying? (include classes, seminars, etc.) 3) What changes do you feel would improve the quality of The Battalion! Give special attention to the section for which you’re applying. OPENINGS INCLUDE: Please check the position(s) for which you are inter ested. If you are interested in more than one position, number them in order of preference with “1" being your top choice. _ Managing Editor Section Editors News Aggie Life Opinion ScijTech Sports Copy Chief Graphics Photo Radio Producer Web Editor Staff Desk Assistant News Reporter ScijTech Writer __ Feature/Entertainment Writer Sports Writer Radio Reporter Web Reporter Opinion Columnist Copy Editor Page Designer Photographer Graphic Artist __ Cartoonist DEADLINE: 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11,for editor positions and Monday, Dec. 15, for staff positions. Turn in applications at 014 (basement) Reed McDonald Bldg. Interviews will begin immediately after application deadline. TatalaU O'vtg from Douglass Nissan You’ve earned your degree! 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