NEWS > HEALTH > U.K. USING SWINE FLU TO CUT DOWN ON UNDESIRABLES

U.K. USING SWINE FLU TO CUT DOWN ON UNDESIRABLES

August 14 2009

London, U.K. – Still sweeping across the planet with an ever increasing mortality rate, the H1N1 influenza virus – Swine Flu – has taken on a new level of priority for many of the world’s governments. With more than 200,000 people infected in virtually
every country of the world the surge of the pandemic has many concerned that things are only just starting to get bad. With governments and hospitals preparing for the worst the biggest concern is how far the disease might spread. With every continent except Antarctica now touched by the disease, many are bracing for what might be on the way.

Some people, though, are making the best of the situation. Already a growth industry has sprouted up around the spread of the virus with designer masks and emergency preparedness kits being snatched up as soon as they can be produced. Governments too are jumping on the bandwagon and trying to make the best of a bad situation. Leading the way for that kind of embrace is the British government which has made clear that only certain people will be receiving the Swine Flu vaccine, marking the first time a modern government has used a natural disaster to help thin out the population of the unhealthy and otherwise unwanted.

“Because of the limitations and strains on the system as a result of this virus we have been forced to make some difficult decisions regarding who will and will not be receiving doses of vaccine. We want to make it clear that we have not come by this decision easily and we are doing it in a sort of double-blind manner so as to not make it appear as a personal decision,” said a spokesperson for the NHS. “We are by no means looking to inconvenience people and we do want them to understand that this is not a condemnation or a death sentence. It is simple numbers and doing what is best for society as a whole. We must still have a country after this crisis has ended and we must do whatever we can to ensure that what remains will be healthy and happy for the long term.”

Anyone over the age of 64 has been automatically deemed ineligible to receive the vaccine doses, which is estimated to number approximately 11 million treatments dispersed over a country of 61 million people. The NHS has also indicated that those living in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will also be excluded from the vaccination program regardless of their ages.

“Eventually we will have enough supply to accommodate everyone who is still requiring treatment but we have decided that certain groups need to be a priority. Unfortunately we are not able to force the manufacturers to produce the vaccine any faster than they already are,” continued the spokesperson. “Because of the simple practical realities of producing quality vaccine we will not have enough to inoculate the entire population by the time regular flu season begins. This may mean hardship for a few but we are acting in the best interest of the country as a whole.”

Other countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia have also implemented similar procedures. Africa, which has been hit lightly by the disease thus far, will be receiving substandard vaccines which are much more easily produced and will have no such restrictions.

“The harsh reality is that countries need to be aware of their future and who will be in it. An 80-year pensioner simply doesn’t have the earning potential of someone in their
twenties. They may be a grandparent but they don’t have children to raise and while their loss would certainly be upsetting to their families it wouldn’t be catastrophic as it would be amongst younger people,” said Scrape TV Health analyst Rebecca Phelps. “I don’t think there’s any underestimating how dire the threat would be to the country as a whole should significant numbers of young people become infected. They have been much more susceptible to infection and to death thus far and so are likely to be the most compromised without inoculation. That could potentially be disastrous for the future of any country.”

Police officials are reportedly bracing for an onslaught of feeble protests from retirees across the country.

Lauren Hebert, Health Correspondent

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