The Associated Press reports that Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says production of a swine flue vaccine is being set up and production could start as early as late summer and be ready in fall. Meanwhile, the government is working with governors and health and schools officials in case a major vaccination program is needed. The AP also noted: "Nearly 18,000 cases of swine flu have been reported across the United States, with 45 confirmed deaths" (6/15).
In a separate article, the Boston Globe reports on training for other emergency and public health scares through an examination of Boston's DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, which was set up in 2003 by the city's Emergency Medical Service and the Public Health Commission. The institute "has won praise from national antiterrorism specialists" with nearly 13,000 nurses, doctors, police officers, ambulance teams and other emergency personnel having received training there. The Globe reports that experts from countries targeted by recent mass-casualty terror attacks will meet at DelValle this week to connect with their local and national counterparts (Smith, 6/15).
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