Sep 30, 2009 4:22 pm US/Eastern
H1N1 Cases On The Rise As Flu Season Begins
A Teen Girl From Texas Among The First Victims
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Scientists work in a lab at Vitrology Biotech Company on April 30, 2009 in Clydebank, Scotland. The Scottish based company will be attempting to develop a vaccine for the H1N1 or 'Swine' Flu.
Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images
Even though flu season was just getting started as of Wednesday, the number of children who have died from the H1N1 virus was on the rise. Forty-nine children have died in the U.S. so far, reports
CBS station WBBM-TV.
Still, doctors here were recommending that parents take precautions; the two keys words to remember: get vaccinated.
A girl from Cisco, Texas was among the recent victims. Chloe Lindsey, 14, died Sunday. Her parents were on the CBS Early Show Wednesday morning.
"I wish I would've been more demanding in her treatment and even more of an advocate for her," said her mother, Tammy Osbourne. She said the doctor told her that her daughter would be okay. She said she believes that more aggressive treatment could have saved Chloe's life.
"We expect these numbers to continue to rise," said Dr. Stephen Martin, with the Cook County Department of Public Health in Chicago. "H1N1 flu is here. It's endemic throughout our population, just like the seasonal flu."
Martin said all parents need to be on alert; that means calling your doctor now to try to schedule an appointment to get your child vaccinated. Healthcare providers should start receiving the vaccine in about two weeks.
Was there any concern of a shortage?
"Right now the (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control has indicated we should have plenty of supply," Martin said. "But this is a worldwide effort and everyone is getting an allotment of vaccine."
Unfortunately, the vaccine couldn't come fast enough for Chloe Lindsey.
"I think it's important to let people know that even though we're all taught to trust our doctors…and I do trust our doctors…but nobody knows my child better than me, " said a tearful Osbourne.
Children between the ages of six months and 24 years will be among the groups given priority once the vaccine arrives.
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