Nov 17, 2009 2:34 pm US/Eastern
Schumer: Feds To Crack Down On Phony Flu Products
ALBANY (CBS) ―
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Justin Sullivan /Getty Images
Sen. Charles Schumer says the federal government is notifying 10 companies in a crackdown on phony remedies to the swine flu now on the market.
The Federal Trade Commission action follows Schumer's request earlier this month to address what he calls gimmicks and fake cures. He says the products threaten efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible.
Schumer said Tuesday the FTC effort is a major crackdown on businesses that prey on fear of the H1N1 virus.
He didn't release the names of the companies and they aren't charged with crimes.
Turnout was up at swine flu vaccine clinics that New York City is holding at public schools around the city. A total of 7,784 people were vaccinated at seven schools on Saturday, November 14. That's compared to only 1,701 on Nov. 7, the first day of the weekend vaccination clinics.
City health officials set up the weekend clinics to vaccinate middle school and high school students. After turnout was light on the first weekend they expanded the pool to include pregnant women, people who care for infants and adults with underlying medical conditions.
The swine flu vaccine is being offered to elementary schoolchildren at school.
The weekend clinics continue until Dec. 13.
However, some New Jersey parents said they're having a problem finding the H1N1 vaccine for their children and themselves.
While little Anthony wasn't too happy about getting the vaccine, his mother was thrilled because every prior location she's been to has run out of the shot.
"Today, thank goodness I did get lucky. We were actually at the Rockaway One on Monday and it's open to any New Jersey resident. I was the 300th person in line and by the time we got to the front there were no more injectibles left," said Kerri Iapicca of Denville.
It's a complaint we've heard from many New Jersey parents who rushed to one Parsippany center that made 1,700 vaccines available for children between five months to 35 months.
"We've asked our pediatrician for the last month and they haven't had any so when we saw this we decided to definitely come by," said Neda Donlin.
"I will say this. What they did here today was excellent. It was really smooth," said Rob Greenfield of Rockaway.
Some said they wish the state had a plan to administer the vaccine during the school day when more kids could be reached. Others said they don't like having to travel to other counties for the shot.
"I think I would have felt more comfortable with the pediatrician actually administering it, just because I would have felt it was a little more backed by them," said Cherese Rambaldi, Morris County resident.
Manisha Shah's son was able to get the swine flu vaccine but she hasn't been able to find it for herself. "I've been trying. I just had a premature baby seven weeks early and they want all of us to get it before she comes home in two days and I don't know where to get the vaccine."
Local health officials said the state has pretty much left the job of administering vaccines up to them. "The distribution is a little slow right now. We lucked out today and got quite a few vaccines," said Wayne Croughn of the Parsippany Health Department.
Kids need more than a single dose, according to one nurse, and there's another problem. "Each child, there's a series of two, but the second is not available yet," she said.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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