ICU doc here. The money side is interesting too. Sorry to be a little blunt. Regular ole influenza typically kills the older and sicker; that's a cheap death b

ICU doc here. The money side is interesting too. Sorry to be a little blunt. Regular ole influenza typically kills the older and sicker; that's a cheap death because they die quickly. H1N1 hits people our age who are generally healthy and strong. I bet on a couple of cases I have spent over $500k saving the lives of an individual h1n1 patient. They probably spent half that again in rehab--if they live. Plus, think of all disability, lack of working, etc. Sure a bunch of things kill more people. But H1N1 really hits productive, young healthy people. This year's "flu vaccine" does have H1N1 protection. You wouldn't drive without a seatbelt. When H1N1 is around, the flu vaccine is another "seatbelt" you need.