# 4034
Perhaps as a result of most governments relying on, and reporting, only laboratory confirmed deaths from the H1N1 virus, many people now have an under-appreciation of the dangers from the pandemic flu.
As of November 12th, the UK’s DOH (Department of Health) reported:
Deaths - the number of deaths related to swine flu in England is 124 (This figure represents the number of deaths in individuals with swine flu but does not represent the number of deaths that can be attributed to swine flu).
For most Britons, the disclaimer attached to the above number carries little weight, because no attempt has been made to estimate the number of flu-related deaths.
A pandemic that has claimed only 124 lives in the UK over a six month time period isn’t, in the eyes of many people, much of a threat.
In the US, the CDC has estimated roughly 3,900 deaths through mid-October. Not a huge number, by any means, but it gives us a better idea of the true severity of this virus.
This report, on the low uptake of vaccine in the UK, from Reuters.
Doctors say most Britons reject swine flu vaccine
Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:10am EST
By Kate Kelland
LONDON (Reuters) - More than half of Britons being offered vaccination against pandemic H1N1 flu are turning it down because they fear side-effects or think the virus is too mild to bother, a survey of doctors showed on Wednesday.
Many of the 107 family doctors polled by Britain's Pulse magazine said there was widespread resistance from patients and on average only 46 percent of those offered the vaccination agree to have it.
Doctors reported particular difficulties in persuading pregnant women to be vaccinated against the virus, according to Pulse, a trade newspaper for doctors.
"In all the pregnant women we've offered it to, I think only about one in 20 has agreed," Dr Chris Udenze, a family doctor based in Nottingham, central England, said in the survey.
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