Written by Dr. Jum Funk, ND, MPH
Fear leads to confusion and hasty health decisions. In May 2009, the WHO changed the definition of “pandemic”, making it easier for the 2009 H1N1 flu to be more comparable to the 1918 flu pandemic. The word pandemic frightens many, and so preparedness plans shifted into high gear, which meant recommendations were given to vaccinate the young, old, and nearly everyone under the sun. Was the definition change coincidental, or did it ride the coattails of the swine flu for financial reasons?
