Nationwide, States Prepare as H1N1 Spreads

By Diana Alvear, ABC News Chicago

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 20, 2009 at 10:53 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2009 at 10:59 AM CST

CHICAGO - In Florida, state health officials are planning for possible health care rationing in case the h1n1 flu overwhelms hospital facilities. It's just one of the difficult dilemmas the public is facing as the H1N1 virus spreads.

Joseph Claud and his sister were both vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. It was a difficult decision for their mother.

"I think that information seems to be changing all the time, so it's hard to
know what to believe? But we're just going with general recommendations
about getting the vaccine."

Getting the vaccine, however, depends on where you are. While some North Carolina school have been able to inoculate most of their students through the nasal mist form of the vaccine, clinics in other parts of the state are completely out of both forms.

On Monday, Georgia officials announced that they'll get half of the supply of the H1N1 vaccine that they were originally promised.

"Unfortunately we don't control the actual manufacturing of the actual
vaccine or its distribution," said Dr. Rhonda Medows, Georgia Health Department.

Some states, such as Florida, are attempting to control how it will care for patients in the event the flu epidemic overwhelms the health care system.

One proposal, to ration care, focusing on those with better chances of survival.

While controversial, some experts say there conversations should take place now, while there's time to debate.

"The discussions now, with doctors and with the general public, to weigh in
on these. These aren't medical decisions. They're societal, ethical
decisions. This is the time to have those discussions," said Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News Health/Medical Editor.

And the CDC is now asking health practitioners not to wait for test results in patients believed to have the H1N1 virus. They recommend treatment begin as soon as symptoms surface.

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