Went to the Ohrenberger School in West Roxbury today for my swine-flu shot (yep, I'm in one of the risk groups). Based on what I'd read about some other flu clinics, I was braced for a long wait.

But no. There were a gazillion Boston Public Health Commission workers and EMTs there and lots of arrow signs and staunchions and stuff, and even with all the stops along the way to pick up brochures and fill out paperwork and hand in paperwork, I don't think I was there for more than ten minutes.

A week after reporting flu-related emergency-room visits might have plateaued, WBUR today reports that flu cases have reached record levels in Massachusetts.

The Boston Public Health Commission reports a 65-year-old man with "multiple underlying health conditions" died of H1N1 on Oct. 31. Test results confirming H1N1 infection came back yesterday, the commission says.

He is Boston's fifth H1N1 death, the commission says. The others died during the spring outbreak.

WBUR reports that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is seeing an increase in prescriptions for antibiotics to treat flu symptoms, which the insurer calls "a little concerning" since antibiotics don't work against the flu.

A couple of clinics on Saturday and Monday. My Dorchester has the details. Because of vaccine shortages, only people in high-risk groups (which the site lists) will get shots.

Dr. Gwenn tries to dampen rising hysteria over swine-flu shots:

... Sometimes as parents we have to stop over thinking a situation and do what we have to in order to keep our children safe. I believe this is one of those situations. Instead of questioning data and acting out of fear, we need to start trusting the doctors and scientists working hard to keep our communities safe. After all, they have families and children, too.

By moving students with flu-like symptoms into quarantine rooms and wearing masks. Oh, wait, you thought I was going to write about, oh, never mind.

Earlier:
BU sets up quarantine rooms for students with the flu.

Likely flu outbreak at MIT.

The Boston Public Health Commission is going all out to warn/inform people about the flu.

The commission's just set up an e-mail/text alert system to keep you up to the minute on the spread of flu across the city. You'll have to choose which group you belong to (from "businesses" to "residents").

The commission also has a set of downloadable posters that are just the thing for taping to lunchroom/bathroom walls about how to reduce flu transmission (such as sneezing into your sleeve instead of onto co-workers).