Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Obama Declares Swine Flu A "National Emergency"
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2009
Modified Oct 24, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 24, 2009
Modified Oct 24, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
President Obama officially declared swine flu a national emergency. He signed a proclamation which, according to a White House announcement, "enhances the ability of our nation's medical treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by allowing, as needed, the waiver of certain standard federal requirements on a case-by-case basis."
Obama wrote in the proclamation, "As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic." However, the swine flu vaccine production has been delayed. The AP reports, "The government has backed off initial, optimistic estimates that as many as 120 million doses would be available by mid-October. As of Wednesday, only 11 million doses had been shipped to health departments, doctor's offices and other providers," according to the CDC. The government's current projections are to have "about 50 million doses of swine flu vaccine out by mid-November and 150 million in December."
Centers for Disease Control says that swine flu is "widespread" in 46 states and "accounts for 411 confirmed deaths since Aug. 30 and more than 8,200 hospitalizations." CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden—the former NYC health commissioner who was at the frontlines of dealing with the Big Apple's swine flu outbreak back in April— told reporters yesterday that "many millions" of American have already had swine flu, but since not everyone is tested to confirm it, there's no exact count. For information about getting the H1N1 vaccine—as well as the seasonal flu vaccine—go to flu.gov.
Tagged
h1n1
health
national emergency
president obama
swine flu
swine flu vaccine
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .