The government quadruples the death count, Overnight!

Swine Flu Death Count Surges

Here's a way to drive demand for swine flu vaccine: The government quadruples the death count.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised its estimate of Americans who died from swine flu to 4,000 from 1,000. The number includes people who died of complications related to the virus.

These government estimates can be tricky. We knew something was up last month when government researchers suggested their own official estimates for the first wave of swine flu in the spring were a little light.

Meanwhile, vaccine makers are working to get more doses in the hands of U.S. health officials, who badly missed targets for getting the shots distributed. Recent polls show only 5 percent of adults say they've received the vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline Plc this week joined four other drugmakers who are approved to sell vaccine in the U.S.

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