Editorial

Waiting for shots

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Millions of Americans, considered prime candidates to receive H1N1 flu shots because of their age and risk factors, wonder when they will be able to get the vaccine. While some of the vaccine has been distributed around the country, the process hasn't been well-organized, resulting in shortages in some areas and surpluses in others.

The first H1N1 case in the U.S. was confirmed in March. The first U.S. death from the virus was in April, and in June the World Health Organization declared the first worldwide pandemic since the 1968 outbreak of Hong Kong flu. In October, President Obama declared a national emergency.

Knowing that this strain of the virus had the potential to be both widespread and deadly -- so far more than 7,000 deaths have been confirmed worldwide -- efforts to produce an H1N1 vaccine began in earnest while manufacturers of the vaccine also were turning out doses of the seasonal flu vaccine. With the peak of the flu season just around the corner, those seeking protection wonder if they will get their shots in time to do any good.

It has been said before and bears repeating: The government-directed effort to deal with this pandemic leaves much to be desired, and it raises doubts about the government's ability to provide universal health care.

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I still don't see why people are complaining so much.

Those manufacturers are actually in the private sector. So government is to blame for the failings for industry.

What has also slowed production down is the decision to go witht he mercury free single shot doses. Granted we could have alot more doseas availble by not going this route. Lot of good it would do though, since most of the people would refuse to use them.

-- Posted by lumbrgfktr on Thu, Nov 19, 2009, at 11:36 AM
Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch to say that because of manufacturing problems with the H1N1 vaccine that the government won't be able to handle universal health care coverage?

-- Posted by unsubscribe on Fri, Nov 20, 2009, at 5:59 PM
Who's decision was it to go with the mercury free shots? The manufacturers, or some gov't employee behind a computer screen somewhere? How do you know that "most people would refuse to use them?" The CDC says there is no problem with the mercury? http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/thimerosal/index.html

-- Posted by John in Jackson on Sun, Nov 22, 2009, at 2:22 PM
"Don't you think that's a bit of a stretch to say that because of manufacturing problems with the H1N1 vaccine that the government won't be able to handle universal health care coverage?"

Not when you will try to do whatever you can to scare people into not supporting it.

The same logic was used by the Bush administration after we got attacked. Don't you remember, he kept us safe for 7 years AFTER he failed to stop the attack.

These people will say and do whatever they can to support the lies that are spread by the fools they support.

How many conservatives question their Republican members of congress as to why they keep fighting this bill, BUT also take money from these drug and insurance companies, AND STILL refuse to offer an alternative plan that will work?

Because they have no ideas of their own. If they did, they would have implemented them during the many years they had control.

They were too worried about sending all of our money to other countries so we could promote "freedom" by dropping bombs and killing more Americans than we lost on september 11.

Welcome to America, the land of hypocrisy and brainless sheep.

-- Posted by the_eye on Fri, Nov 27, 2009, at 1:04 PM

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