This is an important issue that Bush is trying to avoid. Please pass this on.
The article below makes the point clearly that Bush policies and
failure to act in the fact of repeated warnings are complicit in the
vaccine shortage. Tell your friends that
- Bush was warned multiple times about potential shortages and failed to act
- Bush was warned there was no system for distribution to the most
vulnerable in case of shortage and failed to act.
2) Bush was warned about contamination and failed to act (as Britain
did to acquire more sources)
3) Bush lied in the debate, blaming the British although Chiron is a
California company (You know, outsourcing)
4) Bush lied blaming litigation but the Republican lead Senate never
brought the bill up for a vote.
The CDC in January 2003 estimated that 36000 americans die from the
flu every year. (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030107.htm)
That is about 10 times the number that died in 9/11. That's with
sufficent vaccine supplies.
I guess Bush also didn't read the memo that said "Flu Determined to
Attack the United States"
Marc Sobel
msobel@marcsobel.com
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=100480
FLU VACCINE
Bush's Blame Game
The vaccine shortage this winter means tens of millions of Americans ... see extended
see article for links to sources
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/site/pp.asp?c=klLWJcP7H&b=100480
FLU VACCINE
Bush's Blame Game
The vaccine shortage this winter means tens of millions of Americans
will have to forgo a flu shot, including millions of those who need it
most - the elderly, small children and pregnant women. In Michigan,
for example, there are 3.4 million people considered a priority for a
flu shot, but only 2 million total doses available. It didn't have to
be this way. The Bush administration received warnings about the
vaccination supply problem and could have taken steps to avert or
diminish the problem. It didn't. Instead of taking responsibility for
the crisis that resulted, the Bush administration has tried to deflect
blame with a series of false, misleading and hypocritical statements.
(And, for good measure, it has blamed John Kerry).
BUSH WARNED ABOUT VACCINE SUPPLY PROBLEM IN 2001: In May 2001, the
General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report concluding "a
production delay or shortfall experienced by even one of the three
remaining manufacturers can significantly impact overall vaccine
availability." Specifically, the GAO expressed concern that, in the
event of a shortage, "there is no mechanism currently in place to
distribute flu vaccine to high-risk individuals before others." The
report recommended robust cooperation between the federal government
and the private sector to avoid future problems.
BUSH IGNORES THE PROBLEM 3+ YEARS: The GAO produced a follow-up report
in September 2004, more than three years later. That report found "the
number of producers remains limited, and the potential for
manufacturing problems...is still present." Again, the GAO noted
"there is no system in place to ensure that seniors and others at high
risk for complications receive flu vaccinations first when vaccine is
in short supply."
BUSH BLEW OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE ALTERNATIVE SUPPLIES: On Sept. 13,
Chiron Corp. informed officials from the United States and England
that there were unresolved contamination problems at its Liverpool,
England, plant. The British government responded by contacting other
manufacturers and securing alternative supplies. The Bush
administration failed to act before all doses of the flu vaccine had
been purchased.
BUSH ADMINISTRATION EXCUSE RINGS HOLLOW: FDA Acting Commissioner
Lester M. Crawford suggests the United States could not find new
supplies of the flu vaccine because they didn't know the Chiron plant
would be closed until Oct. 5, by which time there was no more vaccine
available. Crawford does not specifically deny, however, that the FDA
knew there were unresolved contamination issues at the plant starting
on Sept. 13.
BUSH WILL SAY ANYTHING TO AVOID RESPONSIBILITY: In an effort to avoid
any responsibility for the problem, Bush said in the debate last
Wednesday the United States had a flu vaccine shortage because "we
relied upon a company out of England." But Chiron Corp. is a
California company, subject to regulation by the U.S. government,
which operates a factory in England. Bush also took credit for
identifying the problem, saying "we took the right action and didn't
allow contaminated medicine into our country." But it was the British
government, not the Bush administration, that closed the factory and
prevented the contaminated vaccines from entering the United States.
The FDA inspected the plant in June 2003 and found contamination
problems - but later announced that the problems had been fixed to its
satisfaction.
HYPOCRITICAL RESPONSE - IMPORT VACCINES FROM CANADA: Asked about the
vaccine shortage during the debate, Bush said "we're working with
Canada to - hopefully they'll produce a - help us realize the vaccine
necessary to make sure our citizens have got flu vaccinations."
Apparently, Bush forgot that his administration has been working
doggedly to prevent the reimportation of cheaper Canadian drugs at the
behest of the pharmaceutical company, claiming they are unsafe. The
next day, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson got back
on message, saying "getting more vaccine from Canada is unlikely."
DESPERATE RESPONSE - BLAME KERRY: According to Bush campaign Chairman
Ken Mehlman, the administration bears no responsibility for the flu
vaccine shortage - it's all John Kerry's fault. According to Mehlman,
John Kerry is responsible because he opposed a 2003 bill that would
limit legal liability for drug manufacturers whose products injure
patients. The bill never even came up for a vote in the
Republican-controlled Senate.