The NYTimes is
reporting that Chiron can't promise to get its production of flu vaccines back in action next year, or, possibly even ever.
A spokeswoman said Chiron could not assure it would resume production next year "or ever." ...
Geoffrey C. Porges, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, said, "We don't have a small isolated problem to fix, but as I expected, the regulators have found a pretty exhaustive list" of manufacturing issues.
"The confident statements they were making two weeks ago about their ability to return to the market next year after their three-month suspension weren't conveyed in this call," Mr. Porges said.
Isn't it time to demand a plan from Team Chimpy about how they are going to address the flu vaccine crisis? And I mean with specifics. No more Tommy Thompson running around and saying well maybe we can get some more vaccines from France.
more below ...
And while we're at it, let's focus on the Bush administration's goal for
getting a few more vaccines from Canada. Whoa there. I thought Canadian drugs were unsafe, and that's why we can't let American consumers import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. So what is it Bush? We can only get drugs from Canada if it will make you look good two weeks before an election?
One more thing while we're on the subject. As Kerry mentioned, if we can't get flu vaccines to senior citizens and children even though we've known about the problem for years, how are we going to protect the public against bioterror? As this USA Today article mentions, imagine what kind of lines you'd have to stand in to get an Anthrax vaccination.
So you see, George, you haven't just allowed our health care system to break, but you've endangered our national security to boot. Instead of playing around with Saddam, shouldn't you have been fixing what's wrong here at home?
One last thing. My dad is 70 years old, has prostate cancer, and has had a minor heart attack. As of today, he has no idea whether he'll be able to get a flu shot. Do you think he'll be voting for you, George? I don't think so either.