Flu Shots Public vs Private....

[troutonafly]

We have been working with the health dept for the last 3 weeks trying to get flu shots for our employees. A very nice gesture by the company I work for. Delivery has been "delayed" now twice. Still no flu shots, maybe next week. The reason stated is that other counties have had a greater need and they have been forced to give there doses to other health depts. Isn't that called rationing? Welcome to the future of health care in America should obamacare become reality. Sickening, literally.

Oddly enough I could have gone across the street to the greedy capitalist pigs at Walgreens and got one on the spot, for the same price.

[Mikespov]

I have to disagree with you on this Neil. Rationing may seem like a good idea as long as it applies to someone else. Personally, I can see having a totally different opinion if it applied to someone I love. That's just part of what makes this entire health care issue so complex.

[Elliot]

We seem to... perhaps, react emotionally sometimes, but as the saying goes...knowledge/education is power. As with everything... I would encourage you to consider identifying the motivating force behind the messages you hear. Think about who's gaining what from their recommendations and comments.
I was forwarded an interview and holistic approach link which raises some interesting points pertaining to the above discussion and the H1N1 vaccine. Some points, such as: 60yr + folks/those born before 1950/exposed to Spanish Flu/have antibodies/are protected and therefore not falling to H1N1...problems rising NOT from this flu strain-but by the secondary bacterial infections/co-existing infection, and the discussion that vaccines only provide temporary protection, as opposed to the robust antibody protection a person develops after being exposed. All vaccines are not created equal: some may protect your long term well-being...(polio...).
So not being a fan of panic and disorder I would encourage those interested to research themselves, find unbiased, evidence-based sources to educate yourself and family. Rather than panic and mayhem - read up on your concerns.

[Jeff Lange]

Here's a NYT headline:

"Scene by disheartening scene, the spectacle of a severe shortage of flu vaccine is unfolding around the country.
Last week, elderly and chronically ill people waited in line for hours to get flu shots; some were turned away. Price gougers demanded $800 for $60 vials of vaccine. States threatened to fine or jail doctors and nurses who gave shots to anyone not in the high-risk groups. Congress, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission began investigations into how the nation has been left, on the brink of flu season, with half the flu vaccine it needs."

Pretty serious, huh? Sickening, you say? This would seem to support your claim, except this story was from 2004. And the main reason for that shortage, as this season's, is that Chiron, the Liverpool-based vaccine supplier, somehow contaminated half its supply. Further hampering this season's efforts is that, because of the H1N1 scare, many more Americans than usual got vaccinated, even those not in a high-risk catagory, causing suppliers to run out early. However, if it makes you feel better, go ahead and blame Obama, but I don't think it's very nice to call the people at Walgreen's "pigs".

[Neil]

Personnally, I'm ready for the rationing of health care. Does it make any sense to spend $1 million keeping your 90-year-old grandmother alive for the last 3 months of her life? Or should that money be spent on mammograms for 10,000 30-year-old? Why spend millions keeping a brain-damaged premature infant alive when other children who face a real chance in life can't get corrective braces?

Incidentally, there were flu shot shortages under the Bush administration. Has nothing to do with Obama, the Democrats or the Republicans.

[Neil]

That's the Republican way