October 16, 2004

US Government sends mixed messages about flu vaccine. President Bush wasn't properly briefed on the flu vaccines issue before the third debate, both getting the facts wrong and trying to take credit for something the US didn't do.

Reports indicate that the vaccines are not contaminated, and the company, which is standing behind its product, [PDF link] is hamstrung by nervous regulators. It's not a new issue. Now, Congress is asking more questions.

posted by ambrosia 20 years ago
  • lies lies lies depending on who you talk to anyone who wants a flu shot that Knows someone can get a flu shot. much like everything in the US, it depends on who you know. like health care, drugs, guns-- it's who you know and it's free for some
  • people forget that socialism exists in the US, we just don't call it socialism. socialist systems are rife with bribery. here, we call it a meritocracy, if money is merit. i call it nontotal totalitarianism with the green backs as the brown shirts. thing is, they don't all march together or care to keep the trains on time. they have cars.
  • This whole flu shot thing is a total scam. Every single year there is some reason why they "have a shortage." Cynics, such as myself, can only conclude that it is simply a scam to panic people into rushing to their doctor and buying the shots.
  • The only year I got the flu in the last 15 or more was the one in which I got a flu shot. It was kind of nice, since a couple of days in bed, a week or so later, with a temperature and a good book, was like a vacation.
  • Oh, and, you can get free flu shots in lots of places, including my local supermarket now, and my work place when I was still working (though I'm sure they're still doing that.) That means to me that someone has paid for them whether you take them or not, so I'm not sure why the conspiracy theory thing is working here. jccalhoun. If you really want a flu shot, I bet you could get a free one if you checked around.
  • or it's an easy way to kill off a large chunk of the pop. should something get "released" i know I don't have tb do you? way more worried about airborn tb than the flu or it's bob's way of saying you need to take a week or two away from your office.
  • flu shots are up to your community i'm betting the people who Work in DC have it more than the people who live there.
  • Blame Canada, blame Canada.
  • ethylene - I don't live in DC. I live in a really low rent agricultural area. And they don't ask who you are when they offer the shots, but they do know that the agricultural workers would not be paid for days off work, and that families would suffer. So maybe it's not all bad?
  • ethylene - I don't live in DC. I live in a really low rent agricultural area. And they don't ask who you are when they offer the shots, but they do know that the agricultural workers, and others, would not be paid for days off work, and that families would suffer. So maybe it's not all bad?
  • oops
  • path, i do too. i also know that i can get a flu shot if i want i also know anyone who wants one can get one because your local community insures it or not
  • who you know is up to who you want to know and what you want to know. i know a lot of people aren't going to get them and make everyone sick
  • When in doubt, wear a mask. Get arrested for attempted robbery. Land of the free poipled mounting majesty home of the (atchoo!) bravado.
  • The vaccine industry has become extremely dysfunctional. The government has failed both the industry and the public in it's role as regulator. Fear of frivolous or unrealistic lawsuits has given most major pharmaceuticals reason to leave vaccine production. At the same time the government has also failed to protect the public good from costly and dangerous epidemics by enforcing vaccine production by all major pharmaceuticals, much like the phone companies are required to offer service to all customers, regardless of location.
  • I find it IRONIC that the US won't approve citizen's getting pharmacuticals made IN the US from Canada, but are looking North for Flu vaccine from the same country. Foul Weather friends?
  • When in need a friend indeed... It's the American way.
  • Experts fear escape of 1918 flu from lab I hope the exposed monkeys get a monument.
  • dhartung made some great comments on the flu vaccine on MeFi.
  • 1918 flu? Wasn't that the last time the Red Sox won the World Series? Ruh roh.
  • Not like there hasn't been warning over the past two years about this. People can be really stupid at times. And it looks this is one of the times.