Truth about Flu shot?

Is it true the reason that we don't have enough flu shots is due to the fact that Hillary helped pass an act that would have the said medication distributed by the government and not private orginizations?

- Arkans

[Blazing247]

I'm not sure about any legislation, but I know that I read an article that stated this year the entirity of Flu shots will be made and sold by exactly one company. Evidently, it is VERY unprofitable to make the flu vaccine as it needs to be redesigned every year. There were 30 some odd producers of the vaccine originally, down to only one now. I'd say that's a problem.

[Caiylania]

That sucks. I've had the flu really bad before and shortage of help is never a good thing. Prevention I guess isn't top of the list anymore?

[Ilvane]

I love this country. Bush screws up, and you blame it on Hillary..:lol: Hello, he is the President!!! :unclesam:

Now yesterday Tommy Thompson comes out and says the flu shortage is "not a health crisis."

-A

[xtc]

A British company called Chiron which manufactures the vaccine had there license suspended after it was found that millions of doses of the vaccine were infected with bacteria.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20041019.wxhflu19/BNStory/Front

Secondly there is some discussion about the US Government buying 20 million doses to keep a cushion so you don't run out, however some democrats see this a subsidy to the drug companies. I imagine that Hillary would be one of them.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/1004/19vaccine.html

[Edited on 10-19-2004 by xtc]

I'm not sure it would be Bush's fault if Hillary wanted the government to be the only one that distributes flu vaccines.

- Arkans

[xtc]

Here is Hillary's rant on the matter she is blaming Bush big surprise. She says her steps would have prevented a shortage of the vaccine. When Chiron's license was suspended I don't see how this is possible.

She wanted to buy excess supply of the vaccine from other countries. USA is short 48 million doses and this year Canadians are expected to have a higher turn out for the vaccine because of the shortage. The Canadian Government is thinking about banning export of the vaccine to ensure there is enough for Canada. Canada was one of the place Hillary stated she could get excess supply from. Hillary never one to miss a photo op.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--clinton-fluvaccin1018oct18,0,2966627.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire

[xtc]

Arkans here is some more info on the flu vaccine and why certain proposals made by the democrats i.e. stockpiling wouldn't work. It is an interview with Dr Faucci of the NIH.

http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=2444251

[TheRoseLady]

Originally posted by Blazing247
I'm not sure about any legislation, but I know that I read an article that stated this year the entirity of Flu shots will be made and sold by exactly one company. Evidently, it is VERY unprofitable to make the flu vaccine as it needs to be redesigned every year. There were 30 some odd producers of the vaccine originally, down to only one now. I'd say that's a problem.

Yep, I would have to agree. Althought I think that there are two supplies, Chiron and Aventis. I read that the administration was warned in September about a shortage and they failed to react, while the British government went out and secured the remaining extra doses.

This is true to Bush's plan for healthcare, just pray you don't get sick.

As a footnote, XTC your right wing rhetoric has surpassed PB, and trust me it takes a lot to assume that crown.

Thanks for the links, xtc, I'm all about learning more about this cluster fuck that we are somehow in.

- Arkans

[xtc]

Originally posted by TheRoseLady

Originally posted by Blazing247
I'm not sure about any legislation, but I know that I read an article that stated this year the entirity of Flu shots will be made and sold by exactly one company. Evidently, it is VERY unprofitable to make the flu vaccine as it needs to be redesigned every year. There were 30 some odd producers of the vaccine originally, down to only one now. I'd say that's a problem.

Yep, I would have to agree. Althought I think that there are two supplies, Chiron and Aventis. I read that the administration was warned in September about a shortage and they failed to react, while the British government went out and secured the remaining extra doses.

This is true to Bush's plan for healthcare, just pray you don't get sick.

As a footnote, XTC your right wing rhetoric has surpassed PB, and trust me it takes a lot to assume that crown.

I am right on some issues left on others. It seems to me some politicians are playing politics with the Flu vaccine and the facts presented by the NIH don't square with the politics.

Only on October 5 was Chiron’s license to produce the vaccine pulled. The dem plan would have the Government in the flu vaccine business and the Government commited to buying the excess. First off aren’t these vaccines exclusive to the companies that produce them i.e. licenses and secondly does the American Government really want to get into manufacturing drugs for the flu? It is the flu not Cancer.

I think you can’t lay this one at Bushes doorstep

You will also notice from The Globe and Mail article that many Pharma companies have gotten out of the flu vaccine because of the litany of law suits. Do we really want to open up the US Gov't to such massive legal and financial liability?

Additionally the article also states that the process of Mfg the vaccine is complex and time consuming. 8 mos. so if even they started making the vaccine in August it wouldn't have been ready until March 2005. The NIH says you can't stockpile the vaccine because it changes every year depending on the flu strain.

I simply examined the facts and came to a conclusion. Is that right wing rhetoric? When I was calling Bush a dumb fuck for invading Iraq you didn't accuse me of left wing rhetoric.

The shit about being an Independent everyone hates you. Looks like it is only Nader again for Christmas this year.

[Edited on 10-19-2004 by xtc]

[Ilvane]

When Tommy Thompson, who is the Secretary of Health and Human Services can't even admit that there is a crisis in the country regarding flu vaccine, something has to be laid at the feet of the Bush administration.

I guess most conservatives believe that what Bush said is true, if you are healthy, just don't get the flu shot. Let the sick get it, and the young people can get sick and deal with the consequences of the flu. Great plan George!!

-A

[xtc]

The young, the sick and the old are the most vunerable to the more severe aspects of the flu. For most people the flu entails a fever and a few sniffles. It has been offered for free in Ontario and I have never taken it. So far I am still alive.

A side note many people up here won't take the vaccine. The Gov't made it mandatory for health care workers in Ontario to take it and they revolted. Seems many healthcare workers don't trust the vaccine. Some people have been paralized from it.

"For example, in 1976, the swine influenza (flu) vaccine was associated with a severe paralytic illness called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). According to the CDC's vaccine information sheet on the influenza vaccine, "if there is a risk of GBS from current influenza vaccines, it is estimated at 1 or 2 cases per million persons vaccinated"

http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2001/401_vacc.html

[TheRoseLady]

Originally posted by xtc

I simply examined the facts and came to a conclusion. Is that right wing rhetoric? When I was calling Bush a dumb fuck for invading Iraq you didn't accuse me of left wing rhetoric.



I'm going to do something that our President is unable to do, and that is say that I was wrong.

[xtc]

Originally posted by TheRoseLady

Originally posted by xtc

I simply examined the facts and came to a conclusion. Is that right wing rhetoric? When I was calling Bush a dumb fuck for invading Iraq you didn't accuse me of left wing rhetoric.



I'm going to do something that our President is unable to do, and that is say that I was wrong.


Thank you TRL but no job with the this administration for you....lol

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Ilvane
I guess most conservatives believe that what Bush said is true, if you are healthy, just don't get the flu shot. Let the sick get it, and the young people can get sick and deal with the consequences of the flu. Great plan George!! It would have been much better had he just said "Hope Is On The Way!!", right?

[Betheny]

The reason for the flu vaccine shortage is because the Brits fucked up.

And, because there are very few facilities within the US that are actually FDA-cleared to produce such vaccine.

[The Korean]

I don't know what it is in the civilian sector, but in the military, you have to fit a bunch of criteria to get the vaccine now, I found out today.

less than 24 months old
older than 48 years old

AND

have chronic asthma with a bunch of other bad respiratory thingies
immunodeficiency
and several other things I can't remember from my gov't email.

[imported_Kranar]

I really hope the U.S. doesn't get their flu shots from here in Canada.

We're already running close to a shortage of drugs because American's are buying over 4.7 billion dollars worth of pharmaceuticals a year from here.

Although I'm glad I got my flu shot 7 years ago.

[Ilvane]

Originally posted by LatrinsormIt would have been much better had he just said "Hope Is On The Way!!", right?

A president with half a brain might be able to convince others to help out. But ours, he prefers going alone.

Hopefully, hope is on the way.

-A

[Jack]

Originally posted by Ilvane

A president with half a brain might be able to convince others to help out. But ours, he prefers going alone.

Hopefully, hope is on the way.

-A

What the fuck are you talking about? The reason for the shortage is not because of anything George W. Bush has done, or hasn't done. The facility that was supposed to produce the vaccine was shut down. Now there isn't enough to go around. Did George W. Bush go and contaminate the facility producing the vaccine? Do you think that John Kerry, were he president right now would somehow miracle up enough vaccine from his ass to take care of everyone?

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Ilvane
A president with half a brain might be able to convince others to help out. But ours, he prefers going alone.This sentiment is the same reason I find Kerry's Iraq plan so distasteful. One walks up to a foreign government and says "You know, I don't want folks from my country to die. A bunch of folks from yours should instead. Good deal, right?" :no:

[Bobmuhthol]

I liked the flu. Lots of sleep, no desire to do anything that involves moving or eating, and lots of time off.

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Bobmuhthol
I liked the flu. Lots of sleep, no desire to do anything that involves moving or eating, and lots of time off. Ah, to be 14 again. :(

[Ivex]

Flu shots. Feh. I'll never take a flu shot unless it becomes deadly to anyone, not just children and geriatrics. And if I do die from it as an old man, so be it.

Flu shots. lolz.

[Back]

I think what I find most hypocritical about this is that importing prescription drugs from Canada is illegal, but now that there is a scare, even the top 2% need their vaccine and will get it anywhere they can. All of a sudden, when it’s everyone’s life on the line, its OK.

Importing drugs from Canada is illegal because they are cheaper and American petro-chemical companies lose money. Don’t even try and give me any bullshit about Federal approval of said drugs. Canadians are doing just fine. The petro-chemical industry here doesn’t want to have to lower their profits. Even though it would help hundreds of thousands of people live comfortably or extend their lives, they still need their profit margins.

[imported_Kranar]

<< I'll never take a flu shot unless it becomes deadly to anyone, not just children and geriatrics. And if I do die from it as an old man, so be it. >>

I don't get it, what's wrong with being immune to the flu?

Heck, if it were possible, I'd take a cold shot, a headache shot, a fever shot, whatever the heck shot I could.

Isn't being immune a good thing?

[Tsa`ah]

I think too many people recognize influenza vaccinations as a remedy and not a potential source of the flu season.

I tend to subscribe to my cousin's conspiracy theory about flu shots being the cause of each flue season.

When a person receives a flu shot, they are in fact receiving a designer strain of the virus. While it is weak and the body is able to combat the infection quickly and efficiently, the person is still contagious from 1 day prior to any exhibited symptom up to 7 days after, children even longer.

The issue really isn't the passing of the weaker strain; it's the passing of variants, mutations. These are likely the culprits of the season and the reason most people catch more than one "round" of the flu.

While the premise for the wide spread infection has been chalked up to closed quarters during the winter season, this does not explain wide spread infection in the more temperate south, south west/east.