Wall Street giants Citigroup and Goldman Sachs issued H1N1 vaccine while America waits in line

November 5, 10:29 PMExtreme Weight Loss ExaminerMark Rubi

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Bailout money, bonuses, and now H1N1 vaccines

The Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal report that Wall Street giants Citigroup and Goldman Sachs have been issued the swine flu vaccine for their "at risk" employees despite the fact that there are massive shortages of the vaccine nationwide.

The rarity of the vaccine has made it a hot commodity, one in which movers, shakers, traders, and bailout recipients now have jumped to the front of the line when it comes to what President Obama declared to be a National Emergency in late October.

Reaction to the news has been swift, fierce, and angry. Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut was quoted as saying that  the "Vaccines should go to people who need them most, not people who happen to work on Wall Street." Others are angry that the firms recieved billions in bailouts in order to jumpstart the US economy and have instead chosen to invest much of the money into the stock market and reward their mismanagement masters with billions more in bonuses.

And if that was not bad enough, now the firms are getting preferential treatment when it comes to the vaccine that millions of at-risk citizens are being denied because of shortages across America. Congressman Frank Pallone of New Jersey was quoted as saying, "I am concerned that the distribution of the vaccine is resulting in favored treatment for the privileged."

The vaccine is government funded and is being distributed to the states. Critics believe that since the vaccine is public and not private, that the monied bigwigs on Wall Street should have to wait their turn like everyone else. Those at highest risk for hospitalization or even death from the H1N1 (swine) flu include pregnant women, obese individuals and children, in addition to those suffering from a variety of other chronic health conditions. The Centers for Disease Control has comprehensive information on the H1N1 virus.

CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden was quoted by the AP as being concerned that even the apprearance of unfair distribution of the vaccine could "undermine the credibility of the program." Morgan Stanley showed unique leadership by turning over their vaccines to local hospitals after being informed that they were getting their vaccines even before many of the hospitals, according to AP.

Those angered by the distribution to Wall Street giants are wondering who in the New York State government made the decision to put hospitals further down the list than bailout recipients.

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