Swine flu vaccine shortages: the privileged versus those with conditions that require it

November 5, 6:17 PMInfectious Disease ExaminerRobert Herriman

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She should have priority!

Benjamin Earwicker

As reported on the “Today Show” and MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”, while pregnant woman and children wait in long lines for hours to receive if available the relatively scarce H1N1 influenza vaccine, we learn that this is not an issue for employees of Goldman Sachs and other Wall Street firms and the New York Fed.

Do you suppose the majority of employees at Goldman Sachs or Citigroup has asthma, chronic lung conditions or pregnant?

Back in July, I reported that the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had determined that the following people would have priority: pregnant women, health care workers, children ages 6 months or older, parent and other caregivers of infants, non-elderly adults with a high risk medical condition and young adults ages 19-24.

Why would a Wall Street firm be issued the same amount of vaccine as a large hospital? Why are these supplies not in the hands of physicians caring for high risk patients? Why do the Wall Street and government elite have better access than young children? To me there are so many questions.

The leadership at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have spoke incessantly concerning the dangers of this virus in certain categories of patients. Then why aren't they given priority as promised?

What’s your opinion?