Some Congressmen get flu shot despite shortage.

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Congress has no lines, no charge for flu vaccine

Charles Babington and David Brown, Washington Post

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While many Americans search in vain for flu shots, members and employees of Congress are able to obtain them quickly and at no charge from the U.S. Capitol's attending physician, who has urged all 535 senators and representatives to get the vaccines even if they are young and healthy.

The physician's office has dispensed nearly 2,000 shots and doses remained available Tuesday. That's a steep drop from last year's 9,000 shots, said a spokesman for attending physician John Eisold, because many congressional employees have voluntarily abided by federal guidelines that call for this season's limited supply to go mainly to the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, long-term care patients and people with chronic illnesses.

But people of all ages who work in the Capitol can get a shot by saying they meet the guidelines, with no further questions asked, said the spokesman, who cited office policy in demanding anonymity.

"We leave it up to people to read the guidelines" issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and then to state whether they want the shot, the spokesman said. "We don't ask. We trust people. ... Most of the people have been very good." The policy covers legislative staffers, police, construction workers, restaurant employees, journalists and others.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., a heart surgeon, sent letters urging his 99 colleagues to get the shots because they mingle and shake hands with so many people, said his spokeswoman Amy Call. She said she did not know how many senators took his advice.

Tommy Thompson, secretary of Health and Human Services, reiterated the Bush administration's guidelines at a news conference Tuesday. "What we are telling people is if you are not in a priority category, do not get the shot," he said.

The target populations for flu vaccination, as described by CDC guidelines, include people over age 65, children 6 months to 23 months, people age 2 to 64 with chronic illnesses, medical workers involved directly in patient care, and several smaller "risk groups."

The Capitol's attending physician's office began dispensing the vaccine as soon as it arrived on Sept. 30, the spokesman said. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Mich., who is 50, said he got a flu shot as soon as it was available, "before I knew there was a problem."

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., 62, said, "I haven't done it yet, but I want to. We're not in the priority category" set by the CDC. "But I think the [Capitol's] doctor makes a good case. We can pick it up and spread it" through interactions with constituents.

The White House medical unit is giving flu shots only to staff "meeting the CDC guidelines," a spokesman said.

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you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Frenchy68 0]

Great, their immune system will be weak enough that when the Spaniards release another one of their fun infuenza thang they'll drop like a card castle...

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[quade 4]

Meanwhile . . .

http://www.nbc17.com/news/3831341/detail.html

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ltdiver 3]

Word of caution on taking the flu vaccine.

In our Rehabilitation Hospital, I've personally treated formerly very healthy people who got last year's flu shot while having a minor respiratory ailment like the simple cold going on.

3 came down with Guillian Barre and 2 with Transverse Myelitis.

And -that- was only last year in a small community.

The flu vaccine did not give them the disease, however it reacted with the respiratory virus and mutated it into attacking the person's body.

Please be careful out there! These diseases can be very fatal, and if not are very disabling. Be completely healthy before receiving this vaccine.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[PhillyKev 0]

We had a long thread about the flu vaccine where I was somewhat berrated for saying I don't trust injecting vaccines for something that isn't all that dangerous to me. People were saying "it's just the dead virus, it can't hurt you".

Your examples are evidence otherwise. Not to mention that an entire facilities stock were contaminated. Who knows how often there's contaminated vaccines that aren't caught?

Thank you, I'll pass.

[pajarito 0]

When I was in the Army, my team medic used to give us a syringe containing the flu vaccination for that year. He’d stick us if we wanted him to. However, I and others on my team used to walk out back with it and squirt it onto the ground. We’d then hand it back to our team medic and he’d record that the vile had been used. I think this whole topic of debate is being blown way out of proportion due to the election year.

[flyangel2 2]

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I think this whole topic of debate is being blown way out of proportion due to the election year.

I'm going to agree with you. I thought I heard that more flu vaccination supplies were going to be made by some other company and shipped out. I also heard that if people want to get a flu shot, they had till December to get the shot and it would still work.

I have never got a vaccination, even though my doctor request that I get one because of some of my health issues, and I've been fine for years with out the vaccination

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

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I have never got a vaccination, even though my doctor request that I get one because of some of my health issues, and I've been fine for years with out the vaccination

Some people, like myself, are usually under Dr orders to get the shot due to my weak immune system. Last year was the first time I didn't get it in years and I got sick seven times last season The problem with me is that any cold can turn into Pnuemonia for me, I'm prone to it - have had it 13 times.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[FinlanderSisu 0]

Hmm every year we are going to have "the worst flu season in recent history" and every year we have a "shortage" hmm supply/demand maybe. Oh yeah forgot recently we now have the "flu-mist" at 4 times the cost but we gots plenty of it. Bait/Switch? Ill stick with Echinacea, vitamin C and Andrographis anyday

[flyangel2 2]

Bo, you know what my Immune system is like, and I don't do the shots. I tend to stick to a good diet, lots of rest, and take my vitamins.

I know that each person is different, but I just can't see putting that poison into my body. It may make me sicker then getting the flu. And knock on wood, I've yet to get the flu or catch a bad cold in years.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[ltdiver 3]

Made the 2nd diagnosis a clicky. Guess I didn't Mark-up it correctly the first time.

Quote

3 came down with Guillian Barre and 2 with Transverse Myelitis.

ltdiver

Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon

[Jimbo 0]

And our hero is at it again:

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6562017

Cheney's case for the flu shot is legitimate. Kerry is an ass.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Then Cheney should have stood in line with the rest of the high risk people that were trying to get them as well. Why did Snow get one?

For some reason, the shot was given to the Chicago Bears and others in the NFL this week. What an amazing system we have - those that have the money or make a lot of money can get it, but those that are high risk need to stand in line for over two hours.

Also, it was on the news here this morning that the flu shot is being given to prisoners. However, some have decided not to get the shot so it may be used to help a kid or a senior. Interesting to hear our prisoners have a bigger heart than those on the Hill.

Even if the shot may do damage as Lori pointed out...this is a good way to show how backwards our society is.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

And our hero is at it again:

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6562017

Cheney's case for the flu shot is legitimate. Kerry is an ass.

-
Jim

Ummm, yeah, well there is the 35 million people who are at risk that won't be able to get it.

"About 90 million people in the US are considered high-risk and with only 55 million doses of injectable vaccine available from Aventis Pasteur this flu season, many high-risk people will be left unprotected."

http://www.healthtalk.ca/flu_shot_shortage_10102004_3773.php

[Jimbo 0]

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Then Cheney should have stood in line with the rest of the high risk people that were trying to get them as well.

Prove to me that he didn't.

Either way, those who stand in line are going to public clinics, I believe - maybe not clinics, but mass public immunizations. What's the problem if his PCP has the flu shot? Mine has, in years past.

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Why did Snow get one?

Probably because he's old? But that's not the point of this particular discussion - it's about Kerry calling out Cheney for getting a flu shot when Cheney is absolutely qualified to receive it.

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For some reason, the shot was given to the Chicago Bears and others in the NFL this week. What an amazing system we have - those that have the money or make a lot of money can get it, but those that are high risk need to stand in line for over two hours.

Well, if the Chicago Bears -PAY- for their flu shot then there's more money to make more, I suppose. As far as people having to stand in line for a WHOLE TWO HOURS - get real.

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Also, it was on the news here this morning that the flu shot is being given to prisoners. However, some have decided not to get the shot so it may be used to help a kid or a senior. Interesting to hear our prisoners have a bigger heart than those on the Hill.

Giving the flu shot in prisons might be a good idea. Having the flu run rampant through a prison, a place where you've got hundreds, and even thousands of people living in close quarters, with some in better health than others seems like a good idea to me. The costs alone of treating an entire prison of ill inmates would like be high. Now, talking about hearts - do prisoners deserve less health care than we do?

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Even if the shot may do damage as Lori pointed out...this is a good way to show how backwards our society is.

I disagree. I do think, however, that your post is a good example of your desparation to find flaw, conspiracy, and general wrongdoings when in fact there none.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Jimbo 0]

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Ummm, yeah, well there is the 35 million people who are at risk that won't be able to get it.

And that's a shame, but those 35 million people don't negate the fact that Cheney is a genuine candidate for the flu shot. Right?

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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Cheney is a genuine candidate for the flu shot

Based on his recent health issues, yes I would say that Cheney is a candidate for the flu shots. And if the Kerry camp is complaining about this, then something is wrong (with them).

I still hope GWB loses the election though.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

And if the Kerry camp is complaining about this, then something is wrong (with them).

Well, they didn't.

"The Kerry campaign accused the Bush administration of "telling Americans to keep calm" while top officials like Cheney and Treasury Secretary John Snow get their flu shots.

"Once again the Bush administration proves that it is the 'Do as we say, not as we do' White House," Kerry campaign spokesman Phil Singer said. "

Bush said "able-bodied" people shouldn't get the shot. Are we to assume Cheney is not "able-bodied"?

I'm sure Bush didn't mean that, he meant those not in the high risk group. But maybe the POTUS should make sure he gets it right before he makes a request of the American public exactly what it is he wants from them.

[billvon 3,119]

>Well, if the Chicago Bears -PAY- for their flu shot then there's more
>money to make more, I suppose.

No. That's the point. It's too late to make more for this year.

>Giving the flu shot in prisons might be a good idea. . . ..

?? A better idea than giving it to kids in schools? Odd priorities. Or are you just defending a politician's mistake?

[Jimbo 0]

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?? A better idea than giving it to kids in schools? Odd priorities.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I think that the "young" on the list of those who should receive the flu shot are ages 6 to 24 months, correct? How many of those children are in school?

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Or are you just defending a politician's mistake?

Hardly. I do my best not to play the partisan game, you?Imagine the problems if the flu laid waste to the prison system.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[billvon 3,119]

>Imagine the problems if the flu laid waste to the prison system.

I think laying waste to the school system would be worse; kids are, in general, more vulnerable, and schools often are incubators for disease. But to each their own.

[wmw999 2,589]

The one difference is that the school system can close. Yes, it sucks for the parents then, but the kids are no longer in that incubator.

I don't think they'd evacuate the prisons.

But not giving them to schools, and giving them to prisons, sounds wrong on so many levels it's not even funny.

Wendy W

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[SkyDekker 1,465]

While everybody in the US is laughing about the Canadian health system.....want any of our flu vaccine or cheaper drugs?

[CanuckInUSA 0]

Not to mention that the CDN $ is the strongest it's been in decades (thanks to the record deficit the US finds itself in). Hmmm ... what's a guy like me to do? The jumping (and WX) is better south of the border, but economically I might be better off in oil and gas rich Alberta right now.

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[SkyDekker 1,465]

Quote

Not to mention that the CDN $ is the strongest it's been in decades (thanks to the record deficit the US finds itself in). Hmmm ... what's a guy like me to do? The jumping (and WX) is better south of the border, but economically I might be better off in oil and gas rich Alberta right now.

Move to Alberta and every month convert a quarter of your salary into US dollars. When the situation reverses in two or three years, move to southern US and you will be able to stop working for a year or two and focus solely on skydiving and have money left over......