No Flu Vaccine Shortage at Capitol

[Southpaw Bookworm]

So, there are 70-year-old asthmatics without insurance who aren't getting the vaccine, but a but of privileged politicians -- and their staff members -- with the best healthcare in the U.S. can?

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 Capitol's attending physician, who has urged all 535 lawmakers to get the vaccines even if they are young and healthy.

The physician's office has dispensed nearly 2,000 flu shots this fall, and doses remained available yesterday. That is a steep drop from last year's 9,000 shots, a spokesman for attending physician John F. Eisold said, 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 are credentialed to 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 and then to state whether they want the shot, Eisold's spokesman said. "We don't ask. We trust people. . . . Most of the people have been very good."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46325-2004Oct19.html

[skygazer]

1. Do they get their shots before or after they vote themselves a raise?

Man, there sure is a gulf between the governors and the governed here.

[SotarrTheWizard]

2. And this is a surprise. . .

. . .you expected anything different ??

[Southpaw Bookworm]

3. Of course not

It just doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

However, it does raise the question of how soon it is before the people revolt.

[GreenPartyVoter]

4. I'm already feeling revolted. I'd be happy to puke on a beaurecrat's

shoes if it might make a difference.

[SotarrTheWizard]

7. . . .well. . .

. . .living in a neighborhood of Bushies. . . . I think they're already pretty revolting !!! :nuke:

[movie_girl99]

5. what about shrub

he said in the last debate that he wasnt getting one?

[deutsey]

6. My boss, who struggled to get a vaccine for her son with CF,

was furious when she heard about this today.