BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON RESPONSIBLE FOR INFLUENZA VACCINE SHORTAGE

EIB The Rush Limbaugh Show ^ | Dec 10, 2003

[rs79bm]

"...seeing themselves always obeyed and almost adored with so much reverence and praise, without ever the least contradiction, let alone censure - that from this ignorance they pass to extreme self-conciet, so that then they become intolerant of any advise or opinion from others..."-Baldassare Castiglione,"The Book of the Courtier"

I don't know how you can say that Rush doesn't welcome the opposing point of view on his show. Most of the time he goes out of his way to incorporate this into his show. Today was a good example. He could have just told his call screeners to pass those people along, but he didn't, did he?

[rs79bm]

Did Rush blame Hillary last year when flu-vaccine doses were discarded because they went unused?

No, but he should have.

[Libloather]

WHO: Flu Vaccine Shortage Only in U.S.
Tue Dec 9,10:13 AM ET

GENEVA - The World Health Organization said Tuesday that it is aware of reports of flu vaccine running out in areas of the United States, but said supplies appear to be adequate around the world.

Spokesman Iain Simpson said the U.N. health agency had heard the Centers for Disease Control were looking into the possibility of a vaccine shortage in the United States.

"But as far as we're aware globally, no there's no shortage," said Simpson.

Health authorities in different parts of the United States said they were running out of flu vaccine after demand soared because of reports that this year's epidemic was having a heavier impact than usual. Shortages have also been reported in Singapore.

Simpson said WHO monitors the annual flu season, including availability of vaccine, through a network of health professionals who report outbreaks and other developments.

"It's basically set up to identify the type of the virus that's circulating this year," said Simpson. "But it also acts as a clearing house for other information including information on vaccines, so if there were a vaccine shortage, then we would find out about it like that."

Simpson said there might be a shortage at one doctor's clinic or at one hospital, but government authorities would have to declare that there's a shortage in an entire country to raise the level of concern.

"Obviously if it's a shortage in a region, then it's about distribution within the country," he said. "If it's a shortage in a country, then WHO might get involved, but not necessarily."

Simpson said that shortages typically appear much later in the season, in February or March.

"Frankly by then flu vaccine is less worthwhile anyway because it takes several weeks to have its full effect," he said. "We recommend that people get vaccinated before or at the very beginning of the flu season.

"Vaccine does tend to run out at the end of the flu season, and that's not a cause for concern. If vaccine were running out at this point, then it might be. It would depend on the circumstances in a particular country."

[Severa]

I got the flu shot at our branch medical clinic the week it was available...Fat lot of good it did me. I didn't get sick from the vaccine itself but I feel horrible this week, I can't remember the last time I felt this bad. Had a temp of 102.3 this morning, youngest son had a temp of 101.

They're now limiting the distribution of flu vaccines at the branch medical clinic to active duty and those dependents who have a chronic medical condition. The flu's hitting hard here in VA Beach, that clinic was hopping this morning. I'm counting it as a miracle that I called the clinic at 7am and had an appointment for me and my son at 8:30am and 8:45 respectively.

[Severa]

the week it BECAME available even. Fever broke only a few hours ago...

[Yosemitest]

Question:

When I posted this, I posted it under "Breaking News" and shortly afterwords, it was hard to find. Why was it moved to "chat"?

[HankReardon]

This stems from the socialist wrong thinking profit making is bad for people. Profit making enables the producers to continue to produce. The main problem with the world is their isn't enough capitalism.

[HankReardon]

Think it through, what would really help Hillary and the socialized health care bunch is for the private sector health care to fail. Expect working for a profit in health care to be under attack by these people.

[HankReardon]

Maybe you'll drink to that?

[OldFriend]

Last night I was channel surfing and stopped at O'Reilly.

He said he has long believed that the medical and pharmaceutical fields should be regulated by the government.

O'Reilly has moved consistently to the left for reasons unfathomable. He continues to say he has no problem at all with the homosexual lifestyle, etc etc.......

It would seem that the very professions that have given Americans the most extraordinary lives is going to come under attack from all sides.

While we lament about CFR, and immigration policy I believe the real danger to america is the danger to our health care industries.

[HankReardon]

When government controls your health care, government controls you.

[OldFriend]

I expect that type of rhetoric from the grifters.......but from O'Reilly. He seems to have gone off the deep end.

Evidently he's seeking a position in a democrat regime somewhere.

[Yosemitest]

From Rush Limbaugh.com

Clintons Took Money Out of Vaccine Industry

December 10, 2003


I was watching CNN during a break Wednesday, after we just got through talking about this major league constitutional issue - campaign finance reform - that affects all of us, and CNN was covering the flu outbreak.

They ran a little graphic under a doctor talking about how the flu is spreading – and the graphic says, "VIRUS IS SPREAD BY COUGHING AND SNEEZING". No kidding? This is big news on CNN! Virus spread by coughing and sneezing! Did you know that? Did you know that's how the flu was spread? I really didn't. I thought you got it from dirty clothes, underwear and so forth. How else do you think its spread, for crying out loud?

Do you know why we're out of vaccine, by the way? You've heard the stories that we're out of flu vaccine, but nobody's telling us why. I happen to know. Guess who was in charge of getting the corruption, profit and all that illegal, mean stuff out of vaccines? Hillary and Bill Clinton. In the last of their two terms, they were running around saying the vaccine industry was horrible, making obscene profits, and they were going to fix that because vaccines are too important. Vaccines should be free.

Well, guess what? They took the profit out of vaccines and there aren't enough vaccines now. The quantity went down. Why make it? There's no profit in it. Nobody is talking about the reason for the shortage of flu or any other vaccine. Everybody is reporting on the vaccine shortage trying to equate it with something going on with the economy today, the Bush administration, too much attention being focused on Iraq and so forth, but you can trace it right back to Bill and Hillary trying to get mad and get their supporters all jacked up by going after evil profiteers.

AP: WHO: Flu Vaccine Shortage Only in U.S.

Ain't Rush great!!!???

[GOPJ]

?

[snopercod]

New Drugs Are Urged by Clinton

President Clinton met with the heads of four large pharmaceutical companies on Thursday, March 2, to discuss vaccine development. Clinton announced a measure that would establish a $1 billion tax credit over 10 years to be given to companies to cover the costs of economical vaccines for AIDS, tuberculosis, or malaria in the developing world. Also at the meeting, Merck & Co. said it would donate 5 million doses of hepatitis B vaccine, SmithKline Beecham agreed to continue a second phase of clinical tests for a malaria vaccine, American Home Products gave 10 million doses of Haemophilus influenza type-B vaccine, and Aventis Pharm donated 50 million doses of polio vaccine to five nations in Africa. Raymond Gilmartin, chairman, president, and CEO of Merck, noted that the White House plan is a means of "providing funding to the developing world to be able to develop the infrastructure, the healthcare delivery systems, as well as to be able to finance health programs within each of these countries."

[snopercod]

1993.04.01 : Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1992

Contact: CDC Press Office (404) 639-3286 April 1, 1993

The Clinton Administration today announced its proposed "Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1993," which HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala called "a turning point in our efforts to have every American child properly immunized by 2 years of age."

The legislation will be introduced in the Congress by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Representative John Dingell, Senator Donald Riegle, Representative Henry Waxman, Representative Louise Slaughter, Representative Eva Clayton and others.

The President's comprehensive initiative would build on the Administration's plans to improve the nation's immunization delivery system this year and in 1994. President Clinton's economic stimulus package includes $300 million for this year to strengthen the immunization system, especially through increased funding of community "Immunization Action Plans" in 87 cities and counties throughout the country.

The Presidential initiative announced today provides for a nationwide immunization tracking system, through state registries, to help ensure that all children receive appropriate immunizations at the recommended ages. It also would establish a federal universal vaccine purchasing program beginning in 1995, to ensure that all American children are immunized on schedule. The universal purchase system would be phased-out as immunization services for all children become available as part of the broad based reform of the nation's health care system.

"This initiative embodies the President's commitment to ensure proper immunization for all American children," Secretary Shalala said. "This is a sound and cost effective investment in America's future health and productivity. And it is an essential first step towards a national health care reform plan that will emphasize prevention and guarantee families the security of health care coverage."

Other provisions of the legislation would reauthorize the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, and would provide for outreach to parents and others, including improved and easier-to-understand informational materials.

Federal funding to establish the state tracking registries is estimated at $275 million for fiscal years 1995 and 1996. The annual cost for universal purchase of vaccines is estimated at $1.1 billion in FY 1995.

[snopercod]

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

---

For Immediate Release April 1, 1993
"Comprehensive Child Immunization Act of 1993"

FACT SHEET

The President today sent to the Congress the "Comprehensive Child
Immunization Act of 1993". This bill is the first legislative
proposal he has sent to the Congress for consideration and
enactment. When enacted, the bill will assure that all children
in the United States are protected against vaccine-preventable
infectious diseases by their second birthday. This legislation
inaugurates a new collaborative partnership among parents and
guardians; health care providers; vaccine manufacturers; and
Federal, State, and local governments to protect our children
from the deadly onslaught of infectious diseases.

This legislation would:

o beginning in fiscal year 1995, authorize the Secretary of
Health and Human Services to purchase and provide childhood
vaccines in quantities sufficient to meet the immunization
needs of children in the United States;

o establish a national immunization tracking system, through
grants to the States to establish State immunization
registries, to ensure that children receive their scheduled
immunizations at the earliest appropriate age;

o ensure that the National Vaccine Injury Compensation
Program, an essential link in our Nation's immunization
system, remains operational; and

o continue vaccine infrastructure enhancements started in my
economic stimulus program.

Background

Immunizations represent one of the most cost-effective means of
disease prevention. Although Federal support for childhood
immunization has been in existence since 1962, the full potential
of immunizations remains to be achieved.

Approximately 80 percent of vaccine doses should be received
before the second birthday in order to protect children during
their most vulnerable periods. Unfortunately, many children do
not receive their basic immunizations by that time. In fact, in
some inner city areas as few as 10 percent of 2-year olds have
received a complete series. This low level of immunizations has
been reflected in recent years in outbreaks of measles among un-
immunized preschool children. The resurgence of measles in 1989
through 1991 afflicted over 55,000 people and cost the country
$20 million in avoidable hospital costs alone.

In 1982, the recommended vaccine schedule cost $6.69 in the
public sector and $23.29 in the private sector. By 1992, the
total cost for fully immunizing a child was $122.28 in the public
sector and $244.10 in the private sector.

Legislative Proposal

The problem posed by soaring vaccine costs is exacerbated by a
deteriorated immunization infrastructure. This legislation
continues the rebuilding of our capacity to deliver vaccines and
educate parents started in my economic stimulus package. With
this bill, our Nation's vaccine infrastructure will continue to
be revitalized, including delivery, safety and research capacity,
patient and vaccine tracking ability, and the community-based
outreach and information campaign.

To remove the financial barriers to immunization that impede
children from being vaccinated on time, and to facilitate
development of a national tracking system, we must begin Federal
purchase of all vaccines recommended for universal use in
children.

Universal Vaccine Purchase and Provision

The bill would require that the Secretary consult with other
Federal agencies for advice on the quantities of recommended
childhood vaccine to be purchased. It would authorize the
Secretary to consult with representatives of State governments,
experts in vaccine delivery, health care providers, and other
experts prior to commencing negotiations for the purchase of
vaccine.

This proposal would direct the Secretary to negotiate a
reasonable price with manufacturers participating in a
procurement. The price would be based on data supplied to the
Secretary by manufacturers regarding (1) costs related to
research and development, production, distribution to States and
health care providers, and marketing; (2) profit levels
sufficient to encourage future investment in research and
development; and (3) the ability to maintain adequate outbreak
control. In addition, the bill would require that data provided
to the Secretary be treated as a trade secret or confidential
information for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act and
would provide criminal sanctions for violations of this
provision.

Under this legislation, the Secretary would provide (either
directly or through the States) for the free distribution of
vaccines to health care providers who serve children and are

located in a State that participates in the State registry grant
program. In non-participating States, free vaccine will be
distributed to Federal health care providers, community health
centers, migrant health centers, health centers serving residents
of public housing or the homeless, other federally qualified
health centers, and health care providers serving Indians
pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination Act or section 503 of
the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

Under the Act, health care providers could not charge patients
for the cost of the vaccine, but may impose a fee for its
administration unless such a fee would result in the denial of a
vaccine to someone unable to pay.

Finally, the bill provides that the authority of the Secretary
established under this legislation to purchase and provide
vaccines shall cease to be in effect beginning on such date as
may be specified in a Federal law providing for immunization
services for all children as part of a broad-based reform of the
national health care system.

State Immunization Registries

The bill provides for a collaborative Federal and State effort to
track the immunization status of the Nation's children. It
authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States to establish
and operate State immunization registries containing specific
information for each child in the State. Entering infant birth
data into registries will enable the identification of children
who need vaccinations and will help parents and providers assure
that children are appropriately immunized.

Providers would be required to report to the State tracking
registry (or to the Secretary if there is no State registry)
information regarding each vaccine administered and their
periodic estimates of the future vaccine needs. For each child,
information will be gathered on immunization history, including
types and lot numbers of vaccines received, health care provider
identifiers, and adverse reactions associated with the
immunizations. In addition, the State immunization registries
will provide vital information on safety and efficacy of vaccines
by linking administrative records with adverse reactions
reporting and disease outbreak patterns.

The National Vaccine Compensation Program

A keystone to the Nation's vaccine immunization effort is the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. This proposal
would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow payments from the
Trust Fund for compensable injuries from vaccines administered on
or after October 1, 1992. It would authorize appropriations from
the Trust Fund for years after fiscal year 1992 for
administrative costs to carry out the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program. In addition, it would provide for a
permanent extension and reinstatement of the vaccine excise tax
and repeal the Internal Revenue Code provision that authorizes
the Secretary of the Treasury to terminate the vaccine excise
tax.

Other provisions related to the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation program state that any vaccine recommended for
universal administration to children by the Secretary would be
included on the Vaccine Injury Table. The bill would provide the
Secretary authority, with respect to any vaccine so added, to
modify the Table, but only in accordance with notice, hearing,
and comment procedures, and other limitations. The chief special
master would be allowed to suspend proceedings on petitions from
retrospective claims for up to 30 months, rather than the 540
days (or 18 months) in current law.

Finally, vaccine information materials would be simplified by
replacing the detailed list of items that must be addressed in
the information materials with a requirement for a concise and
understandable statement of the benefits and risks of the
vaccine, and the availability of the National Vaccine Injury
Compensation Program.

Funding

For the purpose of making State registry grants, the bill would
authorize appropriations of $152 million for fiscal year 1995,
$125 million for fiscal year 1996, and $35 million for each of
the fiscal years 1997, 1998, and 1999. In addition, the bill
would authorize appropriations of such sums as may be necessary
for fiscal years 1993 and 1994 for start up costs associated with
activities to implement the "Comprehensive Child Immunization Act
of 1993."

Beginning in fiscal year 1995, the bill would authorize the
Secretary to carry out the program of vaccine purchase and
distribution from the Comprehensive Child Immunization Account in
the United States Treasury. The sources of revenue that will be
deposited into the Comprehensive Child Immunization Account for
the vaccine purchase and distribution program will be identified
in legislation for broad-based reform of the national health care
system when it is submitted to the Congress by the President in
May.


# # #

[snopercod]

THE MISSION OF THE NATIONAL VACCINE PROGRAM AND PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL VACCINE PLAN

Infectious diseases that are preventable through the use of vaccines are still a major cause of death, disease, and disability in the United States and worldwide, and their treatment entails substantial medical costs. Accordingly, Congress has declared that the mission of the National Vaccine Program is to "achieve optimal prevention of human infectious diseases through immunization and to achieve optimal prevention of adverse reactions to vaccines" (P.L. 99-660).

The National Vaccine Program is a multifaceted, cross-departmental endeavor encompassing numerous activities related to vaccine development and immunization. These activities are implemented by various Federal departments and agencies acting in concert with each other, the States, and the private sector. The departments and agencies specifically covered by the statute creating the program (or which have assumed responsibilities in it) include the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Department of Defense; and the Department of Health and Human Services, including the Health Care Financing Administration and various agencies of the Public Health Service (PHS), namely, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institutes of Health (see appendix 2). Other Federal departments whose mandates address health and welfare but not specifically immunization are also involved in the effort and include the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture. The PHS's National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) monitors, coordinates, and provides leadership for the overall collaborative effort. In addition, the NVPO attempts to ensure mat no gaps occur in Federal planning.

The National Vaccine Plan provides a strategic framework — including goals, objectives, and strategies — for pursuing the prevention of infectious diseases. The purpose of the framework is to enable Federal agencies, States, municipalities, and private-sector entities to undertake their individual activities in a more coordinated fashion. The framework also will provide a basis for incorporating various other specific efforts, such as the President's Childhood Immunization Initiative, which is aimed at establishing an effective and sustainable vaccination delivery system for young children.

Some of the plan's goals, objectives, and strategies, as laid out in this document, are necessarily long-term ones because successful vaccine development is a lengthy process and because achieving a sustainable, effective vaccination delivery system within the present U.S. health care environment is likely to be complex and difficult.

This first plan, the 1994 plan, reflects the initial efforts of the National Vaccine Program Office and agencies collaborating in the National Vaccine Program to forge a truly integrated national effort in disease prevention through vaccine development and immunization. As subsequent plans are prepared, the NVPO expects to be able to coordinate more closely with the private sector and to show better the contributions of specific Federal agency activities to meeting the plan's goals.

[snopercod]

STUDY OF IMPACT ON SUPPLY OF VACCINES

Section 316 of title III of Pub. L. 99-660 provided that: ''On June 30, 1987, and on June 30 of each second year thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate - ''(1) an assessment of the impact of the amendments made by this title (enacting this subchapter, amending sections 218, 242c, 262, 286, and 289f of this title, redesignating former sections 300aa to 300aa-15 of this title as sections 300cc to 300cc-15 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 201 and 300aa-1 of this title) on the supply of vaccines listed in the Vaccine Injury Table under section 2114 of the Public Health Service Act (section 300aa-14 of this title), and ''(2) an assessment of the ability of the administrators of vaccines (including public clinics and private administrators) to provide such vaccines to children.''

It would be interesting to read the report next year. Too bad nobody will...

[snopercod]

[O'Reily] said he has long believed that the medical and pharmaceutical fields should be regulated by the government.

I heard that. Just one more reason that I don't watch that flake any more.

Two of the reasons that we have a shortage of Influenza vaccine in America are that 1. The CDC tells producers how much to produce each year, and 2. The CDC buys up much of the product and stockpiles it to give away for free to "the needy", or to send it to Africa. Government control of "private" industry meets the definition of fascism.

Total federal vaccine purchases in FY 1997, including grant funds for states as well as the VFC, were estimated at $486 million, which included funds for new vaccines not purchased in FY 1993 such as Varicella, DTP/Hib combination, DTaP, Hepatitis A and Influenza (CDC, 1997).

The above from A Policy Analysis of the Childhood Immunization Initiative in Philadelphia (Journal of Internal Medicine, 2002)