Flu Vaccine Crisis- Government Cure, or Government Problem?

Shortage of flu shots was a long time coming (who's at fault?)

"If you want an example of a single payer health care system...take a look at the flue vaccine problem. The government guarantees a vaccine and now nobody can get one. The doctors ration it to the ones who they say need it most"

Fines, Jail Used to Enforce Flu Shot Rules "It's a strong step," agreed Dr. Gregg Pane, acting director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, whose order took effect Friday. In Washington, violators could be fined up to $1,000, and Pane said the health department would investigate complaints.

This ruling is over the line. This is America, not old Russia. Not that I'd want to get a flu shot not believing they're effective, but it's wrong to fine people of any age not to have the freedom to get a shot if they wish.

The vaccine debacle is just a preview of coming attractions if the Democrats realize their plan to totally take over healthcare.


Kerry Ad Says Flu Vaccine Shortage Is Typical of Bush's Policy Blunders

Best article I've see so far on why the flu vaccine is not manufactured here anymore:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/004/793dgqvs.asp

Price caps have driven vaccine makers out of business or out of the country. Bush has been fighting to remove price caps. Where has the Senate (John Kerry) been on this? FY2004 Budget and Vaccines - President Bush released his FY2004 Budget Proposal in early February 2003. The President’s proposal would expand the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program...

Hillary's Vaccine For Children's (VFC) Program

Cross linking...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1247429/posts

Clintons Ruined Vaccine Industry
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1245305/posts

Hillary's Vaccine Shortage
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1245132/posts

Infectious Politics
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1244750/posts

Elderly CA woman drops dead while waiting in line for flu shot. -- let Americans know what government healthcare under Skerry will be like. I've told people who have been complaining about this," You can thank Hillary Clinton for this mess. And if you think this is bad...wait untill you get Kerry's socialized medicine!" This is exactly what the Clintons had in mind. A subservient populace, standing in line for government handouts.

La Grippe of the Trial Lawyers: Guess who's to blame for the flu vaccine fiasco.

May I scan the bar code in your arm?

Liable to Infection Flu vaccine in short supply partly because of trial lawyers and 'tort tax' Decem

Inspectors can't vouch for safety of flu vaccine

State issues order limiting flu shots to those at risk-Doyle threatens prosecution of violators-WI

Kerry Blames Bush for Flu Vaccine Shortage

FLU FOLLY: DON'T PANIC, GET MAD

Seniors in Full Flu Shot Panic Mode in Palm Beach County (vanity)

This is an opportunity for the President and the Republicans. They need to drive the following points home:

1. Price controls, implemented by Hillary! and the Democrats have caused the majority of US vaccine manufacturers to abandon the US market. Kerry proposes putting price controls on all prescription drugs.

2. Relying on foreign sources for US drugs is inherently risky. The Brits left us high and dry, with no notice this year. Kerry proposes reducing costs by relying on foreign suppliers for all prescription drugs.

3. The shortage of vaccines means that the government will have to implement rationing schemes, deciding who will and will not get care. Kerry proposes putting the government in charge of rationing all medical care and prescription drugs.

4. Trial lawyers, junk science and frivolous lawsuits have made it impossible to produce vaccines in the United States. Kerry's VEEP pick is the poster boy for trial lawyers, junk science and frivolous lawsuits. Kerry is fighting all efforts at tort reform.

The Democrats are very vulnerable on all these points. Unless the President makes these points forcefully, he will wind up bearing the burden by default. The President needs to make sure people know that this flu vaccine shortage is nothing but a Preview of Coming Attractions if John F. Kerry is elected President.

Note the date on this: Hillary's Flu Vaccine Crisis

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