How many will die this year for lack of flu vaccine?

[Chicago Democrat]

And why isn't it being given to the aged? I thank my goddess that my 79 year old mom got hers, but many many many other have not got it?

Isn't it true that the Bushies knew about this over a year ago but did nothing to stop it!

How many? How many more will die because of this administration's incompetence!!!

[greekspeak]

1. Some elderly relatives are going without

And that is sad, because they are not well. They both wish Shrub would vanish into a poof of smoke.

[Hand]

2. Tens of thousands

Apparently there are some 30,000-plus flu deaths each year in any case. Given that MANY of those in need will not be able to get vaccinations, it could top 100,000 this year--a true public health disaster. And unnecessary; purely the result of bungling and incompetence.

:scared:

[henslee]

3. I posted "no flu shots=dead seniors=reduction in ss rolls" and you should

have seen folks jumping all over me for my "tin foil" hat. The thread was locked. When does blatant incompetence by high-payed professionals who damn well knew better, cross over into intent or at least involuntary manslaughter?

[Chicago Democrat]

4. Apparently the Repugs, like war, disease and nukes

Cause we got the 3 horses of the apocalypse running wild!

[Auntie Bush]

6. Another "tin foil" hat idea.

Maybe it was deliberate...look at all the money the pharmaceutical companies will make this winter on all kinds of drugs and prescriptions for flu remedies. A gazillion! Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Bet Rove got some practice sharpening up his math skills. OK shoot me!

[Career Prole]

5. 36,000 average in a regular (vaccine available) year...

...plus 200,000 hospitalizations.
Who knows what this year will be like?

[GodHelpUsAll2]

7. 36,000 in an average

vaccine available year for flu AND pnuemonia combined. I believe people are way overreacting to this. My opinion, "shortage" was put out there for public consumption to either 1. Distract the public (who predictably went into an immediate state of panic. Flu season is not even here yet and Tommy Thompson, addressed this yesterday)
or 2. To pump up the sales ( millions of doses are thrown away un-used every year)

All of this information can be obtained at the CDC's website along with statements from the heads of the CDC and the heads of the Department of Health and Human Services. The "shortage" is being addressed and approx. 3 million doses a day are being shipped. People heard "shortage" on the news and every Tom Dick and Harry went into panic mode and ran in stampedes to get a shot NOW. Which created an even bigger mess.

[Career Prole]

15. A distraction? From what, exactly?

"Tommy Thompson addressed this yesterday" exactly as bushco instructed him to, in the same way Rummy "addresses" issues of war as he's instructed, and Paige "addresses" the success of NCLB as instructed, and Tom Ridge "addresses" and John Ashcroft "addresses", ad freaking nauseam.
You go ahead and listen to the addresses, though, and let me know when I'm supposed to stock up on duct tape again. :eyes:

[kayell]

8. Far, far more than will die from terrorism*

*assuming Cheney doesn't have anything too big planned.

[Angrillori]

9. That's what I don't get,

10x More die on average from flu/pneumonia than the terrorists did on their best year ever.

But *'s willing to spend $200 billion and invade a sovereign nation to stop the "terrorists" yet his failure on the flu vaccine can easily kill more than the terrorists ever did!

Is it possible, heck, even likely, that the lack of the correct amount of flu vaccine will bump the death toll by as little as 10% this year? I think so. If it does, then the administration's failure is comparable in mortality to the terrorist attacks.

And yes, it is the administration's failure. They knew there might be a problem the same time the British did, but the U.S. administration chose to listen to Chiron's spin, and neglected the potential problem. The British took measures. The U.S. did not. Now? The British have enough. The U.S. does not.

[kayell]

13. But spending govt. dollars on health would be *gasp* socialism!

[Angrillori]

14. *Shock* Maybe we can reduce the flu to a nuisance! *Shock*

I've been waiting for * to say something along those lines and then get blasted.

"The Bush administration will reduce the flu to a nuisance."
Then BANG
"A nuisance? 10x as many people die annually from the flu and pneumonia than died in the 9/11 attacks, and it's just a nuisance? If this administration refuses its responsibility to protect its citizens from a danger which kills 36,000 of them a year, then it has thrown away its right to the office."

I bet things would be different if you could hunt down the flu germs in the desert with M-16's...

On another note:
Since they've already (Tommy Thompson) linked the shortage of vaccine to President Clinton, how long before they link it to Iraq too? :)

[Poiuyt]

10. Didn't I hear that one person already has died?

from standing in one of those long lines. One person here in Wisconsin was standing in line outside in the cold and passed out. She had to be given CPR to resuscitate her.

[CelticWinter]

11. It really stinks that our government didnt prepare

for the flu season, so in the mean time many elderly and sick will suffer. There are other ways tho that we can take care of our bodies during this flu season, we can use vitamins, minerals, herbs and other food supplements. Get the book Perscription for Nutritional Healing it will tell you what essential vitamins etc to take. It may not be the flu shot but lets face it, do we have any other choice?
Blessings
Celtic

[dave502d]

12. Rove's way to fix Social Security .