HOW ABOUT THIS BOYS AND GIRLS?

[newscaster]

No Flu Vaccine Shortage at Capitol
Hill's Doctor Urges Members to Get Shots

By Charles Babington and David Brown
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, October 20, 2004; Page A01

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.

SNIP

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson says more vaccine will be shipped in January. (Susan Walsh -- AP)

SNIP

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

SNIP

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson reiterated the Bush administration's guidelines at a news conference yesterday afternoon at his department's headquarters at the foot of Capitol Hill.

SNIP

The White House medical unit is giving flu shots only to staff members "meeting the CDC guidelines," said Trent D. Duffy of the press office.

SNIP

The office of the Capitol's attending physician began dispensing the vaccine as soon as it arrived on Sept. 30, the spokesman said. After the CDC announced on Oct. 5 the guidelines addressing the shortage, he said, the office began asking applicants to read the guidelines and to decide whether they wanted a flu shot.


:wtf:

[Richardo]

1. They give you a shot in the member? No thanks!

Hill's Doctor Urges Members to Get Shots

I'll take my chances! :scared:

[demnan]

2. This should be a huge campaign issue

Ladies and Gents, meet the October surprise.

[Comadreja]

3. Troops not getting any, either

But you can bet yer Bush button that the fatasses at the pentagon and DOD are already immunized.

I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in: George McGovern

[realFedUp]

4. I'd like to buy into that Congressional health plan!