Should Kerry raise the flu vaccine debacle tonight?

[Karmadillo]

I realize Bush will respond the fact it happened on his watch means it's someone else's fault, but it would give Kerry a chance to point out the government could play an very constructive role in making sure there were enough providers so that problems with one or two would not leave millions of voters at risk for an avoidable illness.

[librechik]

1. he should make some calls and come up with an easy solution

for next time (or for now!)if he does!

[PATRICK]

2. Demand Bush tell

what he personally did to address this issue that threatens the lives and health of millions of vulnerable Americans.

I mean, did he have a meeting? Did he delegate it totally? Does he KNOW what is going on in detail?

More people will die- unnecessarily from the flu- than on 9/11. Kerry shouldn't panic people(Georgie would) but he should put Bush on the spot.

[hatrack]

21. Can't Bush jawbone producers, tell them to "open the spigots"?

I mean, it worked so well with oil, surely it would work with vaccines!! :puke:

[lil-petunia]

3. Just because no US company likes to roll dice on Flu vaccine

and just because the brit company had spoiled product, it is extremely hard to lay the blame on the shrub. as much as I would like to do so, it would be akin to blaming 4 hur and himacanes on Dick Cheney.

[Karmadillo]

4. If US companies don't want to do it, maybe the government

could do it with out tax dollars. I know that's Marxist and Kerry would burn in Hell for all eternity for suggesting it, but well over 50% of the electorate would think it's a good idea. Bush would be free to argue it's better to have privatized vaccine manufacturing and lots more flu deaths.

[oscar111]

9. Karmadillo: Nationalizing isnt wild-eyed: Brits did it in 9+ indstrs 1947

in '47, England ... who could be more like us?... nationalized rail, trucking, airlines, electricity, banks, coal, gas, steel, and phones, among others.

Healthcare too, but i am not sure which year they did that.

It always makes more sense, .. the denationalizing simply happens when the RW has the clout to force it.

So nationalize healthcare and chase the greed out. It never belonged there in the first place.

[oscar111]

5. Petunia: Bush totally to blame: Bush failed to nationalize after last yr's

shortages. It was the clear choice for fixing the mess for this year.

Nationalized vacc production can divide it all into fifty subunits, each using slightly different methods. So if one gets bacteria in it, only two percent of supply is lost.

Bush failed to nationalize for ideological reasons. Bush is totally to blame for every flu death this year {every death above what would have happened with vaccine use}.

Now millions will live in fear, and thousands die, because of Bush and his ideology.

Democratic Underground Forums - Flushots cut in half: due to bush not nationalizing vacc. production

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=117x4949

[Maine-i-acs]

6. "You don't want drugs imported from Canada but all our Flu vaccines -

are imports. Pharmaceutical thuggery runs amok in the US capitol."

[Democrat 4 Ever]

7. Kerry should ask Bush about the price gouging for

flu vaccine that is now going on. The day shortages were announced a vial of flu vaccine (10 shots) was selling for $100.00 a bottle, within 24 hours the price has gone to $1,000.00 a bottle. So, even if the sick and elderly can FIND the vaccine they can no longer afford it. Is there nothing these people won't do to make a buck? A report was done on one of the news networks last night.

[mzmolly]

12. If this whole debacle doesn't cause people to question the motives

of some of the major drug companies, I don't know what will? The CDC claims time and time again that vax mfgrs have our best interests at heart and there not in it for the "money"... :eyes:

[oscar111]

14. vax? what is that?

xxx

[mzmolly]

19. Vax = slang for Vaccine.

;)

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. Yep, Bush told us that in the last debate

How he won't let Seniors get cheaper drugs from Canada because they might not be safe. Then a week later we find out that 1000's of more people will die this winter because we depend on foreign countries for all of our flu vaccine.

I don't think the 'security' moms are going to be real pleased when their families can't get vaccinated this year. I just hope Asian Bird Flu doesn't get here in the meantime.

[oscar111]

11. "It's HARD WORK thinking up all these lies." - bush

It really must be, i sincerely concede that point to him. Truth is lots easier that figuring out what lie will hook the suckers.

We are fools, suckers and rubes for buying the hate radio ideas.

[lil-petunia]

15. DUH. I never thought of that. Great point.

[progressivebydesign]

10. I noticed that places here with scheduled shot clincs have cancelled..

.. this is BAD for Bush. Even tho he isn't ENTIRELY responsible, it falls on him. How could the Government NOT have a clue about this? Remember LAST flu season? We were WAY short.. and now this. AND.. the ironic thing? The flu vaccine that is pulled out of use, was made in England (some of those imported drugs), and it was part of our supply for this year.

Bush DOES bear some responsibility for this. Once again, they didn't have a plan. I know the seniors here are freaking out... because getting the flu shot can be a life or death proposition for them.

[oscar111]

13. bush totally responsible for shortage: dont let him off the hook

Hope the elders get absentee ballots and vote in huge numbers.
Absentee ballots would let them avoid the sneezes in vote lines.

Bush guilt spelled out -->

Democratic Underground Forums - Flushots cut in half: due to bush not nationalizing vacc. production

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=117x4949

[goodboy]

16. YES. The Bushies knew about this weeks ago and witheld the info

from the American people.

[LuminousX]

17. U.S. was notified many months ago the flu vaccine would come up short

Other countries took the necessary steps to contact other suppliers. The U.S. did not. This is a failure of administration, one of the critical elements of the executive branch.

[BootinUp]

18. Its just another of many opportunities for attack

There are so many its getting hard to choose. :crazy:

[oscar111]

20. !!! bush knew long ago, did nothig? Links?

this is major news

[Born_A_Truman]

22. W will blame the trial lawyers

He will say that US pharmaceutical companies don't want to defend law suits, yadda..yadda..yadda.

[LuminousX]

23. Links

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1325798,00.html
Analysts said the inquiry could focus on how promptly the firm disclosed the problems or on quality control at its plants. California-based Chiron acquired the plant as part of its takeover of PowderJect Pharmaceuticals in June 2003.

The suspension of the British licence has led to hand-wringing in the US over why the food and drug administration did not act earlier. The FDA has rejected reports that it knew, or should have known, about the plant's problems.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec04/flu_10-11.html
The shortage was not altogether unanticipated. In late August American-owned Chiron said it would delay shipments of its vaccine because a small number of batches were contaminated.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=152089
"We now know the administration knew ahead of time that there wasn't going to be enough vaccine," Kerry asserted as he campaigned in Ohio. The administration has denied it had any warning.

[Monte Carlo]

24. If Kerry LOOKS LIKE he's trying to pin something on W. that DOESN'T SEEM--

-- to be his fault, it'll hurt him more than W.

I'm not saying he shouldn't, but there are pitfalls.

[genius]

25. Good idea: They are charging a fortune and not giving us what we need

Under the medicare bill, Bush even gave away Medicare's bargaining power with them and they still aren't willing to produce enough vaccines. Their primary interest is profits not saving lives.