HHS Website & another Bush lie: Vaccine shortage not liability related.

[Karmadillo]

This comes from the Kerry campaign.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=38297

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BUSH IN THE DEBATE: "We have a problem with litigation in the United States of America. Vaccine manufacturers are worried about getting sued, and so, therefore, they have backed off from providing this kind of vaccine. One of the reasons I'm such a strong believer in legal reform is so that people aren't afraid of producing a product that is necessary for the health of our citizens and then end up getting sued in a court of law. (Bush, Third 2004 Presidential Debate, 10/14/04)

HHS WEBSITE: A Report of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee said: "While current vaccine shortages do not appear to be liability related, the VICP should be maintained and strengthened as supported by scientific evidence, including continuing expansion of VICP to include additional vaccines as they are recommended for routine administration to children." (http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/bulletins/nvac-vsr.htm#liability)

more...

[acmavm]

1. Hells bells, the only liability here is the one that touches the corporate

profit bottom line.

They don't make the big bucks off flu vaccine. It may be necessary, and it may be vital for certain segments of the population to have access to the vaccine, but dammit IT'S NOT AS PROFITIABLE AS VIAGRA, ETC.

So get with the program. Money changes everything.

[Changenow]

2. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

It protects manufacturers from liability for injury caused by childhood vaccines. If Bush wanted to address the supposed liability problem quickly they would urgently work to include flu vaccines in this coverage.

http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/qanda.htm

As a footnote, taking the liability issue off the table has not improved the number of manufacturers of childhood vaccines much at all. The issue is risk and profit, not liability.

[bigtree]

3. Medicare Bill Gave Drug Industry $139 Billion in Extra Profits

– 61% of the Bill’s Drug Spending. As a result of Bush's Medicare bill, the drug industry will receive an additional $139.2 billion in profits over the next eight years. That will amount to 61 percent of the spending in the bill for prescription drugs.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_1012.html

[StClone]

4. Why has it not been pointed out

Unless I am missing something, the manufacturer is outside the U.S. producing contaminated vaccine to avoid our liabilities laws. So our system must be working here then.