They screwed up on the flu vaccine, and that is unacceptable

[still_one]

First they throw out all kinds of news creating panic, and telling people to get the vaccine, and they can't even get the regular vaccine yet alone H1N1

Incompentence is rampant in government

Who in the government in their infinite wisdom told vaccine manufacturers to stop producing the seasonal vaccine?

http://pamf.org/flu/seasonalh1n1qaa.html


Why does the information on H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines keep changing?
We know this has already been a challenging flu season that has caused anxiety, frustration and anger for our patients. Unlike other years, when only the seasonal flu vaccine is produced, manufacturers are producing two vaccines for this flu season — for H1N1 and seasonal flu. At this time, vaccine manufacturers have stopped producing seasonal vaccine based on a mandate from the federal government to produce H1N1 vaccine. Unfortunately, we cannot control when we will receive our supply of either the seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine. We are dependent on the vaccine manufacturers and, in the case of H1N1, distribution from the federal government to fill our orders. Please know that we are doing everything under our control to vaccinate our patients as safely, quickly and efficiently as possible.

[Orrex]

1. All of this H1N1 fearmongering is giving me the dystonia

[still_one]

2. LOL /nt

[Horse with no Name]

3. We are in pandemic mode.

We aren't the only country clamoring for flu shots for our citizens.
The first rule of medicine is triage.
Fortunately, with the seasonal shot AND the H1N1, they seem to have hit their mark. They are doing what they are supposed to be doing.
That is a good thing.
It's not just about us. There is an entire world out there NEEDING the vaccines that a few companies are producing.
It is going to to take some time.
The information is changing because we are learning so much each day and they are doing a VERY good job at keeping that updated.

[still_one]

4. That is my point, we had plenty of warning. There is no excuse not having

enough of the regular flu vaccine in stock

[Horse with no Name]

8. Not when they had to change production to get the H1N1 into production

Priorities shifted. The right calls have been made.
Our area ran out of the seasonal flu vaccine a month ago.
They are now starting to get some more in. If you read the site, it fully says that BY JANUARY everyone that WANTS a shot should have one, but by DECEMBER everyone that NEEDS one will have one.
It isn't easy to vaccinate an entire world, especially when the greedy fucking Americans start demanding that their needs come first.
Disgraceful. I still remember our citizens lining up south of the border a couple of years ago to take the Mexicans shots. It is shameful.

[Lance_Boyle]

9. the seasonal flu vaccine is made differently each season

based on which flu variant is most likely to be around in that season. No, there is no way they "should have had a supply on hand." This year, like any other year, the shit just hasn't been made yet.

The vaccine manufacturers don't need an excuse - you need to learn how seasonal flu vaccines are manufactured.

[Ian David]

5. Bush forced the vaccine company to move manufacturing over seas.

Bush also defunded the Clinton-era vaccine program.

[timeforpeace]

15. Yeah, that's the ticket! It's Bush's fault! The Neverending Excuse™.

[Ian David]

16. Bush fucked-up a lot of stuff in eight years, and you know it. n/t

[Motown_Johnny]

6. Rampant incompetence in government

Honestly??? Ya Think???

[still_one]

7. oxymoran? /nt

[Warpy]

10. You're blaming the government?

Are you lost?

The H1N1 vaccine didn't grow as well as they'd hoped and that's the reason for the short supply. Supply should catch up with demand over the next month or so.

Because of the alarm over H1N1 combined with its unavailability, more people than usual got the seasonal shot. Yes, that's illogical, but that's how it played out.

Manufacturers are shipping more vaccine as they manage to produce it.

Government has absolutely nothing to do with this.

[Zoeisright]

11. +1

I also find it amusing that most people who 'blame the government' also think that underfunding it is just fine. Then they whine and squeal about how 'government doesn't work.

These idiots have never heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[stray cat]

12. But vaccines are worthless propaganda for companies to make money

:shrug: Unless you all of a sudden decide you want access to one.

[stray cat]

13. How often do you correctly anticipate next years viral strain?

6 months to a year in advance?

[Chemisse]

14. I don't think the government is to blame

I don't even fault the vaccine manufacturers. They started on the swine flu formula last spring, as soon as the pandemic status became evident. So the delays in the production of that vaccine are due to the limitations of the production process.

As far as the regular flu vaccine, that was out right on schedule.

[spanone]

17. incompetence in government? i'm shocked, shocked i tell ya.

[uppityperson]

18. Fear mongering news media sexed it up and created a panic. Blame them for the panic.

I'm not sure how the government threw out all kinds of news creating a panic.