SHOCKER: Those Who Claim H1N1 Vaccine Shortages Prove Evils Of Socialized Medicine.........WRONG!!!

[ChoppinBroccoli]

In Europe, most swine flu shots by invitation only

By MARIA CHENG, AP Medical Writer Maria Cheng, Ap Medical Writer – Fri Nov 6, 5:50 pm ET


LONDON – In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine. Doctor's offices aren't swamped with desperate calls. And there are no cries of injustice that the vaccine is going to wealthy corporations or healthy people who don't really need it.

Here, and across most of Europe, vaccine to protect against the pandemic flu is mostly given by invitation only to those at highest risk for flu complications.

"That is one of the great advantages of the British health system," said Dr. Steve Field, president of the Royal College of General Physicians. "We have a list of all the names of patients who qualify to be vaccinated."

When Britain unrolled its pandemic vaccination program last month, it designed its campaign to ensure that priority groups — including pregnant women, health workers and those with chronic health problems like diabetes, cancer and AIDS — get the shots first.

Instead of advertising that vaccine had arrived and waiting for the lines to form, Britain's National Health Service sent letters, inviting all those who qualify to make an appointment and get the shots first.

Field said Britain's socialized health care system allows the country to target people who need to be vaccinated quickly: "It's not like the U.S., where it's the survival of the fittest and the richest."

Read the rest of the article here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091106/ap_on_he_me/eu_med_europe_swine_flu

[ChoppinBroccoli]

1. An Interesting Excerpt

Similar programs are being carried out in other European countries, all of which have socialized medicine:

• In Germany, doctors have also been contacting high-priority patients to come in for their swine flu shot, though other people who have asked for one have not been turned away.

• In Sweden, Denmark and Finland, some local governments are sending invitations to people in high-risk groups or posting information about vaccine availability on their Web sites.

• So far, France is only vaccinating health care workers. Its health minister said 6 million people in priority groups would start getting invitations to be vaccinated next week.

In North America, swine flu vaccination has largely been a free-for-all, although some U.S. states have recently beefed up their screening process to ensure pregnant women, children and people with health problems get shots before healthy older people.

[uppityperson]

2. Are people ok with the health service having health info on everyone to make the determination?

I am curious as I can see this being a sticking point.

[LeftishBrit]

3. At least in the UK...

it's just your doctor who has your health records, and contacts those who would be deemed vulnerable according to the current criteria. The government does not hold people's health records, but merely sets the criteria. Confidentiality is kept very strictly.

Since the UK has a more centralized health service than many countries, I would be surprised if the same were not the case everywhere.

[ronsii]

4. I am glad the Doctors have the final say!

No, Seriously I am so glad the doctors will have the final say of what I will get or not net in terms of health care because I know that they have the training to make these decisions and I do not, in fact I know that I will probably make the wrong choice and they will always make the right choice! I just wish they could make all of my decisions for me... it would be utopia!!!

[kestrel91316]

6. Unless you are a physician, your doctor IS far better qualified to decide

if you fall into a medical high risk group than you are.

Welcome to DU. Enjoy your stay.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

5. Actually, I Think I'd Have A Big Problem With It............

..........if my doctor DIDN'T have all my health information, and DIDN'T contact me when things that could improve my overall health became available. Note that in the article, it says DOCTORS have been contacting their high-risk patients, not THE GOVERNMENT. If you don't want your own doctor to have your health info, who DO you trust to have it? I'll go you one better. If my doctor didn't have my health information at hand, and didn't know the particulars of my health situation, I wouldn't go to him anymore. The last thing you want to hear from your doctor is, "Sorry about that reaction, but I didn't know you were allergic to penicillin because I don't have your health info."

[uppityperson]

7. "Britain's National Health Service sent letters" prompted my question.

That sounds like gvt and why I asked. I agree about primary health care provider having health information about you.