Q:Who Didn't See THIS Coming?

by Vince Daliessio

A: The Federal Government, exemplified in this instance by the Centers for (poor)Disease Control;

U.S. Worries Flu Shots May Go to Waste

By DANIEL YEE
Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) -- Two months after the government recommended that scarce flu shots be reserved for people most at risk, health officials are now worried that tens of thousands of doses could go to waste, and they are considering easing the restrictions.

The demand for flu shots has turned out to be lower than expected because the flu season has been mild so far. Also, it turns out that more than half of all elderly or chronically ill adults have not even tried to get vaccinated because they figured no shots would be available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

Please, just end this dysfunctional, co-dependent relationship between vaccine suppliers and the government, and allow the market to distribute just the right amount of flu vaccine in the most economical manner possible.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FLU_SHOTS?SITE=NVLAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

(link courtesy of Leon's Almanac of Political History )

Posted 12/17/2004 10:52:36 AM by Vince Daliessio

Again, the culprit is the Soviet-style command economy used for flu vaccinations. In a free market, flu vaccinations will ALWAYS be readily available at some price. Maybe not free but in the case of a simple flu shot, almost free.

From a puely scientific standpoint, on the other hand, I don't think that all that many people would truly benefit from a flu shot as opposed to not getting a flu shot. If a flu shot would be best for you, wouldn't it be best to hear about it from your doctor as oppsed to Tommy Thompson or any of the other nameless government functionaries at the CDC?

Posted 12/17/2004 2:50:40 PM by Joe Pulcinella