From: Kenneth Campbell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
With Few Suppliers of Flu Shots, Shortage Was Long in Making
By DENISE GRADY NYT October 17, 2004
... Just as people had begun to appreciate the value of flu shots, the worst vaccine shortage yet struck. It was announced on Oct. 5, when bacterial contamination led British regulators to suspend the license of a vaccine plant in Liverpool on which the United States was depending for 46 million to 48 million doses, nearly half of America's supply. The plant is owned by Chiron, an American company....
In the third presidential debate, I love the way Bush shoveled responsibility for this fiasco on the Brits -- those Special Relationship Club member benefits never end! I.e.:
BUSH: "Bob, we relied upon a company out of England to provide about half of the flu vaccines for the United States citizen, and it turned out that the vaccine they were producing was contaminated. ... the best thing we can do now, Bob, given the circumstances with the company in England is for those of us who are younger and healthy, don't get a flu shot."
Carl
