No Flu Vaccine Shortage in Congress

10/20/2004

October 20, 2004

The Washington Post reports today that while "many Americans search in vain for flu shots, members and employees of Congress are able to obtain them quickly and at no charge from the Capitol's attending physician members of Congress." The move directly contradicts the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and President Bush who have stated that flu shots should be reserved only for the most high risk citizens – the elderly, the very young, pregnant women, long-term-care patients and people with chronic illnesses.

While the old and the sick must forego potentially life-saving flu shots, members of Congress enjoy free and easy access to limited vaccine supplies. The capital physician and the Senate majority leader have told representatives to get free flu shots regardless of whether they meet the criteria laid out by the CDC and the executive branch. Meanwhile, elderly and critically ill patients throughout the country are lining up to deal with massive vaccine shortfalls caused by the government's own incompetence.
The issue highlights the deep inequities in America's health delivery system. While seemingly inconsequential, the flu shot shortage brings to life the double-standards and disparities at the heart of America's health care system. Something is deeply wrong when the people who pay congressional salaries must deal with rationing of flu shots while the members themselves can receive free treatment at a moment's notice.
Ask your representatives what they are doing to help alleviate the flu vaccine shortage. Write or call your representatives and find out if they have gotten or plan to get a flu shot this season. Ask them what they are doing to help solve the problem and follow the recommendations of the CDC and President Bush. Ask them why Congress enjoys free and easy access to flu shots while everyone else must deal with shortages.

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